piperkitty's reviews
2332 reviews

The Someday Daughter by Ellen O'Clover

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

**Netgalley Backlog Day**  

Today, I’m excited to share my thoughts on *The Someday Daughter* by Elle O'Clover. 

Welcome back to another Friday Netgalley Backlog! In this week’s review, I found *The Someday Daughter* to be a quick and engaging read. The story beautifully captures the nuances of relationships through the lens of a mother-daughter dynamic, exploring themes of motherhood, young adulthood, and personal growth. 

We follow Audrey, who is reluctantly forced to spend her summer before starting pre-med on a book tour with her controlling mother. The first half of the book sets the stage, but I found the second half to be more captivating and transformative. I especially appreciated the representation of mental health and how it underlines the complexities of the mother-daughter relationship.

Overall, it’s a poignant tale that resonates with anyone who has navigated the challenges of familial expectations and personal identity. 

#NetgalleyBacklog #TheSomedayDaughter #ElleOClover #BookReview #MentalHealth #MotherDaughterRelationships #ComingOfAge #BookTour #SummerReadsrelationship

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

challenging 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? Yes

3.5

The Hemlock Queen by Hannah Whitten

Thank Netgalley and Little Brown Books for providing me with an advance copy.

This book, a much quicker and easier read than the first one in the series, resonates with Lore's relatable coping mechanisms. We see her dealing with her pain through alcohol, a method many of us can understand, as she struggles to move on from the events of the previous book. Her feelings of anguish, pain, and anxiety were portrayed so beautifully that I could really connect with what she was experiencing.

The love triangle, a significant and compelling theme, continues to unfold in this story. Gabe's reluctance to acknowledge his feelings allows Bastian to step in, creating a complex

Mortgage of Convenience by Dani McLean

funny lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

 I have just finished reading "Mortgage of Convenience" on Kindle Unlimited. The story is told through a dual POV featuring Bee and Sebastian. However, I felt that the characters needed more development, as I couldn't learn much about them. Their transition from living together to becoming intimate was quite rapid; this book definitely falls into the insta-love and insta-attraction category.

I did appreciate the LGBTQI+ representation, which was a positive aspect. However, I found the book to be a bit lengthy for a romance, and I struggled to stay engaged towards the end.

#BookReview #MortgageOfConvenience #KindleUnlimited #Romance #LGBTQIRepresentation #InstaLove #ReadersCommunity #BookClub 

My Fair Brady by Brian D. Kennedy

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

**My Fair Brady**

This book was quite easy to read, and it’s clear the authors have a solid grasp of teenagers and their dynamics. The friendship between shy, awkward Elijah and the more self-assured Wade felt genuinely sweet. It was heartwarming to see their growth throughout the story as they learned to embrace their true selves. There’s a bit of a love triangle that caught me off guard, but I appreciated how it was portrayed. 

While I usually enjoy dual perspectives, I felt this book might have been stronger without Wade’s point of view. It seemed almost like it could stand alone, as his character didn’t show much development. Plus, neither character really apologized to their friends for their behavior, which was a bit disappointing. Overall, it was a fun and engaging read that really captured the essence of being a teenager.

#MyFairBrady #YoungAdultFiction #TeenFriendship #LoveTriangle #DualPOV #CharacterGrowth #ComingOfAge #BookReview #TeenDrama #ContemporaryYA #AwkwardMoments #AuthenticStories #ReadersCommunity

The Wedding Party by Rebecca Heath

emotional medium-paced

3.0

 Thank you to @HeadofZesus for having me on this tour.

"The Wedding Party offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of its colorful characters, all brimming with secrets and hidden truths. Though the characters might be challenging to love, their complexities add an exciting layer to the story. Narrated through multiple perspectives, we dive into the world of Adele and Jason, childhood sweethearts who are set to marry on the stunning Australian coast surrounded by family and friends. However, beneath the joyous celebration, Adele is grappling with a delicate deception. Furthermore, some members of the bridal party are entangled in the unresolved mystery of a tragic death that occurred a decade prior, adding an intriguing depth to the unfolding narrative." 

The Sirens by Emilia Hart

challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

 I have thoroughly enjoyed reading "The Sirens" by Emilia Hart. add To me, this book felt more like a mystery as we follow the characters Lucy and Jess. I especially felt sorry for Lucy at the beginning of the story and how others have made her feel about her skin.

