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1153 reviews
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
FIRST THINGS FIRST, I DO RECOMMEND THIS BOOK EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THIS REVIEW SOUNDS LIKE I DON’T
Second things second, although I really liked reading this, there were things that could have made it stronger.
Similar to other books by Adrienne Young (Fable, Saint, Spells for Forgetting), there are a lot of references to things that have happened in the past that could have had a lot more impact had their been (more) flashbacks, or even dual timelines / diary entries, something. I’m being SHOWN things that are happening in the current story, but I’m being TOLD about things that have a lot of bearing on what’s currently happening and that disconnect keeps me from ever being fully invested in the story, if that makes sense?
Also, in the name of all things Aslan, can we please please please stop using “I can’t tell you the answer to the direct question you’re asking me because it’s too dangerous” when it is, in fact, not too dangerous and makes literally zero sense because you’re now putting the character in more danger because they have literally no idea what’s going on?
(Also also, at a certain point I legitimately just stopped trying to make the fantasy aspects make sense because they didn’t and it made me happier just to pretend I understood and keep reading.)
But all of that being said - I loved the idea of this book and even if it’s not going to be a forever favorite, I still really enjoyed reading it and there were one or two things that were legitimately jaw dropping moments and I LOVE having that in books!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Delacorte Press, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
FIRST THINGS FIRST, I DO RECOMMEND THIS BOOK EVEN THOUGH MOST OF THIS REVIEW SOUNDS LIKE I DON’T
Second things second, although I really liked reading this, there were things that could have made it stronger.
Similar to other books by Adrienne Young (Fable, Saint, Spells for Forgetting), there are a lot of references to things that have happened in the past that could have had a lot more impact had their been (more) flashbacks, or even dual timelines / diary entries, something. I’m being SHOWN things that are happening in the current story, but I’m being TOLD about things that have a lot of bearing on what’s currently happening and that disconnect keeps me from ever being fully invested in the story, if that makes sense?
Also, in the name of all things Aslan, can we please please please stop using “I can’t tell you the answer to the direct question you’re asking me because it’s too dangerous” when it is, in fact, not too dangerous and makes literally zero sense because you’re now putting the character in more danger because they have literally no idea what’s going on?
(Also also, at a certain point I legitimately just stopped trying to make the fantasy aspects make sense because they didn’t and it made me happier just to pretend I understood and keep reading.)
But all of that being said - I loved the idea of this book and even if it’s not going to be a forever favorite, I still really enjoyed reading it and there were one or two things that were legitimately jaw dropping moments and I LOVE having that in books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Stalking, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Abortion, and Pregnancy
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
I loved the idea of this novel, I loved the characters, I loved the island setting, I …. liked the book okay enough.
That being said, I truly don’t think it should have been marketed for adult readers.
I think that the pure simplicity of loving books and how much magic books hold for us will make this book work for a lot of people, and there are parts that brought a huge smile to my face, but it just missed the mark a bit overall.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
tl;dr → as a middle grade novel, this would have been fantastic
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
I loved the idea of this novel, I loved the characters, I loved the island setting, I …. liked the book okay enough.
That being said, I truly don’t think it should have been marketed for adult readers.
Hear me out! Every element that felt weaker could have been stayed exactly the way they were if the elements around the children and the original book series had been emphasized. (For example, a lot of the relationships and interactions between the adults seemed oversimplified in ways that I would have expected from books geared towards a younger audience.)
I think that the pure simplicity of loving books and how much magic books hold for us will make this book work for a lot of people, and there are parts that brought a huge smile to my face, but it just missed the mark a bit overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Cancer, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, and Pregnancy
A Shadow in Moscow by Katherine Reay
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
This was a solid historical fiction that built suspense really well throughout, but there were a couple of things throughout that didn’t make a ton of sense as far as how things would have worked during the Cold War, and I didn’t really get a lot of resolution through the author’s note.
I liked it well enough, and would definitely recommend a library checkout - the atmosphere that Reay created was really good and I genuinely liked the characters … and there were a couple of surprises throughout that I thought were done really well!
