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juliana_reads's reviews
360 reviews
Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Cute, if a little predictable. As soon as Veronica came into the picture I knew how it would end, but the dating antics were fun nonetheless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lopez
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was so disappointing š©
I loved the premise. A history mystery, a little magical realism, small town dynamics, the Mexican-American midwest cultureā¦those aspects were so enjoyable and interesting. Even if some of it was predictable, itās not marketed as mystery.
But goddamn Alex and Jeremiah were awful. Alex was cruel and lacked any self-awareness until like the last ten pages. Thereās a difference between being independent/sassy/stubborn and just downright mean. She needed to grow the fuck up and go to therapy.
Jeremiah was too puppy dog and his family background seemed really underdeveloped. Like the big reveal of his family trauma wasā¦underwhelming. Also the sex was deeply cringey (jump scare in the first chapter jfc) and I skimmed most of it.
This book also would have benefitted from an epilogue. It just ends. What happens a year later??
Idk I liked everything BUT the romance plot, which is not great considering this is a romance. I enjoyed the other parts enough for a modest three star rating.
I loved the premise. A history mystery, a little magical realism, small town dynamics, the Mexican-American midwest cultureā¦those aspects were so enjoyable and interesting. Even if some of it was predictable, itās not marketed as mystery.
But goddamn Alex and Jeremiah were awful. Alex was cruel and lacked any self-awareness until like the last ten pages. Thereās a difference between being independent/sassy/stubborn and just downright mean. She needed to grow the fuck up and go to therapy.
Jeremiah was too puppy dog and his family background seemed really underdeveloped. Like the big reveal of his family trauma wasā¦underwhelming. Also the sex was deeply cringey (jump scare in the first chapter jfc) and I skimmed most of it.
This book also would have benefitted from an epilogue. It just ends. What happens a year later??
Idk I liked everything BUT the romance plot, which is not great considering this is a romance. I enjoyed the other parts enough for a modest three star rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Sexual content
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein
This was a fine read that I think I enjoyed because I just watched the Olympics for two weeks straight. I liked reading the play-by-plays of Hallie's competitions and following the daily training. But it otherwise fell flat for me. Luckily it was just a library book!
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I wanted more from this book! I read it right after the 2024 Olympics ended to fulfill part of a reading challenge. I enjoyed the gymnastics and being in that world through the book. I thought the premise was strong (retired gymnast returning to the sport as a coach) but the subplots and romance were lackluster and underdeveloped.
- Hallie had so much potential. The blurb for the book says something shakes the gymnastics world, but I don't think Hallie really had to overcome that challenge in the way that the blurb implies (like she mostly just reacts to news and announcements). This story line should have been more prominent. She's also very privileged in that her parents support her and pay for everything, no questions asked.
- Ryan was a wet rag. No personality, didn't believe Avery about the coach, and his relationship with Avery amounted to just acting on a teenage crush.
- Why did Jasmine need to marry the coach? I think her and Avery rekindling their friendship after what happened in their adolescence made more sense without her marrying.
- It was weird they
had sex in the gym. Like jfc, they coach and train minors there.
This was a fine read that I think I enjoyed because I just watched the Olympics for two weeks straight. I liked reading the play-by-plays of Hallie's competitions and following the daily training. But it otherwise fell flat for me. Luckily it was just a library book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
I enjoyed this! Great setting and characters. Loved the nod to Tamora Pierce and Ben and Alexei reading Alanna together. Sometimes romance doesnāt make a good case for the characters being together but they had so much chemistry.
I struggled with the pacing. The timeline would go from daily hike updates in one chapter to one month later in the next chapter. The three parts were very different lengths.
I struggled with the pacing. The timeline would go from daily hike updates in one chapter to one month later in the next chapter. The three parts were very different lengths.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Loved it but wanted Emily to smack Wendell for being a little manwhore and for trying to ride her research coattails!
Solomon's Crown by Natasha Siegel
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Damn this was good. I loved the lyrical writing. The book was like a literary historical romance. I burned through it despite it being pretty dense. And there was 12th century banter! Isabella was a delight, and her relationship with Philip was highlight for me. Iām so glad her book fate was different than in real life, because I couldnāt take losing her. Also, sections being named for types of Occitan/French poems? *chefās kiss*
Content Warnings
Moderate: War
Minor: Sexual content
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved it. I think itās my favorite of Emily Henry so far. I thought there was good banter and the setting was excellent. Part of me wished that they made it to the wedding and Peter/Petra broke it off at the altar just because I love drama, but otherwise I really enjoyed this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.
I gave it a shot but this is boring! It just did not capture me like I wanted it to. I looked up the ending and settled for a DNF.
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 6%.
āI park outside of Weatherstone, a trendy cafe in a brick building that used to be a horse barn back in the day. I don't know what day that was, but it was back.ā The fuck??
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this! Not my favorite Bergman book but it still had all the cozy, inclusive parts of the series. I felt like Viggoās character was heavy handed. The romance shirts and mugs, the crocheting, the bakingā¦it got to be too much. I needed him to take a breather. Also there was some ~smol gurl~ moments with Lula that I disliked lol we get it Chloe sheās short!
(Also this is 100% a me thing but I hate all the Bergman babies. I prefer HEAs without pregnancy.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content