mcdermottcecelia's reviews
327 reviews

Normal People by Sally Rooney

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emotional reflective slow-paced

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

3.5

Spells for Forgetting by Adrienne Young

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read the Spells for Forgetting as a digital ARC through NetGalley, and I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite books of the year when it is released. I wasn't sure what to expect going into this novel, and it blew past my expectations. While his story combines a lot of elements I usually steer away from when reading (multiple POVs, flashbacks in time, more of a prose writing style), it combined them masterfully in a way that really sticks with the reader. This is one of those books you can't help but read slowly solely because you don't want the story to end. I loved reading about the characters of Saorise, and it truly was the perfect setting for this story. The plot moved forward in a slow but beautiful way. This may be my favorite Adrienne Young book so far, which is saying a lot. Her craft is unmatched in the Spells of Forgetting, and I can't wait for more readers to discover this story.

My Mechanical Romance by Alexene Farol Follmuth

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This story was such a cute, short YA romance novel!

I don't usually enjoy dual POV novels and I've recently leaned away from YA, but I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Bel and Theo's characters felt very genuine and addressed the many pressures of high school, family, college planning, and being a woman in STEM. I'm just about the opposite of a STEM genius, but this book still felt tangible and understandable to the reader. The cute, witty banter was great, and the plot points felt believable. It wasn't quite enemies-to-lovers like some have described it to be, but the arc of the relationship was enjoyable nonetheless. It felt age-appropriate without seeming too juvenile. I loved reading about Bel and Theo, and the other characters were just as fun to read about. The author found the perfect balance of being a YA Romance without the romance overtaking the plot. I read this book in one sitting (it was definitely on the shorter side), so I'm itching to see what the author will publish next in the genre. I really enjoy the author's writing style, and I hope to see her release more books like this in the future!

My only critique was that the beginning of the book felt a little dialogue-heavy and a bit harder to connect with, but this really shifted by the middle and end.

Thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC of this story! Looking forward to sharing this book with friends when it's released in May.

Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco

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adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.75

Call Us What We Carry: Poems by Amanda Gorman

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

A Hundred Other Girls by Iman Hariri-Kia

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

This was an excellent debut novel that follows a young woman navigating a toxic job as a young professional in New York. I found the character to be incredibly relatable, and this made the story very enjoyable. When I found out Noora and I share the same big three astrology signs, I knew this was going to be the book for me. Additionally, Noora deeply understands the internal politics of working in supposedly progressive work environments and the impact of finally securing one's longtime dream job. She has a special ability to eloquently describe these experiences in a way that sticks with the reader while maintaining the humor and relationships elements that make these situations all the more complicated. At times, I found myself wishing the story went a little bit deeper into certain plot points, but the current length made it the perfect one-sitting read. While I haven't seen the Devil Wears Prada, I would recommend this for fans of the Emily in Paris TV series or readers who enjoyed The Spanish Love Deception's writing style. It's a quick, witty read and the perfect book to get me out of a reading slump. I received this as an eARC, but I will definitely be purchasing it when it's released! I look forward to reading what Iman Hariri-Kia releases next.

The Girls by Emma Cline

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adventurous dark reflective slow-paced