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cinderellasbookshelf's reviews
312 reviews
Hardly Strangers by A.C. Robinson
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this and read it one sitting. It’s angsty, deep, and feels personal. I saw one reviewer state that this felt like an adult romance, and I have to agree. There’s nothing fluffy here, and goes into the raw realistic truth about relationships and connection; the good and the bad and how two people grow and heal from it.
Like 831 Stories’s Big Fan, Hardly Strangers is a short read but gives just enough to tell a meaningful story of two characters, Shera Benoit and Max King, opening up and being vulnerable with each other all in one evening. It’s great for fans of Before Sunrise and Not in Love.
Like 831 Stories’s Big Fan, Hardly Strangers is a short read but gives just enough to tell a meaningful story of two characters, Shera Benoit and Max King, opening up and being vulnerable with each other all in one evening. It’s great for fans of Before Sunrise and Not in Love.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
Big Fan by Alexandra Romanoff
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
A fun and short sexy read. It’s a smart and witty romance that fans of Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy would enjoy.
Despite being under 200 pages, the story doesn’t feel rushed or short at all. It gives just enough while still being able to build the tension and attraction between its two main characters: political strategist, Maya McPherson, and former boy band member, Charlie Blake. Speaking of which, I love there is a kind of subtle nostalgia or homage to girls who grew up loving boy bands in their formative years, especially in the 90’s. Proving that no matter where you are in life or how much time has passed, that band member you had a crush on could still bring back those harbored feelings you had as a fan — or in this case, and then some as an adult.
Despite being under 200 pages, the story doesn’t feel rushed or short at all. It gives just enough while still being able to build the tension and attraction between its two main characters: political strategist, Maya McPherson, and former boy band member, Charlie Blake. Speaking of which, I love there is a kind of subtle nostalgia or homage to girls who grew up loving boy bands in their formative years, especially in the 90’s. Proving that no matter where you are in life or how much time has passed, that band member you had a crush on could still bring back those harbored feelings you had as a fan — or in this case, and then some as an adult.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
This may just be my favorite of the series because I’m a sucker for time travel and holiday reads.
I love the chemistry between Bowen Penhallow and Tamsyn Bligh. He’s a bit of a nerd and she’s wears her heart on her sleeves. I just wish their relationship had been developed more.
As much as I like this book, it feels a little rushed. I would have liked to have seen Bowen get to know his grandparents more when he and Tamsyn accidentally time travel back to 1957. The same goes with some characters they meet that tie back to the present. There are a lot of good pieces, especially the aspect of how time travel works, that could have been explored more, but are only just touched upon.
It makes for a nice novella read though if you want to consider it as that since I think it may be the shortest book of the series. I wonder if there will be more books after this one, but if this is the last, it’s a nice one to end on.
I love the chemistry between Bowen Penhallow and Tamsyn Bligh. He’s a bit of a nerd and she’s wears her heart on her sleeves. I just wish their relationship had been developed more.
As much as I like this book, it feels a little rushed. I would have liked to have seen Bowen get to know his grandparents more when he and Tamsyn accidentally time travel back to 1957. The same goes with some characters they meet that tie back to the present. There are a lot of good pieces, especially the aspect of how time travel works, that could have been explored more, but are only just touched upon.
It makes for a nice novella read though if you want to consider it as that since I think it may be the shortest book of the series. I wonder if there will be more books after this one, but if this is the last, it’s a nice one to end on.
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Death of parent
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
Gothikana by RuNyx
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
2.5
I can see the appeal, but this just isn’t for me.
The story itself has a lot of potential and could have been better with some editing on the pacing and story development. The writing is good, but gets bogged down for being too repetitive (the number of times Corvina says god). The declarations of love said between Corvina and Vad also start to become overly exaggerated when it’s meant to be heavy and emotional. I did though like the descriptions of Verenmore and can see it coming straight out of a Gothic novel.
My main problem though, and this is just a me-thing, is that I couldn’t connect with the book. I like the premise and the mystery behind this secluded university, the history of deaths attached to it, and a girl with purple eyes who falls for an enigmatic student/teacher — but something is missing. That’s why I think I’m probably the wrong audience for this.
The story itself has a lot of potential and could have been better with some editing on the pacing and story development. The writing is good, but gets bogged down for being too repetitive (the number of times Corvina says god). The declarations of love said between Corvina and Vad also start to become overly exaggerated when it’s meant to be heavy and emotional. I did though like the descriptions of Verenmore and can see it coming straight out of a Gothic novel.
My main problem though, and this is just a me-thing, is that I couldn’t connect with the book. I like the premise and the mystery behind this secluded university, the history of deaths attached to it, and a girl with purple eyes who falls for an enigmatic student/teacher — but something is missing. That’s why I think I’m probably the wrong audience for this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Violence and Murder
Hopeless by Elsie Silver
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
I think I’ve been reading less compared to last year, but in return I’ve discovered a lot of great books that have become new favorites. THE WEDDING PEOPLE is one of them.
Phoebe Stone is a professor who has run off to the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island. Her husband has left her and she’s decided to have one last getaway before ending it all. When she arrives however, she finds herself in the middle of a weeklong wedding celebration. She ends up forming an unexpected friendship with the bride Lila, while also getting to know the other people in attendance. As the week carries out, Phoebe begins to have a new outlook on life, rediscovering parts of herself that she never knew existed, but might have always been there.
I know I have been saying this a lot, but I really love this book. It’s humorously honest and introspective featuring a cast of characters that could exist in real life. I was hesitant to pick it up at first because I worried that it might be too dark, but it ended up pleasantly surprising me as I found myself laughing and relating to much of what Phoebe and Lila were going through. Once I neared the end, I wanted to go back and read it again.
I love Phoebe and Lila’s relationship throughout, especially the conversations they have. I think the fact that they are strangers, with or without judgment, is what made them want to confide in each other rather than go to the people who know them. Lila is young and entitled, but I could see there is a loneliness to her that Phoebe connects with or at least understands. For Phoebe as well, Lila bolting into her life throws her in for a loop, but also brings her back to life (quite literally too). They make an impact on each other’s lives more than they realize.
Then, there’s Phoebe and Gary. I don’t want to spoil too much on what happens between them because it’s some of the best parts of the book that align with its themes. I’m already smiling just thinking about that “Free the books” scene.
This is a 10/10, 5 star read for me. It’s everything all at once about life and chance encounters and how much that can change or affect us.
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Reckless by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
“Te vivo.” Everyone is right - this is the best one of the series.
Powerless by Elsie Silver
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75