sha66areads's reviews
567 reviews

Cigarette Lemonade by Connor de Bruler

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adventurous dark funny fast-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

Thanks to NetGalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The cover & title of this pulled me in right away. I didn't pay too much attention to the synopsis but I was immediately immersed in the story from the get go. Despite it being short, I felt the characters were explored in depth and there was a great plot going too! The torture/violence aspect in this blew me away just because I never expected it to go as far as it did.
Diverse characters and a fun, fast-paced plot. Give it a shot!
Sociopath by Patric Gagne

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hopeful informative reflective slow-paced

3.5

Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

What a beautiful atmospheric read. Blown away yet again by the writing style and storytelling of this author. This 2nd book explored a select few characters from the 1st book and it was very enjoyable.
Interesting take on a dystopian/post-apocalyptic world that focuses on the people and survival rather than the widespread disease/illness
The Leftover Woman by Jean Kwok

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informative slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

many research holes, plot holes, shallow characters, unexplored themes
do not recommend
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

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challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

written in a modern day setting without being weird and cringey and out-of-touch 
I guess I expected more but it was a good read nonetheless - so glad Emira got a personality lol
The Push by Ashley Audrain

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challenging dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I had no idea going into this what an intense read it would be. I read the synopsis and knew something tragic would happen and that it would be about motherhood and how society treats mothers. BUT the reality was all that and MORE. It was heavy on the psychological part and made me feel so drained reading all the stuff Blythe went through. This also touched on generational trauma and I loved how well done it was. It was a great book to discuss.
For once, I did not mind the second person pov writing style? I don't know what it's called by anyway it didn't take me out of the world at all like I thought it would

Props to all the mamas 😭😭😭 
Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 70%.
incredibly boring writing style of a story that could be amazing
When Angels Speak of Love by bell hooks

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

3.5

It’s bell hooks, of course I’m gonna love anything she’s ever written 
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

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dark emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Thanks to Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Alright, buckle up for "The Safekeep" by Yael van der Wouden – it's a wild but quiet ride through obsession, romance, post-World War 2 chaos, and the darker parts of our collective pasts.
First off, if you've seen "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," get ready because this book feels like its long-lost literary cousin. Except for "The Safekeep" deciding to take a different, more unpredictable route.
I really like that it's not all sunshine and rainbows – I'm not one for romanced novels - this book dives into the aftermath of World War 2; into complex topics, hitting you with reality checks instead of feel-good moments.
Personally, the plot fell a bit slow in the middle, but when it builds up to the third act, you'll be hooked. It kind of read like a psychological thriller for a second.
I'm eagerly waiting to see what this author comes up with next!
#netgalley
None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

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adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Denim heaven