nicoreads333's reviews
68 reviews

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

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dark reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I enjoyed this book, although thrillers are not typically my preferred genre. The characters were dynamic, the plot was fully fleshed out, and the writing itself was well-structured. There were a couple of cringey moments, but nothing so bad that I didn't want to finish reading it. What I liked the most was that it was an almost all female cast, with only one male character that has a very short part in the book. It would definitely pass the Bechdel test. 
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Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted slow-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

4.5

This is such a cozy and fun book. I wish I could live inside it and be a regular at the coffee shop. Low stakes adventure and fantasy. It’s a nice palette cleanser after a heavier book. 
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Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

4.75

Such a beautiful book! I was fully immersed in these characters’ lives and wellbeing. I couldn’t help but root for them. Just a well-written romance that was time well spent to read. And even though it touched on some difficult topics, it never felt too exploitative or graphic (in my opinion as someone who is very sensitive to that kind of thing.)
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Uprooted by Naomi Novik

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adventurous hopeful mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by Naomi Novik, and I have to say she is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. I admire her unique writing style and ability to weave complex, yet gripping stories that keep the reader engaged and curious until the end. It’s a rare quality, and she showcased beautifully in uprooted. 
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Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

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funny reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a fun, quick read that really kept me captivated throughout the whole thing. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next each step of the way and I genuinely liked the ending. 
Anna K by Jenny Lee

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emotional hopeful reflective 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

4.75

Very well-written and engaging. I love the original story of Anna Karenina and I wasn't sure what to expect, but the Jenny Lee did such a great job making it modern. It almost reminded me of the OG Gossip Girl series, especially taking place with Manhattan's elite. I loved how diverse the cast of characters was, too. There was a lot going on and a few different intertwining storylines to follow, but it was surprisingly easy to do so. I also really love her writing style and the use of an omniscient narrator. It's been a while since I've read something that I liked this much. 
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The Lady's Guide to Scandal by Emmanuelle de Maupassant

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funny lighthearted relaxing medium-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

3.25

This was a fun quick read that was a nice to escape into. I love historical fiction and romance, so this was right up my alley. It's a cozy and fun read. 
I did also appreciate the author addressing how the British have a tendency of taking things for their museums without asking. It may not be accurate of a person from that time, but I don't care. It made me like the male love interest even more because he was respectful of indigenous culture. 
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Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

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adventurous hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

I read this book on a flight from the UK to Texas, and I was riveted. I couldn't put it down. I had heard so many good reviews of this book, but I wasn't sure if it had been overhyped (like so many other books on booktok), but I personally believe it lived up to it's name. I don't know if I loved it more for the adventure/fantastical elements or the sweet love story or because I related so well to the main character. Whatever the case, it was exciting and cozy and kept me entertained on the longest flight of my life to date. 
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Yolk by Mary H.K. Choi

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dark funny hopeful medium-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

4.75

Mary Choi has a way of transporting a reader back in time to teen/young adult years with her writing. I love her writing style, the characters she crafts, and the worlds they live in. Yold is dark, but humorous, and sad and relatable. Choi eloquently paints the complicated dynamics between mother and daughter and between sisters (especially as immigrants in the US), so even if you can't relate in your life, you get a glimpse of what it's like. She handled the conversation of food and body issues respectfully, while remaining true to the character. 
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Heart and Seoul by Jen Frederick

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

It was really interesting to get a point of view from a Korean adoptee in the US. While not an easy subject, the author did a great job showing how complex it can feel to be from two different places and never really feel like you fit in. I felt the sting of the micro-aggressions and racist comments and even the comments about being adopted. The author did well in illustrating those points. I didn't actually guess who her birth mother was until right before it was revealed, which is cool (I have a tendency to be able to spot patterns and guess plot twists, endings, etc) but there were a few surprising things in this. I fell in love with Yujun (who wouldn't love a helpful, kind, patient hottie?). There were some times where I felt the pace was a little slow or the MC was kind of a debbie-downer, but I'm glad I finished it. I can now read the sequel to find out what happens next, which I am looking forward to. 
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