loonaglow's reviews
70 reviews

חיים קטנים by Hanya Yanagihara

dark emotional informative sad slow-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

i don’t think i could ever re-read this book as the topics are so upsetting and triggering at times. 

however. the characters are written in such a realistic way that you feel you are living the journey they go on with them ( to the point where it physically hurts watching jude go through his life ) 

i do think some traumas were unnecessary and were added as shock factor.

Kill for Me, Kill for You by Steve Cavanagh

dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

i worked out what was going on by the second half but regardless this was so good. the plot twists constantly felt like whiplash and i enjoyed how none of these people were ever “the perfect victims” in their stories.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue

emotional 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

4.0

i am a sucker for a book that showcases the chaoticness of girlhood in a woman’s early 20’s

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage and Abortion

Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors

emotional inspiring reflective

• 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

5 stars !!!!

my favourite read of the year so far. it’s so painfully relatable especially if you’ve dealt with death / addiction. 

for me it was a darker version of little women. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction and Death

Someone Else's Bucket List by Amy T. Matthews

adventurous emotional inspiring sad medium-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? N/A

3.75

3.75 

i loved that it focused on the bucket list and on jodie’s romance however, i do wish the grief aspect was brought into the story more at times. 

it’s still a super enjoyable and emotional story though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer and Death

Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

the first book holds such a special place in my heart that i had such had high hopes for this … and i’m so glad they were met.

this was such a realistic story of a college romance and god !!!! neil broke my heart in so many ways in his journey. 

rowan and neil you will always be special to me my babies <3

Murder Road by Simone St. James

dark mysterious 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

2.75

over hyped and predictable

The Spectacular by Fiona Davis

emotional reflective fast-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

5.0

shaking crying throwing up

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Murder

The Woman in the Library by Sulari Gentill

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

as much as a i understand where the criticisms about the book came from, i couldn’t help but love it. the way the mystery in the “author main character” freddie is parallel to hannah’s novel she is writing. the premise was really unique to me

The Woman in the Window by A.J. Finn

dark hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

2.5

this book sort of feels like climbing up a mountain constantly, except the build up leads to nothing and i felt like i was going around in circles. i’m honestly surprised i stuck with this.