juanat77's reviews
143 reviews

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense fast-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? No

4.5

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini

Oh, I loved this one! One of the best books I’ve read about WWII. The author took true events and real people and created a beautiful story. One filled will pain and sorrow but also resilience and strength.

The story, which takes place in 1930/1940s Germany, is told in multiple perspectives by 4 women on how one man and his Nazi party rose to power and imprisoned, tortured and/or killed millions of people simply because they were Jewish. The Gestapo had the power to arrest anyone for any reason. They had the power to take control of the Jewish Community, their homes, possessions and hard earned savings.

This is an unforgettable inspiring story about 4 very different ordinary women who sacrificed their lives for freedom and justice. The author did a ton of research which is outstandingly evident in the book. I was captivated from beginning to end.

This is a big book. About 600 pages—though it did not feel as long. Jennifer Chiaverinj has masterfully written a vital part of history. One we should never forget.

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#resistancewomen #jenniferchiaverini #williammorrow

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A Separate Peace by John Knowles

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emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

I am not going to rate this one. It’s very dated. It’s Catcher in the Ryeish but not as good. It’s a short book and it took me awhile to read it. I read 30 other books while reading this one. It didn’t keep me interested. At all. I almost DNF’d it but I’m no quitter. Kidding. I totally am. I’m sure it was a reading requirement at one point. I probably would have enjoyed it more when I was in HS. It’s actually a good book to have a discussion over. It just didn’t work for me.

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Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Good Dirt is written by the same author who wrote Black Cake which I loved. I do love this one a bit more. It has multiple POVs and timelines which alternate between the past and present. Charmaine Wilkerson has beautifully written this novel. It touches on many subjects including grief, racism, mental health, and ancestry.

This novel is about an affluent Black family who live in New England. The Freeman family suffer a tragedy in their family which changes them forever. The story goes back and forth from the 1800s to the present flawlessly exploring ancestry, trauma, and self forgiveness.

The chapters are short so it was easy to tear through the book. Good Dirt mainly follows Ebby Freeman from childhood to adulthood and how she turns her trauma into strength and love. She immerses herself into the Freeman legacy and finds the resilience to move on.

It is evident on the amount of research Charmaine Wilkerson completed. It is an emotional story—sad at times but also full of hope.

4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you @netgalley and Ballantine Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

#gooddirt #charmainewilkerson #ballantinebooks

Content Warnings

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

I really enjoyed Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder so I was looking toward to this one. The basic premise of the story is the relationship between mother and daughter. A mother who reappears after 16 years and a daughter’s struggle to trust and bond with her.

It started off strong and was fast paced then the middle slowed down….a lot.The last third saved it. It finished off strong. I sorta guessed the ending (well part of it) but was still surprised. Excellent twist.

I do think it was longer than it should have been. There were pages not really relevant to the story. It’s a Young Adult novel and a solid read for that audience.

3 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

thereaapearanceofrachelprice #hollyjackson #delacortepress

Content Warnings

Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Every time I go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack

This one was fun! Eleanor Nash is a best selling author on a book tour through Paris. She tries to solve a real life murder mystery when someone attempts to kill someone on her team.

Even though the story was a bit cheesy it was also a very funny cozy mystery. I actually laughed out loud a few times. There were also a few T-Swift references that added to the fun. One part of the book which I really enjoyed were the footnotes. They were hilarious! Throughout the story Eleanor addresses the reader multiple times which isn’t done often but made me feel like part of the book.

Every time I Go on Vacation is fast-paced, lighthearted with witty banter. It’s a good “palate cleanser” when in between thrillers and historical fiction novels. I will definitely read its sequel: No One was Supposed to Die at this Wedding!

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @minotaur_books for a copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

#everytimeigoonvacationsomeonedies #catherinemack #minotaurbooks

Content Warnings

Family Family by Laurie Frankel

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I am not a hugger by any means but I hugged this book when I finished it. It’s one of those feel good reads while tackling serious issues and throwing in some comedy. I really appreciate when an author breaks up serious topics with humor.

