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karenmsecrest's reviews
310 reviews
Knockout by Sarah MacLean
adventurous
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
5.0
Perfection! The characters, the writing, the banter, the patriarchy smashing... this book has it all! The chemistry between Imogen and Tommy made me swoon. A little bit of adventure, a lot of heat, and a riotous gang of friends make this my favorite of the Hells Belles series.
This is number 3 in the series, but can be read as a stand alone... though why would someone want to miss out on the madcap brilliance of the full set?!?
This is number 3 in the series, but can be read as a stand alone... though why would someone want to miss out on the madcap brilliance of the full set?!?
The League of Gentlewomen Witches by India Holton
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Charming, funny, delightful, and possibly a little smug. This writing reminds me of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where the narration is too clever by half. But I find these characters more interesting and endearing. A little bit of love, witchcraft, and piracy.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
Cons:
emotional
slow-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? Yes
4.5
This book is at times hilarious and at times heartbreaking. The banter, characters, and small town setting are entertaining. Daniel is perfect (too perfect?): hot, capable, responsible, kind, strong, good with his hands, has a dog… basically a dreamboat. But Alexis is dealing with a ton of emotional abuse from her past relationship and childhood, and her recovery and processing of the abuse is a major through-line in her story. Plus, one of the citizens of the small town endures some physical domestic violence.
This is less of a lighthearted contemporary rom-com than I was expecting. But the emotional investment is what makes the ending so good. The payoff is HUGE and the ending is the happiest of ever afters.
Pros:
This is less of a lighthearted contemporary rom-com than I was expecting. But the emotional investment is what makes the ending so good. The payoff is HUGE and the ending is the happiest of ever afters.
Pros:
- Daniel!
- Hunter the dog
- Banter
- Audiobook narrators
- Laugh-out-loud moments
Cons:
- Content (emotional abuse)
- Asshole parents
- Abusive ex-partners forced proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Physical abuse
Bigfoot and the Librarian by Linda Winstead Jones
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
3.0
This is a short, cozy mystery with a little bit of romance mixed in. Fun characters, a quick read, and low spice. A nice setup for the Mystic Springs series. I picked this up because it fulfilled the "Librarian" box on my summer reading bingo card. Now I'm curious about the rest of the Mystic Springs series.
Overall, a quirky, pleasant read.
Overall, a quirky, pleasant read.
Suddenly You by Lisa Kleypas
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Classic Kleypas! Romance, sex, an independent heroine who writes popular novels, a brilliant hero with a dark back story, the rules of society try to ruin everything, but love conquers all. Sigh.
Jack Devlin is my favorite Kleypas hero (apologies to St. Vincent and Derek Craven).
The love story made me swoon, and the spice level gets kicked up to 11.
Check the content warnings.
Jack Devlin is my favorite Kleypas hero (apologies to St. Vincent and Derek Craven).
The love story made me swoon, and the spice level gets kicked up to 11.
Check the content warnings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman
Cons:
3.0
Full disclosure: I don’t like musical theater. This is a love story in and about musical theater. If you don’t love musical theater, step away from this book. (I should’ve followed my own advice. 1 star for my personal feelings about the setting, but 4 stars for story and writing.)
Pros:
Pros:
- The audiobook performance!
- Then/now timeline hopping
- Heroine’s Inner dialogue
- Banter
- Tension building
- Best friends
- Boy bands
Cons:
- Musical theater (sorry!)
- Miscommunication between characters (just say what you mean!)
- Sexism in the music industry
A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Quit the Audiobook 2.5 hours in. The narration is first person and Jamie Watson is British… but the male narrator is America with no British accent. I got too distracted by Watson’s narration and never made it to Julia Whelan’s chapters.
Love the concept, but:
Love the concept, but:
- Not sure this is a YA book? Drug abuse, Oxi injections, references to sexual assault. Maybe it’s YA the same way Veronica Mars is YA?
- At times, the Holmes/Watson references are clunky.
- The line “Great great great great grandfather” could be a drinking game. Counted at least 8 instances in the first third.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Sexual assault
Return to Cherry Blossom Way by Jeannie Chin
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A cozy, small town romance with a heroine who faces some big issues: returning home, bullying from a high school nemesis, and racism. A little heat, a lot of family drama.
You’ll love it if you’re in the mood for:
You’ll love it if you’re in the mood for:
- A sweet love story
- Return to a small town
- First-generation family
- restaurant/cooking
- North Carolina
- A little heat, a lot of emotion
The Pursuit Of... by Courtney Milan
emotional
fast-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
3.75
Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
Cons:
If you like angst and an emotional journey, this one is for you.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A sweet, small town love story with low spice. I love Dean and the baseball details. I got frustrated with Evvie half way through the book, but her journey is the main story and it all works out in the end. The audio book was especially compelling, thanks to narration by Julia Whelan.
Pros:
Pros:
- Baseball
- Dean
- Small town coastal Maine
- Friends
- Pop-culture references
- Narrated by Julia Whelan
Cons:
- Gaslighting dead husband
- Evvie’s shitty communication skills
- Closed door, limited spice
If you like angst and an emotional journey, this one is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death and Car accident