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lindsiemcknight's reviews
634 reviews
Excellent Women by Barbara Pym
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Such a delight!!!
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I HATE ANN PATCHETT (I LOVE ANN PATCHETT)
I can’t believe I sat on this one for so long. I was lucky to get a pristine copy in a LFL, and then the next week, got the second to last signed copy of the annotated version at B&N. It felt like fate wanted me to read this book, so I made it my first book of 2025.
I don’t know what to say other than Ann knows how to make CHARACTERS and I was INVESTED
I can’t believe I sat on this one for so long. I was lucky to get a pristine copy in a LFL, and then the next week, got the second to last signed copy of the annotated version at B&N. It felt like fate wanted me to read this book, so I made it my first book of 2025.
I don’t know what to say other than Ann knows how to make CHARACTERS and I was INVESTED
The Guest by Emma Cline
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Meh. It was honestly kind of boring, super pretentious, and I just didn’t get the ending. Maybe I’m dumb for that but I just didn’t get it.
Here One Moment by Liane Moriarty
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
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
5.0
Wow.
Canal Street Bed and Breakfast by Keri Smith
adventurous
funny
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Canal Street Bed and Breakfast is a charming cozy mystery reminiscent of Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie, set against the vibrant backdrop of New Orleans. The story follows Camryn Alexander as she embarks on a girls’ weekend in NOLA with her mom and sister, a getaway meant to celebrate her sister’s upcoming wedding. During their stay, Camryn stumbles upon the unsolved disappearance of a girl who stayed at the same bed and breakfast years ago, setting the stage for an intriguing mystery.
Keri Smith masterfully brings New Orleans to life with her vivid descriptions. From the bustling French Quarter to the atmospheric charm of the Canal Street B&B, her writing immerses you so fully that it feels like you’re there, even if you’ve never visited.
I especially appreciated the thoughtful setup of the story. The first portion of the book is dedicated to introducing Camryn, her family dynamics, and her fascination with true crime. This slower pace worked beautifully, offering a deeper understanding of the protagonist while also grounding the story in its rich setting. If this is the start of a series (fingers crossed!), it’s a smart choice to establish such a strong foundation for future installments.
The romance subplot is light, which I personally enjoyed as someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward romance-heavy stories. While some moments between the romantic leads felt a bit too convenient, it didn’t detract much from the overall experience—likely a nod to romance tropes I’m less accustomed to.
As for the mystery itself, it’s well-crafted and kept me guessing until the end. The twist genuinely surprised me, and while the mystery isn’t overly complex, it’s perfect for readers seeking an engaging but anxiety-free read. The true strength of this novel lies in its journey, the captivating setting, and the well-drawn characters.
Overall, Canal Street Bed and Breakfast is a fantastic debut from Keri Smith. I’m already looking forward to seeing what mysteries Camryn Alexander might uncover next!
Keri Smith masterfully brings New Orleans to life with her vivid descriptions. From the bustling French Quarter to the atmospheric charm of the Canal Street B&B, her writing immerses you so fully that it feels like you’re there, even if you’ve never visited.
I especially appreciated the thoughtful setup of the story. The first portion of the book is dedicated to introducing Camryn, her family dynamics, and her fascination with true crime. This slower pace worked beautifully, offering a deeper understanding of the protagonist while also grounding the story in its rich setting. If this is the start of a series (fingers crossed!), it’s a smart choice to establish such a strong foundation for future installments.
The romance subplot is light, which I personally enjoyed as someone who doesn’t usually gravitate toward romance-heavy stories. While some moments between the romantic leads felt a bit too convenient, it didn’t detract much from the overall experience—likely a nod to romance tropes I’m less accustomed to.
As for the mystery itself, it’s well-crafted and kept me guessing until the end. The twist genuinely surprised me, and while the mystery isn’t overly complex, it’s perfect for readers seeking an engaging but anxiety-free read. The true strength of this novel lies in its journey, the captivating setting, and the well-drawn characters.
Overall, Canal Street Bed and Breakfast is a fantastic debut from Keri Smith. I’m already looking forward to seeing what mysteries Camryn Alexander might uncover next!
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another great read featuring the characters we know and love!!!
The Singer's Gun by Emily St. John Mandel
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I loved the concept but it waned a bit in the middle before picking back up