literary__mary's reviews
119 reviews

Summer Fridays by Suzanne Rindell

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.25

This is the perfect book if you’re looking for a cozy romance and think it’s summer even though it’s still February 🫠 

Sawyer is in her mid-twenties, living in New York in the early 2000’s while working as an assistant at a large publishing company. She dreams of writing her own books one day, but is currently busy planning her wedding to her college sweetheart, Charles. However, her summer begins to look lonely as her fiancé takes on more and more hours at the law firm, forcing him to spend more time with his work partner, Kendra. 

When Kendra’s partner Nick reaches out to Sawyer with suspicions their partners are having an affair, Sawyer is skeptic. But Sawyer and Nick begin an unexpected tradition of exploring the city together every Friday after work, and realize they feel seen by each other in ways they never expected. What happens when the summer ends?

This was overall an enjoyable and easy read. Rindell has such an amazing way of creating cozy and real moments between her characters, and I really empathized with them. However, the whole infidelity plot point was not for me, and the decisions the main characters made often left me irritated. This is really just a personal preference, so if you are able to look past that then I’m sure this book is for you! This book is perfect for fans of early 2000’s rom-coms like You’ve Got Mail.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.5

The Book of George by Kate Greathead

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

The Vacancy in Room 10 by Seraphina Nova Glass

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

3.0

The Sex Lives of African Women by Nana Darkoa Sekyiamah

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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? Yes

3.25

Knife River by Justine Champine

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

4.25

Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson

challenging emotional hopeful 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

4.25

A Quitter's Paradise by Elysha Chang

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

A Novel Summer by Jamie Brenner

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

3.5