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cjdawn236's reviews
970 reviews
Summer Friends by Holly Chamberlin
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’ve decided Holly Chamberlin definitely isn’t for me. After 2 attempts, I’m giving up. She tells WAY more than she shows and I just cannot get into her writing. The main characters of this book just annoyed me and I finally just skimmed the last half of the book because I didn’t want to DNF it, but I really just wanted it over.
The Summer Everything Changed by Holly Chamberlin
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Was expecting a fun summer book and instead got a story of a teen trapped in an abusive relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Violence
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This honestly may be my favorite of Reid's books so far. She took a character who, on the surface, seems like she's going to be very unlikeable and emotionless, and gives her more depth than you expect, and makes you truly care about her. This book was fantastic. It felt like I was watching her tennis matches - suspenseful, full of ups and downs and I didn't want to put the book down. It was exultant and heartbreaking, and I really think it's her best novel yet.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I love Ruth Ware's novels. They're always gripping and hard to put down. While this one was no different, I also felt like in some ways this one was a little more straight forward in it's plot than some of her others. I confess, I was anticipating one more twist at the end that never came. But even so, I was still on the edge of my seat until the very end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
I was expecting this book to be an amusing, quick read. I wasn't expecting it to be heartwarming, life-affirming, and a bit of a tearjerker at times (it was also very funny). I really enjoyed this book so much.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.5
I love Henry’s books. Every one I read I say is my new fave, but I really love them all. This one was no different.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Drug use and Emotional abuse
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Definitely not my favorite of Andrews’ novels, but it was a fairly light and quick read - though also a tiny bit darker than her summer reads tend to be.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse and Violence
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I'm so glad this was a book club selection, because I am going to need to discuss this book with someone. This story was extremely well-written and compelling. It was also a little dark, and mysterious. I was hooked from the start and could not put it down. The language was extremely visceral - main character's condition (which is fascinating, and I was surprised to learn, a real thing) led to many sensory descriptions that made for a very visceral and physical tone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Sexual violence, and Violence
Locklands by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5