Scan barcode
ivi_reads_books's reviews
298 reviews
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin wasn’t quite my cup of tea. The characters all felt brusque, and I couldn’t warm up to any of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Banyan Moon by Thao Thai follows a multi-generational Vietnamese American family of women, weaving together their stories across time. It gave me similar vibes to Real Americans, with its exploration of identity and history.
While I appreciated learning more about Vietnamese history, some parts didn’t quite land for me—especially Ann, whose perspective felt a bit bratty and hard to follow at times.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and War
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross had an intriguing premise, but it didn’t quite work for me. The magic was minimal, and I kept feeling like I was reading about WWI rather than a fantasy world.
On top of that, I struggled to connect with the characters, which made it hard to fully immerse myself in the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Husbands & Lovers by Beatriz Williams weaves together three distinct storylines with beautiful writing that kept me hooked from start to finish. Each storyline feels unique yet connected, offering a mix of romance, history, and heartache.
It’s an emotional read with depth and intrigue, but be sure to check the trigger warnings if certain themes might be difficult for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Medical content, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Hum by Helen Phillips
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Hum by Helen Philips takes place in a near-future world that feels eerily familiar—just with everything dialed up to 11. Think natural disasters, workplace automation, robots, and AI.
This thought-provoking story holds up a mirror to society, exploring consumerism, surveillance, and autonomy. It asks some unsettling questions:
📱 Can you navigate life without your phone?
🔍 What does your search history say about who you are?
🤔 How much of your independence is truly yours?
📱 Can you navigate life without your phone?
🔍 What does your search history say about who you are?
🤔 How much of your independence is truly yours?
A fascinating and timely read that’ll leave you reflecting long after the last page.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley is a YA book that doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. It tackles murder, addiction, the opioid crisis, and the structural oppression of Native Americans. But at its heart, it’s also a story of resilience.
Daunis’ deep connection to her community and heritage is the soul of this book. Her determination to protect and give back to her people adds so much hope and beauty, creating a powerful contrast to the darker themes.
This is a gripping read that balances tough topics with a strong sense of love, identity, and hope.
Isabella Star LaBlanc does a wonderful job giving the characters distinct voices and transporting emotion to the listener. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
Isabella Star LaBlanc does a wonderful job giving the characters distinct voices and transporting emotion to the listener. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Alcohol
Icarus by K. Ancrum
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
Icarus by K. Acrum is about a teenage thief, an art-forging dad, and a backdrop of family drama. It also includes representation of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), which was a welcome touch.
That said, I found some elements a bit hard to believe: a teen casually diagnosing a rare disease, a family feud that felt overly dramatic, and a story that skimmed many themes without fully diving into any of them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Violence
Let's Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Let’s Call a Truce by Amy Buchanan is a super-steamy romance that brings two single parents together in the best (and spiciest) way. The family life moments are adorable and heartwarming!
What didn't hit the mark for me was the way one character was painted as a total villain, with no insight into their perspective. It felt like a missed opportunity to add more depth to the story.
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for the advance review copy.
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for the advance review copy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Abandonment
Minor: Mental illness
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Miscarriage, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity