genannj's reviews
332 reviews

The Magdalen Girls by V.S. Alexander

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. It was well written, had a good storyline, and kept me engaged and invested in the story. This is the first book that I’ve read by this particular author and will probably check out more written by her.  I would definitely recommend this book to friends especially because it tells a unique story in history and is not centered around one of the wars.  
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.0

I really liked this book. At times, I did think the violence was a little over the top, I still enjoyed and appreciated the message behind story. I also felt the outcome of the story was a little too predictable.  I wish, as the reader, I would have been unable to so easily figure it all out. 

I can totally understand that the author used Ebonics so heavily to try and make a point, however, I felt it was overused almost to the point to of insulting my intelligence. It actually was so much that at times I was really bugged by it and thought “Okay I get it, you are portraying Ike as an un educated, black man.”  Even with all this being said, I still highly recommend the book.  These nuances that I mentioned prevent me from giving it five stars instead of four.
The Next Ship Home: A Novel of Ellis Island by Heather Webb

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have always been so fascinated by Ellis Island. This book was a wonderful read for me because it combines my love of historical fiction and my fascination with Ellis Island.  This book with well written, engaging, and kept me as the reader wanting to know more about the outcome of the story and the history of the Island. I also really enjoyed the author‘s note explaining how the book came about it and who the characters were based upon. I highly recommend this five star read.  
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley, Riley Keough

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hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I am a huge Elvis fan so I couldn’t wait to read this memoir. I really enjoyed it. The memoir well written and very informative. I never really knew that Lisa Marie had such a sad life. I would definitely recommend this five-star memoir to others. 
When She Returned by Lucinda Berry

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The great Lucinda Berry does it again!  She had created another masterfully written thriller. This book was a real page turner and very engaging. I am kind of fascinated by the mysterious essence of cults which made me even love the story more. I highly recommend this five-star read. 
The Nurse's Secret by Amanda Skenandore

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I thought this was an excellent book. I was very engaged in the whole story.  I felt like the book had a little bit of everything- history, sexism, classism, and mystery. Give this one a read. It was a five-star for me and I highly recommend it.
A Life in Parts by Bryan Cranston

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funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

I enjoyed reading Cranston’s memoir about his life and his acting career. The story was well told, and even had me laughing out loud a few times. I would recommend this book to a friend.  
Don't Let Her Stay by Nicola Sanders

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book was fantastic! I enjoyed every minute of it, and I literally did not want to put the book down.  Sanders does a stellar job making the reader’s thinking, go back-and-forth, changing their mind on what they think that the outcome will be. I highly recommend this five star read.  It definitely was engaging, entertaining, and time well spent. 
Keep Your Friends Close by Lucinda Berry

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dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Another great Berry book about the intricacies of friendship with a lot of twists and turns. This is another one I didn’t want to put down and definitely a five star read for me. 
The Maid's Diary by Loreth Anne White

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is the first book I’ve read by Loreth Anne White. I had never heard of her or this particular book.  It was a totally blind read that I chose from Prime Reads. All I can say is “Wow!”  It was a fantastic book.  I was so enthralled in the story and although I had to pause in the middle of it to finish a library book, I couldn’t wait to read more. The story really kept me guessing. If all White’s book are this good, she definitely has a new fan. This book was definitely a five-star read.