Scan barcode
emilywemily6's reviews
259 reviews
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book was emotionally heartbreaking but also heartwarming. Many tears were shed, both joyful and devastated. It’s mostly a story about hockey and how the members of a small rural community put hockey above all else, even morals (sometimes). It was hard to understand who was who are the beginning of this book because the cast of characters is huge and the backstories blend together, but the characters became more distinct over time. This writing is very different than Backman’s more lighthearted, fun writing. Lots of really good one-liners about moral implications of people’s thoughts and actions. This book felt very human, but was a bit difficult to read sometimes. Read when you are in a good place personally! Also winter vibes because of hock eye and the setting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Violence, Medical content, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am loving how this author is expanding on the world of the Caraval series. I think Evangeline more than the Dragna sisters and I think it’s because while she acts like a teenager and makes mistakes, she also tries to fix them in very heroic ways. She is flawed and young but I still see her strengths in this book. Her efforts to do the right thing made for an interesting story with lots of dynamics, and leads into the future books well. I also felt like I never knew what would happen next in the story. Lots of plot twists I didn’t see coming, which made for a fun and quick read. I’m so excited to continue reading this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Classism
Off the Beaten Path by Madison Wright
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This was cute! I knew nothing about this book when I decided to listen to it. It’s a nice cozy book for late fall/early spring vibes. The small town in the mountains was a cute setting, though I would have liked more about the setting. While I liked both of these main characters a lot individually, I really didn’t like their interactions at the beginning of the book. They hated each other as neighbors but in a really superficial way (lots of pranks on her part) that just didn’t make sense to me. He cared too much about her behavior instead of ignoring her. But I really liked seeing their relationship grow once they got over the fact that they had already been messaging on a dating app. Though that transition from “enemy neighbors” to friends felt kind of abrupt. The pacing of their actual friendship/relationship was much better. I also loved June (the daughter) and what she added to both the story and how she was a great lens through which to see both the love interests and how their relationship was. I liked how mature everyone was about the ex-wife. The end of the book wrapped up a little too perfectly but it was still heartwarming.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
The writing is mediocre and everyone is exceptionally horny. I honestly hated reading the guy’s perspective and that’s what sent me over the edge because it’s all about casual hook ups.
Summers End by Juneau Black
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
This was my favorite Shady Hollow story yet! I think because it contained a more thorough mystery than the others. Since this book takes place in another town, you get lots of new characters who are all suspicious in some way, so it wasn’t a super obvious answer to the mystery. I liked how the different plot points were woven together and the introduction to the lore of this woodland critter society. It’s definitely cheesy but such a nice cozy mystery! I couldn’t put it down.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Confinement, Police brutality, and Gaslighting
Mixed Signals by B.K. Borison
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I loved this book so much- it’s definitely my favorite of the Lovelight Farms series!! I adore both Layla and Caleb and how amazing they are, yet have very believable flaws. Their fake dating with real feelings was so tender and sweet and just melted my heart ❤️ the third act conflict was believable and was alluded to throughout the book since it hinges on the characters’ flaws and fears. The spice was emotionally driven unlike the previous book, which I really liked. This book was a warm cozy hug.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Toxic relationship
The Lost World by Michael Crichton
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a solid read but definitely not as good as the first book. I liked the “good guy” characters overall better in this book, and I especially loved Sara Harding!! The plot line of the Biosyn “bad guys” coming to the island was also interesting and had a satisfying ending. I didn’t like how philosophical/lectury this book was; it was even worse than the last book, with less direction/purpose in the musings.l for the overall plot. The sense of dread/foreboding was not there either for much of the book, though there were some thrilling moments. The mysteries behind the dinosaurs on this other island were all linked together but the answers to the behavioral questions presented were not very satisfying because they were superficial. This felt like it was written to please the screenwriters and not because Crichton felt inspired.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gore, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexism
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Eh. This book was SO SLOW that it made it hard to enjoy. And I was kind of disappointed by this book. The time travel science was very superficial and not well thought out, the romance lacked chemistry or tension so I couldn’t root for the couple, the sex scenes were awkward, and the main character was impersonal and bland. The anachronism of Graham and the other expats in the 21st century were interesting to read about but got a little old. I also felt unsatisfied with how this particular timeline turned out and the reasons why.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Misogyny, Racism, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Racial slurs, and Medical content
Dreadful by Caitlin Rozakis
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book! It was such a funny romp with some introspection, and while rooted in a fantasy world the happenings felt realistic. I like how the solutions weren’t perfect and there was a humanity element to things. The only reason this isn’t a 5 star is because the middle of the book was SOOO SLOW that it hindered my enjoyment. From about 25%-50% of the way through the book there wasn’t really any plot and no character growth, only lots of internal musings that alluded to the possibility of future character growth. I liked how the story resolved for the characters even though how they got there was quite messy, which I didn’t like. Overall, a funny cozy fantasy with dry wit that was a joy to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny, Torture, Kidnapping, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Classism
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
While this book started off slow, I really enjoyed this cheesy YA retelling of Cinderella! I loved the sci-fi fandom aspect and how thoroughly the author created the fandom. It felt new and fresh and I wish I could watch the TV show! The FMC’s relationships with her step sisters and step mother were abusive and honestly made me really uncomfortable, to the point that they took away some of my enjoyment of the book. The FMC made a lot of poor assumptions about other people that also weren’t very fitting for a Cinderella-type character. I love the shenanigans at the very end of this book too! I wish we got a more in-depth look at the epilogue for these characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Sexual harassment