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emmas_bookshelf's reviews
688 reviews
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
This is a book about motherhood, menopause, and cape cod. It takes place over the course of a family’s annual vacation to Sandwich, a town on the cape. It centers on a family: mom and dad, their two adult kids, the kids’ girlfriends, and the mom’s elderly parents. As they venture to and from the beach, we get snippets of their relationships: the anger of menopause directed from wife to husband, the passing down of anxiety from mother to daughter, a pregnant 24 year old looking for advice, and more. I enjoy this type of family centered lit fic and enjoyed the audiobook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Pregnancy
Moderate: Genocide and Alcohol
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a fun read! I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it. This is an enemies to lovers romance featuring lots of dogs and a hilarious matchmaking grandma. The main characters’ chemistry is off the charts and there’s plenty of funny family antics as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Find Me At The Disco by Diahanna Aurora Hampton
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It’s a coming-of-age story set in late 70s NYC. The main character Liza is 18, mixed race, largely alone in the world, struggling with relationships with her absent father, roommate, and boyfriends. The book follows Liza as she navigates adulthood and yes, goes to the disco. Thank you to the author for an early copy to review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
One Of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon
dark
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? It's complicated
5.0
I would definitely recommend this book for fans of the movies Get Out or Don’t Worry Darling. I don’t want to reveal too much but I enjoyed the audiobook and was definitely fascinated to see where it would go. Check CWs!
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Check CWs. Full of literary references, great book for book lovers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Death of parent
Swift River by Essie Chambers
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed this multigenerational family story. I love a story from a teenage girl’s point of view. Teenage grievances mixed with familial ones, with race and society, and more. I was glued to the page right up until the end.
Oye by Melissa Mogollon
dark
funny
fast-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? No
5.0
I listened to the audiobook and I LOVED this book. Told completely through the voice of an 18-year-old high school senior, the sad realities of life (cancer, natural disasters, generational trauma) are made hilarious. Just amazing writing from Melissa Mogollon that I never wanted to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Sexual harassment
Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have enjoyed all of Elin’s books over the years, but I think Swan Song is my favorite?! I was hooked immediately by this book, my spidey senses tingling the moment Coco met the Richardsons on St. John. I was so drawn in by the depictions of all the characters, Nantucket, and wondering how the events and drama would play out. It was the perfect amount of intrigue mixed with hilarity (who cheats at pickleball?!). It is the perfect summer book.
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a fun and very steamy romance about a curvy latinx woman who starts fake dating her best friend’s brother because she’s in love with her best friend, and the best friend’s brother is in love with his brother’s fiancée. If that sounds a little convoluted it’s because it is but in the best way (messy!). I was immediately rooting for Theo and Marcela and kept rooting for them through all the ups and downs of this book. It was also wonderful to see a super hot NFL player worship a curvy woman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Lady Charlotte Always Gets Her Man by Violet Marsh
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a great historical with diverse representation including disability rep. It has a suspense element in addition to the romance and I love a good caper so it was a fun read!