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.25
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Muse, & HarperCollins Focus for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
This was a solid historical fiction that built suspense really well throughout, but there were a couple of things throughout that didn’t make a ton of sense as far as how things would have worked during the Cold War, and I didn’t really get a lot of resolution through the author’s note.
I liked it well enough, and would definitely recommend a library checkout - the atmosphere that Reay created was really good and I genuinely liked the characters … and there were a couple of surprises throughout that I thought were done really well!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and War
One of the Girls by Lucy Clarke
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
One of my favorite things about reading thrillers is how much a 3 star “liked it” book is a perfectly lovely and fun and wonderful way to pass the time, especially during the summer.
I love thrillers with short chapters and multiple POVs where everyone has something to hide, and this fit the bill so well! I especially love when I’m genuinely surprised by things and this one got me a couple times so honestly it’s a win!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
If you’re looking for a summer thriller, you’ve found it!
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
One of my favorite things about reading thrillers is how much a 3 star “liked it” book is a perfectly lovely and fun and wonderful way to pass the time, especially during the summer.
I love thrillers with short chapters and multiple POVs where everyone has something to hide, and this fit the bill so well! I especially love when I’m genuinely surprised by things and this one got me a couple times so honestly it’s a win!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
The Last Russian Doll by Kristen Loesch
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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
2.25
anybody else completely & totally obsessed with the Romanovs as a kid or ……
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗬𝗣𝗔𝗦𝗦 ✨
This book had so much freaking potential it’s unreal … but I just honestly didn’t feel like it every found it’s footing. It felt more like it was trying to be too many things at once - historical fiction, romance, mystery, ghost story?
There was a massive plot point that was pretty integral to the story that was … explained(??) in a way that made absolutely no sense. I really had to go back and reread multiple times to make sure I wasn’t missing anything, because it just didn’t track.
I liked the past storyline more, and maybe if it had just been set in that era following Valentin & Tonya I could have enjoyed it a bit more. That being said, even the past timeline skirted over a lot of the Russian history that was so integral to the context of what was happening and why it all mattered.
I dunno. I wanted it to be what it * could * have been so badly, but unfortunately it just … wasn’t.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Torture, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Genocide, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
The Comeback Summer by Ali Brady
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
DNF @11%
I absolutely LOVED The Beach Trap, but this one felt too forced for me. I love trying to be relevant with observations about society, but when we have about 20 of them in the first 10% it makes it feel scripted / forced. Can’t speak to the content warnings or the ending, and I feel comfortable suggesting a “borrow.”
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Thank you to Edelweiss, Berkley, & Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
DNF @11%
I absolutely LOVED The Beach Trap, but this one felt too forced for me. I love trying to be relevant with observations about society, but when we have about 20 of them in the first 10% it makes it feel scripted / forced. Can’t speak to the content warnings or the ending, and I feel comfortable suggesting a “borrow.”
Just Another Missing Person by Gillian McAllister
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
HI HEY HELLO I NEED YOU TO KNOW THIS WAS FAB
Okay, so I picked up Wrong Place Wrong Time last year at a crazy going out of business sale (it was like $4 for the HC, how can you go wrong?) and read it shortly thereafter - read it, devoured it, tomato, tomatoh, what have you. I have recommended that book to SO many people since reading it and I’m so stoked to say that I will be recommending this one just as much!
It took me a tiny little bit to get fully sunk into the story and kind of understand how the different POVs connected (and one of my hunches was correct which obvs made me feel like a genius), but once I did I was HOOKED. The plot itself was ingenious (similar to Wrong Place Wrong Time!) and I loved how it all came together.
This is also one of those books that, while not what you would necessarily consider for a book club, would be PERFECT for the occasion. There is a lot to unpack/unravel here and I cannot wait for other people to read this in August so I can talk to them about it!
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Thank you to Edelweiss, William Morrow, & HarperCollins for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
HI HEY HELLO I NEED YOU TO KNOW THIS WAS FAB
Okay, so I picked up Wrong Place Wrong Time last year at a crazy going out of business sale (it was like $4 for the HC, how can you go wrong?) and read it shortly thereafter - read it, devoured it, tomato, tomatoh, what have you. I have recommended that book to SO many people since reading it and I’m so stoked to say that I will be recommending this one just as much!
