readsinfrogpjs's reviews
421 reviews

A Mercy by Toni Morrison

5.0

Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

What a fun adventure of a book.  I really enjoyed Raiders of the Lost Heart, mainly for the unique plot and sassy characters.  It was refreshing to see a strong, confident woman representing the STEM field.  

An archeological dig brings together old acquaintances that have a brief past and now can't stand the sight of each other.  Can they put their differences aside to find an ancient relic and quite possibly uncover a love for each other. 

I received a complementary digital copy from the publisher through netgalley.  My review is my honest opinion. 

Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

4.0

Yours For The Taking is an exquisite debut novel.  An exploration of feminism, queerness, climate change, and striving for equality. 

Jacqueline Millender has a plan of what the future can be like, and she has the means to make it a reality.  Only select applicants are accepted into the Inside Project, leaving many to perish alone on earth. 

I loved the friendships made by the women inside the project. And the tenderness and compassion shown to each other. The plot was intriguing, and I was compelled to read as quickly as my crazy life would allow. This novel is thought-provoking and a critical reminder of what happens when we advocate for change within social justice movements and exclude or diminish a portion of the population we should be advocating for. 

I was pleased to find out there there is a sequel planned, and I'm really looking forward to how the story progresses. 

I received a complementary digital copy from the publisher through netgalley. All thoughts and opinions of the review are my own. 

Hemlock by Kiersten Modglin

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

Hemlock is a compelling and propulsive novel. And I wouldn't have expected anything less from @kierstenmodglinauthor . In the typical fashion of her other novels, Hemlock hooks you from the beginning, and you can't stop reading.. or, in my case, listening. Even to the point that I risked the safety of my phone and brought it in the shower with me to continue listening uninterrupted.  (Thank you, Samsung, for making a water-resistant phone) But unlike her other mystery/ thrillers, this one has more of a romance aspect to it. And I am here for it.  Believable characters, dual time, and enough intrigue to make the story interesting and enough romance to make it steamy without being in your face.  I think those who are reluctant to read romance will really enjoy this one.  

Now, let's talk about the narrator, Brittany Pressley, since I was provided with a free copy of an audiobook through netgalley to review.  What a fantastic voice she has.  Quality and tone were spot on.  I swore that there was a second narrator involved to help with the characters' voices, but no, just one, I double-checked. 

This is a fantastic book to pick up if you feel like you are in a readingSlump. It will not disappoint. 

One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus

4.0

Down the River Unto the Sea by Walter Mosley

3.0

The Future by Naomi Alderman

challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

I really struggled with this one.  While I appreciate the author's work and the plot was an interesting concept.  I couldn't get into the book and it took weeks for me to read the entire book. Normally I read a book in a few days.  Very tech heavy . And multiple storylines that didn't come together fo  me. Or I may have just missed the relevance. Anyway.  I think there will be fans of The Future.  In particular those that like a good sci-fi, technology themed novel. I'm just an outlier with this one.  

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for a complementary digital copy provided to me.  All opinions and thoughts are my own. 

Next-Door Nemesis by Alexa Martin

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Who would have thought that an HOA could be so sexy, competitive, and so fun? Alexa Martin nailed it with Next-Door Nemesis.  Martin brought to life characters that were authentic and real. The character growth of Collins Carter was the feel-good moment I needed.  Collins was a fantastic main character.. and the side characters, particularly her two friends, were a joy.. I'd love a book from Ruby's pov. 
If you love a return to a hometown, a friends to enemies to lovers rom-com, you will not be disappointed with Next-Door Nemesis.

I read and reviewed a complementary digital copy provided by netgalley and the publisher.  All opinions and thoughts are my own. 

Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen

2.0

People to Follow by Olivia Worley

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

A fast-paced, unputdownable novel perfect for young adults and those older adults who like to read young adult books every now and then.  That's me.. I'm the older adult.  Told from multiple points of view, the pages fly by.. I'm the type of reader that likes to end my reading session at a chapters end.. People To Follow broke this habit... as the chapters end on cliffhangers, making me not want to put the book down. A bunch of influencers are stranded on an island, and when the bodies start piling up, the mystery to figure out the killer and why becomes more pressing. A modern-day twist on the Agatha Christie locked door mystery.  I loved the pacing of the book, the characters were a tad annoying and I silently rooted for a few of them to be the next victim (but really that was the intent I'm sure and it was well done). 

I was given a complimentary copy by the publisher and netgalley.  All opinions and thoughts are my own.