Scan barcode
mrs_smuttersworth's reviews
103 reviews
Jo & Laurie by Margaret Stohl, Melissa de la Cruz
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
I’m really sad to see the reviews on this book, from people who didn’t read it. But as someone who loves Lou Alcott and the world of Little Women, I think this was a great tribute.
Jo and Laurie are still the same stubborn, obstinate people they are in the works of Alcott, and I think that this resolution to their story will satisfy all the Jo and Laurie shippers, and all the fans of Jo in particular.
We follow Jo and Laurie growing up and becoming their own people, but also experiencing growing pains in their friendship. I think a lot of people will relate to the fear and uncertainty Jo feels, and her angst when grappling with keeping her autonomy, or bowing to society’s traditions.
I’m glad I picked this book up on a whim.
Jo and Laurie are still the same stubborn, obstinate people they are in the works of Alcott, and I think that this resolution to their story will satisfy all the Jo and Laurie shippers, and all the fans of Jo in particular.
We follow Jo and Laurie growing up and becoming their own people, but also experiencing growing pains in their friendship. I think a lot of people will relate to the fear and uncertainty Jo feels, and her angst when grappling with keeping her autonomy, or bowing to society’s traditions.
I’m glad I picked this book up on a whim.
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I absolutely loved going back to Shady Palms and following Lila on this murder mystery.
Lila is assigned to judge a beauty pageant from hell, where a judge has mysteriously wound up dead. Even though she’s still reeling from the death of her ex-boyfriend, she decides to throw herself into her duties as judge, and unofficial detective to help bring the murderer to justice.
While this book deals with some heavy subjects, such as death and PTSD, it’s also an intriguing mystery from beginning to end.
Lila is assigned to judge a beauty pageant from hell, where a judge has mysteriously wound up dead. Even though she’s still reeling from the death of her ex-boyfriend, she decides to throw herself into her duties as judge, and unofficial detective to help bring the murderer to justice.
While this book deals with some heavy subjects, such as death and PTSD, it’s also an intriguing mystery from beginning to end.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I will read anything T. Kingfisher publishes, because I know I’m in for a great story.
Nettle and Bone was a fairytale with dark undertones and an adventurous story arc that culminated in friendship and love, and I have yet to read another author who can tell such a robust story in ONE BOOK and have it feel complete.
This will likely be a book I go back to again and again.
Nettle and Bone was a fairytale with dark undertones and an adventurous story arc that culminated in friendship and love, and I have yet to read another author who can tell such a robust story in ONE BOOK and have it feel complete.
This will likely be a book I go back to again and again.
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I absolutely LOVED “ merry little meet cute” so I was expecting the same kind of silly, romp-tastic fun for this book. What I got was close… but with a side of “recovering from purity culture” and a whole lotta angst.
I think the character development was great, and I was really rooting for Kallum and Winnie from the beginning, but around 60% I started thinking “oh… oh no…”
There was a miscommunication, a trope I didn’t expect, and it didn’t resolved until the last few pages of the book. I was STRESSED! I wanted my babies to have a happily ever after and it was looking GRIM!
I can rest easy knowing the ending but, my heart!
I think the character development was great, and I was really rooting for Kallum and Winnie from the beginning, but around 60% I started thinking “oh… oh no…”
There was a miscommunication, a trope I didn’t expect, and it didn’t resolved until the last few pages of the book. I was STRESSED! I wanted my babies to have a happily ever after and it was looking GRIM!
I can rest easy knowing the ending but, my heart!
Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The “Locked tomb” series has been one of the best series I’ve read. There is so much happening at once, and so many interesting characters that it holds my attention the whole way through, even if I have no idea what’s going on.
Nona was such a fun character to follow. To see things through her eyes, and seeing her grow into her “purpose” was such a fun ride.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, and I am looking forward to how this story is wrapped up.
I do think this book helped me understand things that confused me in the Gideon and Harrow.
Nona was such a fun character to follow. To see things through her eyes, and seeing her grow into her “purpose” was such a fun ride.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series, and I am looking forward to how this story is wrapped up.
I do think this book helped me understand things that confused me in the Gideon and Harrow.
Foul Lady Fortune by Chloe Gong
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As much as I loved “violent delights” and “violent ends” I loved this book even more! I already loved these characters from the precious duology, but you don’t need to have read it to really enjoy Foul Lady Fortune.
Gong’s prose is vibrant and descriptive, but not in an overly flowery way. The story of Rosalind and Orion is a marriage of convenience that will break your heart.
The last 20% of the book was full of twists and turns I didn’t expect, and I can’t wait to read the sequel!
This was the best way to start off my new year.
Gong’s prose is vibrant and descriptive, but not in an overly flowery way. The story of Rosalind and Orion is a marriage of convenience that will break your heart.
The last 20% of the book was full of twists and turns I didn’t expect, and I can’t wait to read the sequel!
This was the best way to start off my new year.