The mystery unfolds when Lucy goes to Comber Bay and discovers Jess's house is empty. Additionally, I enjoyed the different timeline that allows us to follow Mary in the 1800s. This book felt very atmospheric and mysterious at the same time. The cliff, the baby, and the painting all kept me thinking and guessing throughout the story.

#TheSirens #EmiliaHart #BookReview #Mystery #AtmosphericReads #HistoricalFiction #ComberBay #LiteraryFiction #ReadingCommunity #BookLovers

Once Smitten, Twice Shy by Chloe Liese

emotional funny hopeful informative reflective 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

5.0

Once Smitten Twice Shy by Chole Lesie

Thank you to Little, Brown Book Group UK | Piatkus for my ARC copy of Once Smitten Twice Shy by Chole Lesie 

I love following the Willimont sisters on their journey to love. This time, we are following Juliet and Will through a dual pov. I love how we get to see each of them dealing with practising romance together. I love how we see the representation of autism ( as a neurodivergent momma, it's done well). One of the book's favourite parts is the texts that made me smile. I enjoy Chloe Liese's romances. The relationship between the characters develops gradually, creating a compelling slow-burn dynamic enhanced by the fake dating theme. I also appreciated seeing familiar faces from earlier books in the series. As usual, the portrayal of chronic illness and neurodivergence was handled with care and sensitivity. This book is another fantastic addition to the series.

#OnceSmittenTwiceShy #ChloeLiese #RomanceBooks #BookReview #Neurodiversity #FakeDating #SlowBurn #ChronicIllness #WillimontSisters #BookRecommendations #ARCReview #ReadersOfInstagram #LoveStories #DiverseRepresentation

We're Never Getting Home by Tracy Badua

challenging emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

 

t's Netgalleyback log day, and today, I will review We're Never Getting Back Together by Tracy Badua.

HarperCollins Children's Books, Young Adult and MulitClutral Intrest book. 

I enjoyed this book so much -it has all the elements I love. Tracy Badua has a unique talent for crafting flawed and unlikable characters, a quality that many readers may find intriguing. However, I must admit that I was not in the right mindset for this when diving into her latest YA novel. As I read, I wished the characters could have resolved their issues simply by pausing to communicate openly. It's a familiar sentiment, yet the challenges they faced felt like an unnecessary pile-up, detracting from the narrative. This book might resonate well with teenagers who appreciate a lively music festival backdrop filled with the complexities of friendship. I am curious to hear others' thoughts on it, as I still have high hopes for Badua's future work.

The story centres around Jana Rubio, the dutiful younger daughter of Filipino immigrants, who grapples with the weight of her family's lofty expectations, constantly striving for perfection. In stark contrast is her best friend, Maddy Parsons, who embodies a more carefree demeanour but battles the harsh criticism of her weight from her judgmental parents, leaning heavily on Jana for emotional support. Together, they anticipate seeing their favourite band, the Newcomers & Goers (affectionately known as CoGo), at the vibrant Orchards Festival. Yet, their much-anticipated night turns for the worse when a significant argument erupts, casting a shadow over their friendship. Compounding their troubles, they discover that a friend has misplaced the keys to their only mode of transportation home. With these setbacks, Jana and Maddy must unite, confront their underlying issues, and work together to navigate their way back amidst the chaos of their emotions and the festival atmosphere.

#NetGalley #BookReview #WereNeverGettingBackTogether #TracyBadua #YoungAdult #MulticulturalInterest #YAfiction #BookRecommendations #Friendship #MusicFestival #ComingOfAge #DiverseAuthors #LiteraryFiction #EmotionalJourney #BookCommunity #ReadersOfInstagram #AmReading #BookBloggers 

Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole

challenging emotional lighthearted reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

 

My first review of the year is on 'Spark of the Everflame' by Penn Cole. I have found this book to have extremely descriptive writing and an extremely slow burn effect. I didn't feel anything for Diem; she irked me. I did enjoy the world-building of the fantasy world, but some parts involved a lot of info dumping. The magic system is also well-written. I found that up until about 80 % of the book, it was a lot of world-building and introduction of characters. Within the second half, nothing significant happened to advance the story. Diem, our female main character, is genuinely feisty. She's not afraid to speak her mind, even when it gets her into trouble. I liked her in the first half; she was balanced and mature. Her intriguing powers were a highlight for me. But the problem started in the second half when she continued to despise the male main character, Luther, for no strongly backed reason. 

I was expecting much more from this book and was just sad at the cliffhanger at the end. It was passable; I may read the next, but Iot. 

The Bond That Burns by Briar Boleyn

adventurous challenging emotional informative mysterious reflective tense

5.0