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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
How Can I Help You by Laura Sims
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I felt compelled to request this once I saw that it’s about library workers going head-to-head in a cat-and-mouse game, and I enjoyed the authenticity of the library setting—it seems like Laura Sims did some research because reference librarians do, in fact, get questions like “what time is my show on tonight?”. I found Patricia to be pretentious, though I understand some of her thoughts and feelings about working with the public, so that made me root for Margo more despite her, uh, criminal tendencies. The tension between the two women is decent, but I thought some of the thriller aspects could have been fleshed out more, and the ending feels lackluster compared to the buildup.
I felt compelled to request this once I saw that it’s about library workers going head-to-head in a cat-and-mouse game, and I enjoyed the authenticity of the library setting—it seems like Laura Sims did some research because reference librarians do, in fact, get questions like “what time is my show on tonight?”. I found Patricia to be pretentious, though I understand some of her thoughts and feelings about working with the public, so that made me root for Margo more despite her, uh, criminal tendencies. The tension between the two women is decent, but I thought some of the thriller aspects could have been fleshed out more, and the ending feels lackluster compared to the buildup.
Thief Liar Lady by D.L. Soria
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was all-in on this Cinderella retelling until I got 3/4 of the way through the book. I was ready to forgive the underdeveloped magic system and the confusing political plot because I was thoroughly enjoying Aislinn/Ash as a badass protagonist and loved seeing her relationship with her stepsisters and other side characters change and develop. But after one particularly momentous occasion--which I won't list here, because spoilers--the plot started to deviate wildly, and there's some romance that seems like it's trying to emulate a certain series from Sarah J. Maas (though, I'll admit, the chemistry is solid and both characters suit one another really well).
It's still a fun read, and the narrative drive is powerful enough to have made me ignore those plot holes, but...it still irked me.
I was all-in on this Cinderella retelling until I got 3/4 of the way through the book. I was ready to forgive the underdeveloped magic system and the confusing political plot because I was thoroughly enjoying Aislinn/Ash as a badass protagonist and loved seeing her relationship with her stepsisters and other side characters change and develop. But after one particularly momentous occasion--which I won't list here, because spoilers--the plot started to deviate wildly, and there's some romance that seems like it's trying to emulate a certain series from Sarah J. Maas (though, I'll admit, the chemistry is solid and both characters suit one another really well).
It's still a fun read, and the narrative drive is powerful enough to have made me ignore those plot holes, but...it still irked me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Child death and Murder
Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed the premise and the cast of characters (probably more than the main character, honestly); this has been fun to read alongside Oscar Wars. I wish the writing had been less disjointed, though, and I also wanted to know more about Edie; the last part of the book feels rushed. Also, at the risk of someone rolling their eyes at me for this comparison, some aspects of the plot feel too similar to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
I enjoyed the premise and the cast of characters (probably more than the main character, honestly); this has been fun to read alongside Oscar Wars. I wish the writing had been less disjointed, though, and I also wanted to know more about Edie; the last part of the book feels rushed. Also, at the risk of someone rolling their eyes at me for this comparison, some aspects of the plot feel too similar to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Miscarriage
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
funny
hopeful
informative
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
4.25
Some of the writing is too flowery/cliche for my taste, but overall I adored this. Bolu Babalola really captures what it’s like to be a university student—the dialogue in particular is delightful and authentic—all while addressing pertinent issues such as racism, colorism, classism, etc. The romance is a delicious slow burn (not always my thing, but this one is so charming and vulnerable it’s tough not to fall in love with Kiki and Malakai’s relationship), but Babalola takes care to cultivate some sweet and grounded platonic relationships throughout the book as well.
This reads very New Adult, obviously, but it’s more than worth a read even if you’re not twenty years old.
This reads very New Adult, obviously, but it’s more than worth a read even if you’re not twenty years old.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Racial slurs and Racism
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is probably my least favorite RLS book so far only because the plot and chemistry both fall flat for me. (It might be because this is SUCH a slow burn, and the teacher-student dynamic didn’t totally work for me.) That being said, this is still cute and has some solid mental health rep.
This is probably my least favorite RLS book so far only because the plot and chemistry both fall flat for me. (It might be because this is SUCH a slow burn, and the teacher-student dynamic didn’t totally work for me.) That being said, this is still cute and has some solid mental health rep.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content
Queen's Favorite Witch #2: The Lost King by Benjamin Dickson
adventurous
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is another fun (albeit, again, too short) installment in the series featuring Daisy, Queen Elizabeth's right-hand witch. Here she is visited nightly by a ghost who looks suspiciously like Prince Phillip of Spain...but how could that be when the Prince is at the English court? Once again, Daisy must call upon her friends, her training, and her innate magic to defeat the evil forces at play and save Queen Elizabeth. (It's worth noting that, while this is a sequel, it's not strictly necessary to read the first book.)
This is another fun (albeit, again, too short) installment in the series featuring Daisy, Queen Elizabeth's right-hand witch. Here she is visited nightly by a ghost who looks suspiciously like Prince Phillip of Spain...but how could that be when the Prince is at the English court? Once again, Daisy must call upon her friends, her training, and her innate magic to defeat the evil forces at play and save Queen Elizabeth. (It's worth noting that, while this is a sequel, it's not strictly necessary to read the first book.)
Soichi: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this collection. I thought I'd be more annoyed by Soichi and his bratty behavior, but Junji Ito constructs the stories in such a way that they feel fresh and don't have too many repetitive elements. Some feature Soichi as an annoying little brother playing pranks (of note is big brother Koichi's exasperation with Soichi and how easily he dismisses/reprimands him); some have him spreading rumors at school and getting into other people's business; and some depict Soichi as having truly horrifying supernatural powers that allow him to inflict curses, construct golems, and more. The last story has some fun references to previous Junji Ito stories, which I loved.
I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this collection. I thought I'd be more annoyed by Soichi and his bratty behavior, but Junji Ito constructs the stories in such a way that they feel fresh and don't have too many repetitive elements. Some feature Soichi as an annoying little brother playing pranks (of note is big brother Koichi's exasperation with Soichi and how easily he dismisses/reprimands him); some have him spreading rumors at school and getting into other people's business; and some depict Soichi as having truly horrifying supernatural powers that allow him to inflict curses, construct golems, and more. The last story has some fun references to previous Junji Ito stories, which I loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, and Blood
Kiss Me, Mi Amor by Alana Quintana Albertson
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read the first book in this series, but this one is cute! It was refreshing to read some of the themes Alana Quintana Albertson covers in this book--traditional vs. more progressive Mexican American families; the different concepts of independence in relationships; gender roles and dynamics; etc. I also enjoyed Carolina as a protagonist, someone who owns her own business and doesn't need to be in a relationship to define herself. I liked Enrique overall but felt like he's depicted as more controlling toward the end. Overall, I wanted more from the writing too--there's a lot of telling rather than depicting, which might be a symptom of wanting to convey as many ideas and opinions as possible in the story.
I haven't read the first book in this series, but this one is cute! It was refreshing to read some of the themes Alana Quintana Albertson covers in this book--traditional vs. more progressive Mexican American families; the different concepts of independence in relationships; gender roles and dynamics; etc. I also enjoyed Carolina as a protagonist, someone who owns her own business and doesn't need to be in a relationship to define herself. I liked Enrique overall but felt like he's depicted as more controlling toward the end. Overall, I wanted more from the writing too--there's a lot of telling rather than depicting, which might be a symptom of wanting to convey as many ideas and opinions as possible in the story.
A Most Agreeable Murder by Julia Seales
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
What a fun, caper-filled murder mystery. I didn't expect this book to be so absurdly silly, but it really leans into that particular aspect of British humor--and I found it delightful. On the other hand, some of the plot elements feel particularly violent/traumatic/intense in a way that doesn't totally fit the rest of the book, but it wasn't enough to detract from my reading experience. The characters are all fun additions to the story, but I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between Beatrice and Inspector Vivek Drake; I look forward to seeing that develop in subsequent installments.
What a fun, caper-filled murder mystery. I didn't expect this book to be so absurdly silly, but it really leans into that particular aspect of British humor--and I found it delightful. On the other hand, some of the plot elements feel particularly violent/traumatic/intense in a way that doesn't totally fit the rest of the book, but it wasn't enough to detract from my reading experience. The characters are all fun additions to the story, but I particularly enjoyed the chemistry between Beatrice and Inspector Vivek Drake; I look forward to seeing that develop in subsequent installments.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy