haylethal's reviews
562 reviews
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Enter the Body by Joy McCullough
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.0
Below the stage trap door, the girls and women of Shakespeare’s plays recount their stories. They’re all well known characters: Ophelia, Cordelia, Juliet, Lavinia, and more.
They all tell their stories and then retell the stories, giving themselves more autonomy and choices than Shakespeare did. They’re all more than vessels for their fathers or lovers anger and deceit.
I thought it was really neat that Cordelia spoke in iambic pentameter during her stories. She was probably my favorite, more of a realist than the others.
I honestly didn’t think I’d like this book as much as I did. The language is modern, so it’s easy to understand and their conversations under the trap door are like girlfriends today talking to each other.
The authors note at the end was also really interesting. Joy McCollough is a Shakespeare super fan, so it seems she was the best person to tell this story!
They all tell their stories and then retell the stories, giving themselves more autonomy and choices than Shakespeare did. They’re all more than vessels for their fathers or lovers anger and deceit.
I thought it was really neat that Cordelia spoke in iambic pentameter during her stories. She was probably my favorite, more of a realist than the others.
I honestly didn’t think I’d like this book as much as I did. The language is modern, so it’s easy to understand and their conversations under the trap door are like girlfriends today talking to each other.
The authors note at the end was also really interesting. Joy McCollough is a Shakespeare super fan, so it seems she was the best person to tell this story!
How To Be Remembered by Michael Thompson
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
4.0
Every year on his birthday, January 5, everyone around Tommy forgets him. His parents wake up after his first birthday and don’t know their son, so Tommy gets sent to foster care. As he grows up, Tommy tries to find ways to stop this Reset.
This was a solid debut novel. I am a fan of time travel/time loop tropes and enjoyed this one. It has to be so frustrating to wake up on your birthday every year and have to start over.
I was rooting for Tommy the whole way through, he really is trying to make his mark on the world where no one knows him.
This was a solid debut novel. I am a fan of time travel/time loop tropes and enjoyed this one. It has to be so frustrating to wake up on your birthday every year and have to start over.
I was rooting for Tommy the whole way through, he really is trying to make his mark on the world where no one knows him.
The Connellys of County Down by Tracey Lange
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
The Connellys of County Down follows three adult siblings: Tara who is fresh out of an 18 month prison sentence, Eddie who has a traumatic brain injury and an adolescent son, and Geraldine the oldest sibling who held the family together when their mother died. and dad left.
I think I’m the only one who didn’t read We Are the Brennans! However, I did really enjoy this book so I’ll probably put it on my list.
I enjoyed the story and liked all the characters, even Geraldine who is very straight edge and a rule follower. It has a ton of family drama and is very real and messy.
I listened to the audiobook version and loved Barrie Kreinik, honestly, her and Julia Whelan are top narrators for me.
Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for the ARC!
I think I’m the only one who didn’t read We Are the Brennans! However, I did really enjoy this book so I’ll probably put it on my list.
I enjoyed the story and liked all the characters, even Geraldine who is very straight edge and a rule follower. It has a ton of family drama and is very real and messy.
I listened to the audiobook version and loved Barrie Kreinik, honestly, her and Julia Whelan are top narrators for me.
Thank you to Celadon and NetGalley for the ARC!
Reader, I Murdered Him by Betsy Cornwell
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a retelling/continuation of Jane Eyre.
The first half of the book is basically a retelling of Jane Eyre, but from Adele’s perspective.
It got a little slow in the middle but definitely picked up. I enjoyed the vigilante aspect of the book and Adele was very smart. I also liked the character, Nan.
Rochester is still an abusive weirdo in this one too.
I really appreciated the authors afterword about Jane Eyre and her own experiences.
The first half of the book is basically a retelling of Jane Eyre, but from Adele’s perspective.
It got a little slow in the middle but definitely picked up. I enjoyed the vigilante aspect of the book and Adele was very smart. I also liked the character, Nan.
Rochester is still an abusive weirdo in this one too.
I really appreciated the authors afterword about Jane Eyre and her own experiences.
The Wolf of Heathclove Manor: Saddles & Scoundrels Novella by Clarissa Kae
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a short novella by an author I found on TikTok!
Overall I liked the book, it has Brontë and some Pride & Prejudice vibes to it.
I wish it was longer so we could get some more of Cyril’s backstory, he was an interesting character.
