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sheilasamuelson's reviews
1254 reviews
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Rating: 3 Stars!!
Review:
First off Thank you to Tandem Collective for sending me this FREE Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Readalong this month.
This was my first time reading a Novel by James Baldwin so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I liked it for the most part until the hate and language came in which seemed abit heavy even tho I realize that's how life was for people back then which is sad.
Overall a good Novel about life on Beale Street in New York City in the 50s.
Review:
First off Thank you to Tandem Collective for sending me this FREE Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Readalong this month.
This was my first time reading a Novel by James Baldwin so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I liked it for the most part until the hate and language came in which seemed abit heavy even tho I realize that's how life was for people back then which is sad.
Overall a good Novel about life on Beale Street in New York City in the 50s.
The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Page & Vine, LuvBooks and Buck Turner for sending me this FREE Physical Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Book Tour earlier this year.
This was my first time reading a Historical Romance by Buck so I wasnt sure what to expect but it reminded me alot of Wuthering Heights meets The Grapes of Wrath style writing and storytelling.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. From Page 1 I really shipped Jack and Ellie since they seemed so compatible with each other.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 2020 and 1950 Sims Chapel Tennessee especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a great Historical Romance about a Couple who try to put their relationship back together after one of them writes a Romance novel about their love story.
Can't wait to read more by Buck in the future!!
Review:
Thank you to Page & Vine, LuvBooks and Buck Turner for sending me this FREE Physical Copy to promote and review for them as part of their Book Tour earlier this year.
This was my first time reading a Historical Romance by Buck so I wasnt sure what to expect but it reminded me alot of Wuthering Heights meets The Grapes of Wrath style writing and storytelling.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. From Page 1 I really shipped Jack and Ellie since they seemed so compatible with each other.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 2020 and 1950 Sims Chapel Tennessee especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a great Historical Romance about a Couple who try to put their relationship back together after one of them writes a Romance novel about their love story.
Can't wait to read more by Buck in the future!!
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
Rating: 4.5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading this book by Markus even though it's been on My To Read List for awhile so I wasnt sure what to expect but for the most part I did like it just wish it wasn't so slow starting and wish the chapters weren't so long 😅 (I know I'm picky).
The Characters were interesting to read about. I'm not sure which characters I liked since they all seemed enjoyable.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1939 Germany while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall for me an OK Historical Fiction about a Girl whose accused of stealing Books from the Nazis!!
I will read more by Markus in the future I just hope his other books arent as slow and long as this one was.
Review:
This was my first time reading this book by Markus even though it's been on My To Read List for awhile so I wasnt sure what to expect but for the most part I did like it just wish it wasn't so slow starting and wish the chapters weren't so long 😅 (I know I'm picky).
The Characters were interesting to read about. I'm not sure which characters I liked since they all seemed enjoyable.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in 1939 Germany while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall for me an OK Historical Fiction about a Girl whose accused of stealing Books from the Nazis!!
I will read more by Markus in the future I just hope his other books arent as slow and long as this one was.
My Lady Jane by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Novel by Cynthia, Brodi and Jodi let alone a Retelling about King Edward and Lady Jane so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed it and plan to read the Original Story about them very soon.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about.
Edward wasn't my favorite in the beginning but I did end up feeling bad what he ultimately died of.
Lady Jane was also a favorite of mine tho I didn't agree that she was pushed into an arranged marriage.
I laughed when Edward's Servant suggested his Son marry Jane and then it was revealed he was a Horse 🤣 definately made this book enjoyable 😉.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery of London was described.
Overall a good Book 1 in this Royal Retelling Series!! Can't wait to read Book 2 and more by Cynthia, Brodi and Jodi in the future.
Review:
This was my first time reading a Novel by Cynthia, Brodi and Jodi let alone a Retelling about King Edward and Lady Jane so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed it and plan to read the Original Story about them very soon.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about.
Edward wasn't my favorite in the beginning but I did end up feeling bad what he ultimately died of.
Lady Jane was also a favorite of mine tho I didn't agree that she was pushed into an arranged marriage.
I laughed when Edward's Servant suggested his Son marry Jane and then it was revealed he was a Horse 🤣 definately made this book enjoyable 😉.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery of London was described.
Overall a good Book 1 in this Royal Retelling Series!! Can't wait to read Book 2 and more by Cynthia, Brodi and Jodi in the future.
Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Novel by Ron so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would mainly because I listened to the Audiobook.
The Background about Alexander's Childhood into adulthood was very intriguing to listen to even tho I remembered some of it.
The Settings were beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Biography about Alexander Hamilton. Can't wait to read more by Ron in the future!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Novel by Ron so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I really enjoyed it more than I thought I would mainly because I listened to the Audiobook.
The Background about Alexander's Childhood into adulthood was very intriguing to listen to even tho I remembered some of it.
The Settings were beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenal Biography about Alexander Hamilton. Can't wait to read more by Ron in the future!!
The Others by Evette Davis
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Thank you to Books Forward for picking me to join this Books Tour this week and for the FREE EBOOK to promote and review for Evette.
This was my first time reading a Fantasy Novel by Evette so I wasnt sure what to expect but this book reminded of 2 Series I recently started First being Charlene Harris's Sookie Stackhouse Series and Strange Angels Series by Lis St Crowe.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Fun Book 1 in this Fantasy series about a Woman who learns she's inherited Supernatural Powers from her Mother.
Can't wait to read Book 2 when it comes out next year!!
Review:
Thank you to Books Forward for picking me to join this Books Tour this week and for the FREE EBOOK to promote and review for Evette.
