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randelina's reviews
528 reviews
The Girl Who Was Taken by Charlie Donlea
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.0
The more I read the less I could put the book down. I had a guess early on, then added a second option part way through, a third presented itself but I felt it to be a red herring. In the end I was wrong. Shocked when the answer was made plain.
I can not speak to the accuracy of the medical details. As I don't have the knowledge to understand or know how true it was I admit to skimming some of the denser medical sections. However, the overall plot, characters, dialogue, etc. were incredibly well written. Enough so that I was invested in the story, pulled along, wanting, waiting, yearning to know who was the monster.
I do not typically read this kind of book and only read this for bookclub. I did enjoy it, appreciated the writing, and look forward to the discussion I will undoubtedly have about the story. Though, I find it highly unlikely that I will ever reread this tale which is why I do not give it more stars.
I can not speak to the accuracy of the medical details. As I don't have the knowledge to understand or know how true it was I admit to skimming some of the denser medical sections. However, the overall plot, characters, dialogue, etc. were incredibly well written. Enough so that I was invested in the story, pulled along, wanting, waiting, yearning to know who was the monster.
I do not typically read this kind of book and only read this for bookclub. I did enjoy it, appreciated the writing, and look forward to the discussion I will undoubtedly have about the story. Though, I find it highly unlikely that I will ever reread this tale which is why I do not give it more stars.
The Cursed by Harper L. Woods
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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 have continued with this series and I am glad to have done so. This book was much more enjoyable than the first. The lore, background history, underlying story are just as intriguing as what was begun in book one. There was just as much detail in this installment but it all felt necessary and important to moving the plot forward. The blood/gore, graphic scenes, and explicit sex I was expecting in the first apparently made its way into this book, in abundance. Much much more spice, all of it well written, hot, yet not overdone. I liked this one enough to be annoyed that the next book will not be released until October 2025. I look forward to reading it. I hope that will be the conclusion to the story.
Sally's Lament by Mari Mancusi
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I enjoyed this tale more than the original Nightmare story. The adventure was extremely engaging. The message of holiday spirit and acceptance was at the forefront and presented very well. The back and forth between Sally and Jack had me smiling and laughing several times. I look forward to my daughter reading this book. I will be handing it over to her immediately, even at 8 years of age, as it will be a challenge but not inappropriate. The ending was so wonderfully happy that I cried happy tears. Great Twisted Tale.
The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Books through fire.
I liked this book. Maybe even enough to read the next in the series. Though not so much that I feel the need to pick it up immediately.
The four women were amazingly strong and I appreciated how they all grew as each secret was revealed. The who-done-it was intriguing. I admit that I did not figure it all out. Which I enjoyed the most. While some of it fit and was predictable not all of it was. Overall a good story. Worth reading if you enjoy trying to figure out crimes and reading about independent women leads.
I liked this book. Maybe even enough to read the next in the series. Though not so much that I feel the need to pick it up immediately.
The four women were amazingly strong and I appreciated how they all grew as each secret was revealed. The who-done-it was intriguing. I admit that I did not figure it all out. Which I enjoyed the most. While some of it fit and was predictable not all of it was. Overall a good story. Worth reading if you enjoy trying to figure out crimes and reading about independent women leads.
A Werewolf's Guide To Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley
adventurous
challenging
funny
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
4.0
This was a cute story. I enjoyed the main characters. Their flaws, their struggles, their success in the end. Eleonore is hilarious in her ultra sexy, alluringly fem Jessica Rabbit body being bat crap crazy vengeful assassin that is blunt in the best of ways. Ben is adorably sweet in his too big for his own comfort body full of anxiety and not nice voices. There is a bit of miscommunication but it gets handled quickly which was nice. Overall their tale was lovely to read. The secondary characters were fun and supportive. Though I learned enough about them that I don't feel the need to read the first two books of Glimmer Falls which cover two couples in the friend group getting together.
