haileyhep's reviews
68 reviews

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Trigger warning: The mom in this book is very similar to the mom in The Maid. There are mental health issues, child neglect, and incarceration in this story. The author works with licensed counselors to depict these issues in a dignified way.

I couldn’t stop listening to this book. I’m so happy for the medium-slow pace that let me live so much of life with Emma & Justin. Now, where can I meet a Justin? Emma and Justin are supposed to date so they can cancel out their curses, and finally meet “the one”. So many tropes and experiences in this book. I can’t wait for the next Abby Jiminez!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Abandonment

Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit

Child neglect

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

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

3.5

Probably my 3rd favorite of Carley Fortune, but I am living for the tropes and the characters aspirations! 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Terminal illness

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

5.0

It takes personal experience to be able to write about what Nora is going through mentally. I’m so happy to have gone on this journey of growth and mental health with her. The ending seemed inevitable and predictable in the best way. What an inspirational message, and I’m happy to have experienced this book.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Suicide attempt

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

This was almost a did not finish, and then I kept reading. I think the main characters were meant to be deeper than they ended up feeling. 

Happy Place by Emily Henry

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

5.0

Every Summer After by Carley Fortune

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

I loved the nostalgia this made me feel until I was raging. Percy is a relatable character, making it hard to process when she engages in self-destructive behavior. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity and Death of parent

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

5.0

The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket

adventurous dark mysterious sad fast-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

4.0

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

5.0