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hermusings's reviews
276 reviews

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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challenging emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

They just don’t write sweeping dramas like this anymore! Layne Fargo thank you but also how could you?

This was engaging, thrilling, infuriating & an absolute delight to read. The level of detail Fargo weaves into the story made me pull up google to search visuals of these fictional characters and skating events. The exploration of the complexity of ambition and obsession was beautifully developed through this story of morally gray characters. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

I would specifically recommend to lovers of  I,Tonya, Wuthering heights, daisy jones & the six, and from Lukov with love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group, for an eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Over the Influence by Joanna "JoJo" Levesque

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5.0

Joanna the storyteller that you are!!! 
As someone who’s grown up with Jojo, I’ve had loads of questions about her career and life. To hear it from the woman herself was engaging and surprisingly well-written. I would read anything she writes.
You can tell this memoir comes from a place of healing and hindsight that was very refreshing.

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The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

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adventurous funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I found this to be delightfully enjoyable. With any magical realism where some sort of element is constantly changing, there’s the risk of the story growing tired before anything truly happens. In The Husbands Gramazio sets a fast pace from the beginning that keeps you engaged. I also found that main character Laura would get tired of the revolving door of husbands just as I did which allowed for the story to turn into a quest for a suitable husband (or life) for her to stay with. 
This was the perfect level of introspective and outlandish.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

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reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This may be my favorite Christmas short story I’ve read so far.
Loved the prose and powerful messages weaved throughout the story. Also how authentic and earnest main character Bill Furlong is.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer

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  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is a strong feminist story about a sex bot gradually gaining consciousness and desire for free.
This was hard to put down as you soon find yourself rooting for Annie and wonder where her journey will lead her. Along with great commentary on humanity, feminism and AI.
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer

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funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Loved the premise. It was sweet and had me go down a mastectomy rabbit-hole while also being informative within the narrative. 
Also!! This is a holiday season read!! Perfect time for it.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

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funny lighthearted reflective
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Quirky and cringe yet fun, sexy, & thoughtful
Bourbon & Secrets by Victoria Wilder

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3.5

With the Foxx Bourbon series, Wilder does a good job at building a romance with intrigue and suspense. This sequel does not fail to deliver on those fronts and more.

Although at face value this book is a suspense romance, I was pleasantly surprised by how much was also centered around sisterhood. It also built beautifully on the story from the previous book which I think added dimension to the town and the characters.

Excited to see how this series will conclude with Ace & Hadley’s story.

Thank you to Victoria Wilder for an arc in exchange for an honest review. 
I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

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funny reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This not only found me well but at the right time! 

Natalie Sue wrote a corporate comedy with depth, introspection and juicy office drama. I devoured it and found it timely for me on a personal level but also as a good respite from the state of the world. I went into this blind which allowed me to have a delightfully funny and surprising experience.

Also, the audiobook narration by Nasim Pedrad was phenomenal!!