lindseycope's reviews
63 reviews

The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

I was instantly absorbed in this story! The story was dark, challenging and uncomfortable, but also unique. I liked Winstead’s writing style, and enjoyed the complex characters. I felt like she made the flaws of the main characters seem real and understandable. My only complaint is some of the interviews and dialogue heavy scenes felt unnatural. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide

Moderate: Rape and Violence

The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake

adventurous slow-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

2.0

This book was not for me. I was recommended to listen to the audiobook for the cast of characters. I think that helped me make it through the story, but I disliked several of the voices, especially the one for Parisa. 

With the book, I found the characters to be such stereotypes and especially disliked the way the female characters were portrayed. I actually enjoyed the first 25%, getting quickly absorbed in the world, but the remaining 75% was about each character finding out the “twist,” making it feel repetitive and pointless. I didn’t understand the purpose of several of the plot lines (maybe they have a purpose in the next book, but I can’t hang in there to find out).

I was annoyed by the end and didn’t even care about the actual twist that was rushed in the last hour (on audiobook). Won’t be continuing with the series. 

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

This book was not for me. The time jumps and constant POV switches made this story feel like it was dragging on. The characters fell flat, with their personality being hammered home by repetitive descriptions. I also felt that the MFC ended up being written as every bisexual stereotype. And I didn’t enjoy how the characters didn’t seem to respect one another, even when they were no longer enemies. 

I wanted to DNR this 100 pages in and regret not doing it. 

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

emotional hopeful reflective 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

5.0

I was surprised by how much loved this book! I was quickly invested in the characters, and appreciated the way O’Donoghue captured how being in your early 20s is feeling like you know everything and nothing. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison

dark funny 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

3.5

I rarely say this, but wish this was longer! I loved the premise and the characters, but felt like I needed everything fleshed out more. I also didn’t love the epilogue, and felt the campiness could’ve been pushed more. Fun read overall! 

None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Favorite from Lisa Jewell! I was instantly hooked and didn’t want to put it down until I saw how it ended. I felt like Jewell created tension from the start, and I wasn’t expecting some of the twists in the second half. I loved the ambiguous ending, and re-read the epilogue 3 times to see I could figure out the “truth.”  I also enjoyed the documentary excerpts throughout, but felt they became a little overused in part 4. Overall, one of my favorite reads of the year! 

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

lighthearted 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

3.0

Not my favorite Ali Hazelwood book. I know what I’m getting with her work (same plot, slightly different characters and setting), and I enjoy it. However, I couldn’t get into the romance in this one; the dynamic between the main leads felt patronizing and infantilizing. I know that became its own plot point (to an extent), but wasn’t satisfied with how it was handled. I don’t think the repetitive descriptions of how huge the main male character was compared to how small and tiny the female lead was (and the many instances of him literally picking her up) helped it feel any less parental. 

I’ll try her next one, but this wasn’t for me. 

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Cute, light read that was exactly what I asked for. I enjoyed that the plot put a new spin on the classic cheesy holiday romance. 

However, I didn’t feel like I got much depth to the characters, and, at times, they were written in a juvenile way that didn’t match the very adult content. The romance, as well, seemed heavily centered on sex, and I was waiting for more depth to the relationship. 

Lastly, I did like the positivity around sex work; however, I found the main male character referring to his romantic interest as “the porn star” multiple times throughout the book as doing the opposite of what the authors probably intended. 

Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was. 

Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

3.5

I started out enjoying this book; the premise is interesting, and I wanted to know more about the characters and the world. 

It took a dip about a quarter of the way through. The world building was often confusing, and the plot seemed to get lost. There was a big reveal that felt like it came too early; I would’ve enjoyed more suspense leading up to it. 

The ending gripped me, though, and, ultimately, will bring me back for the next one. 

Overall, the dialogue was cliche, and the big plot points that were revealed, or handled, so soon in the story is where I give this 3.5 stars. 

Once More with Feeling by Elissa Sussman

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Light, easy read. I found the story pretty cliche, and the characters seemed immature  (in the flashbacks versus present, they didn’t seem too different, even though it was a 15 year gap). Main character was frustrating and seemed unrealistic at times. Overall, quick read that was entertaining.