bandysbooks's reviews
180 reviews

One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

2.0

I’ve read other Rebecca Searle books and enjoyed them, but I found this one seriously lacking. Certain relationships are borderline obsessive and everything is wrapped up in this very tidy, unsatisfying bow. Sadly, a disappointment for me and it makes me think Searle is kind of a one-trick author with the time travel concept.
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The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was an interesting enough start that I’ll read the second book, but if the second book isn’t better, I likely won’t continue. Definitely not as good as the hype on social media. 
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The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz

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

3.5

This is an interesting enough plot, but the ending is a bit predictable. I figured out who the bad guy was about halfway through the book. 
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The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A dystopian nightmare focused on parents and parental rights.
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Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is a multi-generational story about a family. It starts in Korea, but moves to Japan and we see what the family goes through as they try to figure out their survival. 
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Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy

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

5.0

This is a dark and difficult book that focuses on the nature of humans and wolves.

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Decode Your Darkness: Release Trauma, Reach Emotional Freedom, and Find Your Light by E.K. Richards

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

A hands on guide to working through your trauma step by step.
The House Plant by Jeremy Ray

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

5.0

A Story told from the perspective of a house plant. 
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

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

3.5

A group of characters observing the end of the world
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The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Two women dealing with the legacy of a small southern town and it’s racism. 
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