readswithnatalieb's reviews
510 reviews

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

3.0

REAL AMERICANS is such an intriguing story with so my plot lines to keep track of to the point it felt like a chore. Did I like this story? Yes. But was it a bit clunky and hard to follow? Also yes.

While incredibly important, I think this story was trying too hard to include such delicate topics that none got the true attention they deserved. It felt like three separate stories that included some of the same characters each through the lens of someone different. It was interesting to see different scenarios play out based on the current landscape of that characters life, but it didn’t mesh as well as it could have.

Would I still recommend this story? Yes, but make sure you’re paying attention and not multitasking. For that, if you’re willing and able, I’d recommend a physical or digital option rather than the audiobook.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for the ARC.

Content warnings: sexual assault, classism, racism, suicide, violence

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

4.5

I haven’t had a book in so long hook me from the first two chapters. I was so captivated by the writing and storytelling I just knew I was going to get through this book quick! After finishing the story in two days, I understand why this book was so popular. 

To quickly summarize, it’s a fictional take on the podcast Serial, where a podcaster sets out to uncover secrets and evidence that may have been overlooked.

Besides the quick read, I found Lucy incredibly relatable and really enjoyed her sarcastic humor. It was easy to understand her POV and the struggles she endured after the murder of her best friend. 

The bouncing back and forth between present day and Lucy’s memory of that night really added to the build of the story. It felt like working on a puzzle for so long and you’re finally putting the last 10 pieces into place.

Big thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the advanced copy!

Content warnings: murder, violence, abuse, infidelity, gas lighting, sexual assault, alcoholism

Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice by Elle Cosimano

4.0

This series will never not be fun! How Cosimano is brainstorming these wild and outlandish yet reasonable predicaments Finlay and Vero find themselves in have me grinning from ear to ear. 

I flipped back and forth between my kindle and audiobook and must say I love the narration. If you’re willing and able, I recommend going the audiobook route! It’s an easy listen and the time just flies. 

I loved the pacing of this story. It kept me on my toes with the action, mystery, and humor. At this point, this series is an auto-read for me because I’m so invested in Finlay and Vero’s drama. I’m super stoked for this next installment!

If you’re looking for a fun and wild series, this is for you. I’d definitely consider these books palate cleansers. 

Big thank you to Netgalley, Minotaur books, and Macmillan audio for the advanced copies.

Content warnings: murder, gun violence, kidnapping

Honey: A Novel by Isabel Banta

2.5

Early 90’s Britney Spears meets DAISY JONES? I think that’s the best way I can describe this book. I really liked the idea of this book, but I don’t think it was executed as well as it could have been.

I’m obviously no writer or editor, but something was clearly missing in this story. I wouldn’t call it coming of age, but rather a slice of life for our MC, Amber. There was a dash of fanfic too that perhaps rubbed me the wrong way? 

It seemed every plot line in the story was half done. Just when you think there’s going to be breakthrough or some big moment of a life lesson, it ends and the author moves to the next thing. The friendships and other characters were lacking and not quite memorable.

I think the concept of an up and coming pop princess was there, but again, missed the mark.

Content warnings: sexism, eating disorder, addiction, pedophilia, alcoholism, abortion

Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth

4.0

Hepworth gets me with her twists and turns yet again!

Anytime I see a new book from Hepworth on the horizon, I know it’s a must read for me. Some of course are better than others, but if there’s one thing I can count on, it’s the wild twists and turns you don’t see coming.

I love how this story switches back and forth between present day, the past, and even further into the past. Having these three different storylines really help shape readers to understand why each character acts they way they do in present day.

DARLING GIRLS covers a lot of topics, with the main plot centered around foster care. While I am not an expert in what foster care is like, knowing how delicate of a topic it can be, it really seemed like Hepworth did her research to truly understand the nuances and everything that goes into fostering children. 

The characters are well-written, engaging and painted authentically in their own flawed ways. There was never a question in how I felt each character would react to a situation! 

I was sort of surprised how dark this story was. There are a ton of trigger warnings so please check out other reviews to see if this story is right for you.

Big thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC/ALC.

Content warnings: child abuse, death, emotional abuse, drug abuse, addiction, kidnapping, sexual assault

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

2.0

THE FOURTH WING made me think I could be a fantasy girlie and IRON FLAME reminded me why I’m not. 

