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triple_m's reviews
278 reviews
Sour Candy by Kealan Patrick Burke
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A quick and entertaining enough read, but I read this only about six weeks ago and I remember so little about the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
One positive is that I think Montell is a great narrator. If you want to write a memoir, then write a memoir, girl.
medium-paced
1.0
I genuinely cannot believe how much I hated this book, especially because I’m a fan of Montell’s other books.
Main issues:
Main issues:
- This book really lacks a main theme, and I don’t think the title really suits the book. It’s more just a stringed together collection of theories/phenomenons based off of what Montell was personally affected by. This directly leads to…
- The is one of the most self-indulgent books I’ve ever read. A few relevant anecdotes can make a non-fiction/educational book interesting, but I did not need a personal story for every topic, nor did it contribute to anything.
- All topics and information were discussed at a surface level. If you’ve never heard of these very common concepts, then this could be interesting to you. But if you read non-fiction, then chances are you have a basic level of knowledge (comparable with Montell, it seems) on most, if not all, of the topics. I don’t feel like I learned or retained anything.
One positive is that I think Montell is a great narrator. If you want to write a memoir, then write a memoir, girl.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
I could not shake the fear that the two leads were siblings or at the very least distant cousins. I’ve read Abby Jimenez before and knew this was unlikely, but the possibly was always in the back of my mind, making me unable to fully engage with the characters. I’m very pleased to spoil that they are not related.
Aside from the maybe incest of it all, I just thought the book focused on Amber a little too much and going through the process of her meltdown made the book too long. I liked the reason for the third-act break up, I thought it actually made sense, but I don’t like that we’re supposed to believe Emma is just all better after 6 months.
3.75
Overall I enjoyed this book but there was something keeping me from being fully invested in the characters, and that something was THE DAMN DNA TEST taken in the beginning of the book.
My logic:
My logic:
- Emma’s mom is from Minnesota
- + Emma’s dad was married
- + Justin’s dad is dead and we don’t know much about who he was as a person
- + @sarahsbookstacks gave this a 1⭐️ review and said “are we sure Colleen Hoover didn’t write this?”
- = incest??????
I could not shake the fear that the two leads were siblings or at the very least distant cousins. I’ve read Abby Jimenez before and knew this was unlikely, but the possibly was always in the back of my mind, making me unable to fully engage with the characters. I’m very pleased to spoil that they are not related.
Aside from the maybe incest of it all, I just thought the book focused on Amber a little too much and going through the process of her meltdown made the book too long. I liked the reason for the third-act break up, I thought it actually made sense, but I don’t like that we’re supposed to believe Emma is just all better after 6 months.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, and Death of parent
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cute, fun, and a quick read! It’s cheesy and at times silly and a really enjoyable way. I thought Misery (lol) and Lowe’s relationship was really nice and I could see that they really respected and cared for one another. I loved the little snippets we got from Lowe in the beginning of every chapter.
I didn’t really understand the reason for Lowe’s internal conflict and wanting to hide the truth from Misery. It definitely felt a bit shoe-horned in just to cause the expected third act break up. I’d still highly recommend though.
I didn’t really understand the reason for Lowe’s internal conflict and wanting to hide the truth from Misery. It definitely felt a bit shoe-horned in just to cause the expected third act break up. I’d still highly recommend though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The beginning of this book definitely grossed me out, with how often Solene thought of Hayes as a “little boy.” The age gap is pretty extreme and I don’t really think the gender roles being reversed makes it any less inappropriate.
This book was way too slow. While Solene did have valid concerns, all she did was wallow in them and ultimately never made a damn decision about anything. So much of this book was spent inside her head battling the same issues over and over and over again.
I never really felt like they fell in love, nothing seemed that special about their connection besides great sex.
And then, the ending…what’s the point of reading a romance where the characters end up utterly heartbroken and alone? And the complete lack of epilogue was crazy.
I think with some edits this could’ve been a compelling literary fiction novel. Robinne Lee has talent as a writer, but this book is not romantic.
This book was way too slow. While Solene did have valid concerns, all she did was wallow in them and ultimately never made a damn decision about anything. So much of this book was spent inside her head battling the same issues over and over and over again.
I never really felt like they fell in love, nothing seemed that special about their connection besides great sex.
And then, the ending…
I think with some edits this could’ve been a compelling literary fiction novel. Robinne Lee has talent as a writer, but this book is not romantic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying and Stalking
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
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
4.25
I love the idea of this book and I think the author incorporated sex work very respectfully. The relationship between the two main characters developed in a really natural way and they were cute together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement by Angela Y. Davis
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I think this book has really great information, but overall could have been organized better. I didn’t think that each speech added the central themes. Also, because of the nature of speeches, most of the topics just scratched the surface of the issue.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
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
4.5
This book is so deeply romantic! The connection the two main characters have is so intense and I really loved the supernatural spin this book has, it makes it really unique. And of course I loved learning about Harlem’s history!
I think Tia Williams does an excellent job at creating interesting and authentic side characters. They feel like real people rather than props just to further the main plot, but aren’t distracting to the overall love story.
I think Tia Williams does an excellent job at creating interesting and authentic side characters. They feel like real people rather than props just to further the main plot, but aren’t distracting to the overall love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
The actual drawings included in this book made it go from good to great. Definitely an engaging read and I didn’t predict the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Kidnapping
The Monstrous Duke and I by Dee St. Holm
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book isn’t terrible but it’s so boring. I found the character’s logic to not make any sense. The logistics behind his flames were confused. They were cold flames, except for when he burned through paper and clothes, and when Pen was around him she only felt warmth. Huh?
The instalove was extreme. Really low spice for a monster romance. Also, I just pictured a man with blue surrounding him. I want my monsters to be unique and horrific.
The instalove was extreme. Really low spice for a monster romance. Also, I just pictured a man with blue surrounding him. I want my monsters to be unique and horrific.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content