ivi_reads_books's reviews
204 reviews

Bright I Burn by Molly Aitken

mysterious slow-paced

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

2.0

This is one of the most disjointed stories I've read in a long time. The narrative is riddled with abrupt time jumps, making it feel as though entire paragraphs or chapters were missing. Characters are dying and marrying with little explanation, leaving me constantly wondering why. 
The only thing I liked were the songs in between some chapters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

challenging emotional sad medium-paced

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

3.0

This book offers a realistic portrayal of the challenges of being diagnosed with and living with endometriosis. However, at its core, the story revolves around themes of loyalty and betrayal. 

While the masochism and frequent miscommunication was frustrating for me I found it hard to put the book down.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Self harm, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Alcohol

What Doesn't Kill You: A Life with Chronic Illness - Lessons from a Body in Revolt by Tessa Miller

emotional informative sad medium-paced

4.5

 This book is part memoir, part practical guide to navigating the U.S. healthcare system and advocating for yourself. It offers valuable insights on finding community, hope, and managing your health by focusing on what you can control.

The author shares her story with honesty and courage, offering readers both guidance and hope in their own health journeys. 

I recommend it to anyone living with a lifelong illness, as well as their family members and friends 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content

Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Excrement, Vomit, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic

Minor: Ableism, Eating disorder, and Blood

The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I appreciated the characters' deep love for reading and writing, as well as the strong portrayal of friendship. However, the focus on bullying and mental health issues often overshadowed the romance, which made the balance of the story feel uneven for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Cancer, Mental illness, and Terminal illness

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

This novel offers a heartwarming portrayal of strong female friendships, intertwined with secrets. It’s an engaging story with a hint of steam. 

How It Works Out by Myriam Lacroix
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.

I found it gross and vulgar

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Abandonment

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

3.5

This  slow-paced novel tells the story of a young man whose promising basketball career is cut short by a knee injury, leaving him adrift. Combined with a cold upbringing and lack of direction, he struggles to find his place in the world. His personal crisis sets off a chain of events that deeply affects his in-law family. 

At its heart, this book explores themes of family ties, sisterhood, loyalty, and betrayal.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Grief

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Child death and Lesbophobia

The Black Witch by Laurie Forest

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.75

A sheltered witch without powers ventures beyond her familiar world for the first time when she attends college. Through her experiences, the reader is introduced to a society rife with racism and prejudice. 

As she navigates complex power dynamics and hidden intrigues, she also forms unexpected friendships with her fellow students, deepening both her understanding of the world and her own place within it. The novel skillfully illustrates the transformative power of connection. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Xenophobia, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Physical abuse and Violence

Minor: Death of parent

Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement

Moderate: Mental illness, Medical content, and Gaslighting

The Secret Book of Flora Lea by Patti Callahan Henry

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, and War