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heidirgorecki's reviews
908 reviews
Crossfire at the Precipice by Hannah Hood Lucero
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed this one. The topic of human trafficking is not a super common one I think but should be. The story was well laid out, and I think the relationship between Cynthia and Liam did well at dealing with the real ups and downs of newlywed life and missed expectations. Lots of intrigue and hard to put down.
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Super cute and enjoyed it a lot. I really enjoyed the romcom scenario of a sort of mistaken identity and Sadie having to work thru a medical diagnosis like that. That part was relatable to me personally.
With their story you could see what was coming and put the pieces together even tho the MCs couldn’t, but it was so painful to watch unfold that I couldn’t put the book down till the end, wanting it to end up ok. Really well done.
With their story you could see what was coming and put the pieces together even tho the MCs couldn’t, but it was so painful to watch unfold that I couldn’t put the book down till the end, wanting it to end up ok. Really well done.
Beau on the Bayou by Hannah Hood Lucero
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5⭐️s. Good suspense and I liked the banter between Luarelin and Rian. I liked Laurelin’s character a lot with how bold and brazen she was. The romance between seemed to move oddly quickly, and some of the spiritual elements felt a little over the top at times - a little over-spiritualized maybe - but I liked the concepts and struggles both characters fought thru.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Super cute. Actually not what I thought it was going to be - it was more linear than I expected, but still very cute and light.
Beartown by Fredrik Backman
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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? Yes
5.0
Devastating but incredibly insightful and moving. Just the way each of the characters’ perspectives and viewpoints is written, it’s like a look at raw humanity. Its motivations and reasoning, the effects words can have, what shame vs bravery can do, and what friendship and wanting to belonging does in both a good and bad way. So well done.
Lowcountry Lost by T.I. Lowe
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Loved this so much. The story is a heavy one, filled with very real loss and grief, that so many of us have walked thru but I think oftentimes doesn’t get talked about. The book presented that in a way that was compassionate and understanding, while I thought it was completely beautiful.
If you, like me, can identify with Avalee and Rowan’s loss, following their story will be hard and hit so close to home, and yet feel in a way itself like home - welcoming and compassionate and me-too. Even tho my response in my own losses was very different than Avalee’s, I felt their loss in such a real way and could empathize with what they both felt. Their story was really well written, and I loved both the sorrow and the redemption the book presented. It was perfect the way the book showed that wholeness and healing may look different than we originally plan or expect. So so many good nuggets of wisdom. Make sure you have the tissues at the end.
I think I loved just about every character in the book, but my favorite was Rowen. But I won’t give any of that away. ;)
(Side note: the forward in the book alludes to the content and type of loss it deals with. For some of my fellow readers who have just walked thru this also, this may be one you want to be aware of before you begin. See StoryGraph content warnings if so. Absolutely the perfect heartfelt read, and a new favorite, but we all know some wounds need to heal a little if they’re too new first)
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
If you, like me, can identify with Avalee and Rowan’s loss, following their story will be hard and hit so close to home, and yet feel in a way itself like home - welcoming and compassionate and me-too. Even tho my response in my own losses was very different than Avalee’s, I felt their loss in such a real way and could empathize with what they both felt. Their story was really well written, and I loved both the sorrow and the redemption the book presented. It was perfect the way the book showed that wholeness and healing may look different than we originally plan or expect. So so many good nuggets of wisdom. Make sure you have the tissues at the end.
I think I loved just about every character in the book, but my favorite was Rowen. But I won’t give any of that away. ;)
(Side note: the forward in the book alludes to the content and type of loss it deals with. For some of my fellow readers who have just walked thru this also, this may be one you want to be aware of before you begin. See StoryGraph content warnings if so. Absolutely the perfect heartfelt read, and a new favorite, but we all know some wounds need to heal a little if they’re too new first)
Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Child death
The Last Daughter of York by Nicola Cornick
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed this a ton. It was really unique mix of historical fiction, contemporary mystery, a little bit of romance and a little fantasy. But it just was done so well, it was so intriguing and interesting to me. For me, even when I knew what the mystery was, I didn’t know how the details were going to go or where all the pieces fit.
A Nurse's Tale by Ola Awonubi
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-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
Really interesting and inspiring learning of a Nigerian princess training as a nurse midwife in England during WW2.
The book was a dual timeline, following Ade during WW2, and Yemi, her great niece in 2019, I wish the whole book just focused on Ade and fleshed out her story instead. I struggled to feel invested and interested in Yemi’s story. And both stories at times, but especially Yemi’s just felt very slow going and repetitive.
I did really appreciate the picture that was painted of the odd contradictory, as Ade said, racism that was prevalent during the 40’s in England. As heartbreaking as that was (tho inspiring when they stood up against the Americans), I enjoyed learning from the book as a whole and liked the culture aspects it presented.
The book was a dual timeline, following Ade during WW2, and Yemi, her great niece in 2019, I wish the whole book just focused on Ade and fleshed out her story instead. I struggled to feel invested and interested in Yemi’s story. And both stories at times, but especially Yemi’s just felt very slow going and repetitive.
I did really appreciate the picture that was painted of the odd contradictory, as Ade said, racism that was prevalent during the 40’s in England. As heartbreaking as that was (tho inspiring when they stood up against the Americans), I enjoyed learning from the book as a whole and liked the culture aspects it presented.
A Million Little Choices by Tamera Alexander
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Just a lot of uber Christian-ese phrases and thought processes without depth at least in the first 10% and weird family dynamics that got annoying. Lost interest fast
Sisters Under the Rising Sun by Heather Morris
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? No
3.5
Incredible story of bravery and endurance by the Australian nurses and fellow women in the pacific POW campus during WW2.
It was amazing hearing their stories of how they cared for each other and didn’t allow their situation to turn to bitterness or lashing out at each other, but all chipped in the majority of the time to help each other. The way they poured themselves into music to nourish their spirits and pull together was inspiring. Definitely interesting how the afterword said the women’s spirits were in much better shape than the men’s and I’m sure all that contributed.
I was not a fan of the writing style, however, and was my only reason for dropping my rating. It had good dialogue but was very narrative based and a bit gappy. I also had a hard time reconciling other books I’ve read about Japanese POW camps and the lack of brutality in this one. Maybe it really wasn’t as horrific, but it seemed disparate. Loved the story tho and leaning about the women. Great information.
It was amazing hearing their stories of how they cared for each other and didn’t allow their situation to turn to bitterness or lashing out at each other, but all chipped in the majority of the time to help each other. The way they poured themselves into music to nourish their spirits and pull together was inspiring. Definitely interesting how the afterword said the women’s spirits were in much better shape than the men’s and I’m sure all that contributed.
I was not a fan of the writing style, however, and was my only reason for dropping my rating. It had good dialogue but was very narrative based and a bit gappy. I also had a hard time reconciling other books I’ve read about Japanese POW camps and the lack of brutality in this one. Maybe it really wasn’t as horrific, but it seemed disparate. Loved the story tho and leaning about the women. Great information.