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amandaplease50's reviews
158 reviews
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
I feel like the more I enjoy a book the less I have to say because my words would not do it justice! Compared to the last book I read these characters were lovable and real. I never was bored or annoyed by how the story played out for them! Everyone (who needed it) had great development. Highly suggest anyone who sees this review reads it for themselves ❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism and Homophobia
Don't Want You Like a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoyed this book but I think some of the characters (maybe just the MCs) personalities just won’t doing it for me. Especially Gwen it felt like every other chapter she forgot Beth doesn’t have the luxury of just saying f it to a courtship/betrothal without putting her and her mother on the street.
Honestly I enjoyed the side characters more so than the MCs which is probably not a great thing. I did enjoy the story itself. And I kind of wish we would have seen more of Lord Montson because he keeps getting described as “boring” but there’s only like snippets of prove. We don’t know his character at all which I get he’s not as important but I feel his character is still important enough to have some point to the plot.
Meredith was and is my favorite character and that’s all I have to say!
Honestly I enjoyed the side characters more so than the MCs which is probably not a great thing. I did enjoy the story itself. And I kind of wish we would have seen more of Lord Montson because he keeps getting described as “boring” but there’s only like snippets of prove. We don’t know his character at all which I get he’s not as important but I feel his character is still important enough to have some point to the plot.
Meredith was and is my favorite character and that’s all I have to say!
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such an excellent book and story to read. Amazing debut from the author and makes me extremely interested in reading her second book.
But please make sure you are mentally ready to read this book. While I would highly recommend it, it’s also a mentally taxing book to read.
This book made me understand better how women in certain situations think that I definitely didn’t take into account ever. The dual POVs and changes from the 90s to 2000s was such a great way to read this story. There are so many books TikTok and social media has lead me to and I’m real glad for this one.
But please make sure you are mentally ready to read this book. While I would highly recommend it, it’s also a mentally taxing book to read.
This book made me understand better how women in certain situations think that I definitely didn’t take into account ever. The dual POVs and changes from the 90s to 2000s was such a great way to read this story. There are so many books TikTok and social media has lead me to and I’m real glad for this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, Violence, and Abortion
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Islamophobia
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think I’m just reiterating what other reviewers have said but the first 1/4 ish of the book was slow. I had a hard time getting into it. But one I did it didn’t take too long to read.
I enjoyed all the characters throughly and I feel that some criticism of the flatness of supporting characters will change in the second book.
But there were parts where I felt so much was happening I missed something and ended up rereading certain sections. For a first novel though honestly it’s a great story to build off of so I’m really excited to read the second book.
I enjoyed all the characters throughly and I feel that some criticism of the flatness of supporting characters will change in the second book.
But there were parts where I felt so much was happening I missed something and ended up rereading certain sections. For a first novel though honestly it’s a great story to build off of so I’m really excited to read the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse
Mistletoe & Mishigas by M.A. Wardell
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a very sweet read for the holiday. But it can 100% be read anytime of the year. The first person POV had me worried in the beginning because 9 times out of 10 it’s not for me. But I think it was perfect for this story and the alternate POVs were perfect too!
I think there were some parts of the story I would have appreciated the author expanding more on (like Brodie and Naomi’s maybe classist attitude) but the story didn’t need it per say just my opinion. Would still highly recommend
I think there were some parts of the story I would have appreciated the author expanding more on (like Brodie and Naomi’s maybe classist attitude) but the story didn’t need it per say just my opinion. Would still highly recommend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body shaming, Homophobia, and War
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
I know next to nothing about soccer. Well that’s kind of a lie I know A LOT about ice hockey which sort of translates to soccer so I kind of understand it. But to the point you don’t need to know soccer to read, understand and love this book/story!
The soccer is obviously an important aspect of the story leads to the MCs meeting but it’s not what endear you to the characters. And I don’t think there was a character I didn’t like..well besides the one but y'all who’ve read it know!
There’s a bit of a miscommunication trope but not in the way I usually dislike it. It’s really just because we don’t all get social cues.
Seriously all the characters were super love able and brought a lot to the story!
The soccer is obviously an important aspect of the story leads to the MCs meeting but it’s not what endear you to the characters. And I don’t think there was a character I didn’t like..well besides the one but y'all who’ve read it know!
There’s a bit of a miscommunication trope but not in the way I usually dislike it. It’s really just because we don’t all get social cues.
Seriously all the characters were super love able and brought a lot to the story!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Classism
Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have SO many good feelings about this book and the characters except Gretchen . As someone who lived my middle school years in the mid 2000s my queerness/bi ness was just so internalized I think. Much like Imogen (I don’t think that’s a spoiler) I viewed my attraction to the same gender as just how girls are.
This books speaks so well about the bi experience especially for women. And I’m sure Becky’s own forced coming out made her the perfect author to write this. The amount of imposter syndrome I’ve experienced I can’t imagine how being a celebrity exasperates it especially when randos on the internet are telling you, you aren’t queer enough. Which the book touches on with a fictitious celeb.
the fact that Gretchen is supposed to be one of Imogen’s best friends and is bi herself was SO infuriating to read. She gaslit and invalidated Imogen’s feelings because of her own trauma that had nothing to do with her friends. It was nice that there was no forced plot of them becoming friends again. I mean sometimes friendships are outgrown. And I think unless Gretchen grows they may never be the same but I’m glad it was left ambiguous for us the reader to draw our own conclusion.
I think at some point we all saw the above spoiler coming but thought I put it in there anyway. Such a quick read (pretty sure I read it in 24hours) the characters are fun and the plot doesn’t have a slow moment. I laughed and cried and my heart ached sometimes at once. Highly recommend 🩷💜💙
This books speaks so well about the bi experience especially for women. And I’m sure Becky’s own forced coming out made her the perfect author to write this. The amount of imposter syndrome I’ve experienced I can’t imagine how being a celebrity exasperates it especially when randos on the internet are telling you, you aren’t queer enough. Which the book touches on with a fictitious celeb.
I think at some point we all saw the above spoiler coming but thought I put it in there anyway. Such a quick read (pretty sure I read it in 24hours) the characters are fun and the plot doesn’t have a slow moment. I laughed and cried and my heart ached sometimes at once. Highly recommend 🩷💜💙
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This story was as sweet as I suspect Thimble’s cinnamon rolls are! An easy and enjoyable read I can’t say I know anything about D&D type fantasy lore but it was not necessary to throughly appreciate this book.
Loved all the characters and this was such a nice look at friendship and how you can build a community.
Only downsize was it was too short I wish I could read more. Probably going to have to check out the prequel now.
Loved all the characters and this was such a nice look at friendship and how you can build a community.
Only downsize was it was too short I wish I could read more. Probably going to have to check out the prequel now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores
adventurous
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Amazing cover! Solid book so you know sometimes you can judge a book by its cover.
Some slight twists and turns but not overwhelming and so well written. It’s in first person POV and the POV changes every chapter which can honestly be terrible in books but I never felt like I was reading in first person. And the changing of POV really added to the story!
Small romance mostly about the witch and vampire lore which I loved.
Some slight twists and turns but not overwhelming and so well written. It’s in first person POV and the POV changes every chapter which can honestly be terrible in books but I never felt like I was reading in first person. And the changing of POV really added to the story!
Small romance mostly about the witch and vampire lore which I loved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Forward March by Skye Quinlan
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really quick easy read. There are fun parts but there’s also some challenging and hurtful parts. Very YA so characters definitely could grow up but they are teenagers so some of them get passes…others absolutely not.
I swear I have read and seen too many queer stories where the MC’s friends suck.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Outing
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders