liamliayaum's reviews
280 reviews

A Likely Story by Leigh McMullan Abramson

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adventurous emotional inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks by Shauna Robinson

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lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The Only Purple House in Town by Ann Aguirre

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

Board to Death by C.J. Connor

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emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck

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emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-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

5.0

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

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adventurous emotional funny informative reflective medium-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? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

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adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I am so entirely confused by the ending. There were multiple stories within one and I don't know if any of them truly finished. The writing was intriguing and I enjoyed the story that I did understand.

The characters are flat with little substance. This book is narration and story, not characters. It's a giant puzzle with a circular nature that leaves the reader wondering what's up and down (up feels like down I think). Dark academia-esque. It's an arduous read, slow and steady, with some many spinoffs that it's nearly impossible to keep track of where the story has or hasn't gone.

It's a masterpiece of something but of what, I can't exactly say.

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson

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emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The writing was engaging but it was tough content to read. While it is historical fiction, there is truth to this past of unwed mothers who were shamed and forced to give up their babies. I can't say I have come across a book that centers Black characters in this narrative and for that reason, this should be a high priority read for everyone.

Content Warnings

Same Time Next Summer by Annabel Monaghan

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emotional lighthearted medium-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? Yes

3.5