jennametheny's reviews
163 reviews

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is one of my favorite contemporary romances of all time. I love the writing. The dialogue is snappy and fun but also very real. The relationship dynamics make sense and the stakes are so real. The romance is so compelling. I had a visceral reaction to some of the surprises. Knocked a few points off for some millennial cringe and a few character moments that didn’t totally make sense- but the destination made the journey all worth it.
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Go to review page

adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This is a disappointing follow-up to the fun junk-food guilty-pleasure read that was Fourth Wing. While the first book had its issues, it at least moved along at a good pace and kept its world building relevant to the plot, which did exist. This sequel feels less like a book with plot and more like a series of scenes, some with helpful world building and some with useless world building, all leading up to an inciting incident that will prompt a third book. I would say it’s filler, but we have no idea what is filler and what is necessary information. It’s a lot, it’s poorly paced, it’s poorly organized. If the rest of the books are this badly thought out, this series will be one of my biggest disappointments. 
Sadie by Courtney Summers

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Viscerally disturbing, horrifying and sad. Very impactful. The original ending, while lacking closure, is real and raw and doesn’t bother me. The epilogue, however, feels wholly unnecessary and a step too far down the hole of no hope. MAJOR trigger warnings.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

Go to review page

mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Happy Place by Emily Henry

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.75

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.5

Stars, Hide Your Fires by Jessica Mary Best

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

This is a fun ride with enjoyable banter and a cast of characters with excellent found family potential. I almost wish we could have met fewer characters in exchange for getting to know others a little more deeply, but  they were still lovable.

A bit of the mystery was given away in the setup to be honest - with our protagonist being such a clever trickster she should have noticed right away. But that’s okay, no matter how effective the “twist” is for you, you’ll probably still have a good time.
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

Go to review page

sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

It would have been a DNF if I weren’t reading for book club. There are beautiful bits of writing in this, strung together by no plot at all. So many times an interesting concept would be introduced simply to never come back up again, or if it did it wasn’t for any significant reason. I’m sure some readers can find pleasure in these collections of scenes or vignettes with no true main character, but I spent the entire book waiting for a plot to appear.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

A+ romance with a dose of found family. I adore the characters, all of them! Yes, even that one. Our antagonist is extremely compelling. Nate is amazing, and his innate goodness even comes full circle and feeds into his only flaws, which make him feel more well rounded than “random perfect hot guy.” And I will not stand for the Anastasia slander in these reviews. She’s hot headed and passionate and I love those character traits on her. It’s nice to find female characters who are allowed to be emotional and temperamental, instead of generically “strong and independent but not in an offensive way.” Plus,
it was made very clear that some of her irritability and other “annoying” habits were due to her eating disorder. She even starts to flex on her planner toward the end of the story.
 


I love the way HG managed to construct a romance plot that’s shockingly free of miscommunication tropes and unlikely coincidences. In this romance, decisions make sense and healthy communication exists and we love it. 


I knocked half a point off for infodumping character backstory in the beginning and half a point for the epilogue. IYKYK. Finished in less than 24 hours so it’s safe to say I loved it!
The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake

Go to review page

funny mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I’m disappointed by my own review. I absolutely adored the first book, so when this one became such a slog I was truly shocked. It’s sloooooow. I got through it because I came to care for these characters during the first installment, but this was a struggle to finish line.