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happyreadings's reviews
87 reviews
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
When I found out Alex Michaelides was coming out with a second book after The Silent Patient, I knew I had to pre-order it.
This book follows Mariana, recently widowed, and her niece, Zoe. When a classmate of Zoe's ends up murdered, Mariana goes down to the University to comfort Zoe. When a few more classmates end up murdered, Mariana stays to help figure out what happened. And she discovers one thing, Edward Fosca, the Greek Tragedy professor, is a murderer. However, as she dives deeper into the depths of proving him guilty, she gets dragged in a different murder plot; a plot where she is the target for murder.
This book was messed up and that's to put it lightly. The plot twist at the end was from left field but definitely threw you for a loop. The twist was messed up. I'm not going to say any spoilers but definitely read this book, even if you just skip to the ending.
The first 50 pages were pretty slow but once you get through that it's pretty much smooth sailing. I loved the incorporation of Greek myths and the Greek language. And there is one thing I am certain of, Edward Fosca is a strange man, and has probably killed at least someone that we don't know about.
This book follows Mariana, recently widowed, and her niece, Zoe. When a classmate of Zoe's ends up murdered, Mariana goes down to the University to comfort Zoe. When a few more classmates end up murdered, Mariana stays to help figure out what happened. And she discovers one thing, Edward Fosca, the Greek Tragedy professor, is a murderer. However, as she dives deeper into the depths of proving him guilty, she gets dragged in a different murder plot; a plot where she is the target for murder.
This book was messed up and that's to put it lightly. The plot twist at the end was from left field but definitely threw you for a loop. The twist was messed up. I'm not going to say any spoilers but definitely read this book, even if you just skip to the ending.
The first 50 pages were pretty slow but once you get through that it's pretty much smooth sailing. I loved the incorporation of Greek myths and the Greek language. And there is one thing I am certain of, Edward Fosca is a strange man, and has probably killed at least someone that we don't know about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.25
They don't call Beatriz Williams the Queen of Historical Fiction for nothing. This book was fantastic! Set in the Cold War era where anyone could potentially be a communist or a spy for the Soviets.
I had a little difficulty in the beginning just because I had to re-familiarize myself with what was going on in the Cold War again, but after the first 40 pages or so, I was fully immerse in the story and couldn't put it down!
This book is centered around 2 sisters and how they separated in 1940 and then reconnected in 1952. Iris falls in love with Sasha, an American diplomat, and leaves her sister who is departing back to America due to the Cold War starting. Iris and Sasha move around, have some children, but Iris has always been suspect to Sasha's communist beliefs.
In 1952, Ruth starts receiving post cards from her estranged sister, Iris, asking her to come visit them in Moscow for the birth of their child. However, CIA agent Sumner Fox has been keeping tabs on Iris and Sasha and together Ruth and Fox travel to Russia together, posing as a married couple to get Iris and her children out of the Soviet Union.
Things take a turn when you find out which side everyone ends up on.
This story has some bada** females in it and I loved every second of this wild ride. It got a little confusing trying to keep tabs on who was spying for who and I did feel the ending was a little rushed but in the end Iris surprised me. I thought she was going to be a plain jane, does whatever her husband commands and stay naive the entire story but I loved the character development with her. Even the romance with Ruth and Fox was enticing and I would love a second novel with them or even just a Novella.
If you are into spies, bada** females, a little love story and a bunch of action, this is the book for you. If you love anything Beatriz Williams writes, then this book is also for you.
Happy Readings!
I had a little difficulty in the beginning just because I had to re-familiarize myself with what was going on in the Cold War again, but after the first 40 pages or so, I was fully immerse in the story and couldn't put it down!
This book is centered around 2 sisters and how they separated in 1940 and then reconnected in 1952. Iris falls in love with Sasha, an American diplomat, and leaves her sister who is departing back to America due to the Cold War starting. Iris and Sasha move around, have some children, but Iris has always been suspect to Sasha's communist beliefs.
In 1952, Ruth starts receiving post cards from her estranged sister, Iris, asking her to come visit them in Moscow for the birth of their child. However, CIA agent Sumner Fox has been keeping tabs on Iris and Sasha and together Ruth and Fox travel to Russia together, posing as a married couple to get Iris and her children out of the Soviet Union.
Things take a turn when you find out which side everyone ends up on.
