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readwithev's reviews
175 reviews
A Girl Called Samson by Amy Harmon
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I find Deborah (aka Rob) likable, however as she endured the trials of war, sees horrible things, kills men, experiences grief, etc. she never has a crisis of faith. She remains steadfast in her belief that their war is necessary for independence and continues courageously. I would have liked her more if she did have a moment of doubt, but rebounded. It would have given her a little more rigidity.
especially after Deborah shoots Phineis, I thought the grief would cause her support for the war to falter. Also, when John Paterson discovers that she’s a women, I think it would have been slightly more realistic if he lost respect for her and then learned to accept her for her bravery, sacrifice, and hard work. That those things didn’t take away from her being a woman, but made her better. He did not express much doubt about her and I think it’s less historically accurate. Also, Deborah’s only flaw is that she’s strong willed? No other flaws? She works tirelessly until she masters a skill, does everything as well as a man? All the Thomas boys were in love with her? Idk it seems like she was too perfect. I like characters with flaws. I would have liked for her to make a mistake in battle that wracked her with guilt, got a friend of hers hurt or killed, or got her into trouble. Terrytown her friends do die, but again it was an attack during the night that was no fault of her own. i think a mistake would also have helped her character develop, be humbled, and learn the art of war.
We’ve got a “she’s all that” trope going on. No one notices Deborah when she’s dressed as a boy, as if a coat and pants magically alter a person’s face 🤔 that part also felt unbelievable, but I guess it is still loosely based on the true story 🤷🏻♀️
I did appreciate Deborah’s gradual appreciation for being a woman and learning that she has strength there too.
The ending of the book wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. John’s children magically learned to accept her and she was able to produce/tour as a one woman theatre/orator show? Idk about all there 🤔
However there were some great emotional scenes. Harmon used rich descriptive language for the landscape, the smell of camp, the sound of blood and canon fire, etc. I also enjoyed the emotion Harmon was able to convey in a few scenes.For example when Sylvanus died, sitting on the hill with Jeremiah, the sky before they came under attack, the battle at Terrytown where she kills a man for the first time, the death of Phin, getting shot in the leg and surviving the dangerous journey back to camp, etc. All of these scenes were powerful and immersive.
The romance in the book is okay, but felt a bit unrealistic. They were nearly always surrounded by other troops or in a house crowded with other people. The likelihood they would not get caught is low. You’ll have to suspend your disbelief here.
We’ve got a “she’s all that” trope going on. No one notices Deborah when she’s dressed as a boy, as if a coat and pants magically alter a person’s face 🤔 that part also felt unbelievable, but I guess it is still loosely based on the true story 🤷🏻♀️
I did appreciate Deborah’s gradual appreciation for being a woman and learning that she has strength there too.
The ending of the book wrapped up a little too neatly for my taste. John’s children magically learned to accept her and she was able to produce/tour as a one woman theatre/orator show? Idk about all there 🤔
However there were some great emotional scenes. Harmon used rich descriptive language for the landscape, the smell of camp, the sound of blood and canon fire, etc. I also enjoyed the emotion Harmon was able to convey in a few scenes.
The romance in the book is okay, but felt a bit unrealistic. They were nearly always surrounded by other troops or in a house crowded with other people. The likelihood they would not get caught is low. You’ll have to suspend your disbelief here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and War
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Slavery
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Jennette conveys her childhood, teens and early twenties in short vignettes. The length and pacing is perfect. Written in 1st person, but not self pittying. She reflects on her life and her family with curiosity, empathy, and grace. The scenes don’t grow redundant. The earlier chapters are painful as she describes her distorted over-glorification of her mother, dismisses troubling behavior, assigns guilt for perceived or minor mistakes, and seeks constant validation.
“Don’t all children worry about their entire families?” This line hurt me. The anxiety she develops around her physical home, her mother’s unpredictable moods, and self-induced shame hit home for me (like girl that’s too relatable 🙃). There’s a bit of dark and facetiousness humor to soften the trauma (that again is 100% relatable).
This memoir is barely 300 pages but she packs so much in. The confusion, the budding OCD, the emergence of her eating disorders, her dysfunctional relationships, and her bumpy road to recovery. I felt my chest tighten with anxiety for “Child Jennette.”
I appreciate the vulnerability and honesty, especially when she talks about slips in recovery, her fear around food, and the non-linear path of her grief.
My only criticism is the lack of details around her brothers’ experiences growing up and if they also suffer abuse. How did they grieve their mother’s death? How did they heal? I understand that Jennette did not include details to protect their privacy, but I think I would have appreciated closure. She obviously loves them (because she dedicated the book to them). I think I just a happy ending for all of them because their childhood was so screwed up.
I highly recommend this book, but it will not be an easy breezy beautiful read. I finished it in one day, but I’ll need sometime to process it.
This memoir is barely 300 pages but she packs so much in. The confusion, the budding OCD, the emergence of her eating disorders, her dysfunctional relationships, and her bumpy road to recovery. I felt my chest tighten with anxiety for “Child Jennette.”
I appreciate the vulnerability and honesty, especially when she talks about slips in recovery, her fear around food, and the non-linear path of her grief.
