mcluster1's reviews
328 reviews

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

Not my usual read, but I really enjoyed Bride! Misery was very easy to like. 

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith

challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

4.5

so whinnie just ends up as a rat?

the beginning and middle of this book were outstanding. I was captivated, puzzled, and enthralled. However, the ending kind of fell apart and I’m not sure that everything lined up as nearly as intended. 

Welcome to Beach Town by Susan Wiggs

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

This was a pleasant read. The story followed a Nikki through tragedy, grief, and finding a meaning in life when everything feels like it’s crumbling around you. At times the story was melodramatic and was too cut and dry with right and wrong. 

Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle

emotional funny reflective fast-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? It's complicated

4.0

Serle always delivers on a sentimental read that makes you appreciate the people around you and how they impact your life. I really enjoyed the concept of Daphne getting notes that told her how long her relationships would last

I was sad that she didn’t end up with Hugo in the end

Friends with Secrets by Christine Gunderson

funny mysterious medium-paced

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

2.75

This was so cheesy. 

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

emotional fast-paced

4.0

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

adventurous hopeful medium-paced

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

4.75

I really enjoyed the setting and world building in dragonfruit. It was such a unique and refreshing read, it was so nice being in a setting that wasn’t vaguely medieval Europe. I thought the story was great, however I think the pacing struggled a little. The last 25% of the story wasn’t a neatly paced as the first 75% and some of the resolution was a little ham handed.  It also felt like the author was setting up Uncle Leko a secret past, but that never came to fruition. 

When the Sky Fell on Splendor by Emily Henry

adventurous challenging tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll

dark informative sad slow-paced

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

3.75

I appreciate what this book was trying to do, however I think it violated some of those principles in doing so (at least to me). I do love the idea of taking the fame from serial killers and examining why serial killers become famous at all

The Daydreams by Laura Hankin

dark hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Exceptionally readable, incredibly real, and surprisingly heartfelt