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jellichor's reviews
280 reviews
Lock Every Door by Riley Sager
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.5
The Last Passenger by Will Dean
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The Becoming by Nora Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The Vintage Shop of Second Chances by Libby Page
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was exactly what I needed - a warm, wholesome, hard squeeze from a good friend, of a book. Especially after some heavier meh reads which didn't quite hit the spot.
This bright and cheerful looking book tells the story of three women of different ages, who are in different stages of their lives, and who are pulled together by a dress. A beautiful yellow dress, handmade with love and covered in delicate floral embroidery. As we discover their own individual stories, we journey through themes of friendship, womanhood and motherhood.
Well written and endearing, this is my first Libby Page book, but after following her for a while on Instagram I had an idea of what her style might be, and I was not disappointed. Some of the story was predictable but in a reassuring way, the short chapters kept me turning pages (I pretty much devoured it in 24 hours), and the mystery of the yellow dress kept me intrigued throughout.
Stories of missed chances make me SO sad. The what ifs? and the, if onlys! There were a few times where I felt quite emotional, but ultimately, as the title says - this book is about second chances. And there is a gorgeous vintage shop, in the cutest town of Frome (in Somerset), full of wonderful outfits, and a woman called Lou who decides to realise her dream. If you like any of the things I have mentioned then this book is for you! I have come to accept that sometimes I rate with my emotions and this is one of those times - this is exactly what I hoped for (minus an EXTRA special je ne sais quoi) so it's 4.5 stars from me!
This bright and cheerful looking book tells the story of three women of different ages, who are in different stages of their lives, and who are pulled together by a dress. A beautiful yellow dress, handmade with love and covered in delicate floral embroidery. As we discover their own individual stories, we journey through themes of friendship, womanhood and motherhood.
Well written and endearing, this is my first Libby Page book, but after following her for a while on Instagram I had an idea of what her style might be, and I was not disappointed. Some of the story was predictable but in a reassuring way, the short chapters kept me turning pages (I pretty much devoured it in 24 hours), and the mystery of the yellow dress kept me intrigued throughout.
Stories of missed chances make me SO sad. The what ifs? and the, if onlys! There were a few times where I felt quite emotional, but ultimately, as the title says - this book is about second chances. And there is a gorgeous vintage shop, in the cutest town of Frome (in Somerset), full of wonderful outfits, and a woman called Lou who decides to realise her dream. If you like any of the things I have mentioned then this book is for you! I have come to accept that sometimes I rate with my emotions and this is one of those times - this is exactly what I hoped for (minus an EXTRA special je ne sais quoi) so it's 4.5 stars from me!
Lovestruck by Laura Jane Williams
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
I own quite a few of Laura Jane William's books but I have only read a few of her fiction novels... I often like the idea of them when I'm in the mood for a meetcute romcom (which is her typical genre) but struggle a little with her writing style. It can feel too forced, like all the characters are constantly on 'cheeky but self important banter' setting, which means a lot of the interactions come across as unrealistic. I find myself rolling my eyes and wondering if people actually talk like this? Am I the only one?
In saying that, I fancied a light romance, can rely on LJW for well rounded characters, and was intrigued by the 'sliding doors' reference to the story. Becca is 35 and looking for The One to start a family with - she is a business owner and is lucky to work with her best friends. It's time. One evening after a manifestation event, Becca receives a timely text from The Ex who she has not spoken to in 5 years, and from this point on we follow 2 paths - one where she does text back... and one where she doesn't...
LJW doesn't always follow the predictable path of a romcom so I wasn't sure where this would go at first, but I soon saw the angle she was going for and guessed the ending quite quickly. There are multiple love interests, quirky friends (I was a big fan of Jia Li), and supportive parents. And as to be expected we experience lots of dates, mild spice levels, and some emotional drama. I'm not 100% sure on the title as its very vague and not really relevant but the one thing I can say is - as a person who has been with their person for 11 years - I found myself massively reminiscing about the very first stage of dating. All the flirting, the firsts, the dinner dates, the anticipation. And the romantic in me liked the phrase 'last first kiss' very much.
Did I like it? Mostly yes. Did it satisfy the #moodreader in me? Yes. Would I recommend it to someone looking for a light romantic page turner? Probably. Not a fan of the book cover though...
