karenmsecrest's reviews
88 reviews
The Happy Ever After Playlist, by Abby Jimenez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Too much sadness.
Scandalized, by Ivy Owens
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
This is so hot and fun! A celebrity/normal where the norm is is a kickass reporter who loves her job. The chemistry between these two is hot. The spicy scenes are hot. The third act is emotional. The HEA is sweet. I. Loved. All. Of. It!!!
No Plan B, by Lee Child
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Jack Reacher books are consistent and dependable. You can count on fist fights, bad dudes in a small town, a travel toothbrush, cups of coffee, a dumpy motel, and that one scene where Reacher buys a change of clothes and throws his old gear in the trash.
This is a solid Reacher book, though the ending of has more twists than a donut shop full of crullers. So many characters, the reveal and climax feel rushed. I have many questions about the end - especially Reacher’s borderline-superhero ability to remember handwriting (and fight bad guys and dodge bullets and break INTO a prison… etc.). Just like you can rely on a romance book to end with a happily-ever-after, you can always rely on our hero Jack Reacher living to hitchhike another day.
(But seriously… this ending! WTF is going on in this prison?!?)
This is a solid Reacher book, though the ending of has more twists than a donut shop full of crullers. So many characters, the reveal and climax feel rushed. I have many questions about the end - especially Reacher’s borderline-superhero ability to remember handwriting (and fight bad guys and dodge bullets and break INTO a prison… etc.). Just like you can rely on a romance book to end with a happily-ever-after, you can always rely on our hero Jack Reacher living to hitchhike another day.
(But seriously… this ending! WTF is going on in this prison?!?)
Dread Nation, by Justina Ireland
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros
emotional
fast-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
5.0
Book Lovers, by Emily Henry
Cons:
Ok. The pro list is way longer than the con list, but ultimately I wanted this to be 100 pages shorter. Alternatively, keep the length and tell us more about the quirky characters in town or something to add to the story? Maybe an agent/editor team as good as Charlie and Nora could improve this book. Charlie and Nora have great chemistry and clearly want to bone. I enjoyed their banter and their relationship, but I didn't love this book.
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Started out as a 4-Star book, but the last 1/3 of the story dragged and the co-dependent sister relationship turned into a slog. In the spirit of Nora, here's a pro/con list:
Pros:
Pros:
- The meta quality of a romance that namechecks romance tropes and references movies & books.
- A badass female lead who is unapologetically GOOD at a job she loves. I am here for this!
- A hero who loves who for who she is, and doesn't want her to change.
- The audiobook performance by Julia Whalen is the perfect sardonic tone for the characters.
- This hero has a real Roy Kent vibe with the "you are perfect the way you are" and all the f-bombs.
- A happily-ever-after ending can be a career AND a loving partner in a place you love (kids not required).
- Witty banter.
Cons:
- The co-dependent sister story gets sooooo repetitive. I get it, the younger sister is needy and her older sister will drop everything for her. Again and again and again...
- Nora is a badass career woman, but her little sister demands she takes 3-weeks away from work and gets pouty when she has to take one phone call after 5pm?
- Nora and Libby should've read "The Book of Boundaries" by Melissa Urban. They'd have a stronger relationship, and I could've saved some time.
- I skimmed chapters 26-36 out of frustration and boredom.
Ok. The pro list is way longer than the con list, but ultimately I wanted this to be 100 pages shorter. Alternatively, keep the length and tell us more about the quirky characters in town or something to add to the story? Maybe an agent/editor team as good as Charlie and Nora could improve this book. Charlie and Nora have great chemistry and clearly want to bone. I enjoyed their banter and their relationship, but I didn't love this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
The personalities of Nora and Libby are heavily influenced by the death of their mother. The repeat mentions of their mom and frequent memories/nostalgia may be difficult for some readers.
Dreaming of You, by Lisa Kleypas
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
Derek Craven. That’s it. That’s the review. Maybe add a heart eyes emoji?
The Thirteenth Tale, by Diane Setterfield
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A gothic tale with many twists and turns and ultimately a satisfying ending. I just finished this afternoon, and might need to think about it before writing a full review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Abandonment and Suicide
Seeing Red, by Sandra Brown
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
My first Sandra Brown book; recommended to me because I love thrillers and I love romance. The premise was interesting, the leads seem to have chemistry, but I had to check the publication date a couple times, because this alpha male felt a little one-dimensional and condescending, more of a 1990’s hero than a 2010’s.
Also, I didn’t care for the audiobook narrator, and was distracted multiple times when it sounded like his mouth was full of saliva and he needed to swallow. (Maybe my new headphones are just too sensitive?!?)
Will try another Sandra Brown book, but probably not an audio version.
Also, I didn’t care for the audiobook narrator, and was distracted multiple times when it sounded like his mouth was full of saliva and he needed to swallow. (Maybe my new headphones are just too sensitive?!?)
Will try another Sandra Brown book, but probably not an audio version.
A Reckless Match, by Kate Bateman
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
A regency romance with a mystery subplot, or a mystery with a romance twist - this book has everything: enemies-to-lovers, smart heroine, witty banter, hot kisses, smugglers, a gun fight, fancy dresses, “she’s mine”, a waltz, and a spicy spelunking scene. What… you weren’t expecting spelunking?
Will definitely read this author again!
Will definitely read this author again!