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theblushbookworm's reviews
636 reviews
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
emotional
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
5.0
Coco Mellors writing style and the brilliant characterization of the Blue sisters makes this novel a masterclass in raw literary fiction. I’m not the best at describing writing styles beyond I liked it so bear with me, but hers is cinematic like this is a limited series on HBO. It’s a mix of these anecdotal stories and flashbacks that grab your attention and make you laugh and/or cry and then these birds-eye-view raw truths after. Frankly I’d like to be Coco Mellors’ friend. I’m better for reading her writing, and from the way she writes I imagine she’s the kind of person you’re better for knowing. I also wish the Blue sisters were real, so I could throw my friendship at them too. Avery is self-critical and exacting in a highly relatable well; oldest daughters will certainly see themselves in her. Bonnie is a bleeding heart and simultaneously tough as nails. Lucky is the most puzzling to me and where I had the most to learn. We watch them all break and come back together simultaneously as only sisters can. They expanded my understanding of addiction, and either of Coco Mellors books are great places to start for novels that explore that honestly but tenderly. And I can’t go without talking about the fourth Blue sister, whose life and loss is the catalyst for this story. Nikki’s experience with chronic illness is all too relatable to me, and she sheds such a light on the heartbreaking connection between chronic pain and addiction. This book split me open and sewed me back together. A new all time favorite.
The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
“The Christmas Tree Farm” really is a Hallmark Christmas movie, but in this one you get to see what happens behind closed doors. This has sealed the deal that I am smitten with the Dream Harbor series. This small town is perfect for Christmas, which made this book extra magical. Kira and Bennett’s flaws were perfect for the plot and perfectly compatible with each other. I wasn’t sure if I was here for Bennett’s nickname for Kira, but it grew on both me and Kira with time. Laurie Gilmore has a gift for creating movie moments in her declarations of love scenes. I won’t spoil it, but that was my favorite scene in the book. As marketed this is a perfect Christmas romance!
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
dark
emotional
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
4.0
I wish I’d read “Parable of the Sower” in a class or book club because I’m certain my reading for pleasure approach meant I missed some messages. But the audiobook was great and brought to life this bleak, but beautifully written story. The epistolary nature of the novel told through diary entries provided an intimate window into Lauren’s thoughts as she develops the religion of Earthseed. This book doesn’t just cover religion; it covers every social issue you can think of and thus has every trigger warning you can think of, so be aware. The audiobook narrator has a mature voice, which I thought was an interesting choice. On the one hand, it made the narration feel a bit more detached and from a bird’s-eye view, which reflects trauma well. And on the other hand, it made it seem the horrific events impacted Lauren less, which I think does the book a disservice. Lauren’s hyperempathy — she experiences other people’s pain — was an interesting plot device to show the best of humanity amidst the background of the worst of it. A really important read, and a surreal one to read right now since it’s set in the “future” but starts in the year 2024.
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
I was happy to be back in Dream Harbor, and I liked this couple even better! I related to Hazel a lot and loved the message that your twenties don’t have to be wild to be meaningful. Hazel’s journey to let loose before she turned 30 was really sweet to watch, and Noah’s help made it all the sweeter. The declaration of love scene is a new favorite for me! It was so swoon-worthy and creative. I do think this series lacks a little bit in banter, but the books do shine in how cozy and cute they are.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
“Never Let Me Go” is a book you should read with little to no knowledge of the scope or plot of the story. It’s set up to give you bits of world building at a time. The narrator, Kathy, drops world building into dialogue and then explains it after. The story is told in first person narration, so the reader comes to understand Kathy pretty intimately. We also learn a lot about her friends, Tommy and Ruth. The dynamics of this friendship triangle was the most interesting part of the book to me. The plot is not action-packed, but as I was reading the pacing felt steady but fast. I’m not a big science fiction reader, and I think other science fiction novices will enjoy this one too.
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“The Pumpkin Spice Café” really is a Hallmark movie in book form. Jeanie and Logan’s love story is sweet and predictable yet satisfying. There’s something comforting and cozy about reading a book where you know things will all work out for the best. The small town setting of Dream Harbor really shines, and I’m excited to see it more fleshed out as I read the rest of the series!
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“Pineapple Street” was a quick, fun window into the lives of the generationally wealthy. I liked the three POVs of the two daughters, Darley and Georgiana, born into wealth and the contrasting POV of Sasha who married in. The way the sisters treat Sasha is pretty horrifying, but not unrealistic. I’m not sure I totally bought into Georgiana’s character arc, but I liked Darley’s and Sasha’s. Also I’m obsessed with the cover of this one! I ate this one up in one or two sittings.
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“An Academy for Liars” was not an easy five star for me. The first and last one hundred pages were like crack they were so engrossing. The middle was also intriguing with a lot of ethical quandaries and morally ambiguous choices. This book is also an annotator’s dream with so many quotes to pull from. Many of these quotes are excellent examples of the authentic mental health representation placed throughout. Lennon as a main character is kind of an anti-hero, and her character arc is perplexing yet satisfying. I definitely questioned many of her choices and often her narration as a result, which made for an engaging read. My difficulty comes in with her relationship with Dante, which I found ethically and morally questionable. Their arc together didn’t necessarily go in the direction I would’ve preferred, but I won’t spoil by sharing my specific preference. In the end, I’ve decided the questionable nature of their relationship and of Lennon herself contributes to the disturbing and challenging atmosphere of the whole book. Highly recommend this one if you want to be engrossed but in a thought-provoking way.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
medium-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? Yes
4.0
“Not In Love” is different from Ali Hazelwood’s other novels, and thus less to my taste, but it’s a testament to her writing that I still enjoyed it. My favorite part of the plot wasn’t the writing but the discourse around STEM patents and the way academics can be screwed over when it comes to their own work. I also loved the platform this book gave food insecurity and the traumas it leaves behind. Seeing how food insecurity shaped Rue and her perspective toward not only hunger but love was heartbreaking. Rue in general was such a unique romance heroine in that she was unapologetically less expressive. The romance was lovely as well, though I’m not a huge fan of insta-love or maybe insta-lust in this case. I appreciated how the sex scenes modeled consent and negotiation in a healthy way, and how Rue and Eli’s sexualities were described without judgement. The ending was really strong, almost so strong that I wish there was no epilogue. Another book proving I would read anything Ali Hazelwood writes.
The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This series is the definition of no plot, just vibes, and “The Atlas Complex” carries it to a strong finish. There’s so much social commentary it’s almost overwhelming. It can be convoluted at times and sometimes my attention wandered, but the raw truths the story packs makes it worth it. The ending of this book and of the series is unpredictable and perfect for each of the six characters I grew to hate, question, adore, and admire all at the same time.