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frootjoos's reviews
1039 reviews
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
COZY AF. I can't even handle how charming this is. I want to immerse myself in this book and never come out.
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Finished the first book of the year. Surprisingly good (I had started with the audio, which sadly I had to drop as the English accent for Hugo was killing me. If you watch as much British TV as I do it will irk you, too. Switching to ebook was worth it).
Wonka-esque + puzzles and books instead of candy
Lit fic as opposed to murder mystery
Extremely mild as far as both suspense/romance are concerned
4 contestants join a reclusive children's book author on an island vying to win the only copy of his next book. This might be Lucy's only chance to turn her life around and get her biggest wish: to be stable enough financially to qualify to adopt a child with whom she has formed a family bond.
Bonus for me: set on a whimsical island off the coast of Maine, and it rains ⛈️ I loved the setting! Main character occasionally annoying but I found myself rooting for her by midway through the book.
I docked it 1 full star for not giving Thurl (a domesticated raven 🐦⬛) more stuff to do. Missed opportunity IMHO
Wonka-esque + puzzles and books instead of candy
Lit fic as opposed to murder mystery
Extremely mild as far as both suspense/romance are concerned
4 contestants join a reclusive children's book author on an island vying to win the only copy of his next book. This might be Lucy's only chance to turn her life around and get her biggest wish: to be stable enough financially to qualify to adopt a child with whom she has formed a family bond.
Bonus for me: set on a whimsical island off the coast of Maine, and it rains ⛈️ I loved the setting! Main character occasionally annoying but I found myself rooting for her by midway through the book.
I docked it 1 full star for not giving Thurl (a domesticated raven 🐦⬛) more stuff to do. Missed opportunity IMHO
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
This was stressful as hell (tw: infertility and miscarriage, sexual assault) but I enjoyed it too. Told from the POV of a woman in a coma, it flips back and forth in time to the days leading up to a car accident and a traumatic event (think SWF) when she and her best friend were young.
I can't wait for the next one. I think it especially helps that Stephanie Racine reads her audiobooks.
I can't wait for the next one. I think it especially helps that Stephanie Racine reads her audiobooks.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Stalking
Minor: Car accident and Toxic friendship
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Delightful three-generation mother-daughter murder investigation.
His & Hers by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
This is my favorite Alice Feeney out of the 6 published so far. It does not hurt that the audiobook readers are Stephanie Racine and Richard Armitage. Even the twists have twists. This is also probably the most trigger-warning-y of all. If you have a trigger, it's probably in there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, and Suicide
Moderate: Violence and Murder
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey
funny
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
4.5
Enjoyed this one a lot. For all her hot-messiness, Natalie is very likeable and I was rooting for her to recover. NGL, pictured Wes Chatham from The Expanse as August.
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
Not my favorite. Verged on boring at times. Unfortunately Yours is much better.
Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Although the main events take place in a single night, there are a lot of flashbacks. Loved the twists in this. I didn't try very hard to figure it out, but I think I'd actually re-read this one. I love a locked-room/island mystery.