lindsaylacher's reviews
530 reviews

Brynn and Sebastian Hate Each Other by Bethany Turner

lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.75

The concept of this book sounded so fun and enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes, unfortunately, this Turner book just didn’t work out well for me. For starters, I disliked our main female protagonist, Brynn. At no point in this book did I warm up to her and her bratty personality. Additionally, the enemies to lovers plot that was heavily toted in the synopsis just didn’t pan out. Once Brynn and Sebastian are around each other, it is basically a pretty instant attraction. Another issue for me is the pacing. The first half of this book is a slog to get through whereas the second half is almost Hallmark like in its pacing and storytelling. All in all, while an okay read, it is rather forgettable and bland.

Spy x Family, Vol. 6 by Tatsuya Endo

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Spy x Family, Vol. 5 by Tatsuya Endo

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I am still loving this series! My only complaint is the rather incestuous depictions of Yuri. I don’t see what purpose they ultimately serve and they are highly uncomfortable. 

The Martian by Andy Weir

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

Momma Cusses: A Field Guide to Responsive Parenting & Trying Not to Be the Reason Your Kid Needs Therapy by Gwenna Laithland

funny informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.75

This was a very informative and surprisingly charming book that outlines responsive parenting. Told in a humorous yet relatable memoir type style, this book gives readers a look into how one momma raises her littles and the styles that work and didn’t quite work out for her. As a soon to be first time mom, I found seeing examples of parenting to be both informative and thought provoking and very helpful when I consider how I might want to approach things with my own little. Definitely worth the read and thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. 

Blood of Elves by Andrzej Sapkowski

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.75

Spy x Family, Vol. 4 by Tatsuya Endo

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

I love watching the Forger family and their shenanigans as they morph from a fake family into something more real. I like how this volume delved a little more into Loid’s work but I definitely had a few issues. 1.) Loid’s cover for hiding his mission from his family was ridiculously flimsy and too goofy for my tastes. 2.) I dislike how Yor is being downgraded into a rather dumb character that’s a bit of a pushover. She’s supposed to be this bad a** assassin and she’s falling into an air headed female category that I’m not a fan of. Despite those complaints, I’m still enjoying the series and plan on continuing forward! 

Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

The writing style was just not for me. I really like the movie adaptation of this novel but the book itself is a no for me. 

We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story by Simu Liu

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

This read is simultaneously inspiring and informative. A story about immigration and overcoming a multitude of hardships, it is an enjoyable read and a look into the life of a man who many only know as Shang-Chi. Sad, funny and full of heart, this was an incredible memoir and definitely worth the read (I highly recommend the audiobook read by the author himself). 

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

As always, I’m impressed by this series. This volume focuses a lot on mental health and I think it handled the topic with a lot of care and understanding without glossing over things or glamorizing it in any way. Definitely can’t wait for volume 5.