This story has some bada** females in it and I loved every second of this wild ride. It got a little confusing trying to keep tabs on who was spying for who and I did feel the ending was a little rushed but in the end Iris surprised me. I thought she was going to be a plain jane, does whatever her husband commands and stay naive the entire story but I loved the character development with her. Even the romance with Ruth and Fox was enticing and I would love a second novel with them or even just a Novella.
If you are into spies, bada** females, a little love story and a bunch of action, this is the book for you. If you love anything Beatriz Williams writes, then this book is also for you.
Happy Readings!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
This book was beautifully written, there is really nothing more I can say. This book took your breath away. This book felt like a caterpillar turning into a cocoon and emerging as a butterfly. This book felt like new beginnings. It felt like being trapped inside for too long and finally taking a deep breath of fresh, outside air. This book felt like long hike up a mountain to admire the view.
There's a reason we all keep coming back to Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, and this one was no exception.
There's a reason we all keep coming back to Taylor Jenkins Reid's books, and this one was no exception.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
The Hunting Wives by May Cobb
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was a wild ride! I wanted to hate it, but I just couldn't stop reading it. It was so messed up with the adult/minor relationships, cheating, and drugs. Yet, I couldn't get enough. The Hunting Wives are a group of conniving bitches and I could understand the allure of getting in with these rich women, but Sophie also took it to a whole other level with it as well.
If you love a crazy dramatic thriller then definitely pick this up, it's disgusting, crazy, and THRILLING!
If you love a crazy dramatic thriller then definitely pick this up, it's disgusting, crazy, and THRILLING!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold by Bolu Babalola
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I don't usually read short stories but this one I had to get my hands on. A book on mythical tales from around the world retold was something I couldn't ignore. To be honest, a lot of these myths I had no clue about so I had to do some research on where/what the tales are based off of. However, this did not take away from the beauty and meaning of the tales. Some of these stories made me cry and some made me feel empowered. Overall the writing was beautiful and I really enjoyed it.
Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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
5.0
Katherine Center does it again by writing a fantastic novel that's heartfelt, emotional, yet full of healing and romance.
This novel follows Helen a year after her divorce from her alcoholic husband. She's decided she's going to do this hiking course to emotionally unburden herself and become a new person and identify with nature. However there's just one small problem. Her younger brother's friend, Jake, is coming too. And he wants to car pool with her. This was her chance to be alone and find herself and now she has to deal with him. However, when things go sour on their way to the hiking course things change, and Helen demands that they act like strangers the whole trip, all while trying to hide the feelings she has developed for him.
If you are a fan of hiking and nature, you are going to love this book. It might not be super descriptive of the nature but I thought it did show realistically how difficult it can be on the trails.
If you are a fan of enemies to lovers/friends to lovers romance tropes then this book is also for you. I'm honestly not sure which trope this falls into but I loved it regardless.
If you have read anything by Katherine Center, then this book is for you.
This novel follows Helen a year after her divorce from her alcoholic husband. She's decided she's going to do this hiking course to emotionally unburden herself and become a new person and identify with nature. However there's just one small problem. Her younger brother's friend, Jake, is coming too. And he wants to car pool with her. This was her chance to be alone and find herself and now she has to deal with him. However, when things go sour on their way to the hiking course things change, and Helen demands that they act like strangers the whole trip, all while trying to hide the feelings she has developed for him.
If you are a fan of hiking and nature, you are going to love this book. It might not be super descriptive of the nature but I thought it did show realistically how difficult it can be on the trails.
If you are a fan of enemies to lovers/friends to lovers romance tropes then this book is also for you. I'm honestly not sure which trope this falls into but I loved it regardless.
If you have read anything by Katherine Center, then this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Miscarriage, and Medical trauma
The Final Revival of Opal & Nev by Dawnie Walton
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
I was not able to get through this book. It dragged. I wanted to like it but I just started dreading reading it so I knew I needed to put it aside. Maybe another time I will pick this book back up.
My Plain Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
FULL DISCLAIMER: I have not read Jane Eyre. Although after reading this book, I may go back and read it. I know it won't be as cool as this one but it might make me appreciate it more.
If you like recreations of literature, then this series if definitely for you. It's funny and puts a fun twist on history.
This book obviously follows Jane Eyre who is an orphan who longs to be a governess. When a supernatural investigator (aka ghost hunter), Alexander Blackwood, discovers her ability to see ghosts, he does everything in his power to get her to join The Society. However, Jane gets a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall and falls in love with the master of house.
