ashleyreads88's reviews
514 reviews
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
This was the first book I read from Taylor Jenkins Reid and I'm so happy that I read it. I loved how the story took place over a 24-hour period, which kept the story interesting. Another aspect that kept the story interesting was the clearly defined flashback scenes. I loved all the family drama, the secrets, and the unexpected plot twists. Malibu Rising is the perfect read for the beach.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death of parent, and Abandonment
The Untold Story by Genevieve Cogman
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
If this really was the end of the series, it was a great one. I felt that in The Untold Story, everything was resolved. I loved seeing how far Irene had grown not only in her own character but how far her relationships with Kai and the others had grown. I truly have loved every minute I spent reading this adventurous series.
Pride: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Ibi Zoboi
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Pride was a classic enemy to friends to lovers story, and I loved it. Another thing that I loved was how the dynamics of the two families were highlighted and how they were one of the main focuses of the story. I also loved Zuri, how she grew as a character, how her relationship with Darius developed, and how as they went from enemies to friends to lovers they learned and any previous misconceptions about each other were resolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Alcohol, and Racial slurs
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Legendborn was such a refreshing read. It has a diverse cast of characters, magic, mystery, and a unique twist on the Legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. I loved how Bree grew as a character and how her friendships developed. I also loved how dark Legendborn was.
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
Fiona Davis has done it again and written another beautiful story. Fiona Davis always finds a way to seamlessly blend two different stories from different time periods together. The Magnolia Palace focuses on the stories of Lillian (Angelica), a model in 1919, and Veronica, a model. Veronica's story takes place 50 years after Lillian's. Both stories revolve around the Frick Mansion/Museum and what happened during Lillian's time there. I loved how the stories connected and how the murder mystery was uncovered. I also loved the development of Joshua and Veronica's relationship. This was a great spring read.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
I finished this in one day, I loved it. Andy Weir has a way of writing Science Fiction that isn't boring or too difficult to comprehend. I loved how Ryland found a way to communicate with Rocky and how they figured out how to solve problems together. I loved how the book ended.
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict, Victoria Christopher Murray
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
The Personal Librarian is the story of Belle da Costa Greene. It's heartbreaking but hopeful. Belle was a young Black woman who passed as white. The Personal Librarian tells Belle's story as the librarian of J.P. Morgan. It's about her professional and personal life as Morgan's librarian, and the challenges she faced being a woman in a man's world. The way Belle navigated auctions and negotiated was inspiring. Were there times when she was manipulative? Yes, but it was to get deals done for the rare manuscripts for the library. I loved how strong and fearless Belle was, I loved watching her growth, how she loved the library and wanted what was the best for it. She had great attention to detail in making the library what it was. After reading this book, it made me want to go visit the library to learn more and see firsthand what Belle did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Abortion, and Racism
Moderate: Alcohol, Antisemitism, and Infidelity
Minor: Slavery, Abandonment, and Death of parent
The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth by
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
*Listened on audio.
This is a beautiful, honest, emotional collection of short stories and poems that were letters to the children of the authors featured about various topics including love, racism, and being a BIPOC. The story that will stick with me the most is "Ten" by Tracey Baptise which was 10 rules to follow when getting pulled over by the police, it's heartbreaking however it's the reality that BIPOC sadly live with. I was inspired by listening to these stories.
This is a beautiful, honest, emotional collection of short stories and poems that were letters to the children of the authors featured about various topics including love, racism, and being a BIPOC. The story that will stick with me the most is "Ten" by Tracey Baptise which was 10 rules to follow when getting pulled over by the police, it's heartbreaking however it's the reality that BIPOC sadly live with. I was inspired by listening to these stories.
The Hobbit [Dramatization] by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
Having already read the book and knowing the story, this was enjoyable to listen to as an audiobook.
Veil by Dylan Farrow
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
*I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I no way shape or form does my receiving this from NetGalley affect my thoughts and opinions.
Veil continues where Hush left off. I enjoyed seeing Shae and her group of friends on their journey to Gondal. I felt that Shae grew as a character, as did her relationships with her friends. There were quite a few twists that were shocking. I enjoyed this story and thought that it was tied together nicely with Hush.
Veil continues where Hush left off. I enjoyed seeing Shae and her group of friends on their journey to Gondal. I felt that Shae grew as a character, as did her relationships with her friends. There were quite a few twists that were shocking. I enjoyed this story and thought that it was tied together nicely with Hush.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence