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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I didn't love all the gut-punches, but I greatly appreciate the intimate view of family and small-town Midwestern life J. Ryan Stradal has created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Cancer
Dominoes by Phoebe McIntosh
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
4.75
As much as I wished Andy and Sera had both done more to explore the gnarled nest of issues within Layla's identity, I loved the thoughtfulness with which Phoebe McIntosh tells her story and the way she explores her family history. (Speaking of family, I adored everyone in Layla's extended and immediate family!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery
Happily Never After by Lynn Painter
3.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The premise made this start out incredibly strong, and I loved seeing Sophie and Max's relationship develop and reading their banter. The main story fizzles out after a while (kind of wish they'd kept up with the objector premise), but it's still a fun read.
The premise made this start out incredibly strong, and I loved seeing Sophie and Max's relationship develop and reading their banter. The main story fizzles out after a while (kind of wish they'd kept up with the objector premise), but it's still a fun read.
The Other Lola by Ripley Jones
2.75
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed reading this for the exploration of Blair and Cam's interpersonal relationships and self-reflection, but I was disappointed in this sequel. The actual mystery isn't fleshed out, and the revelation feels half-hearted and rushed. There are also a few aspects that don't make sense; it seems like Ripley Jones just threw them in there without storyboarding or planning.
I'd still recommend this for a quick read and continuation of Blair and Cam's stories, but the first book is much better.
I enjoyed reading this for the exploration of Blair and Cam's interpersonal relationships and self-reflection, but I was disappointed in this sequel. The actual mystery isn't fleshed out, and the revelation feels half-hearted and rushed. There are also a few aspects that don't make sense; it seems like Ripley Jones just threw them in there without storyboarding or planning.
I'd still recommend this for a quick read and continuation of Blair and Cam's stories, but the first book is much better.
The Hunter by Tana French
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm woefully late to reviewing this, but I did enjoy it! I haven't read Tana French in years but liked her Dublin Murder Squad series well enough, so I requested this one not realizing it was a sequel. I've had friends tell me they didn't care much for Cal Hooper in the first book and that the pacing is too slow; this features Trey more than Cal and clips along toward the end (though it drags a touch at the beginning as French establishes a sense of place), so those who didn't enjoy the first one might like the second. Oof; what a village...
I'm woefully late to reviewing this, but I did enjoy it! I haven't read Tana French in years but liked her Dublin Murder Squad series well enough, so I requested this one not realizing it was a sequel. I've had friends tell me they didn't care much for Cal Hooper in the first book and that the pacing is too slow; this features Trey more than Cal and clips along toward the end (though it drags a touch at the beginning as French establishes a sense of place), so those who didn't enjoy the first one might like the second. Oof; what a village...
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Terminal illness, and Dementia
No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wholeness with the Internal Family Systems Model by Richard C. Schwartz
informative
medium-paced
I'd never heard of the Internal Family Systems model before reading this book, but conceptually it makes sense to me. (I've often felt like I have different parts within myself that are either working together or at war with one another.) While the exercises here are described well, I couldn't get into them--I'd rather work with a professional--and some of the concepts Dr. Schwartz describes feel a little...ethereal? Still, it's an interesting topic and one I'd like to explore further.
Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love a good heist novel, so this was a quick, fun read for me. The friendship between Jane, Rina, and Lulu is the strongest aspect, but I also enjoyed the laugh-out-loud madcap moments and the slow burn of the romance (won't spoil it here, but it's obvious once you start reading).
I love a good heist novel, so this was a quick, fun read for me. The friendship between Jane, Rina, and Lulu is the strongest aspect, but I also enjoyed the laugh-out-loud madcap moments and the slow burn of the romance (won't spoil it here, but it's obvious once you start reading).
Baby X by Kira Peikoff
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The core scientific concept gave me pause, but overall this is a thrilling, compelling read! There are enough red herrings for me to feel like I'm reading something surprising and innovative, and the twist ties everything together nicely without making it feel too neat.
The core scientific concept gave me pause, but overall this is a thrilling, compelling read! There are enough red herrings for me to feel like I'm reading something surprising and innovative, and the twist ties everything together nicely without making it feel too neat.