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pchamblee's reviews
130 reviews
My Perfect Husband by Georgina Cross
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Christmas Spirit by Debbie Macomber
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Mike in the Middle by Gaby Knight
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Other Side of Disappearing by Kate Clayborn
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Life Impossible by Matt Haig
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.75
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Bright Side of Disaster by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For those who don’t know, this was Katherine Center’s debut novel. Like her other pre-2010’s books, it is not really a rom-com but a true women’s fiction novel and focuses less on romance and more on womanhood as a whole, and particularly, motherhood. The story is primarily a humor-filled glimpse into the tragic chaos of single motherhood, but it has some romance, too. I personally think on both counts the story wraps up too hastily, without a strong enough takeaway in the main character’s narrative (as seen in later Center novels). But, considering it was her very first one, it wasn’t too bad. I enjoyed how the characters were written, especially Gardner. I just wish I could have spent more time with them (or, some of them!).
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
A cute, semi-spicy small-town romance. It has elements of mystery, but not enough that I’d call it a “cozy mystery.” The story has a fun cast of characters, can be a bit predictable at times, and definitely feels Gilmore Girls adjacent (minus the teenage daughter, and if Lorelai had Luke’s job and Luke had Jackson’s job). If you like cozy romances and don’t mind well-worn tropes that lean a little cliche at points, then you’ll likely enjoy this one.