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thereadingraccoon's reviews
1491 reviews
Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
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? It's complicated
4.25
Book Review: Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
Slow Dance is an adult contemporary novel about two high school friends who get a second chance at love.
Cary and Shiloh were best friends in high school but could never quite find a way to romance. Cary joined the Navy, and Shiloh went off to college, leading their lives on separate paths. However, when they reunite at a wedding fourteen years later, they finally realize how many feelings were left unspoken. But Cary still has years left in the Navy, and Shiloh is co-parenting two small children with her ex-husband, making it difficult for either of them to see a path back to each other.
Slow Dance is a slow-burn love story about two people who love each other deeply but can never seem to get the timing right. It’s filled with great dialogue, realistic family drama, and explores what relationships and commitment look like with children and military service. I loved how both characters were so authentically themselves and unlike anyone else I’ve read before.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My copy of Slow Dance was provided by William Morrow Books for review purposes.
Slow Dance is an adult contemporary novel about two high school friends who get a second chance at love.
Cary and Shiloh were best friends in high school but could never quite find a way to romance. Cary joined the Navy, and Shiloh went off to college, leading their lives on separate paths. However, when they reunite at a wedding fourteen years later, they finally realize how many feelings were left unspoken. But Cary still has years left in the Navy, and Shiloh is co-parenting two small children with her ex-husband, making it difficult for either of them to see a path back to each other.
Slow Dance is a slow-burn love story about two people who love each other deeply but can never seem to get the timing right. It’s filled with great dialogue, realistic family drama, and explores what relationships and commitment look like with children and military service. I loved how both characters were so authentically themselves and unlike anyone else I’ve read before.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My copy of Slow Dance was provided by William Morrow Books for review purposes.
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder is a contemporary fiction novel about a young woman who is forced to face her traumatic childhood and find the community around her.
Lenny Marks is a thirty seven year old teacher in a small town with only her former foster mother and old episodes of Friends as companions. But she’s trying to put herself out there and befriend the “cool” teachers, the quirky friendly grocer, Ned and she even steals a dog from an abusive owner. But the letters from the parole board keep coming and it’s time for Lenny to face what happened to her family all those years ago.
This is a heartfelt novel about childhood trauma and how it’s never too late to grow up and make your world a little larger. This is a book full of cute moments with a main character that has a unique way of looking at the world but also about the more serious issues around domestic abuse and mental health. I highly recommend it for readers that want a character they can root for.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🎧 audiobook notes: Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder is narrated by Annie Maynard. She does an excellent job and brings authenticity to voice of Lenny and her inner dialogue.
- My audio and ebook copy of Lenny Marks Gets Away With Murder were provided by the publisher and NetGalley for review purposes
Playmaker by Deanna Faison
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Book Review: The Playmaker by Deanna Faison
The Playmaker is an adult contemporary romance between two former best friends.
Maddie and Cameron were best friends growing up along Maddie’s brother Ethan. But when their relationship started to show a romantic side in middle school Cameron put on the brakes fearing that he’d hurt Maddie. But it broke her heart and she never dated seriously for the rest of her teenage or adult life. Cameron meanwhile has had a series of one-night stands and enjoys a one time hit-it-and quit-it policy. But the chemistry between the two of them never went it away and it boils over in their hometown during their college spring break.
This book was not great. The dialogue veered wildly between corny and horny and didn’t come off as authentic. The idea that this stunning girl would never find love or romance again because she had her heartbroken in 7th grade was ridiculous. The plot was a while series of modern contemporary romance cliches with the good girl virgin who studies all the time (even during spring break) and the football god who doesn’t do relationships. The only tension is THIS IS MY BEST FRIEND’s SISTER and a bunch of nonsense about if this inexperienced virgin could please this worldly skirt chaser. There is also a throwaway line about how main male character shared a teenage girl’s nudes with the football team in high school (and no he didn’t seem repentant or remorseful) and I’m surprised the publisher left this in. The fact that this is included as part of his man-whore history is gross and made me completely disgusted with him the entire book.
There wasn’t enough humor, plot or characterization for me unfortunately. The characters felt like cliches and I didn’t really care what they did or said.
2 stars
Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Her Dark Wings is a young adult contemporary fantasy inspired by the Hades and Persephone myth.
Corey is a teenage year old girl living on an island with her dad and step-mom. The summer she was seventeen she had her heart broken when she was betrayed by her best friend (Bree) and her boyfriend (Ali). When at a party she kisses a stranger and wishes her former friend dead she is horrified to find that her wish came true and that Bree drowned. Her confusion, grief and rage will thin the barrier between worlds and make her able to see Hades and the entrance to the underworld. As she finds herself entangled in his world she is forced to face her own darkness and where she really belongs.
