emmas_bookshelf's reviews
496 reviews

hopeful slow-paced

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

4.0

The premise of the book was cute and it definitely has the comedy aspect of a rom-com. The love interest Eli is like a big teddy bear, he’s a hopeless romantic who loves kids and the outdoors. Leah is desperate for family and belonging, but also thinks she will never have it. Most of the book is waiting for the two of them to wake up and realize they should be together - but it is a fun read. It’s also low/no steam.

Content Warnings

Hester, by Laurie Lico Albanese

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dark mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

I found this book really interesting and was always surprised and impressed with the turns that Isobel’s life took. I also was relieved by the ending. Definitely would recommend if you like historicals with a hint of magic and mystery.

Content Warnings

Sing Anyway, by Anita Kelly

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lighthearted 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? No

4.5

This is the cutest little novella. Fat characters, queer characters, karaoke and steam… what’s not to love?

Room and Board, by Miriam Parker

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hopeful inspiring 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? No

4.0

This was a solid read. If you like books set in boarding schools, second chance romances, or stories about starting over, I would recommend!

All I Want for Christmas, by Maggie Knox

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emotional 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? Yes

3.5

I love a good fake dating book and even better when it’s enemies to fake dating to lovers. I thought this book was well written, but I thought the two main characters were both drama queens who believed the worst in each other and were ready to toss everything over nothing, repeatedly. The number of times #Saxie broke up got really annoying. But I did like them both individually and had fun reading the book.

Once Upon a December, by Amy E. Reichert

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sad 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

I’m going to shock everyone with a less than stellar review. Generally I would say that if you like magic or magical realism you might like this more than I did. I definitely picked this book up based on the title (Anastasia, anyone?) and the cute pink cover. I’m not sure if I didn’t read the synopsis, just don’t remember reading the synopsis, or if it’s that the synopsis really undersells the magic aspect…. But this was not for me. The thing I liked most was the female friendships.

—Spoilers ahead —

The magic had me like uhhhh no thank you…. Then as I got more into the book I was like okay romantic destiny sure I can get on board…. But then we just had to have an unexpected pregnancy. Nope. Nope nope nope.

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail, by Ashley Herring Blake

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Nothing to do but stay in and read while snow and ice swept through the Midwest today, so I finally finished this book! So many folks said this was even better than the first book (Delilah Green Doesn’t Care) and they were right. It’s sapphic and it slaps! I loved Astrid and Jordan. Highly recommend!

I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy

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dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

5.0

It feels like I’m the last person to read this book, but if you haven’t, I would recommend! I listened to it on audiobook on a long drive and the audiobook was really good. While I had heard most of the more shocking things from this book, it was still interesting and heartbreaking to listen to Jennette calmly tell her life story - years of abuse and exploitation at the hands of her mother and over a decade of disordered eating.

Home Sweet Christmas, by Susan Mallery

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lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

This is one Hallmark movie of a book! It’s set in a town called Wishing Tree and there is a dog named Tinsel, lol. That said, despite the major hallmark vibes, it was surprisingly an open door romance! This is like the perfect easy, cozy, holiday read if you like hallmark movie vibes.

With Love from Wish & Co., by Minnie Darke

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lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.5

This was a very charming romance novel about a boutique shop owner and professional gift shopper, Marnie. After a snafu with her top customer, she has to navigate making things right with him and also - secretly - dating his son. At the same time, she’s trying to buy a new property for her store and struggling to balance it all. This was an easy and pleasant read, would recommend!

Thank you so much to Random House/Ballantine for the copy via NetGalley; this is my honest review.

Content Warnings

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emmas_bookshelf's reviews 496 reviews

emmas_bookshelf's reviews
496 reviews