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mnboyer's reviews
1730 reviews
Neighbors and Other Stories by Diane Oliver
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.0
Like most short story collections, there were some stories in here that I gravitated towards! Others were less exciting. All in all, a decent collection focusing on black experiences.
Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Reese Witherspoon Book Club: November 2023
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #24
Groundhog day. Living the same day over and over and over -- and in this one, your husband dies. Over and over, no matter what you do. This is what happens for Emma, who gets stuck in a time loop. During this loop, she realizes that she's really neglected her family and friends (in order to get ahead at a career that let's be honest, doesn't love her and will only get her so far) and even the family dog. However, as she begins to change things, she starts to come to peace with her chaotic life and realizes what is important.
Okay, honestly, this was a 3 star book until I got to the cliffhanger ending. I have strong versions of what happens in my head --I am convinced that the husband does die and having told him, having read his letter, having come to peace, she wakes up the next day and is out of the loop but he's gone -- and that is the bittersweet tear causing ending that I want . Adored the ending.
Did it get repetitive throughout? Yes, and initially, it was going to be 3 stars for that. But the end. Sigh. The end was good.
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #24
Groundhog day. Living the same day over and over and over -- and in this one, your husband dies. Over and over, no matter what you do. This is what happens for Emma, who gets stuck in a time loop. During this loop, she realizes that she's really neglected her family and friends (in order to get ahead at a career that let's be honest, doesn't love her and will only get her so far) and even the family dog. However, as she begins to change things, she starts to come to peace with her chaotic life and realizes what is important.
Okay, honestly, this was a 3 star book until I got to the cliffhanger ending. I have strong versions of what happens in my head --
Did it get repetitive throughout? Yes, and initially, it was going to be 3 stars for that. But the end. Sigh. The end was good.
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
A powerhouse of authors writing interesting, unique, Indigenous-themed horror stories! Every story is a little bit different, but they are all pretty great. There are a few that rely heavily on magical realism and others that are more realistic in their tellings. Overall, a really great collection!
Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Reese Witherspoon Book Club: December 2023
Reese's book selections are, by far, the most polarizing group of novels I have ever read. I either pick one up and love it, or I get something like Before We Were Innocent -- which was a huge snooze fest, and that is putting it mildly.
The first thing you should know: the story is told in two different timelines (the past and the present) and it really, really did not need to be. I would have preferred quick flashbacks instead of all of these overly lengthy returns to the past, but instead you get overwritten moments that make you start to nod off. And this has a lot to do with the pacing, which is slow. I would not call this a thriller in the sense that it was pitched -- it is a super slow burn, and once you get into it, it really is not as 'thrilling' as it promises.
The story itself is about a group of friends who, honestly, really shouldn't be friends. The book, at its core, is really about abusive and toxic relationships/friendships and leads you down a dark path in which one friend falls to her death in Greece. Or was she pushed? Okay -- that sounds fun, right -- a mystery! But it never gets fun, it never picks up the pace, and by the time I got to the end I was like wait... what? Went back, read it again, was even less impressed the second time that I read the ending.
Characters... not likeable. There wasn't a single character that I gravitated towards as a character I liked. Now, I'm all for unlikable characters but I still have to care about their plight. Here, I just kept thinking, "is this still going?" and kind of wished everyone had fallen off a cliff.
Reese's book selections are, by far, the most polarizing group of novels I have ever read. I either pick one up and love it, or I get something like Before We Were Innocent -- which was a huge snooze fest, and that is putting it mildly.
The first thing you should know: the story is told in two different timelines (the past and the present) and it really, really did not need to be. I would have preferred quick flashbacks instead of all of these overly lengthy returns to the past, but instead you get overwritten moments that make you start to nod off. And this has a lot to do with the pacing, which is slow. I would not call this a thriller in the sense that it was pitched -- it is a super slow burn, and once you get into it, it really is not as 'thrilling' as it promises.
