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frances_frances's reviews
287 reviews
One's Company by Ashley Hutson
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Strange and emotionally complex. Relatable and confusing and highly engrossing.
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
This book is weird and pretty funny. It's original and feels distinctly different somehow. I really enjoyed the dialogue and the many jabs taken at the uber-rich, politically connected ruling class. I liked the dynamics between Lillian and the twins and Lillian and Carl. Their interactions were funny and it was kinda touching how these relationships developed. Overall, this book really succeeds at being sweet and sincere without being sappy or overly sentimental. A fun, quick read.
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Another understated yet deeply impactful read from Claire Keegan. Foster is still my favorite but Small Things Like These packs a similar punch. I've always preferred when books and TV shows leave me wanting more rather than over-complicating or otherwise drawing out a narrative. Keegan achieves this expertly with her ambiguous endings that leave me feeling both unsettled and satisfied.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Trafficking, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I wanna jump for joy whenever I come across a book about trans people and experiences that wastes ZERO time trying to be accessible to cishet readers. This book is wild and sometimes hard to hold on to but it's well worth the trip. It's ruthless and heartfelt, gory and pretty hot.
Gretchen Felker-Martin's writing is sharp, rich, and engrossing. I loved the realistically complex trans characters. I loved the inclusion of a fat character in a dystopian story. It's the bare minimum, but how fucking refreshing to have a fat character who is an integral member of her community possessing lifesaving knowledge and skills and who gets to feel desirable and have incredible sex!
My only complaint about this book is that there were way too many characters to keep track of! Otherwise, a real gem.
Gretchen Felker-Martin's writing is sharp, rich, and engrossing. I loved the realistically complex trans characters. I loved the inclusion of a fat character in a dystopian story. It's the bare minimum, but how fucking refreshing to have a fat character who is an integral member of her community possessing lifesaving knowledge and skills and who gets to feel desirable and have incredible sex!
My only complaint about this book is that there were way too many characters to keep track of! Otherwise, a real gem.
My Darling Girl by Jennifer McMahon
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
3.0
An easy read that kept me engaged. Kinda weird (irresponsible?) to write about child abuse as being caused by demon possession. Seems insensitive and a bit harmful to equate the two.
The Other Husband by Kathryn Croft
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Incredibly juvenile, like bad fanfic or a shitty screenplay--so much telling and basically no showing. The reader is constantly being told how to think and feel rather than being invited to come to their own realizations and conclusions. The execution was so amateur. There's a lot of effort being expended on the author's part with very little payoff. Plus, much of the "mystery" of this book was achieved through unnecessary lies and withholding of information (both between the characters and for the reader). Somehow I got sucked in enough to see it through to the end but it totally wasn't worth it. Even the thrill/suspense/mystery was horribly executed. Kinda embarrassing how bad this book is.
My Pancreas Broke, But My Life Got Better by Nagata Kabi
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Foster by Claire Keegan
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I saw a review that perfectly describes this book and its impact:
"One of those special reading experiences when, after you've finished reading the final page, you sit back and think, how can someone write something so beautiful in such simple terms and in such a succinct form? I was deeply moved!"
"One of those special reading experiences when, after you've finished reading the final page, you sit back and think, how can someone write something so beautiful in such simple terms and in such a succinct form? I was deeply moved!"
The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I really enjoy Katherine Faulkner's writing. It's effortless and just flows so easily. The plot itself was decent. Tash is a bit bland and it feels like she is just a vehicle through which to tell the story. While the ending was exciting, it was almost too much. Faulkner throws in so many twists and extra details. I do appreciate that the ending was kinda ambiguous and foreboding. I wish more thrillers and mysteries had unsettling endings.
This is a well written page turner that's also flawed. Ultimately, it provides suspense and intrigue, making it a success in my opinion.
This is a well written page turner that's also flawed. Ultimately, it provides suspense and intrigue, making it a success in my opinion.