kellyb7's reviews
143 reviews

Unsteady by Peyton Corinne

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

3.5

The Shadow of the Gods by John Gwynne

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book, but I do have some grievances. 

1. Orka was by far the best and most dynamic character. I wish we had gotten more of her. 
2. I liked Elvar and Varg, but they felt very one dimensional. I was hoping they would have more depth to them. 
3. Too many damn characters. I could not keep all the characters and their names straight to save my life. 
4. “Thought cage”. That’s it. 
5. I felt like it dragged on a little bit too long due to the copious amounts of adjectives and descriptions of scenery and battle scenes. 

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It’s much different than what I usually read, but I did feel compelled to read to the end despite the shortcomings I listed above. The last 50 pages really had me shocked, and I think John Gwynne did a great job of leaving us on a perfect cliffhanger. I think I’ll see if I can get into the second book, but I’m not *dying* to pick it up. 

Betting On You by Lynn Painter

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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

Hopeless by Elsie Silver

3.0

Praise by Sara Cate

3.75

The Kiss Thief by L.J. Shen

1.0

this actually might be the worst book I’ve ever had the displeasure of reading. Not only was the mmc THIRTY YEARS OLD and the fmc was NINETEEN!!!! but he literally sa’d her and abused her and they ended up happily ever after?? I truly fear for the young demographic reading this book and believing this is what love is. I am speechless at the way this book played out and reading some of the reviews raving about this story. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Violence, and Gaslighting

Dare: The New Way to End Anxiety and Stop Panic Attacks Fast by Barry McDonagh

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.

I truly didn’t care if these characters lived or died. 

A Brush with Love by Mazey Eddings

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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

4.75

Mazey Eddings. I wish I could give you a kiss for writing this beautiful story. 

Harper represents so many of us silently anxious people. There were many times I had to stop and take a break because the descriptions of anxiety were so heart-wrenchingly accurate it was almost triggering. I mean that with THE upmost respect. I’ve never felt more seen than I did reading Harper’s story, and it’s such a perfect representation of what anxiety and panic disorder feels like every. Single. Day. 

To all the people who picked this book up in hopes of seeing themselves: you’re not alone. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexism

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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