Honesty. 🧡

This book is a love letter to women raised to be people pleasers and it reminds us we can remake ourselves outside the boundaries others set for us.

I thought this book was both so fun, with Hazelwood’s classic animated characters and story, but also so aware. The reflection of the characters and the growth Elsie, in particular, went through felt refreshing.

I loved Jack and Elsie together as a couple, their banter was on point and I loved his ability to call her on her bull and help her discover herself. They were steamy, and sweet, and honest and I loved their journey together so much!

Not only were the main characters some of my favourites, but the side characters in this book are so well done, I found myself wanting more of their stories, and I loved how we explored ace rep through one of them!

Overall, this book highlights issues in STEM, as many of Ali Hazelwood’s books do, but also issues with privatized healthcare and affordability of treatments for people with chronic illnesses, as well as acceptance from society and people pleasing.

I loved everything this book tackles and explores, and Love Theoretically might be Ali Hazelwood’s best book yet.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

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funny lighthearted 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

3.75

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

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challenging emotional hopeful informative mysterious 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

5.0

If I could give this book a million stars I would. One of the best books I’ve ever read, I HIGHLY recommend! Check content warnings for this one though

Content Warnings

Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

This book at its core is about struggling to live up to familial and societal expectations and standards.

Following a dark-skinned Black woman with Nigerian roots, Yinka faces pressure from her family to settle down and get married, while also facing struggles from societal stereotypes that light skinned women are more preferable and attractive. The story follows her journey to find herself and where she fits into life when it seems like everyone else around her is getting on just fine.

The book highlights mental health and the struggle women, particularly women of colour, face to be accepted for who they are. It speaks positively about therapy which I absolutely loved, and the the characters were imperfect and vulnerable.

I loved this story. It felt necessary and the characters were real and well defined. While Yinka’s choices sometimes felt cringey, I could empathize with the pressure she felt and the need to free herself from it. The lesson of this book is a good one, and I definitely recommend this read!

The audiobook is so so good, the narration of Ronke Adékoluejo was spot on and so engaging. Really well done, probably one of my favourite audiobooks I’ve read. I HIGHLY recommend the audiobook if you’re looking to pick this up!

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

5.0

Jennette McCurdy’s memoir “I’m Glad My Mom Died” is a powerful reflection on childhood trauma, eating disorders, and the entertainment industry.

McCurdy retells her story with such an openness and vulnerability that really lends itself to the overall book and audience, making it a book that’s very engaging and hard to put down. She doesn’t shy away from the negative details of her situation and all she’s been through. She lays her entire story out with grace, outlining the role her mother, the entertainment industry, herself and others played in her trauma and battle with eating disorders.

There’s also something to be said about the way McCurdy speaks about her own mistakes and patterns of learned behaviour that is inspiring, and incredibly mature and well thought. It makes the book feel like a step in healing which adds to its rawness, and comments on McCurdy’s bravery in healing and choosing to share her story.

She writes in a way that, at times, feels detached, highlighting the normality of abuse in her life, but it’s also so self-aware. The humour she is able to weave into her story creates much needed balance to such heavy history.

The audiobook, narrated by Jennette herself, is a compelling form to read this book in as it showcases her tone and her voice in this story. It can be difficult to listen to at times, as she speaks about her abuse and complicated feelings towards her abuser, but her voice adds to the experience of the book and the story, and I highly recommend the audiobook if you’re thinking about picking up this memoir.

Do check the trigger warnings for this book as it details, in an very raw way, eating disorders and recovery, as well as emotional and sexual abuse.

Overall, Jennette McCurdy’s memoir is an incredibly engaging read that will shock many, validate others, and remind us all that what someone presents to the world isn’t always reflecting what’s happening behind closed doors.

Content Warnings

This Winter by Alice Oseman

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emotional informative reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

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brookeasmith17's reviews 187 reviews

brookeasmith17's reviews
187 reviews