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infogdss29's reviews
3026 reviews
Passion Project by London Sperry
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
There Are Moms Way Worse Than You: Irrefutable Proof That You Are Indeed a Fantastic Parent by Priscilla Witte, Glenn Boozan
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.25
A Winter Wish by Emily Stone
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
It’s the holiday season, and Lexie seems to be a nanny on vacation helping two young charges decorate a tree at a ski resort where she’s had enough time to hook up. Out at the bar and off duty she gets a call that her father has passed. The funeral is attended by his other daughter., Rachel, who seems genuinely distraught—Lexie cannot relate, as Richard may have been a father but was never a dad. And then the novel takes an abrupt left when we learn Lexie and Theo—her dad’s employee—have been willed his travel company and have to commit to a year of working together to inherit. Rachel gets the house.
At 10% through, I put this one down. I’m not sure if the writing style is a mismatch or it’s just poor writing—lots of exposition that doesn’t even tell very much. The very vague beginning, too many characters to keep straight, and lack of warm, cheery, holiday appeal made this a DNF for me.
At 10% through, I put this one down. I’m not sure if the writing style is a mismatch or it’s just poor writing—lots of exposition that doesn’t even tell very much. The very vague beginning, too many characters to keep straight, and lack of warm, cheery, holiday appeal made this a DNF for me.
Love in Translation by Joss Wood
The novel starts out with a lot of internal monologuing, and I didn't find the way the character described herself to fit her actions. There was so much exposition that I lost interest and DNF, gave it up at 28% complete.
On a break from work after a meltdown moment, multi-lingual United Nations translator and interpreter Rheo has retreated to her grandmother's home to lick her wounds and decide next steps when an Airbnb renter shows up, claiming his right to stay. Since Rheo never alerted her family about her leave or squatting, she has no choice but to let Fletcher in, least her cover be blown. He's an adventure-seeker and documentarian, staying in Gilmartin (Pacific Northwest) to make day trips to local attractions during a doctor-ordered hiatus from adventuring, to avoid a relapse of chronic fatigue syndrome. Rheo is a homebody who dislikes the outdoors. They couldn't be more unalike, but there is an instant attraction that simmers into a slow burn--well, slow for less than 300 pages.
The novel starts out with a lot of internal monologuing, and I didn't find the way the character described herself to fit her actions. There was so much exposition that I lost interest and DNF, gave it up at 28% complete.
I received a free advance reader's review copy of #LoveInTranslation via #NetGalley courtesy of #Harlequin.
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Unromance by Erin Connor
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
review: https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/2025/01/09/unromance-by-erin-connor/
Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? No
3.5
a review will post to Hip Librarian's Book Blog on 1/21/2025 at https://hiplibrariansbookblog.com/2025/01/21/give-me-butterflies-by-jillian-meadows/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
Merry Mischief List by Hailey Dickert
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Savvy Girl by Lynn Messina
4.0
A summer internship at a women’s magazine introduces Long Island ingénue Chrissy Gibbons to the glamorous world of high fashion at a fast pace. Although the work part isn’t everything she dreamed (no cover articles, just reading endless query letters and working on the health section while the health editor she works frenetically plans her wedding, instead of doing her work), the fashion editor befriends her. Former model Jessica takes Chrissy under her wing, dishing gossip, complimenting her accidentally audacious fashion sense and bringing her to a number of fancy cocktail parties, where Chrissy tries to rub elbows with a gorgeous college intern on another magazine. The whirlwind of gaiety puts Chrissy’s friendship with her BBF under a great deal of strain (Lily’s parents are mid-divorce, and Chrissy just isn’t there for Lily) and there is also an essay competition at the magazine to content with.,The grand prize winner will earn her very own recurring Savvy Girl column and a $10, 000 for college.
All these plot points sound like a lot to juggle, but Messina does it deftly, blending family tensions, working strife, and romance into a compelling, fast paced story about a 17-year-old girl learning that nothing in like comes easy. Not as slick as Gossip Girls, Chrissy’s observations and experience deliver a more realistic version of life in NY and mixing with the elite of the fashion world.
The writing sparkles off the page on several occasions; “Lily chain-smokes guys,” is just one great line that stands out. Clearly, Messina has a word a day calendar like her protagonist: cerulean, audacious, and urbane aren’t words that pop up notice in your average teen trade paperback novel. The chapter headings are very clever, with sensationalist and playful magazine article-style titles, like “Fatal Crush Or Hunger Pangs? Take Our True Love Challenge” in a chapter where Chrissy meets one smooth player. Messina’s bio indicates she’s worked at several “women’s glossies,” and the authenticity comes as Chrissy experiences a variety of personalities, tasks and lessons learned.
All told, this is a solid story, well executed, with a likeable and dynamic main character, and a sweet and satisfactory ending almost as good as cookie dough ice cream. Recommended for larger collections.
All these plot points sound like a lot to juggle, but Messina does it deftly, blending family tensions, working strife, and romance into a compelling, fast paced story about a 17-year-old girl learning that nothing in like comes easy. Not as slick as Gossip Girls, Chrissy’s observations and experience deliver a more realistic version of life in NY and mixing with the elite of the fashion world.
The writing sparkles off the page on several occasions; “Lily chain-smokes guys,” is just one great line that stands out. Clearly, Messina has a word a day calendar like her protagonist: cerulean, audacious, and urbane aren’t words that pop up notice in your average teen trade paperback novel. The chapter headings are very clever, with sensationalist and playful magazine article-style titles, like “Fatal Crush Or Hunger Pangs? Take Our True Love Challenge” in a chapter where Chrissy meets one smooth player. Messina’s bio indicates she’s worked at several “women’s glossies,” and the authenticity comes as Chrissy experiences a variety of personalities, tasks and lessons learned.
All told, this is a solid story, well executed, with a likeable and dynamic main character, and a sweet and satisfactory ending almost as good as cookie dough ice cream. Recommended for larger collections.