The FMC, India, tends have shredded paper at the ready (in her pocket) and throws them in the air whenever something good happens. I love this because when one of my patients finally completes a task that was difficult prior I usually put my hand in my pocket and throw invisible confetti.

I LOVE the author’s writing and wit. There is strong character development especially with India. The story goes back and forth between the past and present so the reader can witness the changes and developments. It is also told in multiple perspectives including India, other adults in her life and children. The children’s perspectives are especially enlightening.

The story causes the reader to reflect on what-ifs. Family Family focuses on the positive outcomes/experiences of adoption. The author stresses not every adoption involves trauma and loss. While it can be complicated and heartbreaking it can also be joyful and uplifting. Laurie Frankel focuses on the positive aspects of it.

There are sad moments sprinkled through the book but it is also full of heart. It illustrates the dynamics in different families.

India states, “Not all stories of adoption are stories of pain and regret. Not even most of them. Why don’t we ever get that movie?” We certainly got it in this book.

Content Warnings

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

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emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

This one was fun! While there are serious topics throughout the book the author is able to flawlessly mix humor which makes it a delightful read. I laughed out loud multiple times.

Synopsis: 20 year old Margo becomes pregnant as the result of an affair with her college professor and the choices she makes in order to support and raise her son.

I was rooting for Margo throughout the book. She is smart, strong, funny, determined and brave. If she had a problem she found a way to tackle it herself. The author displayed the hardships of being a single mom but also the rewards of being a mom.

Quick read. Witty. Insightful. Entertaining.

4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrow for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

The Mirror by Nora Roberts

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emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

The Mirror is the second installment of The Lost Bride trilogy. The story continued right where book one left off. We learn more about the history of the manor and the backstories of the seven lost brides in order get a better/thorough understanding of the story/plot. I did enjoy book one more which helped build the mystery and pull the reader in. I appreciated the humorous scenes sprinkled throughout the story that involved the ghosts of the manor.

It was longer than it should have been though (over 400 pages). The author focused a lot of attention on Sonya’s and Cleo’s daily schedule and activities (working out, cooking, work schedule/breaks, figuring out what’s for dinner, taking the dogs out) which slowed the pace of the book. There was also a lot of unnecessary dialogue (fillers) which did not add to the story.

The cliffhanger is nothing like book one which left the reader hanging. It just ended. I will continue onto the third and final book as I am eager to see how everything wraps up. All in all it was a solid read.

3 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings

What Have You Done? by Shari Lapena

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.0

What Have You Done? By Shari Lapena

This was a fast paced whodunnit thriller set in a small town with multiple POVs including the victim’s. Short chapters made you want to continue on and on. The author’s engaging writing style held my interest throughout the story. Though I guessed “whodunnit” early on, Lapena threw in twists that threw me off the path a couple times.

I recommend this to anyone who enjoys fast paced, easy, suspenseful, intense thrillers with a whodunnit vibe.

#sharilapena #whathaveyoudone #pameladormanbooks

Content Warnings

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise

This is my second Colleen Oakley novel and won’t be my last. The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise is a funny, lighthearted, charming novel about friendships and family with a subtle message of what it is to be a female. Tanner, who loses her college scholarship due to an injury, moves into Louise’s, an octogenarian, home to become her caregiver. At first they don’t get along due to their age differences but when a circumstance forces them to go on the run they learn from each other and bond.

Louise: “Sometimes it just feels like we spend so much time trying to teach the house not to catch fire, instead of teaching the arsonist not to light it.”

Fast paced. Great character development. Engaging. Mystery. A couple of twists I did not see coming. I wish I could read it for the first time again.

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#themostlytruestoryoftannerandlouise

Content Warnings

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juanat77's reviews 143 reviews

juanat77's reviews
143 reviews