Overall I liked the book, it has Brontë and some Pride & Prejudice vibes to it.
I wish it was longer so we could get some more of Cyril’s backstory, he was an interesting character.
The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
4.5
I didn’t think I’d like this one as much as The Friend Zone, but I definitely did!
Sloan was a great character and I liked her personality and all the witty banter. This was a fun ride and I’m glad I finally got around to reading Abby Jimenez because I really like her style!
Sloan was a great character and I liked her personality and all the witty banter. This was a fun ride and I’m glad I finally got around to reading Abby Jimenez because I really like her style!
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Lisa Jewell does not disappoint!
Josie and Alix meet by chance on both of their 45th birthdays at a swanky pub. Alix is a popular podcaster and after their chance meeting, Josie seeks her out to do a podcast centered around her and her story. Little does she know, Alix signed up for more than she bargained for.
This book is full of unreliable narrators and I didn’t know what to believe. I liked the way the book was set up with dual POV following a timeline and jumping to podcast transcripts and a Netflix special on the case.
The story gives you crumbs throughout and you are compelled to keep reading to find out what happens and try to figure out the truth.
Josie and Alix meet by chance on both of their 45th birthdays at a swanky pub. Alix is a popular podcaster and after their chance meeting, Josie seeks her out to do a podcast centered around her and her story. Little does she know, Alix signed up for more than she bargained for.
This book is full of unreliable narrators and I didn’t know what to believe. I liked the way the book was set up with dual POV following a timeline and jumping to podcast transcripts and a Netflix special on the case.
The story gives you crumbs throughout and you are compelled to keep reading to find out what happens and try to figure out the truth.
In the Shadow Garden by Liz Parker
emotional
hopeful
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
3.0
The Haywood’s are a magical family that take the pain from the townspeople and give it to their Shadow Garden, which then produces amazing flowers and fruit.
The Bonners are a family that make bourbon from the corn that the Shadow Garden produces.
The two families have a Hatfield/McCoy sort of rivalry but neither want to rock the boat too much since they need each other to thrive. Until Cayden Bonner comes back to town and no one remembers him because something or someone has taken the whole town’s memories.
I wanted to read this book from the first time I laid eyes on it because the cover is so beautiful. However, I was only half interested in the story. I didn’t really connect with the characters and I didn’t really like Addison, who is one of the Haywood main characters.
I did like the imagery of reading the tea leaves and reading each others auras. It reminded me a bit of Practical Magic in that way.
Overall, it was just meh for me but I didn’t hate it.
The Bonners are a family that make bourbon from the corn that the Shadow Garden produces.
The two families have a Hatfield/McCoy sort of rivalry but neither want to rock the boat too much since they need each other to thrive. Until Cayden Bonner comes back to town and no one remembers him because something or someone has taken the whole town’s memories.
I wanted to read this book from the first time I laid eyes on it because the cover is so beautiful. However, I was only half interested in the story. I didn’t really connect with the characters and I didn’t really like Addison, who is one of the Haywood main characters.
I did like the imagery of reading the tea leaves and reading each others auras. It reminded me a bit of Practical Magic in that way.
Overall, it was just meh for me but I didn’t hate it.
The Chaperone by M Hendrix
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Chaperone is a YA version of The Handmaids Tale.
Stella is a young woman growing up in New America. In New America, women are seen and not heard. Their only use is to get married and have babies for their husbands. When girls start their periods, they get assigned a Chaperone, an adult woman who has to ensure their well-being and accompany the girls everywhere because otherwise the girls may be assaulted or kidnapped if they are left alone.
While this story felt familiar, I was still riveted. I listened to half of the audiobook in one sitting. It was very compelling.
My only complaint is that it ended very abruptly and left me wanting more. It feels like it got left open for a sequel, so we shall see…
Stella is a young woman growing up in New America. In New America, women are seen and not heard. Their only use is to get married and have babies for their husbands. When girls start their periods, they get assigned a Chaperone, an adult woman who has to ensure their well-being and accompany the girls everywhere because otherwise the girls may be assaulted or kidnapped if they are left alone.
While this story felt familiar, I was still riveted. I listened to half of the audiobook in one sitting. It was very compelling.
My only complaint is that it ended very abruptly and left me wanting more. It feels like it got left open for a sequel, so we shall see…