Mr. Blackwood and Charlotte Bronte work together to bring back Jane home because maybe the master of Thornfield Hall is a nefarious villian. Or maybe something worse is at work here.
Overall, this is a great remake of the great Jane Eyre, even though I've never read the original. I really enjoyed this book and adding in the supernatural element was really quirky.
If you like recreations of literature, then this series if definitely for you. It's funny and puts a fun twist on history.
This book obviously follows Jane Eyre who is an orphan who longs to be a governess. When a supernatural investigator (aka ghost hunter), Alexander Blackwood, discovers her ability to see ghosts, he does everything in his power to get her to join The Society. However, Jane gets a job as a governess at Thornfield Hall and falls in love with the master of house.
Mr. Blackwood and Charlotte Bronte work together to bring back Jane home because maybe the master of Thornfield Hall is a nefarious villian. Or maybe something worse is at work here.
Overall, this is a great remake of the great Jane Eyre, even though I've never read the original. I really enjoyed this book and adding in the supernatural element was really quirky.
The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This sci-fi novel follows Evelyn Caldwell, a scientist who specializes in making clones. When her husband leaves her for a clone he made of Evelyn, her life is changed. When Martine, the clone, reaches out to Evelyn about her pregnancy, Evelyn's life changes even more. Clones can't get pregnant.
While Evelyn explores this scientific impossibility, Martine reaches out again. Except this time it's more serious. Martine has killed Nathan, Evelyn's ex-husband in self defense. So what do you do when your ex-husbands clone girlfriend kills your ex-husband? You clone him.
This was such an interesting read but I was hoping it would make more of a thriller turn. It did have an interesting twist at the end. But I found it rambled a lot with Evelyns thoughts on ethics. She questions things like, "what actually makes someone human?" And "Is it murder when you dispose of a clone?"
So while this was an ethically interesting read, I found Evelyn annoying at times and she made the book drag at times. Overall, I'm not sure I would recommend this book just to anyone. Someone who is into sci-fi would definitly enjoy this book a lot more than someone who doesn't normally read this genre.
While Evelyn explores this scientific impossibility, Martine reaches out again. Except this time it's more serious. Martine has killed Nathan, Evelyn's ex-husband in self defense. So what do you do when your ex-husbands clone girlfriend kills your ex-husband? You clone him.
This was such an interesting read but I was hoping it would make more of a thriller turn. It did have an interesting twist at the end. But I found it rambled a lot with Evelyns thoughts on ethics. She questions things like, "what actually makes someone human?" And "Is it murder when you dispose of a clone?"
So while this was an ethically interesting read, I found Evelyn annoying at times and she made the book drag at times. Overall, I'm not sure I would recommend this book just to anyone. Someone who is into sci-fi would definitly enjoy this book a lot more than someone who doesn't normally read this genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Medical content, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Domestic abuse
Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
This story follows the main character Daunis Fontaine, of the Ojibwe tribe, as she learns her community has many more secrets than she thought possible. After witnessing her friends murder, she gets thrust into an FBI investigation to catch the culprits responsible and to find the source of the drug addiction within the tribe. When Daunis realizes the FBI doesn't care about her tribe or what will happen when the investigation is over, she withholds some information. Eventually, events come to a head and she finds out who is behind the drug dealing and manufacturing.
This was such a strong story of community and staying true to your culture and I really appreciated the authenticity of that. The love story between Daunis and the young FBI agent didn't seem plausible but I wasn't here for plausibility, I was here for a good story. One thing I also thought got pushed aside was the fact that Daunis witnessed her friend dying and I feel like the author didn't really show Daunis grieving as much as someone would have actually had. Also, as violent as this book did get in the end, it wasn't overtly graphic which I also appreciated. Overall, I really liked the authenticity of the culture and learning about that. I thought it was a great story that had some real world meaning.
This was such a strong story of community and staying true to your culture and I really appreciated the authenticity of that. The love story between Daunis and the young FBI agent didn't seem plausible but I wasn't here for plausibility, I was here for a good story. One thing I also thought got pushed aside was the fact that Daunis witnessed her friend dying and I feel like the author didn't really show Daunis grieving as much as someone would have actually had. Also, as violent as this book did get in the end, it wasn't overtly graphic which I also appreciated. Overall, I really liked the authenticity of the culture and learning about that. I thought it was a great story that had some real world meaning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Death
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Grief, and Medical trauma