xandriaisreading's reviews
156 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I am conflicted. I enjoyed reading Suzanne Collins again; the writing and world building is what you'd expect from a book. Well done and raises the bar for my next reads.

Coriolanus? I have a renewed hate for this man. Every single thing was him being worried about how it would reflect on him, tarnishing his reputation. I'm glad this wasn't a redemption arc for him.

The Covey? Protect them at all cost.

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Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

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funny lighthearted 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

The Witch Handbook to Magic and Mayhem by Tish Thawer

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

This was a "stuff you kindle day" buy and I got it mostly for the cover. The premise of the book was very intriguing but fell flat. However, I want to read the next to see what happens!

The book is shorter than what I'm used to and everything went by super fast. I appreciated some of the jumps from chapter to chapter but sometimes it felt like the story was going too fast.
Especially once everyone makes it to the fae realm and the light king invades the dark castle.


One thing that annoyed me was how Lily is quick to anger, self doubt, cry, and her total lack of patience; Bennett too. Made the characters seem very immature and it felt like those scenes were just used to shove the story forward.

Also, the sisters do not have a huge role in this book as the blurb/about suggests. We leave them behind like not even 10% in. They are also very emotional.

Finally, there's a lot of info dumping in the last 75-80%-ish of the book. Which makes sense as the story is bring told from Lily's perspective. I just wish the book was a little longer to really flesh out the world building, rules of magic, and characters.

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The Weekend We Met by Natalie Keller Reinert

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

It was the concept that pulled me in. A woman approached by a man but unable to remember him because of her memory disorder.

I liked the story. It's quick read so it didn't feel like there was any useless filler. I also enjoyed how the story is in first person that allowed us to see exactly how Maeve was feeling and working to remember things. At some point I felt like I was forgetting things.

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Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.75


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Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I love the Bellinger Sisters! Hannah's story was so fun. And the fact that she and Fox had established a strong friendship befor everything was refreshing.

I also appreciated her and Fox encouraging each other to be leading ladies before really focusing on and making a decision about their relationship. In fact, I really like that they pushed off the physical stuff until later in the book in favor of working through Fox's issues.

I also appreciated hearing how Hannah was handling the memory (or lack there of) of their father. Admitting she didn't feel anything and being open with Fox. Fox being the one to sing one to her 🥹

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It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

4.25

My first Tessa Bailey book and it was fun! The writing was so easy to slip into and made the characters so fun. The story felt like a Hallmark Movie but tailored for millennials. 

And that spice?? I was not prepared. I need a Brendan. Like now, please.

I will definitely be reading Hook, Line, and Sinker.

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Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

I am in... shock. That was... damn. I'm kind of glad I waited so long, now it won't feel as long until the sequel.

But damn that was good. The writing, the characters, the story! I was hooked early on. Rebecca Yarros just became one of my must read authors.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

I don't know why I waited so long to read this book! This had me blushing, kicking my feet, giggling! 

The characters are so well crafted and thought out. Each shining in their own way. Even the secondary characters felt substantial even if they weren't in a lot of chapters.

I'm also glad that there was a trigger warning in the front of the book with a note from the author. You can tell the she took her time and thoughtfully worked to present the challenges the characters face.

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