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mnboyer's reviews
1730 reviews
The Forgotten Chapter by Pam Jenoff
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A young woman falls in love with an American soldier, and with most war-related romances, it doesn't necessarily end well. This short story is kind of a tear jerker for a moment but it does suggest that in times when people are needed, brave people step up. Here, the backdrop is war, so... sigh. I really did enjoy this one though and it has inspired me to seek out other work from this author.
Amelia's Shadow by Marie Benedict
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.0
I wanted to like this narrator more, but her continued obsession with Amelia just got a little bothersome to me. I get it, you love Amelia and you're living in a time where you cannot both come out. But at the same time, I just wanted the narrator to be her own person (and at times, she's pretty much a shadow). Additionally, I don't know how much historical research went into the theory that one day Amelia was going to run away with a lover to a random island but... questions.
The June Paintings by Maggie Shipstead
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Woman decides to help an artist on a secluded island. They become lovers (gee, who saw that coming?). His most famous painting is now going to be something we obviously expect. I mean, it was a good story, but it was kind of predictable.
Tune in Tomorrow by Melanie Benjamin
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.0
Strong woman leads a television show even though her male counterparts don't trust her do to so? Count me in! This one was short, quick, and overall pretty fun. I didn't love the fact that she was part of an affair (sigh) but there's that I guess.
The Secret History of Bigfoot: Field Notes on a North American Monster by John O'Connor
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
1.0
Bigfoot was aloof, even in a book allegedly all about the 'secret history' of Bigfoot. There wasn't anything new here and no shocking revelations. In fact, I'd argue Bigfoot took a backseat to the memoir of the author -- who doesn't really seem to even like people who look for Bigfoot. Other people he doesn't like include Donald Trump, who is mentioned far too many times in a book about Bigfoot (to be clear, even one mention of him in a book about Bigfoot is too many!). Just kind of disappointing, to say the least.
If you want exploration + Bigfoot then look elsewhere.
If you want exploration + Bigfoot then look elsewhere.
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I like fantasy, I like young adult novels, I love pretty colors, I adore a good retelling/fairy tale vibe, and I (generally) like enemies-to-lovers style plots, and so I should have really loved this one. So, why did I only give this three stars then?
Characters are important to me, as our their development and motivations. When it comes to my YAL novels, I do expect there to be some sort of growth that I can grab onto throughout the novel (even if it is part of a series, I want there to be growth from book to book). There needs to be something that makes me like the characters (and not just lust for them, because that's easy, anyone can lust for Jacks... but who is this character as a person that wants me to do more than just fantasize about him in the buff, right?). The characters should, usually, be strong figures that are making tough choices to keep moving the plot forward.
But in this book we have Evangeline and she's so flat! Pancake flat, I swear. She isn't really making her own choices as much as things happen around her and she gets caught up in them. You want to think that she makes the choices at the beginning (stone people and then, essentially, taking their place) but even that is such a small, small commitment from this character that it doesn't even seem like she made a stance to make those initial choices. She's also just kind of oblivious to what's going on around her. I can spot the "bad people" instantly in this book and she's like nah, nah, this is family. SMH.
I just couldn't fall in love with the book because I was so disappointed in the lack of character building we had when it came to our heroine, Evangeline. Honestly, I'd read a book without her in it and it would be better. I just... I left feeling "meh" and don't foresee myself picking up the next installment in this series (a pretty bad sign, for me).
3/5 stars.
Characters are important to me, as our their development and motivations. When it comes to my YAL novels, I do expect there to be some sort of growth that I can grab onto throughout the novel (even if it is part of a series, I want there to be growth from book to book). There needs to be something that makes me like the characters (and not just lust for them, because that's easy, anyone can lust for Jacks... but who is this character as a person that wants me to do more than just fantasize about him in the buff, right?). The characters should, usually, be strong figures that are making tough choices to keep moving the plot forward.
But in this book we have Evangeline and she's so flat! Pancake flat, I swear. She isn't really making her own choices as much as things happen around her and she gets caught up in them. You want to think that she makes the choices at the beginning (stone people and then, essentially, taking their place) but even that is such a small, small commitment from this character that it doesn't even seem like she made a stance to make those initial choices. She's also just kind of oblivious to what's going on around her. I can spot the "bad people" instantly in this book and she's like nah, nah, this is family. SMH.
I just couldn't fall in love with the book because I was so disappointed in the lack of character building we had when it came to our heroine, Evangeline. Honestly, I'd read a book without her in it and it would be better. I just... I left feeling "meh" and don't foresee myself picking up the next installment in this series (a pretty bad sign, for me).
3/5 stars.
Can You Feel This? by Julie Orringer
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Placenta previa -- my mother went through this with me, so the fact that it appeared in this story was interesting to me, and definitely made me more interested in this soon-to-be-mother's agony. Motherhood is tough. But there are secrets here (one in particular) that is going to eat away at this mom.
I was so tense when the baby was having trouble nursing that I couldn't even get comfortable! Phew. Again, motherhood is tough!!
I was so tense when the baby was having trouble nursing that I couldn't even get comfortable! Phew. Again, motherhood is tough!!
Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
4.5
Orpheus, Charon, and Eurydice.
This is what I've been waiting for and didn't even know I was waiting for it. As with previous novels in this series, it is pretty steamy! I do enjoy the mob-like plot that is interwoven throughout though, and I think Katee Robert does a wonderful job of exploring the actual emotions these characters have. Good character development is a key in any romance, regardless of genre. Cannot wait for the next installment!
PS: Charon. I'm a Charon girl.
This is what I've been waiting for and didn't even know I was waiting for it. As with previous novels in this series, it is pretty steamy! I do enjoy the mob-like plot that is interwoven throughout though, and I think Katee Robert does a wonderful job of exploring the actual emotions these characters have. Good character development is a key in any romance, regardless of genre. Cannot wait for the next installment!
PS: Charon. I'm a Charon girl.
The Lion's Den by Anthony Marra
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Michael is trying to get to know his father, who blew up their lives when he became a government whistleblower. As bad as his father might be, I'd like to point out that Michael wrote a memoir about his father and... that doesn't make him rich or famous or anything.
For me, this one was just kind of a dud. Michael gets asked to come speak to some snotty white boys at a school (he's a cautionary tale). He tries to talk to his father. I mean... just not much going on here to really excite me as a reader.
For me, this one was just kind of a dud. Michael gets asked to come speak to some snotty white boys at a school (he's a cautionary tale). He tries to talk to his father. I mean... just not much going on here to really excite me as a reader.
Everything My Mother Taught Me by Alice Hoffman
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Leave it to Alice Hoffman to have the best short story in the "Inheritance" collection from Amazon Originals -- I'm actually not surprised, but no one held a candle to this story (and it doesn't even have witches!). This story is about a young girl named Adeline who slowly begins to hate her mother and starts to find a way to get rid of her, to be free of her... and it doesn't help that her mother is pretty scandalous for 1900s Massachusetts.
Adeline finds comfort in Julia, the wife of a lighthouse keeper, and starts to see her as more of a mother figure than her actual mom (not hard when your mom is not around, and when she is, she's being pretty nasty to you). When Julia is crossed, Adeline decides to act. It leads to a fun "mystery".
It is a quick short little story that was easy to fall in love with.
Adeline finds comfort in Julia, the wife of a lighthouse keeper, and starts to see her as more of a mother figure than her actual mom (not hard when your mom is not around, and when she is, she's being pretty nasty to you). When Julia is crossed, Adeline decides to act. It leads to a fun "mystery".
It is a quick short little story that was easy to fall in love with.