This was my first time reading a Fantasy Novel by Evette so I wasnt sure what to expect but this book reminded of 2 Series I recently started First being Charlene Harris's Sookie Stackhouse Series and Strange Angels Series by Lis St Crowe.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. It was hard to pick just one as my favorite since I seemed to like all the characters.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Fun Book 1 in this Fantasy series about a Woman who learns she's inherited Supernatural Powers from her Mother.
Can't wait to read Book 2 when it comes out next year!!
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Historical Fantasy by Erin so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I throughly enjoyed this one and don't know why I didn't read it sooner.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I felt bad for Celia through most of the book especially in the beginning.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was on the Circus Tour with all the characters.
This Book reminded me alot of "The Greatest Show Man" Movie but with different aspects to it.
Overall a Wonderfully informative Novel!! I wish it was part of a series.
Can't wait to read more by Erin in the future!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Historical Fantasy by Erin so I wasnt sure what to expect but I have to say I throughly enjoyed this one and don't know why I didn't read it sooner.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I felt bad for Celia through most of the book especially in the beginning.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was on the Circus Tour with all the characters.
This Book reminded me alot of "The Greatest Show Man" Movie but with different aspects to it.
Overall a Wonderfully informative Novel!! I wish it was part of a series.
Can't wait to read more by Erin in the future!!
September by Rosamunde Pilcher
adventurous
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
5.0
Rating: 3 Stars!!
Review:
This is my first time reading a literary fiction novel by Rosamund Pilcher so I wasn't sure what to expect but I have to say I expected you a lot better than what it ended up being.
In the beginning I really liked it it was set and winter it talked about this woman Violet who is going to this little corner deli to get lunch for her and a friend and so I really like that concept but then when it went into August I feel like the author lost momentum with writing this book there were too many characters brought in at once and I feel like this book could have been broken down into three different novels not necessarily in a series but just three separate books about these characters because I feel like the characters were just so overwhelming at times.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about but I felt like Rosamund didn't work on developing Violet's character who had a connection with one of the other characters I can't remember her name now but I feel like when their story was like starting to develop then another character came in and that became confusing so I just feel like if this book had just been about Violet and her friend I feel like it would be more enjoyable about their life in London and going to Scotland and all of that.
The Setting essentially was my favorite part I loved reading about Scotland the scenery the culture all of that that resembles Scotland.
Overall it was an okay literary fiction novel I just feel like if the author had worked on developing one set of characters for one book and then worked on the next characters for book 2 and then the next set for book 3 I feel like this book would have been more enjoyable instead of throwing so many characters in at once with a month apart between them it got it just got really confusing who the story was essentially surrounding.
I will read more by Rosamund Pilcher but I just hope her other books aren't like this one was I hope that that's not overwhelming with so many characters.
Review:
This is my first time reading a literary fiction novel by Rosamund Pilcher so I wasn't sure what to expect but I have to say I expected you a lot better than what it ended up being.
In the beginning I really liked it it was set and winter it talked about this woman Violet who is going to this little corner deli to get lunch for her and a friend and so I really like that concept but then when it went into August I feel like the author lost momentum with writing this book there were too many characters brought in at once and I feel like this book could have been broken down into three different novels not necessarily in a series but just three separate books about these characters because I feel like the characters were just so overwhelming at times.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about but I felt like Rosamund didn't work on developing Violet's character who had a connection with one of the other characters I can't remember her name now but I feel like when their story was like starting to develop then another character came in and that became confusing so I just feel like if this book had just been about Violet and her friend I feel like it would be more enjoyable about their life in London and going to Scotland and all of that.
The Setting essentially was my favorite part I loved reading about Scotland the scenery the culture all of that that resembles Scotland.
Overall it was an okay literary fiction novel I just feel like if the author had worked on developing one set of characters for one book and then worked on the next characters for book 2 and then the next set for book 3 I feel like this book would have been more enjoyable instead of throwing so many characters in at once with a month apart between them it got it just got really confusing who the story was essentially surrounding.
I will read more by Rosamund Pilcher but I just hope her other books aren't like this one was I hope that that's not overwhelming with so many characters.
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by Riley so I was expecting another one like Lock Every Door but thankfully I was wrong because this one was so much better than Lock Every Door.
Review:
This was only the 2nd Book I've read by Riley so I was expecting another one like Lock Every Door but thankfully I was wrong because this one was so much better than Lock Every Door.
I loved how this one was based on Lizzie Borden but with a twist.
The Characters were fun and enjoyable to read about. I felt bad for Kit but by the end I was shocked about her background.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery was described.
Overall a Phenomenally Enjoyable Thriller about a nurse who takes care of a former killer.
Can't wait to read more by Riley in the future!!
Can't wait to read more by Riley in the future!!
The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a Literary YA Fiction by Meghan so I wasnt sure what to expect but I never expected ot to start out THAT HEAVY 👀🤯😳 but I have to say despite that I did really enjoy this book.
Review:
This was my first time reading a Literary YA Fiction by Meghan so I wasnt sure what to expect but I never expected ot to start out THAT HEAVY 👀🤯😳 but I have to say despite that I did really enjoy this book.
The Characters were interesting to read about.
Esther "Essie" was definitely my favorite since I felt bad for what she went through and also because she wasn't given a chance to process her pregnancy in private instead of having Family tell her what to do.
Plain and simple it should of been her and the fathers decision ALONE.
Plain and simple it should of been her and the fathers decision ALONE.
The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like I was actually in the book while reading especially when the scenery and situations were described.
Overall a good Literary YA Fiction very heartbreaking at times but still so good.
Can't wait to read more by Meghan in the future!!