designsbymeghen's reviews
230 reviews

This is honestly such a remarkable tale. The odds of this family surviving the holocaust is astronomical. I had a little trouble keeping straight who was related to who and how, but at the end of the day it didn’t affect the storytelling a whole lot. The audiobook was very well done. I’m so envious of Addy’s ability to learn new languages. 

The beginning almost made me not want to continue because the characters felt very superficial. But I’m glad I stuck with it. After reading the author’s note at the end, I was surprised to find this story was based on her mother’s real-life experiences. It’s honestly such a necessary story that explores the depth and complications of many relationships. It’s never an easy choice to leave someone you love, even when they are abusive. But at the end of the day, your safety should be your number one priority. On a lighter note > Oh to have two hot, successful men pining over you. 

Foley definitely appears to have great disdain for entitled rich people, lol, but don’t we all? I really enjoyed the setting of this story: small-town folk in a beautiful wild landscape. The element of dark folklore added a suspenseful level of mystery. There were quite a few twisty elements to the overall character development. 

Ward has a mind for creepy, twisty writing and I mean that in the best way possible. This story is mostly full of heartache and the terrifying things that can happen when children are exposed to too much trauma. It brings up a lot of anxiety about raising children and how easy it can be to mess them up. 

Took a bit for me to get into this one. I almost DNF but I didn’t have anything else lined up lol. Eventually the pace picked up and I was transported to a beautiful and scary ice world. I just kept thinking, how did no one here bring a camera? Accidents. Tension. Peacocking. Pretty much what you would expect with a story full of male characters. 

I couldn’t put this one down. Slaughter has a way of truly tormenting her characters and getting under your skin. I really loved both of the sister’s characters in this story. They’re complicated, tormented, and badasses. Slaughter is able to write the same scene from two characters perspectives away that reveals so much empathy and unexpected. The pace slowed a little for me at the end, but overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book. 

The writing felt like how a middle schooler would try and write about adults interacts and suspenseful topics. Mostly cringe for me, but I was intrigued enough to finish it. I never want to hear the word sweetie again. 

The classics are so hard for me 😅 

Em and Dex, Dex and Em. This story of love and friendship highlights the innumerable highs and lows life can bring in twenty years’ time. It is a testament to try and stay as true to yourself as you can throughout all phases of life. Some points hit pretty close to home for me personally in my own life. The narrator (Anna Bentinck) did an incredible job setting the tone for this story and bringing the characters to life. Now, I’m going to wipe away my tears and add Wuthering  Heights to my TBR list. 

I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, clever, suspenseful, affectionate, heartbreaking, and joyful all in one! I’m not usually a sci-fi reader, but this one was so unexpectedly well done that it’s one of the best books I’ve read this year. You can’t help but love all of the characters involved. The way the story unravels as the main character, Ryland Grace, slowly figures out what he’s doing on a spaceship is simply brilliant storytelling. Plus, the science problem-solving was awesome and interesting to a non-science-y person. 

I love Rocky and his whole personality. Plus, I couldn’t have loved the ending of this story anymore. It makes complete sense that Ryland ended up living out the remainder of his days with his best friend on an alien planet. Plus, they ended up saving both worlds! And the fact that he was teaching the little Eridians while playing an organ 🥹. Just precious and wholesome.