elementarymydear's reviews
896 reviews
Finding My Elf by David Valdes
2.0
Okay, so first of all: this was really stinking cute. It was full of Christmas fun, and I couldn’t help but feel festive when reading it.
I wouldn’t usually mind the flimsy plot, or the narrator so unreliable that it’s just frustrating, or the cheesy cliches, except that they were all. So. Much. #
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The main character, Cameron, is back from his first semester at college and he’s pretty sure he’s flunking. To save himself from having to confess to his father that he won’t be keeping his scholarship, he starts working for the local mall in their Santa Land, where there is a reality-style contest for the best elf, with a $5,000 prize. The whole thing was completely outrageous, and while on one level I loved it, it began to wear thin quite soon. The story became so much about the competition, which got more and more complicated as the story went on, that everything else sort of faded to the background.
What I would have loved to see is more of Cameron and his dad. While his dad featured quite heavily towards the end of the novel, for the bulk of the first half we barely see him while Cam keeps telling us how much his dad means to him, and how important it is that he makes things right. Their relationship felt quite abstract for a fair chunk of the book, but I would have loved to see a lot more of it.
It’s really hard to write a great contemporary YA novel, because what it’s about and what it’s about are two different things, but one has to be hidden inside the other. This one didn’t quite manage to combine the two, but came frustratingly close.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I wouldn’t usually mind the flimsy plot, or the narrator so unreliable that it’s just frustrating, or the cheesy cliches, except that they were all. So. Much. #
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The main character, Cameron, is back from his first semester at college and he’s pretty sure he’s flunking. To save himself from having to confess to his father that he won’t be keeping his scholarship, he starts working for the local mall in their Santa Land, where there is a reality-style contest for the best elf, with a $5,000 prize. The whole thing was completely outrageous, and while on one level I loved it, it began to wear thin quite soon. The story became so much about the competition, which got more and more complicated as the story went on, that everything else sort of faded to the background.
What I would have loved to see is more of Cameron and his dad. While his dad featured quite heavily towards the end of the novel, for the bulk of the first half we barely see him while Cam keeps telling us how much his dad means to him, and how important it is that he makes things right. Their relationship felt quite abstract for a fair chunk of the book, but I would have loved to see a lot more of it.
It’s really hard to write a great contemporary YA novel, because what it’s about and what it’s about are two different things, but one has to be hidden inside the other. This one didn’t quite manage to combine the two, but came frustratingly close.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Haunting Scent of Poppies by Victoria Williamson
5.0
Such a spooky read, perfect for the long winter nights!
We’re transported back to the first Christmas after the First World War, and already the world seems to be moving on. We meet our main character, Charlie, who sees an opportunity to make some money by selling a rare book – but there is, of course, more to this book than meets the eye!
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This was such an atmospheric, immersive read, and although it’s quite a short book, for the entire time I was reading it, I was completely lost in the story. It has the tone of a classic Christmas ghost story, with almost Dickensian qualities.
What I found particularly striking about this book, though, is how the supernatural element intertwined with the real-life flashbacks Charlie had about the war. Not only was it a really interesting way to explore those themes, but it also added an extra layer of unknown to the story. It gave it an emotional weight that wouldn’t necessarily have been there had the story just been about a haunted book, and it really added to the book as a whole.
This little novella is a great short, spooky read, perfect for these cold winter days.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
We’re transported back to the first Christmas after the First World War, and already the world seems to be moving on. We meet our main character, Charlie, who sees an opportunity to make some money by selling a rare book – but there is, of course, more to this book than meets the eye!
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This was such an atmospheric, immersive read, and although it’s quite a short book, for the entire time I was reading it, I was completely lost in the story. It has the tone of a classic Christmas ghost story, with almost Dickensian qualities.
What I found particularly striking about this book, though, is how the supernatural element intertwined with the real-life flashbacks Charlie had about the war. Not only was it a really interesting way to explore those themes, but it also added an extra layer of unknown to the story. It gave it an emotional weight that wouldn’t necessarily have been there had the story just been about a haunted book, and it really added to the book as a whole.
This little novella is a great short, spooky read, perfect for these cold winter days.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Jiddy Vardy by Ruth Estevez
5.0
This was SUCH an enjoyable read, that just got better and better as it went on!
From the opening chapter you’re thrown straight into the action, and the pace did not let up until the very end. It was so immersive and atmospheric, and this is a setting I love too, so there was no way I wasn’t going to be obsessed!
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We follow Jiddy from birth to her late teens, as she finds out more about her past, about her hometown, and about the people she called family. I found the last few chapters particularly compelling, as more about Jiddy’s origins were uncovered.
