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sdupont's reviews
449 reviews
Barbie: The World Tour by Margot Robbie, Andrew Mukamal
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Gorgeous coffee table book! So fun seeing all the small details and the Barbie dolls that inspired the looks.
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
emotional
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 did enjoy this book overall but I felt like the resolution from the third act conflict was quickly resolved. I wanted the characters to talk out the issue more. It felt rushed after the hurt. I really liked Grant he was very vulnerable and honest about his feelings, truly begging to be loved. I needed our girl Helen to put in a little more work. She was in denial and we didn’t get to really see her growth. It felt like she all of a sudden decided she was in love and ready during the resolution. This book covers a lot of emotional topics. I think fans of Emily Henry will like this one, I can see why Yulin was slated to adapt Beach Read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Car accident
Minor: Drug use
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
emotional
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
3.75
This book is a bit of a slow burn much like the romance between Maggie and Aiden. It starts off with a slow pace but once the characters meet IRL the pacing and story picks up. Aiden is a sweetheart, I just wanted to give him a hug and defend him just like Maggie did. Maggie is a bad bitch and I just loved how self assured she was. Aiden’s family was the worst and Deb was annoying af, they served their purpose in the plot but their page count was suffering. You definitely don’t need to be a gamer to enjoy this one. I recommend it for someone looking for a meaningful bond between characters in their 50’s.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, and Outing
Moderate: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Acephobia/Arophobia
Minor: Racism and Car accident
Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Wow this book is so moving and emotional in the best way! Alison did an excellent job weaving in the grief, humor, and love throughout the story with what truly is the perfect balanced ratio. You will find yourself laughing and crying within the same chapter. While I liked Logan and Rosemary and how they evolved throughout the story as individuals while coming back together, the real star of the show is their relationship with Joe. Joe! What is there to say? That man was such a beautiful soul who deeply loved Logan and Rosemary. He Tuesdays at Morrie’ed the shit out of them overtly and discretely, making it his mission for his girls to be okay and to have each other when he was gone. I loved that they had this fun cross country adventure as the backdrop, it was a nice juxtaposition of light spontaneity in the face of impending loss and grief. I could not put it down because it was so enthralling (mild regrets now because it’s over). This book is a must read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Alcoholism, Homophobia, Medical content, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Vomit, and Death of parent
The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern Irrationality by Amanda Montell
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Amanda Montell writes nonfiction in such an engaging and thought provoking style. She will have you emotionally connecting to the psychology behind each topic. Amanda has an uncanny ability to invoke existential dread and hope within the same chapter. I devoured this book and definitely recommend it for fans of Cultish!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Toxic relationship
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book starts off light and fun with great banter before diving into the deep end of emotions. You will definitely feel an ache while reading because of your heart breaking for the characters. But don’t get me wrong I really did enjoy this book! I felt that while challenging to read it was well written. I loved Justin he is just so sweet charismatic and supportive. This man just shows up! My heart went out to Emma, she was such a fragile soul. My only issue with the book was the rushed resolution after the 3rd act conflict. I didn’t love the conflict but it suited Emma’s character and was certainly realistic. I felt that the resolution (even with the time jump) was rushed and needed to be more fleshed out. It was very I forgive you the end. A book that dove into emotions and traumas deserved a stronger finish. Honorable mention to Maddy, should we all be so lucky to have a friend like her! I recommend this book for fans of Emily Henry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit and Fire/Fire injury
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Elsie Silver just knows what she is doing! She writes such compelling couples with electric chemistry and such heart. Ford and Rosie have great banter from the jump with them playing it off like frenemies despite clearly being in love. It’s so fun seeing them push each other’s buttons. Ford’s pining? *chef’s kiss* This man had it down bad and was torturing himself over it. Ford and Rosie really balance one another, he builds her confidence back up and she keeps him grounded. Also, I just loved their relationship with Cora. They supported her well and helped bring her out of her shell, reviving her vibrant self. I really enjoyed the start to this new series and am excited to see what comes next. Definitely a must read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
This book is fantastic! Honestly criminal of me to have waited this long before reading it. I absolutely loved Win and Bo. They are just two of the most tender and sweet souls who clearly were meant to find each other. They find such small (and big) ways to support each other and show they care. Bo is so honest and vulnerable it hurts. He equal parts makes me want to wrap him up in a hug and have him take care of me. Win is so strong I appreciate her evolution throughout the story. I can’t even be mad that this book wasn’t dual POV because I think Bo’s would’ve made me spontaneously combust. Honorable mention to Sarah, may we all be lucky to have a friend like her. Also, it needs to be said this book offers up excellent banter you will laugh out loud and some quality spicy scenes. This book is an absolutely must read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Pregnancy
Moderate: Ableism, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Abortion
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Chloe Liese’s writing is so heartwarming; reading her books feels like being hugged while wrapped in a warm blanket by the fire. This final installment in the Bergman Brother’s series is no different. I loved seeing the evolution of Viggo and Tallulah (separately and together). They both offered up such beautiful displays of vulnerability while opening up to each other. They supported each other’s growth without making the other feel small or big lovable how they already were. Viggo and Talluluh were such sweet sensitive souls who were destined to love each other. Honorable mention to the big wonderful Bergman family and all their significant others. I just loved seeing all the couples back together again. I wish we had a few more scenes with the siblings. All good things must come to end and let me tell you this series is definitely a good thing. Everyone needs to pick up this series you will not regret it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Medical content
Minor: Drug abuse, Fatphobia, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
The Darkest Corner of the Heart by Lisina Coney
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
While this book did not top The Brightest Light of Sunshine for me it was still a stellar sophomore release! I really enjoy Lisina’s writing style. You really feel like you are embedded in the character particularly with their internal monologues. She easily invokes emotion as you read along. Maddie and James’s romance was a slow burning evolution from professional to a deep meaningful relationship. I feel like both characters were extremely supportive of each other and helped the other grow without making them that they needed to change who they were. This book is so immersive you will easily forget about the length. Honorable mention to getting to see snippets of Cal and Grace’s life together. I recommend this for fans of emotional slow burn style books (and for the age gap girlies!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Sexual assault, and Classism