spookysarahsays's reviews
308 reviews

The Bookstore Keepers by Alice Hoffman

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emotional hopeful sad fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

Much like the last story of this series I think the themes are a bit too poignant for a novella. They would be better served in novel form. 
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The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

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hopeful fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

Not bad but I think for the tone of this story it would have been better as a novel versus a novella. Sophie’s diagnosis and love story feel rushed and unearned. 
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Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

Really solid book! The first act is a bit slow but the second act grabs you and doesn’t let go!
Miss Marple: The Complete Short Stories by Agatha Christie

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mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I definitely prefer Poirot to Marple, at least for the short stories. 
Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani

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dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

Not bad, just not memorable.
Brooms by Jasmine Walls

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adventurous emotional 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? No

5.0

Great read! I loved the perspective presented in this one!
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

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dark mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I can see why this is considered a classic but I didn’t love it. Maybe I will reread it later and see if I get more from it. 
Hungry Hearts: 13 Tales of Food & Love by Elsie Chapman, Caroline Tung Richmond

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

A really interesting blend of genres in this anthology. I really enjoyed most of the stories and how they intersected.
The Black Girl Survives in This One by Saraciea J. Fennell, Desiree S. Evans

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

3.5

Mixed bag for me but I don’t regret reading it.
Thaumaturgic Tapas by Tao Wong

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lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.5

Thank you BookSirens and Starlit Press for the E-ARC!

As always Tao Wong describes food beautifully, I am a little sad the story in this novella didn’t come to a complete resolution but I hope that we get more because I love these characters!