Scan barcode
karenmsecrest's reviews
300 reviews
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
emotional
slow-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
Heart plus heat! Took a while for me to get into, but this book is super spicy and the 3rd act break up and reunion are super emotional. Manuela’s growth is exceptional (thankfully… because I found her annoying in the first half of the book).
2nd in a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.
Also, the historical aspects of the Paris exposition, artists, and Sapphic lifestyles of the time are fascinating!
2nd in a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.
Also, the historical aspects of the Paris exposition, artists, and Sapphic lifestyles of the time are fascinating!
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Don’t like the audio narration. Will consider reading the physical book (maybe the Harry Potterishness will be less glaring)
The Terminal List by Jack Carr
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Not in the mood for so much “perfect military man fighting the system” when the system seems to be California gun laws and female politicians.
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein
A decent read if you’re fired up about the Olympics and like a closed door romance.
informative
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
3.5
Lots of insight into the world of Olympic qualifying gymnastics, including all the tumbling moves you love (and some you’ve never heard of). A story of personal growth with just a little bit of romance thrown in - mostly kissing.
This incudes my least favorite contemporary romance trends:
This incudes my least favorite contemporary romance trends:
- First-person narration
- therapy-adjacent language
- heroine journey to self-improvement
- hero is perfect, makes one minor mistake, goes way above to apologize and atone for it
A decent read if you’re fired up about the Olympics and like a closed door romance.
Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.
Paused a while ago. Will pick up again.
The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Mary Claire Haver, MD
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Informative and helpful! The book includes instructions and action items along that explain the symptoms of the physical, mental, and emotional changes during perimenopause and beyond. Highly recommend for people experiencing changes or curious about what to expect. (Maybe this should be called “what to expect when you’re done with the expecting years”?!?)
Listened to the audiobook, but I suggest the printed version for easier access to resources.
Listened to the audiobook, but I suggest the printed version for easier access to resources.
This Is So Awkward: Modern Puberty Explained by Cara Natterson, Vanessa Kroll Bennett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 60%.
Paused to read other books.
The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Ok. Mystery/thriller with a dash of romance. Not my favorite book by this author. Maybe because it involves a stakeout, and that part of the story was as boring as the actual stakeout?
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Two college-aged main characters with enough baggage between them to open a travel store spend the summer together as camp counselors. This is the type of contemporary romance that references therapy, daddy issues, and baggage between super detailed smutty scenes. I appreciate the sex positive themes, LGBTQ+ representation, but overall I think I’m just too old for a book about 21 year olds.
Charm City Rocks by Matthew Norman
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
I. Loved. This. Book!
A charming and sweet rom-com with grown-ass adults (40 year olds) navigating love, life, parenting teens, and celebrity in this modern age. A happy ever after with low/no heat level.
I typically don’t like contemporary romances, but this was super fun and I would watch the sh*t out of this movie or tv show!
Recommend for:
romance readers AND people who “don’t read romance” or are looking for an intro to the genre.
A charming and sweet rom-com with grown-ass adults (40 year olds) navigating love, life, parenting teens, and celebrity in this modern age. A happy ever after with low/no heat level.
I typically don’t like contemporary romances, but this was super fun and I would watch the sh*t out of this movie or tv show!
Recommend for:
romance readers AND people who “don’t read romance” or are looking for an intro to the genre.