leannj's reviews
2133 reviews

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

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emotional hopeful 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

4.0

This book gets really close to if not being the epitome of a "feel good" read. Fluffy, comforting, borderline cosy, without too much whitewashing the realities of the time period.
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

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adventurous dark mysterious slow-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? Yes

3.5

This is my most successful attempt at reading a book by this author yet, but I can understand why others might not like it. The story for this first book is mostly set up; the plot puts the slow in slow burn and it feels like all the action-packed moment are crammed in the last 15% of the book. However, I really found the way Ancient Greek myths were incorporated into worldbuilding to be really  unique refreshing compared to other "Greek mythology inspired" books I've read. I'm definitely intrigued enough to see where the story is going in the sequel.
Counting Down with You by Tashie Bhuiyan

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Keep Me Close by R.M. Virtues

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slow-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

3.0

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

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

3.5

At first I was flying through the book and having fun, but somewhere around the 75%-85% mark I realized I was ready for the story to wrap up. There was just something a little off that stopped me from truly enjoying the reading experience.
Charming Young Man by Eliot Schrefer

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emotional informative reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I think this book solidified that I don't like historical fiction books that are so directly about a real person from history. I prefer fictional characters in a historical setting- that prevents the story from feeling too confined to the bounds of what actually happened historically. I'll just read nonfiction if I want to know more about a real historical figure. 
Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng

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

4.0

This is gothic horror masquerading as a historical fantasy with fae- and it definitely puts the "horror" in gothic horror. Definitely disturbing at certain points but also fascinating. I thought it was really interesting how the author interwove theology into the story and worldbuilding, and how it showcased the hypocrisy of the main characters. Recommend looking into the trigger warnings so your not caught off guard by certain ~reveals~ in the story.
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Office Hours by Katrina Jackson

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

Super cute slice of life romance that touches on burnout in academia really well
The Mystery Writer by Sulari Gentill

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

3.75

I wanted to read this book after having so much fun reading the author's previous book The Woman in the Library, but I think having those expectations hindered my enjoyment slightly as this book has a very different tone. The decisions the main character made could get frustrating, but I think the author did a decent job at incorporating her backstory to explain her characterization. I think the book was at its strongest when the main sibling relationship was at the focus.
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee

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lighthearted fast-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? Yes

2.75

I flew through this, but at a certain point it was because of me wanting the book to be over because of how cheesy things got. The author's next book does sound intriguing so I will at least be trying it out.