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In saying that, I fancied a light romance, can rely on LJW for well rounded characters, and was intrigued by the 'sliding doors' reference to the story. Becca is 35 and looking for The One to start a family with - she is a business owner and is lucky to work with her best friends. It's time. One evening after a manifestation event, Becca receives a timely text from The Ex who she has not spoken to in 5 years, and from this point on we follow 2 paths - one where she does text back... and one where she doesn't...
LJW doesn't always follow the predictable path of a romcom so I wasn't sure where this would go at first, but I soon saw the angle she was going for and guessed the ending quite quickly. There are multiple love interests, quirky friends (I was a big fan of Jia Li), and supportive parents. And as to be expected we experience lots of dates, mild spice levels, and some emotional drama. I'm not 100% sure on the title as its very vague and not really relevant but the one thing I can say is - as a person who has been with their person for 11 years - I found myself massively reminiscing about the very first stage of dating. All the flirting, the firsts, the dinner dates, the anticipation. And the romantic in me liked the phrase 'last first kiss' very much.
Did I like it? Mostly yes. Did it satisfy the #moodreader in me? Yes. Would I recommend it to someone looking for a light romantic page turner? Probably. Not a fan of the book cover though...
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Last House on the Street by Diane Chamberlain
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In a Thousand Different Ways by Cecelia Ahern
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It took me until half way through to figure out whether I liked the book or not, but by 60% I had decided that it was worth the journey. I have read many of Cecelia Ahern's books -she was a favourite of mine when I was a tween -and have found myself picking up more of her recent novels lately, which are quite different to her earlier work... She has a wonderful way of writing and her stories are consistently emotional and heart heavy, but always hopeful and endearing. This story was quite different... there is hope towards the end - and in the character of Naomi who was wonderful - but the first part of the story was so sad and triggering (do check the TWs) for someone who has experienced childhood trauma, and as a mother. I am all too aware of how much of a role we play in our Littles' lives, but it REALLY made me look at myself.
Alice is 8 years old when she realises she can see peoples' emotions as colourful auras around their bodies. With time she learns what the different shades mean, and as she grows she realises people are more than just one predominant colour. Cecelia Ahern often writes with a little touch of magic and I loved how she infused this idea into everyday life, such as how newborns glow pure and gold, how pregnancy affected her focus and ability, and how 'the one' doesn't exist - we all have multiple people who are 'right' for us around the world.
This is a story about gut instincts, coping mechanisms, and the experiences which lead us to develop them. Of family dynamics, mental health, how emotions (good and bad) can be absorbed - especially by young children - and how the choices we make are more than what has happened to us. Alice journeys through life with this curse/gift, making mistakes, learning lessons, trying to live with/in spite of it. She does make friends, have lovers, jobs, and this story takes us through her life until the end.
So did I like the book in the end? Yes, but it was a challenge, as books should be sometimes. We read to escape, to remember, to learn and grow. For fun and entertainment, to experience different lives and cultures. And although it can be uncomfortable at times, some books are here to make us think and reflect, in a thousand different ways.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alice is 8 years old when she realises she can see peoples' emotions as colourful auras around their bodies. With time she learns what the different shades mean, and as she grows she realises people are more than just one predominant colour. Cecelia Ahern often writes with a little touch of magic and I loved how she infused this idea into everyday life, such as how newborns glow pure and gold, how pregnancy affected her focus and ability, and how 'the one' doesn't exist - we all have multiple people who are 'right' for us around the world.
This is a story about gut instincts, coping mechanisms, and the experiences which lead us to develop them. Of family dynamics, mental health, how emotions (good and bad) can be absorbed - especially by young children - and how the choices we make are more than what has happened to us. Alice journeys through life with this curse/gift, making mistakes, learning lessons, trying to live with/in spite of it. She does make friends, have lovers, jobs, and this story takes us through her life until the end.
So did I like the book in the end? Yes, but it was a challenge, as books should be sometimes. We read to escape, to remember, to learn and grow. For fun and entertainment, to experience different lives and cultures. And although it can be uncomfortable at times, some books are here to make us think and reflect, in a thousand different ways.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
The Awakening by Nora Roberts
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.5
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5