claudianeureads's reviews
290 reviews

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective 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

5.0

Omg I cannot believe this is the first Abby Jimenez book I’ve read. This is possibly my favorite romance novel I’ve read and loved the multidimensional characters she wrote. There’s substance to this romance and the characters are mature and reflective. I also loved the Minnesota connections, it made reading it that much more enjoyable. Absolutely adored this book and would recommend it to anyone. 
When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole

Go to review page

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

4.0

This book is unlike any thriller I have read recently and made me really excited to read some more. I have had trouble with newer thrillers and the repetitive tropes but with this book being more of a psychological thriller, there was more mystery and shock value. 

While reading, I could tell the author typically writes romance because of the writing style but it was refreshing to have characters with more depth and description that is often left out in the thriller genre. 

I also loved how this book specifically calls out gentrification, racism, and the prison for profit industry as I have never read any of these topics in thrillers- more typically in literary fiction. 

Definitely a book I would recommend to anyone who wants a mysterious and quick read. I’ll be thinking about this one for awhile. 
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional 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

3.75

This book was a tough one. I have been reading historical fiction all summer and loving it. I have learned a lot more about topics I was not taught in school like the Vietnam War and the AIDS Epidemic. I was hoping this book would be like my past reads of the year that pull you in, but unfortunately this one was  slow and almost too “literary,” if that is possible. 

I felt there was too much time spent on little details instead of progressing the story. There were many characters introduced but you never got a good feel for who they are even with all of the details given. I wanted to like this book and I felt I learned a lot which is why I gave it a 3.75 but it is not one I recommend  if you’re looking for an enthralling historical fiction novel. 
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

Go to review page

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

4.0

A very disturbing and challenging read. Really made you think about current events and knowing that this book was written pre-COVID made it that more difficult. Many grotesque passages that made me put the book down to come back to it in a bit. An interesting concept, well done, with just the right amount of detail and story progression to keep you reading. 
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

Go to review page

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I flew through this book as it was a very quick and easy read. That being said, I did not find much interest in any of the characters and felt the book was lacking something. I loved
Jake and cannot believe that Daphne chose Hugo over him.
I felt the main character was extremely self centered and this was a fault of the book. I wanted to like this book as I loved In Five Years  but this just was not it for me. 
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn

Go to review page

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

4.0

This was a great follow up to Legendborn that gave a lot more explanation into the world, the politics, and the why of Bree. That being said, I did not fly through this one as fast as the first. This book was harder for me because it felt redundant
especially when discussing why Sel and Bree cannot be together or why she and Nick is dangerous.
. I felt that the aspects of romance added to this novel with the
love triangle
took away from what could be more depths of friendship. Loved the addition of more historial themes and the continued dialogue on racism in the south and within organizations. 
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional 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

4.75

This is an incredible YA fantasy novel! As someone who often avoids fantasy, I really loved this book and its commentary on racism in a fantasy setting. This book is different than any other fantasy book out there and is inclusive in genuine intentional ways. Although it took me a good portion of the book to understand the “world” the author was building, I enjoyed getting to know it and am moving straight to reading the second one. The reason I deducted .25 of a star is because I felt the “love triangle” trope was unnecessary for the plot and that the book would be just as good without the need to add romance features. 
The Paradise Problem by Christina Lauren

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

4.0

This book gave the Crazy Rich Asian world of luxury mixed with a marriage of convenience for a steamy read. I flew through this book and really enjoyed both the main characters. Deducted a star because I felt like the book was more focused on their physical attraction to one another, rather than going deeper into their relationship. 
The Women by Kristin Hannah

Go to review page

dark emotional tense 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? Yes

5.0

A very important novel that challenged me to think about the past and the forgotten women of the Vietnam war and what they carried home with them. I hope they get the recognition they deserve and that everyone who needs it, knows they have access to mental health services. Kristin Hannah does it again with an incredible historial fiction novel. Definitely a new favorite with the themes of a chosen family to love and support you when your biological family may not. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

My first novel by Emily Henry that was came highly recommended. Loved the vacation vibes in this one and how the story was set up with retelling all of the vacations they have taken together. Deducted one star because I felt like it was a little too predictable and it dragged on at points. Still an enjoyable read!