Throttled by Lauren Asher
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Goodness, the spicy scenes in this were steamy. Yet they could have been removed entirely and they story would have been just as good. I loved the F1 world and the behind the curtain view of it through this tale. The main characters are wonderful. I like Maya with her bubbliness. I like Noah with his broody manner. The secondary characters are great. I am looking forward to reading about Sophie, she is such fun. Overall, I am very pleased to have begun this series.
In Daddy's Hands by Charity Parkerson
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Little held.
A good DD/lb story about flawed characters. The strength of the little was wonderful to see. Certainly a different take on the dynamic. I enjoyed this short read.
A good DD/lb story about flawed characters. The strength of the little was wonderful to see. Certainly a different take on the dynamic. I enjoyed this short read.
Short-term Daddy by Charity Parkerson
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Little found.
I enjoyed this short and sweet DD/lb story. The way they met was cute and struggles they encountered were relatable. I look forward to more from this series.
I enjoyed this short and sweet DD/lb story. The way they met was cute and struggles they encountered were relatable. I look forward to more from this series.
The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder by David Grann
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
David Gann did a fantastic job putting mountains of information together. I often thought of Capote's In Cold Blood while reading. Both took real world events of non fiction and presented it as easy to read novels. Wonderfully done.
The story itself is not a happy one. Yet there is some pleasantness in learning about the lives of the survivors. The events detailed are quite harrowing. I can not imagine living during that time of human history. While the book covers the truth of the events, as presented by many different accounts afterwards, it does so in as gentlemanly a way as possible. There is sickness, death, infighting, murder, mutiny, etc. yet none of it is overtly graphic. Rather it reads clinically. Simply statements of fact detailing what occurred.
I enjoyed this read. I found myself easily pulled along with the story. It is certainly one that I will recommend to my dad, who likes history, and to anyone that appreciates non fiction novels.
The story itself is not a happy one. Yet there is some pleasantness in learning about the lives of the survivors. The events detailed are quite harrowing. I can not imagine living during that time of human history. While the book covers the truth of the events, as presented by many different accounts afterwards, it does so in as gentlemanly a way as possible. There is sickness, death, infighting, murder, mutiny, etc. yet none of it is overtly graphic. Rather it reads clinically. Simply statements of fact detailing what occurred.
I enjoyed this read. I found myself easily pulled along with the story. It is certainly one that I will recommend to my dad, who likes history, and to anyone that appreciates non fiction novels.
The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I am glad I listened to this rather than read it. I enjoyed the performance given by Paapa Essiedu. Due to the era this tale was written in I did not feel I would have been able to really get into the cadence had it not been for listening.
I have known of this story for years. Watched many different versions of it in cartoons, TV shows, and movies. I wanted to know how the original occurred. It was not as gruesome as I expected. Which was a pleasant surprise. However, that was were the good ended. The psychology and examination of the duality of man was lackluster for me. While it was a fitting, concerning, issue during the time of publication I found it to be too bifurcated. Additionally, the ending lacked closure in my opinion. How does the lawyer react to all he has learned?
I enjoyed it as a classic novel yet I did not actually enjoy the story itself. My overall feeling upon finishing is indifference. Meh, with a shrug. I am glad to have read it but don't feel it necessary to include on a 'must read in your lifetime' list
I have known of this story for years. Watched many different versions of it in cartoons, TV shows, and movies. I wanted to know how the original occurred. It was not as gruesome as I expected. Which was a pleasant surprise. However, that was were the good ended. The psychology and examination of the duality of man was lackluster for me. While it was a fitting, concerning, issue during the time of publication I found it to be too bifurcated. Additionally, the ending lacked closure in my opinion. How does the lawyer react to all he has learned?
I enjoyed it as a classic novel yet I did not actually enjoy the story itself. My overall feeling upon finishing is indifference. Meh, with a shrug. I am glad to have read it but don't feel it necessary to include on a 'must read in your lifetime' list