monarchbooks's reviews
506 reviews

Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

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emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

While this book started out slow, I became truly invested around chapter 10, and finished within a few sittings. This book was as funny as it was tense, with high but manageable stakes and realistic but hilarious attempts to evade the stakes by pairing up their parents. That charade was quite predictable as was the charade of the next book at about 75% of the way through, but predictability simply means good planning and follow through for the plot. I have a few qualms about the slow beginning and some convenient plot armor, but overall a very enjoyable read. 
12 Trips in 12 Months: Make Your Own Solo Travel Magic by Jen Ruiz

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adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

12 Trips in 12 Months by Jen Ruiz was not only a tour around the world with so many amazing reccommendations for activities, food, and transportation, it was also a heartfelt memoir about leaving the path you think is "right" for you to follow what you love and realizing that romance is not the end all be all - you can be happy and single, even at 30. At 22, I am seeing old and new friends get married and start families and it can feel a little suffocating when all i'm focused on is finally finishing college so I was extremely touched by the sentiments of this book. I specifically reccommend the audiobook edition because at several points, Ruiz speaks directly to the reader and I loved hearing her encouragements out loud. 

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Blackstone Publishing, and Jen Ruiz for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review (unpaid). 
Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Interesting read about Vero's past; would have read a whole novel about her tbh
The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale by Virginia Kantra

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adventurous emotional reflective 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

3.5

While this book was enjoyable to read, I felt that Kantra was sometimes too in your face about things, hammering her point into her readers mind, not trusting them to get there on their own. I also feel like she had a lot she wanted to do with this book and a lot of connections she wanted to make and sometimes side storylines just fell off the page to focus on the main story, leaving the reader with no closure (specifically with the Glenda Norton/Norton family storyline). The love triangle was forced and I wish Kantra had made Sam a brotherly character instead of a playboy love interest with no real follow through. 
Taylor Swift is Life by Kathleen Perricone

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informative lighthearted fast-paced

2.0

I was disappointed by how much this book focused on the relationships of Taylor's life, especially when the author referred to Cory Monteith as an ex when they were publicly never stated to be more than friends and "Kaylor" when Taylor has pleaded her fans to stop shipping her with her friends and made a statement about not being a part of the LGBTQ+ community in 2019. Beyond that, the author made the timeline of her career a little fuzzy, particularly with the Borchetta-Braun fiasco which is most likely due to the fact that they do not want to be sued for libel. This book could have been a lot more fun if it had actually focused on the Swiftie fandom and Easter eggs but in it's current form, I find it at best, boring, and at worst, disrespectful to the artist the author claims is "life". 

Thank you NetGalley, Quarto Publishing Group, and Kathleen Perricone for allowing to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion (unpaid).
The Life and Writings of C. S. Lewis by Louis A. Markos

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informative reflective fast-paced

4.0

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

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lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

While it was quite difficult to get through at first because there are simply too many Williams, I really enjoyed this book
Picture Day at Dino Play by Sean Julian

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Picture Day at Dino Play is a fun read that children will surely be interested in and is useful for teaching children about selflessness and helpfulness, along with creativity. This would be an excellent book to pair with a crafting activity as children will surely wish to make their own hats after reading it. Thank you to NetGalley, Sean Julian, and NorthSouth Books for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
The Littlest Weaver by Robin Hall

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A fairytale-esque picture book with beautiful illustrations that will be perfect for teaching children about grief, loss, kindness, and friendship. Thank you to NetGalley, Robin Hall, and Familius for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review (Unpaid).
Paul the Peacock by Tilly Matthews

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adventurous lighthearted 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

5.0

This would be a wonderful book for teaching modesty, kindness, and helpfulness to children. Thank you to NetGalley, Tilly Matthews, and Frances Lincoln's Children's Books for allowing me to read this in exchange for a honest review (Unpaid).