rainbowofcrazy's reviews
213 reviews

The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.

36% and I'm kind of done. Nothing is happening and I can't connect or really like this cast of characters. Plus her daughter is all kinds of awful

Good Lookin' Cookin' by Dolly Parton

informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.0

This cookbook is so dang wholesome. Dolly and Rachel really celebrate their Southern roots here and this book is so charming to read. Some “recipes” made me giggle, like the bucket of beer, with instructions that include literally filling a bucket with ice and then adding beer. Or a recipe for green beer for March, requiring 1 light beer, and green food colouring. That’s it! Recipes vary from a very simple pot of black eyed peas, to chicken and dumplings, to cornbread dressing, and classic fried chicken and more. If you’re looking for a plethora of recipes, this cookbook probably won’t fit the bill, but there’s still a nice variety to satisfy.

This cookbook won’t offer anything super fancy or super complicated (phew!). It’s super charming in its simplicity, and it’s a wonderful little peek into Dolly and Rachel’s world. Heck, this cookbook is practically worth it just for the beautiful photos of the sisters together ♥️

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

3.75

If you’re looking for a 100% cozy light read, this might not be what you’re looking for. We have some characters trying to heal from dark pasts, and other characters about to face dark paths of their own.

This isn’t really one of those lost treasure kind of stories with a grand adventure that takes you all around the world, which is kind of what I thought it might have been from seeing the title. But I still very much enjoyed this read! I enjoyed the writing, the story, and the touches of magic and charm throughout.

There was time skipping so the chapters followed different plot lines, but it was (mostly) easy to keep track of everything and fun to see how connections started to form between the different paths. I love me some good reveals.

The miscommunication trope was in full swing here, which I may have accepted more if this entire story took place in the past, but cellphones and the Internet exist and it was jarring to see things unfold the way they did when a few texts or a call would have helped instead. Magical realism is present but sometimes suspension of belief is also a requirement.

But I laughed and gasped and wanted to cry and rage along with this book. The hardships some of these characters had to endure, it was incredibly intense. Trauma was a bit of the star of the show. But it was all worth it to experience the joy, the love, and the touch of magic that brings everyone together.

Henry was annoying as hell though

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Pregnancy

I Will Judge You By Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

3.25

This collection of comics is super charming. If you love books, I’d recommend this, but if you love books and you’re also a writer, I’d HIGHLY recommend this collection because the second half of the comics really focused on the mind of a writer. I am not a writer so unfortunately I couldn’t connect with the vast majority of those latter comics, but still enjoyed the collection overall. 

Cat + Gamer, Volume 4 by Wataru Nadatani

funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

5.0

Two cats! TWO CATS NOW! TWO!!!! 

This was everything I could have asked for and more. This series is 100% pure wholesome happiness. The mix of adorable kitten hijinks blended with geeky gaming vibes is joyful bliss. Highly recommend this manga for a boost of serotonin. 

Scarlet Witch Vol. 1: The Last Door by Steve Orlando

adventurous hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

I was really pleasantly surprised with this one. It’s.. surprisingly, incredibly wholesome?!? I’ve never really read Marvel comics and it does touch on different plot lines from other comics; so some parts were a little confusing, but I didn’t mind. Of all the team-ups you could choose in the Marvel universe, I never would have thought to have Wanda and Marcy together, but it works! I thoroughly enjoyed this, the artwork is GORGEOUS, and I’m excited to read more. 

Parlez-Vous Murder? by Susan Kiernan-Lewis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

It kind of lost me the moment it went from cozy mystery to apocalypse. I wanted to stick it out but I'm just not enjoying the writing and the MC is incredibly unlikeable. 

Batman: White Knight Presents: Harley Quinn by Katana Collins

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

I’ve really enjoyed the White Knight series. Harley Quinn takes center stage here and this is probably my favourite iteration of HQ. She’s layered and interesting and not just batshit (pun intended) crazy. I dig it, and the entire fascinating storyline in this universe. I also LOVE the art in this series. Amazing. 

Alpha by Jasinda Wilder

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

2.25

This book was definitely a crazy adventure. I really wanted to like it but y’know.. just.. dammit, it just wasn’t working for me, fam. The main character suddenly receives mysterious checks, no idea who sent it, but deposits every single one of them over the course of a full year, and never questions it. Not working for me.

Suddenly she’s being collected by her mysterious benefactor, which I think was pretty comparable to being kidnapped, and has to live with him, while being blindfolded every time he's there, never knowing who he is and what his intentions are. Mm not working for me.

The way he talked, oof. The dialogue really wasn’t working for me. And Kyrie’s often incredibly long internal monologues didn’t help either. Neither lead was likable. Dude was downright creepy at times and I really did not like him.

The reveals, whew, those threw me for a loop. I didn’t love them, and even his reason for using a blindfold was creepy. The spice? Well.. extra point for the spice 🤷‍♀️There was no shortage of it. The chemistry was enjoyable, despite the way he talked (I still can’t get over that. This would not be a real person. I refuse to believe it.) 

Snug Harbor Stories, Volume 2: A Wallace the Brave Collection! by Will Henry

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I’m a very new fan of Wallace the Brave and I absolutely love the comics! The comic strips are funny and charming and wholesome, with a touch of Calvin & Hobbes flavour while still being its own unique thing. Volume 2 brings more joy and delight from Snug Harbor and I adored it.