The story itself is about a group of friends who, honestly, really shouldn't be friends. The book, at its core, is really about abusive and toxic relationships/friendships and leads you down a dark path in which one friend falls to her death in Greece. Or was she pushed? Okay -- that sounds fun, right -- a mystery! But it never gets fun, it never picks up the pace, and by the time I got to the end I was like wait... what? Went back, read it again, was even less impressed the second time that I read the ending.
Characters... not likeable. There wasn't a single character that I gravitated towards as a character I liked. Now, I'm all for unlikable characters but I still have to care about their plight. Here, I just kept thinking, "is this still going?" and kind of wished everyone had fallen off a cliff.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
<b>Book of the Month Club: March 2024</b>
Imagine being a robot, but knowing that you're a robot some jerk (Doug, of course his name is Doug) has created to be a sex-bot, essentially. Ick. This is Annie's reality and the more that she learns about the world and her place in it, the more that she wants to do something else. The more she wants to be independent. But, how do you run away from your master if he <b>owns</b> you? The problem is, Annie doesn't have a lot of options. As much as she's learning and adapting, she still can't ever figure out how to be 'perfect' for Doug and he's starting to get upset with her. And let me tell you, Doug does some disgusting stuff to try and make Annie jealous/keep her in line.
The front half was definitely stronger than the last half, and I can't explain why. But I was pleased with the resolution.
Imagine being a robot, but knowing that you're a robot some jerk (Doug, of course his name is Doug) has created to be a sex-bot, essentially. Ick. This is Annie's reality and the more that she learns about the world and her place in it, the more that she wants to do something else. The more she wants to be independent. But, how do you run away from your master if he <b>owns</b> you? The problem is, Annie doesn't have a lot of options. As much as she's learning and adapting, she still can't ever figure out how to be 'perfect' for Doug and he's starting to get upset with her. And let me tell you, Doug does some disgusting stuff to try and make Annie jealous/keep her in line.
The front half was definitely stronger than the last half, and I can't explain why. But I was pleased with the resolution.
The Gentleman's Guide to Getting Lucky by Mackenzi Lee
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #45
This is likely part of a larger series, too bad no one told me when I started reading and did not understand who any of the characters were. Hints were dropped that helped to determine the time period but, again, not many. What is happening? I did figure it out but it would have been helpful to have read the first book.
Overall, two young men fumble through trying to make love. Cute, sure. The most amazing thing I've ever read, no not really, but it was a quick fun read.
[Not steamy. Not explicit. Very safe YAL.]
This is likely part of a larger series, too bad no one told me when I started reading and did not understand who any of the characters were. Hints were dropped that helped to determine the time period but, again, not many. What is happening? I did figure it out but it would have been helpful to have read the first book.
Overall, two young men fumble through trying to make love. Cute, sure. The most amazing thing I've ever read, no not really, but it was a quick fun read.
[Not steamy. Not explicit. Very safe YAL.]
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
<b>Book of the Month: January 2024</b>
<b>Reese Witherspoon Book Club: January 2024</b>
This one started off slow, but the further I got, the more excited I became -- I wanted to unravel who Mr. Smith was as much as anyone else in this novel. Did I think it was a bit cheeky at the end, yes. Was it still a fun read, absolutely!
<b>Reese Witherspoon Book Club: January 2024</b>
This one started off slow, but the further I got, the more excited I became -- I wanted to unravel who Mr. Smith was as much as anyone else in this novel. Did I think it was a bit cheeky at the end, yes. Was it still a fun read, absolutely!
Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
<b>Book of the Month: March 2024</b>
I loved this book until I was told about Anita Mendieta -- this book was heavily inspired by her, yet her family was not consulted when it comes to this book. Look, I get it, find inspiration from your writing wherever you can. But don't do it at the expense of someone else's legacy.
I loved this book until I was told about Anita Mendieta -- this book was heavily inspired by her, yet her family was not consulted when it comes to this book. Look, I get it, find inspiration from your writing wherever you can. But don't do it at the expense of someone else's legacy.
Circling the Drain by Lisa Unger
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0