It took me a tiny little bit to get fully sunk into the story and kind of understand how the different POVs connected (and one of my hunches was correct which obvs made me feel like a genius), but once I did I was HOOKED. The plot itself was ingenious (similar to Wrong Place Wrong Time!) and I loved how it all came together.
This is also one of those books that, while not what you would necessarily consider for a book club, would be PERFECT for the occasion. There is a lot to unpack/unravel here and I cannot wait for other people to read this in August so I can talk to them about it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Infidelity
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Deportation
In This Moment by Gabrielle Meyer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley & Bethany House Publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book before it's publication date! This in no way affected my review, opinions are my own.
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Yeah so okay I’m going to be needing the next in the series and I’m going to be needing it ASAP. So. Uh. Yeah.
I picked up the first in this series (When the Day Comes) on a whim last year and I absolutely loved it - I had a little bit of trepidation for the second in the series but honestly I loved this one too!
The entire premise of this series is beyond ingenious - it’s time slip + historical fiction + romance and honestly I’m just here for it. I really enjoyed the timelines she was in (1861 Civil War, 1941 WWII, 2001 right before 9/11) and loved how many parallels Gabrielle Meyer was able to draw between these three time periods, as well as how the MC, Maggie, was able to be some form of healthcare provider in all 3 timelines.
That being said, there were a couple things worth noting: this series has a bit more of a faith thread than I normally read, but I really loved the way that aspect is portrayed. And in this particular volume, there were quick moments where I would get confused at which time period we were in because Maggie’s POV sounded very similar throughout all of them. (A girl from the 1860s shouldn’t sound like a girl from 2001, you know?)
THAT being said, I still genuinely enjoyed this one (and the romance was SWOONWORTHY) and cannot WAIT to see how the next book in the series is going to go!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
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
4.25
This one gets bumped from “borrow” to “bring” (/buy) because this cover is just too stinkin' cute and I’m fine with that
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Look if they didn’t want us to judge books by their covers then WHY HAVE SUCH CUTE COVERS
But anyways - I liked this one a lot (the banter was *chef’s kiss*), but there was a little tiny something missing that moved it down from a 5 star read to a 4. I thought that Adams did a really good job giving both Annie and Will a lot of backstory and making their relationship seem really plausible, and I absolutely loved the communication. Loved it.
Also worth noting that I’ve seen this author recommended as a closed door author, and while that is still true here, it veers a little towards slightly open door? I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but it’s not a full fade to black - didn’t bother me, but worth noting if you’re going into it not expecting that.
ANYWHO. Still love Rome, Kentucky, still love these wacky neighbors, still love the Walker family and will definitely be continuing with the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Dementia
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Deep Tide by Laura Griffin
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
I was kind of disappointed in this one because I was looking forward to Leyla getting her own story and this just felt kind-of underwhelming. It had way more insta-love than the previous installments, which is already a notch against it, but I also didn’t find myself as compelled to keep reading as I had in the first 3 in the series (finished each in a day!).
All of that being said, I did still enjoy the writing and will continue with the series if Laura Griffin decides to write more!
(Furthermore, I think this was my favorite “climactic moment” of the series - my heart was pounding throughout all of those chapters and I absolutely could not stop reading!)
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.25
Probably my least favorite of the series, but still a fast paced, “fun” read!
B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
I was kind of disappointed in this one because I was looking forward to Leyla getting her own story and this just felt kind-of underwhelming. It had way more insta-love than the previous installments, which is already a notch against it, but I also didn’t find myself as compelled to keep reading as I had in the first 3 in the series (finished each in a day!).
All of that being said, I did still enjoy the writing and will continue with the series if Laura Griffin decides to write more!
(Furthermore, I think this was my favorite “climactic moment” of the series - my heart was pounding throughout all of those chapters and I absolutely could not stop reading!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail