alyssastag's reviews
232 reviews

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A lot of the humor is cringe, especially the bits centered on New York City. But the story itself has a really cool premise and the plot had me hooked from the start. Some parts of the story are relatable for some people who have moved to New York from other cities. The characters are pretty corny, but that seems intentional, and the underlying mystery is honestly enchanting. 
Two Nights in Lisbon by Chris Pavone

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

3.0

This was a fun, feminist whodunit with current themes/concerns. The ending tied everything together and I was honestly surprised by some of the outcomes. The book is very long though and kind of drags at parts. 
Dubliners by James Joyce

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reflective sad 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? No

1.0

This was honestly so boring. The characters aren’t interesting and it is so difficult to get invested in any of them. The plot is dry and so slow. I don’t understand the hype. 
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous emotional 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

5.0

Such a good, classic fantasy story! The romance is super hot, the character development keeps you interested, and the plot is exciting. There are clues along the way that make the ending a bit predictable, but that’s honestly kind of fun. Really enjoyable read overall!
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

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dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book is so weird and ridiculous but very entertaining. I’ve always been curious about the blue people of Kentucky, but this version of the story seemed pretty unrealistic. The parallels the author drew between the blue people and Black people were cringey at times because while I’m sure they faced discrimination, their experiences are totally different. 
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

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

3.0

This was a cute book! It teaches about how good was regarded in the 1960s which is super interesting and not something I had thought much about before. The relationship between the two main characters is heartwarming. Some of the ways in which politics are discussed are odd, but the main characters are somewhat progressive considering the time period. 
The Mothers by Brit Bennett

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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? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Brit Bennett is such a beautiful storyteller. The chorus of mothers who tell the story are familiar and captivating. Nadia’s character is heavily flawed but also someone we can easily sympathize with. The mystery of her mother’s death is haunting, to a point where I truly didn’t want to know more about it. The relationships are all so raw. I loved everything about this book. 
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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adventurous hopeful 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

5.0

Such a good story!! It’s deep yet lighthearted, not too profound but touches on important themes about growing old, regret, and living life to the fullest. It’s super whimsical and funny at times. I really enjoyed this book all the way through. 
Happy Place by Emily Henry

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The story was cute and fun to read. It’s hard for me to get past the fact that Emily Henry’s male characters are so unrealistic, though. I guess I have to accept that it’s fiction, but still it’s just so obvious that they were written by a woman lol. 
They Will Drown in Their Mothers' Tears by Johannes Anyuru

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challenging dark medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Wow this book was so challenging but also so beautiful. The timeline is nonlinear, the perspective switches up at different points, and the multiverse of it all makes it difficult to follow at some points. But it is totally worth it! The writing itself is so beautiful with super vivid imagery, too.