xandra_lyn's reviews
527 reviews

Autumn on Maple Tree Lane by C.P. Ward

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hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-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

3.0

This one was an odd one. It was really slow for one thing. Both the plot (a mystery at an old manor house) and character development (especially for Edith) happened quite late. But I did enjoy the descriptions of fall, and I cared about the characters.
The Little Book Café by Georgia Hill

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
The first chapter of Tash's story has huge red flags of relationship violence. I checked out reviews on here, and had to really scour them to find out that, yes, the story deals with abuse.

I really feel like this should be a higher trigger warning and am upset that users have not noted this consistently (only one person mentioned abuse).
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How to Fight a Dragon's Fury by Cressida Cowell

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

This was good, but it was bittersweet, too.
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Bonfire Night For Flammable Dragons by Laura Greenwood

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Cute, short story for fall.
One Autumn At The Castle by Kelly Hambly

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lighthearted mysterious fast-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? No

3.0

I wasn't expecting this book to be amazing, since it's very short. I think I would have given it a higher rating except for the strangeness of one of the plot twists. (See below.)

The author introduces the main love interest, Edward, but then quickly points out that he and Caitlin might be distantly related. Then it turns out Edward's father was adopted, so they aren't related.....except legally they, you know, ARE (albeit distantly, as the author keeps pointing out). Also, I had only ever gotten friend vibes between them, at least on Caitlin's side, so it was weird that they ended up engaged by the end of the (very short) book. Even that I could have overlooked, but the "we're not related because you're adopted" story line just felt icky still.
The Hidden Kingdom by Tui T. Sutherland

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Dating A Music God by Laura Greenwood, Arizona Tape

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hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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See You Next Fall by Annabelle McCormack

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
So the author started the book "now" and then went back in time so we could see how they met and how their relationship developed, periodically sprinkling in "now" episodes.

Unfortunately, the "now" portions took place in the worst part of the story - when the MCs are broken up and have yet to get back together. Rather than be intriguing, it just added stress. I know that's the formula for romances - there's always something in act 3 to split them up for a bit. That's fine. But it's always my least favorite part, and so starting there was super stressful.

Also, the twists and turns in the female MCs life were a little too wild to believe in 4 years. The now portions has her as a famous singer, who was teaching at a dance school for kids she started with friends. Fine. Great. Love it. The "4 years earlier" chapter that came immediately after has her working toward...pre-med???? Like....no. People don't pivot like that. At least not in four years. 
Treasure Hunters by Chris Grabenstein, James Patterson

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adventurous funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This was such a fun book!! It was lighthearted, and the characters were so cute and loveable. I haven't read the boxcar children, but from what I know if that series (orphans getting into shinanigans) this is basically the modern boxcar children and it's delightful!
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Gotham City Sirens #4 by Triona Farrell, Daniel Hillyard, Leah Williams, Ted Brandt, Ro Stein

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

3.0

This was a decent ending, but it just wasn't a great story. The entire premise felt needlessly violent. 
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