the_bookish_owl's reviews
1540 reviews

Valentine by Elizabeth Wetmore

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Disconnected plotlines. No quotation marks which I personally loathe.
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Everything is Beautiful: the most uplifting, heartwarming read of 2021 by Eleanor Ray

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

5.0

Paperback read but ebook previously provided by NetGalley for review. Thank you.

This was a sad yet hopeful book and beautifully written.

In no uncertain terms Amy is a hoarder. Specific items - green wine bottles, mugs, clocks, ashtrays, cookbooks, ceramic birds, plant pots/vases and newspapers. All items relating to specific moments in her relationship with the man she planned to marry, until the day he and her best friend disappeared without a trace, presumably together.

The book follows a dual timeline of now and then with each then section headed with the item it relates to. In the present day Amy is dealing with an interfering neighbour who is obsessed with her hoard being dangerous. Then a new family move in next door which changes everything.

This was really sensitively written, especially around the hoard and how much Amy clearly cares for her belongings. The word hoard is only used once so as not to stigmatise things further. The mystery of Tim and Chantel's disappearance added an intriguing extra layer.


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The Wild Truth: A Memoir by Carine McCandless

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

3.0

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Scythe by Neal Shusterman

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dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

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The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

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emotional 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? No

5.0

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

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

4.0

I enjoyed this but there were elements that seemed to come out of nowhere and I'd have liked more detail there.
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Apartment 16 by Adam L.G. Nevill

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
More gross than horror and not enough progression for me.
Escape for Christmas by Philippa Ashley

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emotional funny reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Murder Before Evensong by Richard Coles

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Too slow and boring. 100 pages before the murder even happens.