While this was a brilliant self-contained story, it also teased at excitement to come in future instalments. As much as the sea was a central figure in this first book, I’m excited to see it feature more in the next two.
This was an absorbing, escapist read, perfect for historical fiction fans and lovers of the sea!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
From the opening chapter you’re thrown straight into the action, and the pace did not let up until the very end. It was so immersive and atmospheric, and this is a setting I love too, so there was no way I wasn’t going to be obsessed!
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We follow Jiddy from birth to her late teens, as she finds out more about her past, about her hometown, and about the people she called family. I found the last few chapters particularly compelling, as more about Jiddy’s origins were uncovered.
While this was a brilliant self-contained story, it also teased at excitement to come in future instalments. As much as the sea was a central figure in this first book, I’m excited to see it feature more in the next two.
This was an absorbing, escapist read, perfect for historical fiction fans and lovers of the sea!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
A Nobleman's Guide to Seducing a Scoundrel by KJ Charles
3.0
This was my first time reading a book from K. J. Charles, and while I loved the romance, the book as a whole was a mixed bag for me.
I really enjoyed the bulk of the story. As I said, the romance was excellent, with just the right amount of drama, and buckets of chemistry between the main couple! I eagerly anticipated each scene between the two of them, and while they were together early enough for us to enjoy it, there was still enough tension there to keep the intrigue going.
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The other characters were eccentric and larger-than-life, which added to the entertainment of the book. The side plots, though, were too numerous and too convoluted. On one level it didn’t matter too much, as they didn’t interfere with the main romance plot, but I found myself wanting to fast forward through them to get back to the romance. The main through-thread hinges on an argument over inheritance, and the family tree was so complicated that I just had to assume there was a plot reason that the two main characters weren’t actually related and do some Downton Abbey-style hand-waving about the whole thing.
The very start and very end of the book were what let it down for me, especially the ending. I was so invested, having such a great time, and then the final chapter undermined so much we thought we knew. Ultimately, while there was so much to love here, the execution fell flat in the final moments for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the bulk of the story. As I said, the romance was excellent, with just the right amount of drama, and buckets of chemistry between the main couple! I eagerly anticipated each scene between the two of them, and while they were together early enough for us to enjoy it, there was still enough tension there to keep the intrigue going.
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The other characters were eccentric and larger-than-life, which added to the entertainment of the book. The side plots, though, were too numerous and too convoluted. On one level it didn’t matter too much, as they didn’t interfere with the main romance plot, but I found myself wanting to fast forward through them to get back to the romance. The main through-thread hinges on an argument over inheritance, and the family tree was so complicated that I just had to assume there was a plot reason that the two main characters weren’t actually related and do some Downton Abbey-style hand-waving about the whole thing.
The very start and very end of the book were what let it down for me, especially the ending. I was so invested, having such a great time, and then the final chapter undermined so much we thought we knew. Ultimately, while there was so much to love here, the execution fell flat in the final moments for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Can't I Go Instead by 이금이, Lee Geum-yi
4.0
This is a book that demands you take your time with it, but it is worth the pay-off! We follow two women from childhood through to old age, and see how their choices – and the choices of those around them – affect their lives.
The two women at the centre of the story, Chaeryeong and Sunam, were both very nuanced characters. While their characterisation was very subtle, across the course of the book we got to see so many different facets of them both. Their journeys take them all the way around the world, and when they did arrive home, it was a very powerful full-circle moment that showed just how much they had been through and changed.
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Lee Geum-yi explores a lot of different power dynamics in this book. Sometimes it’s because of class; sometimes because of gender; sometimes as a part of colonialism. It made the book even more compelling, and was such an interesting way to explore the different characters and the things they went through.
While I would have liked to spend a little more time with the women later in life, this was still a captivating and emotional read.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The two women at the centre of the story, Chaeryeong and Sunam, were both very nuanced characters. While their characterisation was very subtle, across the course of the book we got to see so many different facets of them both. Their journeys take them all the way around the world, and when they did arrive home, it was a very powerful full-circle moment that showed just how much they had been through and changed.
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Lee Geum-yi explores a lot of different power dynamics in this book. Sometimes it’s because of class; sometimes because of gender; sometimes as a part of colonialism. It made the book even more compelling, and was such an interesting way to explore the different characters and the things they went through.
While I would have liked to spend a little more time with the women later in life, this was still a captivating and emotional read.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
A Power Unbound by Freya Marske
5.0
What a way to finish the trilogy!
