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mnboyer's reviews
1730 reviews
A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.0
Book of the Month Club: February 2022
I cannot say that I absolutely loved this, but at the same time, it was interesting enough that I kept it up (and I started/restarted this one several times). I think what hampered me the most was that this was just... slow. It didn't pick up the pacing and world building fast enough for me to really latch on.
I cannot say that I absolutely loved this, but at the same time, it was interesting enough that I kept it up (and I started/restarted this one several times). I think what hampered me the most was that this was just... slow. It didn't pick up the pacing and world building fast enough for me to really latch on.
A Deal with a Devilish Duke by Tessa Brookman, Tessa Brookman
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
3.0
An arranged marriage. A girl who reads smut books (scandalous I say!). It is adorable fun and there are some steamy scenes. A quick, easy read.
Church of Marvels by Leslie Parry
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
Book of the Month Club: May 2015
PopSugar 2015 reading challenge #4
Carnival/sideshow/circus themes set in the historic past with some strong female characters? Count me in. I'm late to the party but, look, I got to the party.
This is a gritty story in which a janitor (putting it mildly) finds a baby and decides it is his task to find her true place in the world. Which, I love. But we have a young girl who was disowned who is making a living out on the streets (yep, she's a hooker). And then there are two twin sideshow performers who have lost their mother, lost their 'church of marvels' where they perform, and now seemingly one sister is missing. Four separate people living very different lives but... yeah, this is a story where they're going to interconnect. Honestly, exciting to watch how this one unfolds.
I can't say it is the best thing I've read all year but I can tell you that I liked the discussion of different "freak elements" that characters in this story have. Overall, it was a really fun journey, and I was happy to have read this one.
PopSugar 2015 reading challenge #4
Carnival/sideshow/circus themes set in the historic past with some strong female characters? Count me in. I'm late to the party but, look, I got to the party.
This is a gritty story in which a janitor (putting it mildly) finds a baby and decides it is his task to find her true place in the world. Which, I love. But we have a young girl who was disowned who is making a living out on the streets (yep, she's a hooker). And then there are two twin sideshow performers who have lost their mother, lost their 'church of marvels' where they perform, and now seemingly one sister is missing. Four separate people living very different lives but... yeah, this is a story where they're going to interconnect. Honestly, exciting to watch how this one unfolds.
I can't say it is the best thing I've read all year but I can tell you that I liked the discussion of different "freak elements" that characters in this story have. Overall, it was a really fun journey, and I was happy to have read this one.
Friendshipped by Savannah Scott
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.0
A "sweet rom com" means that there is no explicit sex in this book, just a lot of longing stares and thoughts. But again, nothing super steamy. Which is fine! It is a fun change of pace for those of us that eat up the really dirty stuff.
This is your typical story: girl realizes she likes her best male friend and he realizes he likes her. Neither know how to have an adult conversation, so instead of just quickly addressing the issue, they both sit around pining for one another. She gets on a dating app. He helps her pick date outfits but then goes and complains to friends about how he wants his chance, he just knows they'll work out. I mean, it is every cliche that you probably love if you've picked up books like this before.
For me, I found the lack of communication to be a bit annoying. I prefer characters who say what they want and need. And then when you get to the end of this one it feels like it gets really rushed. Takes years and years to get together and then, flash forward to quickly wanting to get hitched and buy a house together. Phew. Speed change.
Overall, it was fun. It just had problematic characters who needed to communicate better. Now, as far as rom "com" I'm not sure it was as "com" as some other things I've read... but again, it was cute.
This is your typical story: girl realizes she likes her best male friend and he realizes he likes her. Neither know how to have an adult conversation, so instead of just quickly addressing the issue, they both sit around pining for one another. She gets on a dating app. He helps her pick date outfits but then goes and complains to friends about how he wants his chance, he just knows they'll work out. I mean, it is every cliche that you probably love if you've picked up books like this before.
For me, I found the lack of communication to be a bit annoying. I prefer characters who say what they want and need. And then when you get to the end of this one it feels like it gets really rushed. Takes years and years to get together and then, flash forward to quickly wanting to get hitched and buy a house together. Phew. Speed change.
Overall, it was fun. It just had problematic characters who needed to communicate better. Now, as far as rom "com" I'm not sure it was as "com" as some other things I've read... but again, it was cute.
Damsel by Evelyn Skye
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
<b>PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #23</b>
I love a good retelling where the princess takes things into her own hands. And, I really love good adaptation lit. This is the book that was destined to accompany the Netflix film of the same name and, honestly, I was not sure if I was going to love this blending of worlds. However, still a really good book and I think an even better film adaptation.
Where did it lose a star, you ask? Look... I would have started having a conversation with the dragon a *lot* sooner in the book. Just saying. There are also some snoozy moments at the beginning and some cliche/predictable moments towards the end. However, as a whole, it is still a really fun YA-type book!
I love a good retelling where the princess takes things into her own hands. And, I really love good adaptation lit. This is the book that was destined to accompany the Netflix film of the same name and, honestly, I was not sure if I was going to love this blending of worlds. However, still a really good book and I think an even better film adaptation.
Where did it lose a star, you ask? Look... I would have started having a conversation with the dragon a *lot* sooner in the book. Just saying. There are also some snoozy moments at the beginning and some cliche/predictable moments towards the end. However, as a whole, it is still a really fun YA-type book!
Bigfoot Mysteries and Some Answers by Martin K. Ettington
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
1.0
I knew this book was short when I grabbed it on Hoopla, but I didn't realize that part of the problem with the book was that it was sparse on facts. The conclusion actually laughably starts with something along the lines of "there is no denying Bigfoot is real." Well, the denial is that this book offers no 'proof' of anything at all. It shows a few different famous images of Bigfoot (some of which have actually been disproven), adds a few encounter stories (which are good but not really verified), and then just says... duh, Bigfoot is real. Look, I didn't expect this book to prove Bigfoot existed. But I did expect it to be scholarly (my fault, really). Maybe this was for kids?
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
<b>PopSugar 2024 reading challenge #7</b>
Taylor Jenkins Reid really has a way with female-dominated historical fiction. Carrie Soto is a great story about a female tennis champ who "gets old" and wants to return to tennis after an injury. Of course, no one really thinks that she can because of how "old" she is (shaking my head -- I get it, athletes age, but that doesn't have to be the set rule). Her father and another tennis champ believe in her though and the story is about her trek back up to the top. It is very well written and has great pacing. And did I mention strong female leads?
Taylor Jenkins Reid really has a way with female-dominated historical fiction. Carrie Soto is a great story about a female tennis champ who "gets old" and wants to return to tennis after an injury. Of course, no one really thinks that she can because of how "old" she is (shaking my head -- I get it, athletes age, but that doesn't have to be the set rule). Her father and another tennis champ believe in her though and the story is about her trek back up to the top. It is very well written and has great pacing. And did I mention strong female leads?
Fog Descending by Lisa Unger
adventurous
mysterious
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? N/A
3.0
Not bad... I'm just struggling to connect with the characters in an impactful way. But who doesn't love creepy ghost encounters?
All My Darkest Impulses by Lisa Unger
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Maybe it is just going to take me another book to get into this series? Kind of liked it when you didn't have to follow the storyline through multiple Amazon Originals. However, the dark scenery is pretty nice. We'll see where this goes...
Bigfoot: True-Life Encounters with Legendary Ape-Men by Rupert Matthews
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Tons of stories about Bigfoot encounters. Nothing new or life changing if you've been reading up on Bigfoot, but I will say it was a fun, easy read to get through.