paperbackportals's reviews
583 reviews

The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, by Courtney Walsh

funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

📖Review: The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh

A delightful exploration of happiness with a quirky and reclusive heroine.

Isadora Bentley is turning 30 and she has not accomplished any of what she has wanted to. She was supposed to prove her childhood wrong — those bullies and her mom who always said she didn’t measure up — but she is a low level researcher who has isolated herself from the world around her. Until on her birthday, in a sugar-coated haze, Isadora decides to prove an article entitled 31 Steps to Happiness wrong. As Isadora begins trying the steps, she finds herself immersed into the world she was trying so hard to avoid and confronting some of her long held beliefs.

Isadora is a fabulous character. From page one, I found her inner dialogue relatable and funny. The secondary characters were also lovable and their interactions were a perfect mix wise words and witty banter.

I highly recommend this book if you like:

🏡Found Family

❤️Romance

🪞Self-Discovery

💁🏼‍♀️Lovable characters

📚Books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, or The Last Chance Library.

I received this complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson and NetGalley, but opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content Warnings

The Bear and the Nightingale, by Katherine Arden

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adventurous dark slow-paced

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

3.0

The Bear and the Nightingale is an intensely dark fairytale retelling with characters that you will pull your heart strings.

When I first started reading, it took me a bit to get all of the characters straight as they often have different names to different people. However, once I figured that part out, I was pulled into a fantastical Russia with frightening fairytale creatures come to life and a girl who can see them.

The story definitely was very dark and at times I was reading wide-eyed and scared for the characters.

The Lost Ticket, by Freya Sampson

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.0

A heartwarming found family story. Highly recommend.

Content Warnings

Embers: One Ojibway's Meditations, by Richard Wagamese

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inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

Beautiful reflections.

Stateless, by Elizabeth Wein

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adventurous mysterious fast-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

4.0

📖Review: Stateless by Elizabeth Wein

This high flying adventure will have you on the edge of your seat.

Stella North, also known as the British Rose, is the only female pilot participating in the Circus of the Air, a publicity event trying to promote peace in Europe. From day one, tensions rise as Stella witnesses a murder on her first flight. Who could be trying to undermine the intent of the event? As the event continues, secrets of the flyers are revealed and the stakes are high.

This thrilling romp through 1937 Europe conveys the wonder of flying during this time period, while also carefully revealing the tension in Europe as history approaches WWII. Through the entire story, I could feel the powder keg of Europe through the travel of the air race and between the contestants.

This YA historical fiction is perfect for:
▪️those curious about Europe leading into WWII
▪️those interested in bi-planes and other aviation technology
▪️readers of Alan Gratz novels
▪️readers who love historical fiction

I could hardly put this book down as I read it. I highly recommend this thrilling adventure.

Thank you @penguinrandomca for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Content Warnings

Participation, by Anna Moschovakis

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challenging reflective slow-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

📖Review: Participation by Anna Moschovakis

Thank you to @zgstories and @bookhugpress for this book in return for my honest review.

I was intrigued by the premise of Participation - a dystopian exploration of love through two rival groups. However, the style of the book was not the right fit for me. I found the nonlinear storytelling a bit too esoteric for me, but I can see how the short chapters and suspense created through limited details could create intrigue for the right reader. It is possible that I don’t have enough philosophical background to truly appreciate the story and the existential inquiry of the characters. It is creative and interesting, but the style and story was not a good fit for me.

Content Warnings

Bloodmarked, by Tracy Deonn

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adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Amazing. Devastating. So many feelings, twists, and turns. I can’t wait to join Bree on her next adventure. I won’t say any more to avoid spoilers, but it is absolutely a second book that does not disappoint. In fact, it develops the story fabulously and I didn’t want to put it down.

Content Warnings