ppalimar's reviews
101 reviews

Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous emotional funny informative inspiring reflective tense medium-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

4.0

What a great book! I don't know a single thing about tennis, but man, I was interested. I love the comeback story and the female empowerment/gender bias that also plays an underlying tone throughout the book. The references to 90's pop culture are also wonderful in building the setting. One of my favorite lines is when the main character is ready to celebrate a win but cannot until the men's tennis winner is announced and she says, "We are all waiting for a mediocre man to finish." It is witty, and provocative, and having an aggressive female lead wouldn't make you think that in the end, it's a beautiful love story between resilience, not giving up and walking away, friendship, a small love interest, and the relationship between a father and daughter. It is quite beautiful and completely suitable for 12 and up! 

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

informative slow-paced

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

3.0

It’s a book but honestly, I lost interest. It’s such a classic and has been on my TBR list for so long, I was really hoping to love it more. Perhaps I wasn’t in the right mindset. 

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I finically finished the Part of Your World trilogy. While each book is written as a standalone, I do think that to appreciate the Easter eggs, you should read them in order. It makes the story that much more interesting and as if you’re in on something the characters haven’t all put together. This one was my least favorite of the three but it was still an excellent book. Interestingly enough, the completely unavailable female lead with the incredibly kind and supportive but sometimes nerdy male lead was less of a draw than the side love interest of her mother and the landlord was far more of a draw for me. That’s the part where former characters overlap! Without spoiling the story, the growth and redemption for that character felt like a great ending to a story that had been brewing two books ago! The book itself was a solid 3, great insight into trauma filled relationships and how those struggles manifest themselves in real life. The book tipped to a 4 because of the crossover, epilogue, and author Q & A in the audiobook. This book was a great emotional novel and not the slow burn or romcom that is usually associated with the fake relation tropes you would normally see in this genre. Definitely read in order! 

Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Man. This was my second AJ book and it was even better than the first. The fake dating trope always gets me but this one had a lot of heart and I really love that the male love interest wasn’t your typical type A “prince” type but was totally riddled with his his own story and working through his own trauma. I loved the letters and the only place I faltered a bit was towards the end when she is pulled back into her old life for a brief chapter. The ending was amazing and there are so many wonderful lines in this book. 
I loved the way they loved each other and I loved the way they saved each other. The catch phrase idea might be my favorite tidbit of any book I’ve read! 
Ps. I know they are standalone books, but definitely read them in order! You’ll appreciate the little crossover moments so much more! 

The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

I know that there is still so much to learn, but this book does an excellent job of breaking it down to clear distinctions and clear pathways forward. It is terrifying to think about how much hovering is done in the real world and how little is done online with those same parents and the same kids. I think this is a must-read for parents, especially with kids 10 to 16! I gleaned so much information and even plan on implementing a few of the quick and easy things I can do to help my kids actualize themselves rather than allowing so much outside influence from peers and social media. It is horrifying and truly solidified the dangers for me in a way that was easy to understand and empowering to be able to tackle. At least a bit at a time! 

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

dark slow-paced

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

2.0

I can't even begin to share how disappointed I was that I didn't like this book! After hearing such rave reviews from so many people, I am not sure if I just didn't get it but here were my biggest hangups:
1. Story starts out fine with cute banter and a few crass zings (I'm totally here for it!) and then I am lost at the next moment of pining and desperation for this Instalove situation.
2. This is not a slow burn, it's not a quick burn, there is not actual relationship building on the page over the span of the 4 YEARS this book is supposed to cover. I am often at a loss for her "longing monologues."
3. She is supposed to be a fierce killer who was long before successful but all of a sudden is a damsel in distress and lovesick puppy and this is what occupies her mind over the entire book?
4. There is absolutely no plot that I understand other than a loose theory of

serial killers killing other serial killers for good.

This is what you are supposed to believe they are doing, but really, they are just saving each other because each person keeps making mistakes since they are so deeply in love with each other...
5. I could not wait for this book to be done just so I didn't DNF it although, I really wanted to at several points in the book. 

Having said all of that, please understand, this is my first dark romance so I have nothing to really compare it to and I also thought this book was going to be a little thriller mixed with a little love story and some witty banter. What I did get that may be positive:
1. The spicy scenes are definitely spicy with lots of dirty talk so if you are into that, then this is your book! There aren't very many, but if you make it into the last 3 hours of the book, then you are hit with a few of them. 
2. The male narrator was totally worth listening to, although I sort of couldn't stand the female voice anymore ONLY because of what she was narrating, not the actual voice. Joe Arden, your voice is smashing!  

Read at your own risk, but as for me, I am good to not continue with this series. Also, as previously stated, I just might not be the right audience and actually, this book is amazing! 

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

What a great book! The perfect mix of heart and humor. This is my first Jimenez book and I understand why she is so popular. Many lines in this book had me pausing and reflecting on my own life. I would definitely recommend this book. 

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

Man what a beautiful story! I absolutely fell in love with the characters in this book and especially Vera. I wish she was my friend and neighbor. An elderly, sprite, maternal figure with sharp wit and an enthusiasm for life and problem solving. 4 stars doesn’t do this book justice! I had to bump it up to five just because of the way food is described in this lovely piece! It made me hungry and then research about a hundred soup dumpling recipes for a vegetarian option to make at home. Heartfelt, keeps you guessing, and totally fulfilling! I would recommend this book to everyone! 

Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I was so surprised by this book! Honestly, it wasn't even on my radar. The audiobook was read by Julia Whelan and I just love her voice so I was looking up other books she has performed and found this one! I truly laughed out loud, my jaw dropped open, I cringed with embarrassment, and wallowed with her for the miserable moments. Such a wonderful find that has exactly my kind of humor and pop culture wit! I would recommend this book over and over again to anyone going through a divorce, breakup, identity crisis, or honestly, (since I am not going through any of those) any woman who is trying to figure out who she is now. Love love loved this book and I am truly stingy with my 5's. 

Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection by Charles Duhigg

funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing

5.0

Holy wow! I can't even begin to explain how much I enjoyed this book. I loved the research, the levity, the pop culture references backed by lengthy studies, and everything in between! I was truly immersed and think that everyone should read this book. Whether you want to learn how to be a supercommunicator or how not to react in certain situations, this book provides so much insight. I found myself taking notes, pausing the audiobook and flagging parts I wanted to relisten to, and sharing tidbits with anyone who would listen before I had even completed the book!