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karenmsecrest's reviews
310 reviews
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A funny, contemporary, absurd spy story. Come for the sentient cats and talking dolphins, stay for the satirical take on extreme wealth and villainy. The setting is current day, and the Zoom calls in chapter 22 had me laughing out loud.
The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton, who captures the “what the actual f?!? tone of the story.
The only negative: I wish Wheaton was better at differentiating between character voices. There were parts that were a little confusing to listen to… is that Charlie talking or his cat?
The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton, who captures the “what the actual f?!? tone of the story.
The only negative: I wish Wheaton was better at differentiating between character voices. There were parts that were a little confusing to listen to… is that Charlie talking or his cat?
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
hopeful
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? Yes
4.0
Charming and sweet, story about found family, friendship and love. Plus, there’s a dog, a koi pond, and witches. Loved it!
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
funny
mysterious
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
4.5
Picture this… the Golden Girls as retired assassins trying to foil a plot to take them out.
Story telling alternates between descriptions of their disco era wet work, and the current day as they make plans to take out the people who have placed a price on their heads.
A little darker than a cozy mystery, but this is a fun read for fans of murder mysteries and burning down the patriarchy.
Story telling alternates between descriptions of their disco era wet work, and the current day as they make plans to take out the people who have placed a price on their heads.
A little darker than a cozy mystery, but this is a fun read for fans of murder mysteries and burning down the patriarchy.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Love the concept of a time travel apartment and the main characters magically running into each other.
Some of the writing was lovely, and the conclusion was emotional and sweet. But there were parts that felt rushed or cobbled together. For example, the friends didn’t feel fully developed (still not sure if Drew was the pregnant friend or her not-pregnant partner). The pigeons in the window well had more character than Drew and her partner. Plus, for someone living in a magic apartment, Clementine seemed really oblivious about the coincidences all around her.
Contemporary romance can be tough. There’s a lot of grief in this one, but overall the HEA is sweet and Iwan is a dreamboat.
Some of the writing was lovely, and the conclusion was emotional and sweet. But there were parts that felt rushed or cobbled together. For example, the friends didn’t feel fully developed (still not sure if Drew was the pregnant friend or her not-pregnant partner). The pigeons in the window well had more character than Drew and her partner. Plus, for someone living in a magic apartment, Clementine seemed really oblivious about the coincidences all around her.
Contemporary romance can be tough. There’s a lot of grief in this one, but overall the HEA is sweet and Iwan is a dreamboat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
Worth Any Price by Lisa Kleypas
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
A tough as nails Bow Street runner marries a young woman to save her from the nasty a-hole she’s been betrothed to. They grow to love each through many spicy bedroom scenes. Her parents are absolute selfish pricks. There are a few scrapes with villains. All ends happily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Suicide
I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai
challenging
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The storytelling and writing are captivating. Though I have complicated feelings about the characters, I can’t stop thinking about this.
Do I have strong feelings about this book because I graduated from high school the same year as the narrator and it felt unsettlingly personal? Or because I’ve listened to true crime podcasts? Or because I went to college in New England? Or because the litany of news stories sprinkled throughout the book are so familiar?
This didn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling, but I found it compelling and fascinating.
Do I have strong feelings about this book because I graduated from high school the same year as the narrator and it felt unsettlingly personal? Or because I’ve listened to true crime podcasts? Or because I went to college in New England? Or because the litany of news stories sprinkled throughout the book are so familiar?
This didn’t give me a warm fuzzy feeling, but I found it compelling and fascinating.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
A 30 year old is still in love with her boyfriend from when she was 16? And now she’s engaged to a buttoned up guy who doesn’t appreciate her or her family? Just no.
Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
funny
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Hilarious, uncomfortable, relatable, and awkward… loved this so much I returned the library book and bought a copy at my local bookstore. I like it!
The 6:20 Man by David Baldacci
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book is BANANAS. So many over the top scenarios and ultra convenient plot devices. There is simply too much happening in this story: financial crimes, murder, National security issues, scorned lovers, Jeffrey Epstein style prison death, murder-for-hire, murder in-the-heat-of-the-moment, computer hacking... it's a Bingo board of thriller plots.
Devine is a former Army Ranger, which apparently makes him excellent at * checks notes * investigating global financial conspiracies and multiple homicides while defending himself from armed assassins. When he's not emulating Jack Reacher, he's a super nice roommate to 3 people, and spends his free time falling in love with half of the female characters in the book. Also, the women fall in love with him, even when they're in a committed relationship with another woman. He lives in New York, where apparently everyone in the medical profession is unfamiliar with patient privacy, and every doctor, nurse, nursing home employee is more than happy to give confidential details about a person (living or dead) to someone who simply self-identifies as a "friend." Speaking of medical confidentiality, would the NYPD really know if someone had a medicated abortion 6 months before they died?!? At what point in a homicide investigation do the abortion clinic medical records get opened up? All of this... and a central mystery in the plot NEVER gets resolved!
People like to disparage the Romance genre for predictable tropes and being too convenient, but this book is FULL of the mystery/thriller version of contrived "romance reasons" (would the counter-intelligence version be "spy stuff" or "detective devices").
The only reason I made it through this mess was because of the audio book. I would listen to Zachary Webber read the phone book, and honestly, it would've been a more enjoyable read than the 6:20 man.
Devine is a former Army Ranger, which apparently makes him excellent at * checks notes * investigating global financial conspiracies and multiple homicides while defending himself from armed assassins. When he's not emulating Jack Reacher, he's a super nice roommate to 3 people, and spends his free time falling in love with half of the female characters in the book. Also, the women fall in love with him, even when they're in a committed relationship with another woman. He lives in New York, where apparently everyone in the medical profession is unfamiliar with patient privacy, and every doctor, nurse, nursing home employee is more than happy to give confidential details about a person (living or dead) to someone who simply self-identifies as a "friend." Speaking of medical confidentiality, would the NYPD really know if someone had a medicated abortion 6 months before they died?!? At what point in a homicide investigation do the abortion clinic medical records get opened up? All of this... and a central mystery in the plot NEVER gets resolved!
People like to disparage the Romance genre for predictable tropes and being too convenient, but this book is FULL of the mystery/thriller version of contrived "romance reasons" (would the counter-intelligence version be "spy stuff" or "detective devices").
The only reason I made it through this mess was because of the audio book. I would listen to Zachary Webber read the phone book, and honestly, it would've been a more enjoyable read than the 6:20 man.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Suicide, and Abortion
All Our Wrong Todays by Elan Mastai
Readers might like it for:
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Not the book for me.
I was distracted by:
I was distracted by:
- Super short chapters (1.5 - 5 pages)
- First person narration
- The narrator was super whiney
Readers might like it for:
- Time travel
- Utopian parallel world
- Plot focused story
Reminded me of a YA book because of the fast-moving forward motion of the plot. However, the non-consensual sexual content is not for the YA audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault