kassie_rankin's reviews
66 reviews

The Bachelorette by Cara Kent, Cara Kent

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mysterious medium-paced

3.0

It's a short murder mystery story. It has an interesting storyline in a small town, surrounding a bachelorette party. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to others!
Summer Love by Margaux Fox

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lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

VERY short story. Cute romance. Would make for a great novel. I am very excited to read more from the author. 
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

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adventurous challenging dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes dives into the life of Coriolanus Snow. We start with his life at the academy as a district mentor for the 10th annual Hunger Games. Sadly for him, the odds are against him as he is assigned to mentor the female tribute from District 12. Their fates are now intertwined. Will his choices lead to triumph or ruin?

I read this book for the first time when it came out and just listened to the audiobook. 
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is written by Suzanne Collins and narrated by Santino Fontana. 

What I loved:
  • The district tributes have similarities (foreshadowing) to the original Hunger Games book. 
  • The Covey
  • The inner monologue of Snow
  • The epilogue
What I did not love:
  • The narrator’s voice took me a few chapters to feel like it fit.
  • The narrator speaks the songs in the book, which was a letdown to me, as he is a Broadway singer. However, I understand it could have been a request from the author or production company. 

I think you would enjoy this book if:
  • You love the Hunger Games Trilogy
  • You like morally grey MMC
Must Love Flowers by Debbie Macomber

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

In a tale of intersecting lives, Maggie Herbert, a barista struggling with family challenges, discovers a glimmer of hope when she rents a room from the widowed and reclusive Joan Sample. As Joan begins to reengage with life, her connection with a mysterious landscaper and Maggie's budding attraction to a favorite customer create a delicate harmony that unexpected emotions and past losses may disrupt.

I read this book on my Kindle and listened to the audiobook.
 
What I enjoyed:
  • It is a cute story that follows two women of different ages/life stages
  • Low angst
  • Sweet/adorable side characters
What I did not love
  • The first half was slow. This is where you get all your background; it just drags a little for me. 

I think you would enjoy this book if:
  • You like contemporary romance or contemporary fiction
  • You like low-angst stories
  • You have lost someone you cared about

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Anywhere For You by Alexis Noel

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emotional 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? It's complicated

4.25

 What I enjoyed: 
·      The friendships *hearts* I loved all the characters and was invested from the beginning. I cannot wait to read more from the Birch Creek University world. 
·      The cozy and fall vibes. This is the perfect book to cuddle up on the couch with this fall or winter! 
·      The disagreements that the main characters had were relatable. 
 
You should pick up this book if: 
·       You love sitcoms like: Gilmore Girls and Friends 
·       You love the ‘friends to lovers’ trope. 
·       You enjoy quick reads. 
 
Thank you Alexis Noel, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

Audiobook

Adam and Amelia’s marriage is on the brink, with secrets and deception lurking in the shadows. When they win a weekend getaway to Scotland, the truth about their relationship and a decade of hidden letters threatens to unravel, leading to a suspenseful anniversary they'll never forget.
This story has interesting twists and turns. But I never felt I could connect to the characters or the story. I felt like I was told I would be in an IMAX theater watching white-water rafting. Instead, I watched people float down a lazy river from my couch. I just felt let down by the whole story. 
I love domestic thrillers; they are my most-read genre for 2023. At the same time, this one has everything it needs for a great domestic thriller; it just felt lacking… 
I was surprised to find out the ending. But knowing the characters, the ending does not surprise me.
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The Not So Nice Girl by Skye McDonald

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.75

In the summer of 1986, Eleanor Field plans for a drama-free Nashville vacation focused on friendship, not romance. Sam Greene, newly single and carefree, shares the same goal. However, fate brings them together at a local record shop. What starts as a playful encounter in a listening booth soon becomes complicated. Despite their undeniable chemistry, both are hesitant to start something serious. As their friendship deepens, they must confront their fears and rules about love. Will they break free from their self-imposed limitations and find a way to turn their friendship into something more?

What I enjoyed:
- The drops of 80’s music. I have never been one to listen to 80’s music, much less rock. It was fantastic to see new music.
- The friend group. You get to see them as a whole and in their individual friendships. It reminded me a lot of sitcoms, which I love!
- Sam and Elle. Swoon. They are so sweet together. They remind me of me and my boyfriend.
- Quick storyline. ‘The Not So Nice Girl’ is an easy read to get through quickly, which I always enjoy in romances. I’m not a slow-burn girly.
What I did not enjoy:
-
Third act conflict. I did not think it was necessary and it just upset me… But I understand that in the 80’s, that is probably exactly how it would have happened!


I recommend this book if:
- You enjoy friends to lovers
- You like a little spice
- You like strong women
- You like to follow friend groups

Content Warnings:
Sexual content, domestic abuse, pregnancy, rape, abortion.

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Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

This book had me sobbing from the beginning to the end. I love the concept of following YA characters through adulthood!
This book was an amazing epilogue to a great 4-book YA series. 
The Fraud Squad by Kyla Zhao

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fraud Squad by Kyla Zhao 
Physical Book & eBook  
 
Follow Samantha Song as she sneaks into high society, risking it all for her dreams of becoming a high-society writer. With borrowed designer clothes and a little help from her friends, Sam’s journey is a rollercoaster of glamour, intrigue, and self-discovery. Will she make it to the top without losing herself in the process? 
 
Fraud Squad caught my attention from the cover and kept my attention through the last page. I enjoyed the story, the setting, and the cast. Kyla Zhao makes the characters seem in another world and feel like they could be your best friend. 
 
What I enjoyed: 
-       The setting. Kyla Zhao did a fantastic job describing the setting, from Kingston’s home to Samantha and Ma’s apartment to the lavish parties. 
-       The characters. I was rooting for all the characters. Even when they weren’t perfect, I wanted good things for them.  
You should read this book if: 
-       You enjoyed Gossip Girl (TV Show), Sex in the City, Crazy Rich Asians or Younger 
-       You love to read about friendship, especially female friendship. 
 
This was Kyla Zhao’s debut novel, and I am wowed! I will be picking up more from her! 
Cinder Ella by Tami Veldura, S.T. Lynn

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? No

3.75

I am a fanatic of Cinderella retellings, and this is a great one! I love the diversity within the characters; it reminded me of the 1997 Cinderella movie, starring Brandy, which happens to be my second favorite Cinderella movie!
I loved the ending, which allowed for a happier ending in a new place. The new home and new town are pretty cute and made me feel all the warm and cozy feelings!
The only negative I had about the book is that the setting felt very medieval, but they had sushi at the ball, which does not fit the time period. But that is a small and easy thing to look over.

You should read this book if:
• You love Cinderella or Disney retellings
• You love LGBTQ+ representation
• You love short stories
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