Her Dark Wings is a well-paced and enjoyable read. It didn’t talk down to the young adult audience but also didn’t turn Hades into a campy god of seduction or Corey into a naive heroine in need of rescuing. I wish they had more scenes together (with less of the Furies) but I also enjoyed the appearances of Hermes who was sly and brought fresh air to all his scenes.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read and I highly recommend it.
A Fire in the Sky by Sophie Jordan
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A Fire in the Sky is an adult romantasy about an arranged marriage between a royal “whipping girl” and a warrior who protects the border of their kingdom.
Tamsyn is a foundling who has been raised along with the princesses of Penterra and serves as their “whipping girl.” While she lives in relative comfort, she is also beaten anytime the royal daughters misbehave. When a warrior who defends the border, Fell the Lord Dryhten, demands a princess as a bride, Tamsyn is the natural choice for the king and queen, who don’t want to waste a royal marriage on a mere lord. But the deception of hiding Tamsyn under a heavy veil at the wedding is a gamble, and it’s unclear if their marriage can ever recover. However, Tamsyn and Fell have an almost spiritual connection, and there might be even more secrets between these two orphans.
A Fire in the Sky is an exciting romantasy with a lot of tension, chemistry, and intrigue. I loved the storyline of the “whipping girl” and an arranged marriage with a twist. It ends with a series of reveals, so I look forward to seeing where the story goes next!
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Cute rom com about a couple that thinks they are individually cursed so they try an experimental relationship with a short timeline.
Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kölsch
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
Now, Conjurers is a young adult horror novel about a group of teens that face down an ancient evil in their town after it kills a member of their coven.
In 1999, Nesbit and his boyfriend Bastion and friends Dove, Drea, and Brandy make up a small but powerful coven in North Dana, Massachusetts. They are the quirky queer and alternative kids in a world that isn’t always accepting. But their group is shook when Bastion is found gruesomely murdered. Using their powers they follow a series of clues to a dark presence that haunts their town and makes deadly bargains with its inhabitants.
Now, Conjurers is a touching young adult horror novel that reads like a more grownup Goosebumps book. The evil entity (Mr. Nous) is properly creepy and original and the red gloves made a powerful visual. I really felt for Nesbit who spent the entire novel mourning the death of his first love and is also forced to investigate his murder and unearth all his secrets. The Y2K setting made a nostalgic backdrop for Gen X and elder Millennial readers. I look forward to see what Freddie Kölsch writes next.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Audiobook notes: Now, Conjurers is narrated by Giordan Diaz who is a good fit for the voice of Nesbit and his friends.
Hearts That Cut by Kika Hatzopoulou
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.75
Hearts That Cut is the second book in the Threads That Bind fantasy series about a young woman in a storm-ravaged world.
After the events of the last book, Io is on the hunt for answers with her reluctant sidekick, Bianca. The leads send them to various cities, all affected by destructive weather and monstrous creatures. They’ll need allies, both new and old, if they want to defeat the strong magic behind everything they’ve faced.
Although this wasn’t as enjoyable as the first book (I’m not fond of books with journeys or road trips), I did appreciate the action of the last few chapters.
After the events of the last book, Io is on the hunt for answers with her reluctant sidekick, Bianca. The leads send them to various cities, all affected by destructive weather and monstrous creatures. They’ll need allies, both new and old, if they want to defeat the strong magic behind everything they’ve faced.
Although this wasn’t as enjoyable as the first book (I’m not fond of books with journeys or road trips), I did appreciate the action of the last few chapters.
Honey: A Novel by Isabel Banta
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Book Review: Honey by Isabel Banta
Honey is a late 1990s and early 2000s coming-of-age novel about a female pop star’s rise to fame.
When tween Amber Young is first discovered at a school talent show, her strong vocals take her from an aspiring child actress to a girl band member, to a solo act, and finally to global fame. But in Y2K, the road to success is littered with beautiful teen pop stars, and she is pitted against other girls just like her. She struggles with romantic relationships, her image in the media, and finding success.
I enjoyed this realistic and gritty portrayal of pop stardom in the early 2000s. Amber reminds me of the many real-life young songstresses of that era and the public’s obsession with their innocence and romantic lives. I also liked Amber’s relationship with former bandmate Gwen and their bond despite their schedules, the tabloid media, and their own secrets pulling them apart. This was an enjoyable debut novel, and I look forward to reading more from Isabel Banta.
🎧 Audiobook notes: Honey is read by Brittany Pressley, who does an excellent job portraying the voice and youthful spirit of the main character.
Disclosure: My copy of Honey was provided by Macmillan Audio for the purpose of reviewing.