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heidirgorecki's reviews
1025 reviews
The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina Mcmorris
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very informative, interesting and sad history of the late 1800s and the prejudice and violence against the Chinese in the US during the gold rush, the tunnels, and being shanghaied.
I had heard small bits about this time in history but knew very little about the landscape of how the Chinese were invited to work when they were needed but then retaliated against violently when greed came into play. I’d never heard of the massacres and murders described that Celia’s character bore witness to, and it’s a little incredible that that period of history isn’t known.
The story itself was a little slow at times, and Celia felt a little overly naive, but I liked the mystery and how the timeline hopping kept you in the dark about what ultimately led to Celia’s captivity in the tunnels. I thought that was done really well and had me invested in the story, trying to piece together possibilities.
Ultimately the ending surprised me, and I thought everything tied together well, while telling the history of the Chinese immigrants in Portland at the time. As sad as it was, I’m really glad to have learned about it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
I had heard small bits about this time in history but knew very little about the landscape of how the Chinese were invited to work when they were needed but then retaliated against violently when greed came into play. I’d never heard of the massacres and murders described that Celia’s character bore witness to, and it’s a little incredible that that period of history isn’t known.
The story itself was a little slow at times, and Celia felt a little overly naive, but I liked the mystery and how the timeline hopping kept you in the dark about what ultimately led to Celia’s captivity in the tunnels. I thought that was done really well and had me invested in the story, trying to piece together possibilities.
Ultimately the ending surprised me, and I thought everything tied together well, while telling the history of the Chinese immigrants in Portland at the time. As sad as it was, I’m really glad to have learned about it.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Interesting and well thought out, and wasn't super predictable. You knew something was going on, but not what exactly till the very end, so well done on that front. The ending was a little confusing for a minute, and felt a little like it wrapped up kind of fast, but overall it was engaging and I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Minor: Rape
Don't Go Faking My Heart by Kate Watson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Super cute and really funny. I loved the banter and back and forth that a fake dating always brings. Lots of great depth, and the adhd was portrayed really well. Really enjoyed it a ton.
It's Always Sonny by Kate Watson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
m not crying, you’re crying….
Seriously, it’s pretty rare books make me cry but this one did more than once. But also laughing. Often.
I loved this so much. Parker and Sonny are my favorites. I felt Parker so much and Sonny was the perfect balance/support.
Seriously, it’s pretty rare books make me cry but this one did more than once. But also laughing. Often.
I loved this so much. Parker and Sonny are my favorites. I felt Parker so much and Sonny was the perfect balance/support.
Tough Luck by Sandra Dallas
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I thought the book was mostly lighthearted and simple, not real complicated or deep. It was just ok in my opinion.
It was a look at wagon trails, thievery and gambling while migrating west, but I don’t have much of a point of reference to tell you if it was accurately portrayed or not. I will say the characters Haidie encounters felt sort of stupid and naive, or again, maybe simple is the best word. Maybe it was meant to be more of a kind of fun, YA wild-west adventure story, and if so, I think it did that successfully. It just wasn’t really my speed of book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
It was a look at wagon trails, thievery and gambling while migrating west, but I don’t have much of a point of reference to tell you if it was accurately portrayed or not. I will say the characters Haidie encounters felt sort of stupid and naive, or again, maybe simple is the best word. Maybe it was meant to be more of a kind of fun, YA wild-west adventure story, and if so, I think it did that successfully. It just wasn’t really my speed of book.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
adventurous
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thoughtful and creative way to convey how it’s not worth living in regrets and that no perfect life exists if you just made a different choice somewhere along the way. But I was just sooo bored…..
I Would Die for You: A Novel by Sandie Jones
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The mystery-thriller part of this was good and the story held my attention, and some of it not predictable but holy cow these were some of the dumbest and most spiteful characters.
It was a little insane how everyone just kept jumping to the worst opinions of each other without any investigation, everyone was gearing for a fight, and no one thought rationally about a single thing. It was also a bit annoying that no one seemed to want to finish a conversation either before they either physically left or went off on the other person.
It could have been such a good story if I had liked just one single person or felt like any relationship made sense. Again, not a bad book but it was just a bit on the extreme for reactions.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
It was a little insane how everyone just kept jumping to the worst opinions of each other without any investigation, everyone was gearing for a fight, and no one thought rationally about a single thing. It was also a bit annoying that no one seemed to want to finish a conversation either before they either physically left or went off on the other person.
It could have been such a good story if I had liked just one single person or felt like any relationship made sense. Again, not a bad book but it was just a bit on the extreme for reactions.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
The Vanishing of Josephine Reynolds by Jennifer Moorman
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really interesting and inviting concept of Josephine going back in time in the ‘20s and trying to fix her great-grandmother’s timeline, while simultaneously trying to process grief and rediscover herself. It was also a fun, tho brief, look at the 1920s.
I liked the authenticity of how to manage the clothing and period differences, as well as the aging process. The vanishing parts were sort of reminiscent of Back to the Future and It’s a Wonderful Life.
It was very creative and tho I would have loved more 1920s I thought it was enjoyable and well done.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
I liked the authenticity of how to manage the clothing and period differences, as well as the aging process. The vanishing parts were sort of reminiscent of Back to the Future and It’s a Wonderful Life.
It was very creative and tho I would have loved more 1920s I thought it was enjoyable and well done.
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Baby Llama Drama by Kate Watson
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This felt less rom-com and more plain contemporary romance. It was good and dealt with a lot of heavy and difficult topics, I enjoyed it and the continued characters and tension, but there was a lot less banter and funny situations in this one, tho appropriately so.
Strawberry Fields For Never by Kate Watson
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Super fun, cute and also great depth in the characters. Loved all of it, and the friendships of the Jane’s is perfect too. Really easy but great read.