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soobooksalot's reviews
973 reviews
Years in the Making by Megan McSpadden
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
The Unraveling by Vi Keeland
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child death, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, and Alcohol
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"This movie is not for everyone. This movie is for some of us."
Same can be said for this book.
If the title hadn't grabbed me, the cover would have. And the plot synopsis. All of it.
As I've said before, I'm a huge fan of the cursed media sub-genre (The Ring, Curse of the Reaper, The Handyman Method, etc.), and Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie is next-level.
In 1993, a gritty and disturbing horror movie was made, but only three scenes were ever released to the public.
Now, the actor who portrayed Thin Kid is the only cast survivor. The story is told from then and now, with the Horror Movie screenplay itself cut in between chapters.
This is truly cinematic and off-putting reading, and at times heartbreaking.
Horror Movie creates it's own lore, and there are great in-references. It's one that makes you want to go straight to YouTube to watch those released scenes, now knowing the stories behind them.
It's creepy af and I loved it. For horror fans - highly recommended!
Same can be said for this book.
If the title hadn't grabbed me, the cover would have. And the plot synopsis. All of it.
As I've said before, I'm a huge fan of the cursed media sub-genre (The Ring, Curse of the Reaper, The Handyman Method, etc.), and Paul Tremblay's Horror Movie is next-level.
In 1993, a gritty and disturbing horror movie was made, but only three scenes were ever released to the public.
Now, the actor who portrayed Thin Kid is the only cast survivor. The story is told from then and now, with the Horror Movie screenplay itself cut in between chapters.
This is truly cinematic and off-putting reading, and at times heartbreaking.
Horror Movie creates it's own lore, and there are great in-references. It's one that makes you want to go straight to YouTube to watch those released scenes, now knowing the stories behind them.
It's creepy af and I loved it. For horror fans - highly recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Only One Survives by Hannah Mary McKinnon
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Dementia, Murder, and Toxic friendship
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Ahhh PEI!
I vacationed on the island as a moody teen, though I loved all the Anne of Green Gables-related tourism, and of course the seafood!
This Summer Will Be Different is not only the love story of Lucy and Felix, but a love letter to the island as well.
The deep friendship between Lucy and Bridget (Felix's sister - see where this is headed?) is just as important to the plot as the romance element, if not more. Summer Winds, the Carter family residence in PEI, feels more like a home to Lucy than hers in Toronto ever did.
Author Carley Fortune has recaptured the magic of her debut, Every Summer After, and I loved This Summer Will Be Different nearly as much.
Perfect summer read - recommended!
I vacationed on the island as a moody teen, though I loved all the Anne of Green Gables-related tourism, and of course the seafood!
This Summer Will Be Different is not only the love story of Lucy and Felix, but a love letter to the island as well.
The deep friendship between Lucy and Bridget (Felix's sister - see where this is headed?) is just as important to the plot as the romance element, if not more. Summer Winds, the Carter family residence in PEI, feels more like a home to Lucy than hers in Toronto ever did.
Author Carley Fortune has recaptured the magic of her debut, Every Summer After, and I loved This Summer Will Be Different nearly as much.
Perfect summer read - recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
The Secret History of Audrey James by Heather Marshall
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Genocide, Hate crime, Grief, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and War
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Murder, and Alcohol
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Am I the asshole?
Why did NOT ONE Bookstaperson tell me to read Abby Jiminez's books?
Totally kidding, of course.
Where have I been?? Just For The Summer has been a frequent feature in these parts. And now I wholly understand why!
"Sometimes your traumas are the reason you know how to help."
Just For The Summer is the story of Emma and Justin - they connect through a Reddit post, then hit it off immediately IRL. But as happens, each comes with hefty emotional baggage and looming responsibilities.
The sweet rom-com slant of the book brings us forehead kisses, head lice, the Toilet King, rainbow unicorn floaties, and date surveys.
But the grittier side depicts heartbreaking attachment issues from years of trauma and neglect.
Amidst this, we meet friends who become family, and relationships that meet where the other person is.
Have I already ordered Part Of Your World and Yours Truly? I sure have.
Very much recommended!
Why did NOT ONE Bookstaperson tell me to read Abby Jiminez's books?
Totally kidding, of course.
Where have I been?? Just For The Summer has been a frequent feature in these parts. And now I wholly understand why!
"Sometimes your traumas are the reason you know how to help."
Just For The Summer is the story of Emma and Justin - they connect through a Reddit post, then hit it off immediately IRL. But as happens, each comes with hefty emotional baggage and looming responsibilities.
The sweet rom-com slant of the book brings us forehead kisses, head lice, the Toilet King, rainbow unicorn floaties, and date surveys.
But the grittier side depicts heartbreaking attachment issues from years of trauma and neglect.
Amidst this, we meet friends who become family, and relationships that meet where the other person is.
Have I already ordered Part Of Your World and Yours Truly? I sure have.
Very much recommended!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
The Haters by Robyn Harding
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Haters gonna hate.
There was so much to enjoy in this thoroughly twisty thriller!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my ARC of The Haters for review.
I loved the peek into a debut author's experience, as well as portions of Camryn Lane's book, Burnt Orchid, itself.
Despite all the thrillers I read and all the suspicions I had, I didn't guess at all how The Haters would pan out.
There was so much to enjoy in this thoroughly twisty thriller!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my ARC of The Haters for review.
I loved the peek into a debut author's experience, as well as portions of Camryn Lane's book, Burnt Orchid, itself.
Despite all the thrillers I read and all the suspicions I had, I didn't guess at all how The Haters would pan out.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Blood, Car accident, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail