ccoley34's reviews
78 reviews

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional inspiring 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

Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

2.0

We Are All the Same in the Dark by Julia Heaberlin

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Luster by Raven Leilani

dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.75

This book is so well written and complex. There are so many layers to each interaction and character relationships she has created in this novel. She does a great job of capturing the power dynamics between Edie, Eric and Rebecca and how they are always shifting depending on the environment the characters are in or situations that have just played out.

There is also a lot of trauma and grief that is unpacked throughout the story so TW, but it’s so interesting to see how all of these experiences shape the interactions Edie has with the people around her as well as her own self (like through her art or just general choices she makes). 

Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Molloy

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.0

This book was fine. It’s a quick read and does have some unexpected twists but it also was just kind of meh. I also hated the ending!

Like really?? Everything just wraps up perfectly, the villain dies but also pays off all their debts, and they live happily ever after and also get pregnant instantly after he’s found?? Bleh

Verity by Colleen Hoover

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This book is INTENSE. There were numerous parts of this book where I was so immersed in the story I was feeling the anxiety of Lowen like it was my own. The switch between the story and the manuscript was also done so well, just generally such a good read.

My only qualm with this book is the

pregnancy bit at the end. Like really she’s just going to get pregnant the first time they have unprotected sex? It just felt like an unnecessary addition to the book.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.5

This book started off really slow to me and I was worried that I wouldn’t get into it, but I eventually really enjoyed it. The characters are written really well and the story was interesting. I really liked how the story jumped from past to future. I also really enjoyed how the tumultuous relationship between Addie and Luc was told in parallel to the budding relationship of Addie and Henry.

All in all a great read, albeit a little slow to start. 

Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney

emotional reflective medium-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

4.5

I love Sally Rooney’s writing style so much, and this book didn’t disappoint. The characters feel so real and she does such an amazing job of giving the reader so much context and insight about who the characters are and what drives them and also just how flawed they are as individuals. The characters were kind of dislikable and could be unkind but I think that is what adds to Sally Rooney’s stories — just a great depiction of how messy and complicated people and relationships are.

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

This was a nice quick read! I thought the story was interesting and I enjoyed the characters! It also had a few twists I definitely didn’t expect which kept it exciting. 

I also enjoyed that they really showed multiple perspectives of certain characters were viewed. The author did a great job of showing how someone can be both a hero to someone and villain to another person.