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frances_frances's reviews
299 reviews
Parasocial by Erica Henderson, Alex de Campi
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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? Yes
2.5
Galaxy Quest and Misery vibes but way less entertaining or well plotted. Abrupt ending, some interesting illustrations
Here for the Wrong Reasons by Lydia Wang, Annabel Paulsen
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So I liked this book more than I expected to. For a lesbian romcom, the quality of writing and the humor was a nice surprise. I was entertained and engaged throughout. I wish there was a bit more chemistry between Lauren and Krystin. And it would have been nice to get a bit more substantial reflection/commentary on the insanity of reality dating shows. All in all, decent for a novel, great for a lesbian romcom.
Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
emotional
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
2.0
Chouette by Claire Oshetsky
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
weird and good and sad
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
2.0
for this genre, prose was decent / too long / main conflict was kinda lame and didn't really justify the drama / decent sex scenes / repetitive and kept saying two main characters' full names / mildly entertaining as an erotic lesbian fairytale
Catboy by Benji Nate
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
Cute drawings, simple/low stakes vignettes, loved the fashion
The Witches of Bellinas by J. Nicole Jones
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
2.75
A lot of potential but the end result was meh. The best part was the overt misandry.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
MINOR SPOILERS
Overall really enjoyed this book but was a bit disappointed by the very end, satisfied me enough to give it 5 stars
- Margaret was a really interesting character and narrator, I liked how we slowly learn the horrific realities of her marriage, felt realistic to how a DV survivor would tell their story
- Interesting how Margaret handles the horror of her home in the same way she handled the horror of her marriage
- The writing was really sharp and hooked me right away
- Felt like a fresh, original take on haunted house stories
- Didn't like the ending after the climax, felt way too neat and tidy, way mushier than it should have been, tone totally out of place compared to the rest of the book
Overall really enjoyed this book but was a bit disappointed by the very end, satisfied me enough to give it 5 stars
- Margaret was a really interesting character and narrator, I liked how we slowly learn the horrific realities of her marriage, felt realistic to how a DV survivor would tell their story
- Interesting how Margaret handles the horror of her home in the same way she handled the horror of her marriage
- The writing was really sharp and hooked me right away
- Felt like a fresh, original take on haunted house stories
- Didn't like the ending after the climax, felt way too neat and tidy, way mushier than it should have been, tone totally out of place compared to the rest of the book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Minor: Mental illness, Self harm, Grief, and Murder
Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
In a way this book was exactly what I expected. A cheesy lesbian romance and a quick read. It delivered but I definitely wouldn't have finished it if it wasn't lesbians. The writing was simple and repetitive (using the same phrases and descriptors over and over and rehashing plot points). There was a lot of telling rather than showing. We're constantly told how the characters are feeling and why they're feeling it. Not much is left to the reader for interpretation. The characters and the dynamics between them felt very high school, with dumb misunderstandings and dramatic overreactions. Also the class and gender dynamics of this book are questionable at best. It turns into an "I don't see economic status" situation. Money is life and death and the reasons why some people have a lot while most people have very little is not only connected but dependent on each other. It's not possible to laugh and agree to disagree (Andrew and Dylan!).
Not rating this one because I just don't wanna.
Not rating this one because I just don't wanna.