It had everything we’ve come to expect from this series. The magic system, so brilliantly introduced across the previous two books, was expanded further in this final instalment and I loved seeing where it went!
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It was so great to see all the characters together. The only downside of this trilogy is that the two main characters that we grew to love in the first book were largely absent in the second, so to have all the characters together felt really special. It had almost a cross-over feel that added to the excitement of the story, and I loved catching up with all the characters and where they are now.
The real selling point of this book, though, is the romance. While the romantic yearning in book one, and the curiosity and journey of book two, were so so compelling, this book blew them out of the water. Tensions were high from the get go, and it’s easily the steamiest book of all three.
There is something so satisfying about a well-formed trilogy, and this final book tied everything together so well! It’s rare that I get invested in and complete a book series, so when I do I’m so glad I could get that pay-off from a brilliant series.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
It had everything we’ve come to expect from this series. The magic system, so brilliantly introduced across the previous two books, was expanded further in this final instalment and I loved seeing where it went!
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It was so great to see all the characters together. The only downside of this trilogy is that the two main characters that we grew to love in the first book were largely absent in the second, so to have all the characters together felt really special. It had almost a cross-over feel that added to the excitement of the story, and I loved catching up with all the characters and where they are now.
The real selling point of this book, though, is the romance. While the romantic yearning in book one, and the curiosity and journey of book two, were so so compelling, this book blew them out of the water. Tensions were high from the get go, and it’s easily the steamiest book of all three.
There is something so satisfying about a well-formed trilogy, and this final book tied everything together so well! It’s rare that I get invested in and complete a book series, so when I do I’m so glad I could get that pay-off from a brilliant series.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Evolving Truth of Ever-Stronger Will by Maya MacGregor
4.0
Another great read from Maya MacGregor!
The story follows Will, and their journey after the sudden death of their abusive mother. They go searching for their old foster mother, discover secrets about their mother’s life, and make new friends with their newfound freedom.
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This book is one of the few, perhaps the only, that I’ve ever read that’s in second person. Because of this it somehow felt both intimate and detached at the same time, which was incredibly effective for a character that has dealt with so much trauma.
As is indicated in the title, while the book is about someone recovering from a traumatic past, it’s much more about the recovery than about the trauma itself. Across the course of the book we get to see Will grow in confidence and become more self-assured. Their character arc was so strong and compelling, as we watched them grow and begin to flourish.
This isn’t a journey that Will goes on alone, and I really liked the wider cast of characters. Their friendships were strong but full of complexities, with all the ups and downs of real friendship – especially teenage friendship. On the flip side, while Will is initially (and understandably) sceptical of the help adults can offer them, it was really great to see them realise that it’s much more nuanced too.
While I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as MacGregor’s debut, it’s still a really great book that takes the reader on an emotional journey.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The story follows Will, and their journey after the sudden death of their abusive mother. They go searching for their old foster mother, discover secrets about their mother’s life, and make new friends with their newfound freedom.
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This book is one of the few, perhaps the only, that I’ve ever read that’s in second person. Because of this it somehow felt both intimate and detached at the same time, which was incredibly effective for a character that has dealt with so much trauma.
As is indicated in the title, while the book is about someone recovering from a traumatic past, it’s much more about the recovery than about the trauma itself. Across the course of the book we get to see Will grow in confidence and become more self-assured. Their character arc was so strong and compelling, as we watched them grow and begin to flourish.
This isn’t a journey that Will goes on alone, and I really liked the wider cast of characters. Their friendships were strong but full of complexities, with all the ups and downs of real friendship – especially teenage friendship. On the flip side, while Will is initially (and understandably) sceptical of the help adults can offer them, it was really great to see them realise that it’s much more nuanced too.
While I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as MacGregor’s debut, it’s still a really great book that takes the reader on an emotional journey.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Disaster Dates and Lucky Escapes by Tess Smith-Roberts
2.0
As anyone who’s ever tried online dating will tell you, it’s a wild wild world out there! And while it works out well for some (not to brag!), it’s not without its weird and wacky moments.
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I love the idea of a comic inspired by real life internet dating stories, and I will definitely be following the artist after reading this book! Each little vignette was hilarious, and horribly relatable. I just don’t think the concept worked very well as a longer story. By its nature it is difficult to create a narrative arc about casually dating different people, and this was basically a lot of individual comics followed by one longer one.
There were also a couple of formatting details I would have changed. In particular, there were a few instances when black text was used on a dark background which made it quite difficult to read.
