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shutupiamreading's reviews
1230 reviews
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Not the right time to read this since I just read something similar - may come back to this.
Death in the Downline by Maria Abrams
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
While I enjoyed this book, I think it’s being completely mismarketed. The cutesy cover and descriptions of it being ‘witty’ and ‘cozy mystery’ are really inappropriate for the dark and sad kind of story this is.
MLMs are pure evil and it’s true that the subject matter lends itself to a solid murder mystery, but it’s unfair to go into this expecting it to be funny and cozy. This book peels back the layers of toxic feminism/girl boss ethics, preying on poor communities, and many more sinister subjects. If you’re familiar with MLMs, this won’t be anything new, but it’s still well done.
MLMs are pure evil and it’s true that the subject matter lends itself to a solid murder mystery, but it’s unfair to go into this expecting it to be funny and cozy. This book peels back the layers of toxic feminism/girl boss ethics, preying on poor communities, and many more sinister subjects. If you’re familiar with MLMs, this won’t be anything new, but it’s still well done.
One True Loves by Elise Bryant
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Red River Road by Anna Downes
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Only 10 pages in, but I realised when flipping through this book that there are wayyyy too many POVs.
I also accidentally read a spoiler about the ending/reveal and it's probably my most hated trope in mysteries, so it's a big fat nope for me.
I also accidentally read a spoiler about the ending/reveal and it's probably my most hated trope in mysteries, so it's a big fat nope for me.
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
funny
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
If you're going into this expecting it to be similar to the Thursday Murder Club and its vibes - don't. While this book has some of Osman's signature humor and banter, it's very different from his other series, and unfortunately it just didn't work for me.
- There were just way too many characters, red herrings, and subplots to keep track of. I'm an experienced mystery/thriller reader, but it felt as if the author did this to keep everything mysterious, which honestly feels a little like a cheap plot to keep suspense. Cutting 2-4 side characters and 2 red herrings would've made it a lot less confusing.
- The characters felt really flat and one-dimensional, which is a disappointment after Osman's amazing characterisation in Thursday Murder Club.
- The whole money laundering, hitman, influencer, organised crime thing didn't appeal to me at all, but I realise that's a personal preference.
That being said, I did really enjoy Rosie's character and Steve's character growth. And the final sentence was set up perfectly and made me chuckle.
- There were just way too many characters, red herrings, and subplots to keep track of. I'm an experienced mystery/thriller reader, but it felt as if the author did this to keep everything mysterious, which honestly feels a little like a cheap plot to keep suspense. Cutting 2-4 side characters and 2 red herrings would've made it a lot less confusing.
- The characters felt really flat and one-dimensional, which is a disappointment after Osman's amazing characterisation in Thursday Murder Club.
- The whole money laundering, hitman, influencer, organised crime thing didn't appeal to me at all, but I realise that's a personal preference.
That being said, I did really enjoy Rosie's character and Steve's character growth. And the final sentence was set up perfectly and made me chuckle.
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
informative
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
I absolutely adored this little book. It’s a wonderful story about learning to embrace deafness and exploring your identity as a disabled person. It’s also really informative to read as a hearing person, especially given the variety in different levels of hearing that are represented in this book. A lot of insightful conversations that provide perspectives that I wasn’t familiar with, and I really did learn a lot while reading this. I highly encourage anyone to read this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism and Police brutality
Moderate: Vomit
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
lighthearted
medium-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
The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman
emotional
funny
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
5.0
I didn’t expect this to be so profound and that it would become my new favourite in the series. There is so much character growth in this book, and I really appreciated how a few characters that previously felt a little one-dimensional were given so much development and redeeming qualities. The subplot involving dementia was devastating but so beautifully handled for a rather light-hearted series. Love love love this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Dementia
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi
emotional
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
5.0
I love love love this author’s books so much. I love how her main characters’ journey is often focused on embracing softness and allowing their loved ones into their lives. The romance set in a healthcare setting is, as always, really well done and I really enjoyed how she incorporated some really important conversations around working in the medical field into this book. Also loved how she approached the whole love triangle trope so differently and stayed away from blind jealousy, but instead had the two male characters get to know each other!