Content warnings: violence, torture, death, war, animal death

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

4.0

THE GUNCLE ABROAD picked up where THE GUNCLE left off with our lovable GUP, Patrick. I’ve never looked forward to a sequel more than this, and I can happily say it did not disappoint. 

Did it live up to THE GUNCLE hype? Yes. Was it as lovable as the first? Also, yes. But did I love it as much as the first? No, but it was still an incredibly heart warming story. 

I’m usually not one to compare two books in a series, but it’s really hard to do given the fact that these books are so heartwarming and pull at your heartstrings. I really like how Rowley interweaves so many underlying plot lines with the main focus of THE GUNCLE ABROAD being about love and the family you create. 

But the biggest takeaway is once again (like THE GUNCLE), grief. In this story, we learn where each character is along their grief journey and how it affects everyone differently. Bottom line is to accept where people are, even if you’re grieving the same person and you’re at a different stage. 

Biggest thanks to NETGALLEY and PENGUIN GROUP for this e-ARC.

Content warnings: grief, death of a parent

The Women by Kristin Hannah

5.0

 

This might be my favorite Kristin Hannah book so far. I haven’t read them all, but have read enough to catapult this book to the top of my ranking. I was completely engrossed in this story, captivated by the writing because I felt like I was inside the book. 

 

Even though this story falls within the historical fiction genre, it is obvious that Hannah did her research as so many storylines are true. 

 

For how heavy and sad it is, I wasn’t overly shocked on how many topics Hannah hit on. And they weren’t just thrown in to fill the space, they very much had a purpose which tied everything together. Between the horrors of war, PTSD, women living in a mans world, love, death, and so much more, I think it’ll be hard for me to convince readers just how well done everything was. 

 

I went on an emotional rollercoaster and loved every step of the way. 

 

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ALC! 

 

Content warnings: War, death, violence, miscarriage, addiction, Alcoholism, infidelity 

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

2.0

 

Man, another Michaelides books bites the dust for me. The premise sounded so good, but I think it’s the style of writing that doesn’t do it for me. Maybe it’s me or the time I read it, but I thought being optimistic about the book being set in Greece would help. Nope, I was wrong. 

 

The first half of the book is pretty snail paced, slowly introducing you to a bunch of characters who really dislike each other. Drama? Yes please. There were so many little twists that kept me intrigued especially when Michaelides began to peel back the layers of each person, but in doing so, the pacing was a rollercoaster. 

 

Our MC, Elliott, isn’t a reliable guy. We learn so much from his POV, but then you see learn the scene from a holistic point of view, giving the readers a more accurate sequence of events. While I typically like this, it was a tad confusing. 

 

Reading this book became a chore and I don’t like that in books. 

 

If you give this a try, I’d love to know your thoughts. Big thank you to Celadon and Netgalley for the gifted copy. 

 

Content warnings: murder, gun violence, death, child abuse, infidelity, domestic abuse 

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

4.0

 

Katherine Center can do no wrong. I love her books because I know what to expect. Safe to say, they’re my comfort stories! While she’s perfected the HEA, she brings to light harder hitting topics that can be quite educational. 

 

The dynamic was fascinating. Enemies to lovers? Under one roof? Family drama states away? I don’t know if we’ve got a classified romance trope but either way, I was cheering Emma and Charlie on to just kiss already. It didn’t disappoint, but the build sort of did. It took a while to get there, but also, Emma is the only character to overhear SO much in such a short time. Had it not been for everything she overheard, would this story have happened!? LOL JK yes it would have. But for real, she overhears a lot. 

 

I think my biggest peeve was how the “reveal” came so close to the end, when as readers, you know it wasn’t going to be the actual end and there would be one more twist. Had it been a little more drawn out, I think it would have been a little more satisfying. Also, the dialogue at times was a bit unnatural? There were definitely conversations that felt too formal given the setting. 

 

Don’t let my peeves distract you from THE Katherine Center and all her glory. I still recommend this book as I do all her books because they’re just pure warm fuzzies. 

 

Big thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC. This will be available on June 11, 2024! 
 

Content warnings: cancer, death, grief