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nessyreadsalot's reviews
311 reviews
The Fate of Magic by Beth Revis, Sara Raasch
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A book about life's ups and downs and learning the joy of allowing yourself to be your true self. The writing is very casual and easy with a nice blend of emotion and humor.
We follow Phoebe on an introspective detour of her attempt to kill herself as she’s feeling overwhelmed by the loss of her husband (from divorce) and her cat passing away. So, she books a hotel room at a fancy resort and has a plan; however, it is interrupted by a wedding happening in the hotel and the wedding people she meets and connects with. The wedding people are complete strangers and of a different financial class than Phoebe, but as their lives intersect during this weekend, Phoebe and the wedding people help each other reflect on their life experiences, approaches, and decisions.
This story shows how it’s sometimes the small interactions with people that can change your life or help you feel like you’re alive and grateful. It’s about learning how to grow and accept your changing self as you become the person you want to be.
What I didn’t like about this book:
We follow Phoebe on an introspective detour of her attempt to kill herself as she’s feeling overwhelmed by the loss of her husband (from divorce) and her cat passing away. So, she books a hotel room at a fancy resort and has a plan; however, it is interrupted by a wedding happening in the hotel and the wedding people she meets and connects with. The wedding people are complete strangers and of a different financial class than Phoebe, but as their lives intersect during this weekend, Phoebe and the wedding people help each other reflect on their life experiences, approaches, and decisions.
This story shows how it’s sometimes the small interactions with people that can change your life or help you feel like you’re alive and grateful. It’s about learning how to grow and accept your changing self as you become the person you want to be.
What I didn’t like about this book:
- Most of the characters seem pretty surface level but maybe that’s intentional? Like surface level friends/side characters, but maybe that’s supposed to represent feeling and being alone even among your supposed “close circle”
- Lila and Gary specifically are so emotionally immature for getting this far in their relationship
- Phoebe gives off pretentious vibes for someone who was ready to end it 👀
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling
dark
mysterious
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
Spectacular by Stephanie Garber
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Really beautiful atmosphere for the winter season 🤩
Donatella and Legend have such fun chemistry with each other, it had me smiling ☺️
Donatella and Legend have such fun chemistry with each other, it had me smiling ☺️
El Principito by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I read this book at 25 as my first book of the year, and I must say — what a beautiful book to start the year with. I feel like this is one of those books that I can (should and will) pick up at different points in my life, and something new will stand out and stick to me pending on the time of my life that I’m in.
The Little Prince is like philosophical, thought provoking life lessons written in the form of a child and adult talking to each other. This book is for people who are willing to have a little bit of imagination and a lot of empathy with the curiosity of introspection.
The Little Prince is like philosophical, thought provoking life lessons written in the form of a child and adult talking to each other. This book is for people who are willing to have a little bit of imagination and a lot of empathy with the curiosity of introspection.
The Tea Dragon Tapestry by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
I think this one was my favorite in the series!! It was so beautiful and heartwarming to read as my last book of the year. In the Tea Dragon Tapestry, we follow Minette and Greta as they continue to grow. Not only that, but we also get cameos of Rin and Aedhan from the Festival in book 2!
The main themes in this installment are all about believing in yourself and loving and accepting the person you once were, the one you are today, and the one you are becoming. It’s about believing in your dreams, setting your goals, and being grateful for where you are and where you’re going. It’s about trusting and leaning on your friends and family when things get rough. It’s about being there for others when they are grieving.
It’s an absolutely beautiful and perfect end of year read. The Tea Dragon world will be with me forever ❤️ and I’ll definitely be picking it back up when I’m down.
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill
lighthearted
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? No
4.75
There’s lovely representation in this book! I love the beautiful cozy vibes that continue from the first one; however, this seems to be a prequel where we see what the village was like before Erik and Hesekiel grew old and retired together. I do wish we learned more about Aedhan and his clan / why he slept for 80 years. It didn’t make sense to me the way that part of the story played out. Nonetheless, I’ll always enjoy this little universe because of how comforting and beautiful it is!😊
The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
What a beautiful introduction to Tea Dragons and their owners. This story is so whimsical and cute ☺️. We start this short series with Hesekial and Erik looking to pass on their Tea Dragon Society traditions with Greta and Minette.
We learn about their Tea Dragons: Jasmine, Roobios, Chamomile, and Ginseng and how these are rare creatures that need a lot of attention, love, and care to nurture them. In return, they store beautiful day in the life memories of their owners and present the memories to them when their teas are brewed and tasted.
This book talks about the art of slow living and the importance of having a community to bond and share memories with.
We learn about their Tea Dragons: Jasmine, Roobios, Chamomile, and Ginseng and how these are rare creatures that need a lot of attention, love, and care to nurture them. In return, they store beautiful day in the life memories of their owners and present the memories to them when their teas are brewed and tasted.
This book talks about the art of slow living and the importance of having a community to bond and share memories with.
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
The Christmas Orphans Club by Becca Freeman
emotional
funny
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
4.75
I really like this Christmas story! We’re mainly following a friendship group who bonds over Christmas because they don’t feel like they have a family to spend the holidays with, until they become each others chosen family. There’s also a romance subplot between two of the friends, Finn and Theo, and I was content with how their story developed. It was nothing majorly exciting, but it was a nice subplot to follow.
We only get insight into the story through the pov of the 2 OG friends, Finn and Hannah, and I wish we would have gotten more from Theo and Priya. Even though Theo was my favorite, I think all four of them had interesting back stories and they all seemed so integral to the group and their development to the story, but they unfortunately hit a point where their characters felt flat. I think that was due to only the dual POVs; it felt like I missed out on learning more from Theo and Priya and their perspectives on how things were churning over during their harder life moments and how that impacted their view/approach to the Christmas traditions of the friend group.
Lastly, I know there’s reviews on how annoying Hannah is, but I feel like we can’t fault her too much. Out of the 4 friend group, she’s the only one who was truly orphaned at a young age, so I think it makes sense for her character to be as codependent as she is. Sure, there’s some growth that she desperately needed(and she did get there by then end) but that’s what pushed the conflict of the story forward, so I’m not too upset with how her character acted because when look at the full picture, it makes sense to me. If anything, I feel like it definitely taught me some empathy and patience to read about a character like Hannah.
We only get insight into the story through the pov of the 2 OG friends, Finn and Hannah, and I wish we would have gotten more from Theo and Priya. Even though Theo was my favorite, I think all four of them had interesting back stories and they all seemed so integral to the group and their development to the story, but they unfortunately hit a point where their characters felt flat. I think that was due to only the dual POVs; it felt like I missed out on learning more from Theo and Priya and their perspectives on how things were churning over during their harder life moments and how that impacted their view/approach to the Christmas traditions of the friend group.
Lastly, I know there’s reviews on how annoying Hannah is, but I feel like we can’t fault her too much. Out of the 4 friend group, she’s the only one who was truly orphaned at a young age, so I think it makes sense for her character to be as codependent as she is. Sure, there’s some growth that she desperately needed