While the individual stories were very funny, I almost would have preferred this book as that. A collection of comic strips would have been great in lieu of a bigger narrative arc. So while this book was plenty entertaining, it wasn’t quite the one for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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I love the idea of a comic inspired by real life internet dating stories, and I will definitely be following the artist after reading this book! Each little vignette was hilarious, and horribly relatable. I just don’t think the concept worked very well as a longer story. By its nature it is difficult to create a narrative arc about casually dating different people, and this was basically a lot of individual comics followed by one longer one.
There were also a couple of formatting details I would have changed. In particular, there were a few instances when black text was used on a dark background which made it quite difficult to read.
While the individual stories were very funny, I almost would have preferred this book as that. A collection of comic strips would have been great in lieu of a bigger narrative arc. So while this book was plenty entertaining, it wasn’t quite the one for me.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Charming Young Man by Eliot Schrefer
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
What an engrossing read! From the very start I was drawn into the 19th Century Paris salons, where high society and the bohemian art world mingle. We follow a selection of real life figures, including Marcel Proust, with main character Léon Delafosse, a pianist from a poor background.
The characters are larger than life, and they all have their own agendas that they’re pursuing. It was so interesting to see how they all interacted, with so many unexpected twists and turns. By the end I was so angry on behalf of Léon at how he was treated by the other characters! The author did a brilliant job of having that ‘fish out of water’ feeling while Léon was trying to make his way through Parisian society.
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The real strength of this book is how it explores queerness and sexuality in this historical context. There were some incredibly moving and emotional passages, and the Léon’s financial insecurities and uncertainties paralleled the fear of being a queer man in the 19th Century.
One of the hardest parts of writing a book about real people is what to do with the ending. We don’t know how Delafosse’s life went after he left Paris, and while I like the ending Schrefer gave him, it did feel quite sudden. It’s clear from the author’s note that the ending sequence was the inspiration for much of the rest of the book, and I would have liked to just spend a bit more time across the book both setting up the ending, and on the ending itself. That aside though, I really enjoyed this story!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
The characters are larger than life, and they all have their own agendas that they’re pursuing. It was so interesting to see how they all interacted, with so many unexpected twists and turns. By the end I was so angry on behalf of Léon at how he was treated by the other characters! The author did a brilliant job of having that ‘fish out of water’ feeling while Léon was trying to make his way through Parisian society.
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The real strength of this book is how it explores queerness and sexuality in this historical context. There were some incredibly moving and emotional passages, and the Léon’s financial insecurities and uncertainties paralleled the fear of being a queer man in the 19th Century.
One of the hardest parts of writing a book about real people is what to do with the ending. We don’t know how Delafosse’s life went after he left Paris, and while I like the ending Schrefer gave him, it did feel quite sudden. It’s clear from the author’s note that the ending sequence was the inspiration for much of the rest of the book, and I would have liked to just spend a bit more time across the book both setting up the ending, and on the ending itself. That aside though, I really enjoyed this story!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Perks of Office by Liz Rain
2.0
I really, really wanted to enjoy this book. There were some things I really liked! Emma’s voice was very engaging, and I liked the various side characters and the friendships they had with each other.
That being said, this book ultimately failed to deliver for me. I just could not find it in myself to root for the romance! We’re told very early on (and kudos for an excellent exposition) that Emma has a massive crush on Bridget, and then… we’re told it again. And again. And there’s a time skip, which I would have loved to actually spend time on, and we’re told it again. Honestly, I felt more chemistry with Emma’s one night stand than with the woman she’s supposedly in love with.
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Add in a sprinkle of biphobia and a nickname for one of Emma’s co-workers that made me VERY uncomfortable, this one did not hit the mark for me. It’s such a shame, as the writing itself (bar a couple of moments) was very, very strong.
I will give the author another go, because I did really enjoy her writing style, and perhaps a different romance will be more of a hit with me, but this one was a bit of a disappointment.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
That being said, this book ultimately failed to deliver for me. I just could not find it in myself to root for the romance! We’re told very early on (and kudos for an excellent exposition) that Emma has a massive crush on Bridget, and then… we’re told it again. And again. And there’s a time skip, which I would have loved to actually spend time on, and we’re told it again. Honestly, I felt more chemistry with Emma’s one night stand than with the woman she’s supposedly in love with.
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Add in a sprinkle of biphobia and a nickname for one of Emma’s co-workers that made me VERY uncomfortable, this one did not hit the mark for me. It’s such a shame, as the writing itself (bar a couple of moments) was very, very strong.
I will give the author another go, because I did really enjoy her writing style, and perhaps a different romance will be more of a hit with me, but this one was a bit of a disappointment.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.