feliciaclark's reviews
720 reviews

Living Beyond Borders: Stories About Growing Up Mexican in America by Margarita Longoria

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5.0

This is a young adult anthology of 20 writers who share their Mexican American experience in the form of poems, personal essays and short stories. Each piece crossed many borders through beautifully and uniquely written stories.
Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Better late than never with this Christmas-themed, romantic comedy, especially since I love the “I always knew you kids would get together someday” storyline.

The sexual tension between Stella Bloom and Luka Peters is palpable in this novel about a failing Christmas tree farm business and its owner trying desperately to save it through hyperindependence and one giant lie. In the end, what matters is the truth, community and confession of love.

“You think you’ve been lying to me, but you’ve been lying to yourself this whole time.”
Nightbird by Alice Hoffman

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I could not stop reading this fun, young adult book! From the author of “Practical Magic” is this coming-of-age, magical realism story about a family hiding from their enemy’s curse. Twig and her friends set out to break the 200-year-long spell to save her brother’s life. I savored every page in this fantastical world and enjoyed all of its characters. My heart feels so warm and full. 
Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.25

This is a lighthearted romance novel about Jamie Westenberg and Bea Wilmot who believe they’re wrong for each other. When their friends try to secretly set them up, they team up and decide to fake date for revenge. Eventually, however, they realize their friends may have been onto something.
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson

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5.0

If you’ve lost someone and are looking for signs they are still around, this is the book for you. I cried on and off throughout this whole book from the stories of people connecting with those who have crossed over. 

There are bugs that have been appearing since we got to Kentucky (our first state) in the RV. We noticed them more heavily in Tennessee and every time I set one outside, it would either find its way back in or multiply. When I saw they were still with us Arizona desert, I made a comment to my partner that I felt these bugs were a sign that my Cousin Tim was joining us on the journey (He passed away last year after living as a nomad in his Skoolie.) Once I said it out loud, there was one that started flying around the RV every couple minutes, another one wrapped up in my yoga mat before my meditation, and another on a book I’m reading about connecting with your subconscious mind. Happy to have our little visitor(s), and grateful this book helped me pay more attention to notice them. 

“The secret language of the universe does not have to stay secret. The power of signs is unlimited and unrestricted. The password is whatever we want it to be.”
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Because love shows up.”

This book broke me. I related so hard to Dr. Brianna Ortiz’s trauma response to romantic relationships and absolutely fell in love with Dr. Jacob Maddox, all his anxieties and quiet moments. I’m still gushing and wiping away my tears over here!

“We are a mosaic. We’re made up of all those we’ve met and all the things we’ve been through. There are parts of us that are colorful and dark, and jagged and beautiful.”

“I gave Nick the part of me I don’t give anyone. I gave him the kind of stupid, innocent love that you can only give before you know better. He got the best of me, and I’ll never find that me again. … I’ll never be that trusting again. I’ll never give myself to someone else with complete abandon like I did with Nick. I don’t have it in me. He was the exception.”
When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill

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dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

This the story of the untapped power of female rage.

A clash between “The Power” and “The Handmaid’s Tale” with an undertone of magical realism and all-out feminism.

The mass Dragoning of 1955 turned the world upside down when thousands of women spontaneously turned into fire-breathing, winged dragons. How will the patriarchy handle such a catastrophe? If you’re a woman reading this book, get ready to rage.
After I Do by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

“I know it will be okay because everything is okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it isn’t the end.”

This story redefined happily ever after through a complicated circumstance in Lauren and Ryan’s marriage and all the judgements that come from the support system that is meant to help navigate through the struggles. I appreciated the authentic and diverse perspectives of modern, heteronormative relationships. 

The interview with the author was worth the extra listening/reading time! I absolutely love the Taylor Jenkins Reid and Julia Whelan team.

“Maybe needing someone isn’t about not being able to do it without them. Maybe needing someone is about it being easier if they are by your side.”
All God, If God There Be: A Journey Through Incest Into Incarnate Light by Linda Carleton

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5.0

As someone who has struggled with religion my whole life, and then as someone who dove headfirst into spirituality on my healing journey, this memoir about Linda’s trauma turned incarnate light was everything I needed.  I found myself holding my breath during each new revelation. Some of the stages of her discovery were ones I have reached as well, while others presented as doors for me to open when I’m ready. All of which was validating and exciting to know I’m not alone through the ups and downs, fulfillments and disappointments, joy and the anger, etc. in this journey.

Linda is a shining star seeking to brighten this dark and chaotic world. I was fortunate enough to meet her at the 2021 Wide Open Writing retreat in Maine, and I am so grateful to now hold her powerful, brave, completed story in my hands. I will forever cherish this book and reference it when I need realignment.
Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen

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4.25

“The words that hurt the most aren’t necessarily the ones that are true. The words that hurt the most are the words that you’ve been afraid are true about you. The same ones you whisper to yourself in moments of self-doubt and deepest shame.”

This is the third and final book in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy about Tabby, who’s become a new mother and trying to juggle work and other relationships. Throughout the story, she begins to accept her new life while facing the challenge of choosing herself.