sydneyrcruse's reviews
71 reviews

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

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challenging dark medium-paced

3.0

The first in a series of 7 that shaped my childhood and love for reading. A quick re-read to start off the new year
The Way I Used to Be by Amber Smith

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challenging emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Had to reread this favorite for my first book of 2024. Such a good read!
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

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hopeful lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

1.0

Not a love for me! I wanted to try this series out since this one was free on audible, but I just couldn’t get into it. The love triangle felt way too much to me personally and I don’t think I could make it through the second two. 
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

I felt the plot twist was too early in the book at first… but then they just kept coming. I really enjoyed this one!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No

3.0

Is something still considered a twist if you know it’s coming? This was a highly recommended book to me. I liked it, but didn’t love it. The “twist” was decent but I feel that some part of the story is incomplete. 
Too Late by Colleen Hoover

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challenging dark emotional medium-paced

3.0

This book was decent. I feel that it could have ended about 100 pages prior and it would have been a tad better. The climax felt drawn out. 
Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced

2.0

The change in realities was definitely confusing, especially since I was listening to it on audible and there was no verbalization that there was a change in reality happening. Overall, it was a cute story/plot but kinda predictable. 
Ward D by Freida McFadden

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

3.0

I liked the overall plot and twists of this book despite the severe unrealistic nature of it all. As someone who works in a psych ward, there were so many things that were just completely impractical. Overall a decent read. 
Five Survive by Holly Jackson

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dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No

2.0

I didn’t vibe with this one. It started off very slow and I found myself getting sooo annoyed at some of the characters. 
It Starts With Us by Colleen Hoover

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emotional medium-paced

3.0

I LOVE A HAPPY ENDING. I enjoyed this one for sure. There was definitely a cringe factor with mentions of “Tik tok” and “generation z” but definitely still a good read IMO.