My only criticism is the lack of details around her brothers’ experiences growing up and if they also suffer abuse. How did they grieve their mother’s death? How did they heal? I understand that Jennette did not include details to protect their privacy, but I think I would have appreciated closure. She obviously loves them (because she dedicated the book to them). I think I just a happy ending for all of them because their childhood was so screwed up.
I highly recommend this book, but it will not be an easy breezy beautiful read. I finished it in one day, but I’ll need sometime to process it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Terminal illness
Minor: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
A Shadow In The Reaping by Brynne Weaver
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
- The main character Lu has a lot of wandering internal thoughts (1st person perspective) it’s a very modern, casual tone. She curses a lot and breaks the 4th wall saying things like, “if you heard this song, you’d love it too.” Or “if you understood the pain I’d been through you…” it’s super jarring for me and feels very out of place in a dark romance/fantasy book.
- I like that Lu is funny, but I think the cursing/swearing can be too much. It almost distracts from the intensity of a scene, for example when ember discovered Lu’s true name.
- I would prefer if Weaver just kept the physical description of Lu’s emotions. For example, I loved the scene where Ashen is helping her into the fire cauldron/shadow world portal.
- Ashen’s descriptions don’t make sense in my opinion. His eyes are expressive yet he’s also stoic and cold. Maybe if Weaver included chapters from his perspective?
- The writing over all feels immature. Lu is supposed to be 5,000+ yrs old and I’m not getting a sense of maturity from her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Violence
Flock by Kate Stewart
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I feel very conflicted about this. People on Booktok were really hyping this up, but I’m not 100% sold. It is NOT plot heavy.
The majority of the story is Cecelia falling in love with Sean and Dominic, being in a strange hot/cold relationship with them, and being naive about their criminal involvement. I high key cannot take her seriously when she refers to their organization as “the hood.” It’s just silly and sounds very juvenile.
Also, she was giving me whip lash bouncing back and forth between being strong, independent and wanting to carve her own path versus being in love, blinded by lust and wanting to trust Sean and Dominic’s every word. Like damn girl, make a choice! She started to develop a spine in chapter 41, but was immediately back to loving them at the last chapter!
I also felt like things with Cecelia’s mom are confusing. Even in the last few chapters, Cecelia did not make any attempt to help her mom with her alcoholism. Her mom is just kind of…there to watch movies with her for one scene. Like wtf? No resolution or initiation of a conflict? It’s not clear what her role in the story. So far, she doesn’t add anything vital to move the plot.
Also, nothing about the story was very shocking. It was glaringly obvious that Sean was using her for something. The no phone rule. Smashing her apple smart watch. Isolating her from others during their dates. Like come on now? How obvious could he be? Moreover, all the vague answers he and Dominic gave her, the fact that they illegally street race, Dom is an MIT grad working in a small town at a garage? plus their ranting about the capitalism’s yoke controlling all of us? Be for real🙄 Also, her dad being shady and cold hearted? That was not shocking either. He is literally estranged from her and gave her the bare minimum financial support when she was a kid. He also owns the whole town?and I was really expected to be shocked?
The only thing that shocked me was that Dominic is NOT the Frenchman (aka he is not the leader of their “hood.”)
Overall, I’m disappointed in the plot. I had to read 65% of the book for any “exciting plot points” To be revealed. And again, they were not shocking. I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I would have appreciated a few chapters from Sean or Dominic’s point of view that maybe would have conveyed the risks and danger of their Ravenhood gang more🤷🏻♀️ every chapter is 1st person form Cecelia’s perspective and it doesn’t stir any tension in the story imo.
The smut is pretty good. However that is not enough to redeem this book. I nearly DNF-ed at the 70% point but chose to trudge through to the end.
Also, she was giving me whip lash bouncing back and forth between being strong, independent and wanting to carve her own path versus being in love, blinded by lust and wanting to trust Sean and Dominic’s every word. Like damn girl, make a choice! She started to develop a spine in chapter 41, but was immediately back to loving them at the last chapter!
I also felt like things with Cecelia’s mom are confusing. Even in the last few chapters, Cecelia did not make any attempt to help her mom with her alcoholism. Her mom is just kind of…there to watch movies with her for one scene. Like wtf? No resolution or initiation of a conflict? It’s not clear what her role in the story. So far, she doesn’t add anything vital to move the plot.
Also, nothing about the story was very shocking. It was glaringly obvious that Sean was using her for something. The no phone rule. Smashing her apple smart watch. Isolating her from others during their dates. Like come on now? How obvious could he be? Moreover, all the vague answers he and Dominic gave her, the fact that they illegally street race, Dom is an MIT grad working in a small town at a garage? plus their ranting about the capitalism’s yoke controlling all of us? Be for real🙄 Also, her dad being shady and cold hearted? That was not shocking either. He is literally estranged from her and gave her the bare minimum financial support when she was a kid. He also owns the whole town?and I was really expected to be shocked?
The only thing that shocked me was that Dominic is NOT the Frenchman (aka he is not the leader of their “hood.”)
Overall, I’m disappointed in the plot. I had to read 65% of the book for any “exciting plot points” To be revealed. And again, they were not shocking. I never felt like any of the characters were in danger. I would have appreciated a few chapters from Sean or Dominic’s point of view that maybe would have conveyed the risks and danger of their Ravenhood gang more🤷🏻♀️ every chapter is 1st person form Cecelia’s perspective and it doesn’t stir any tension in the story imo.
The smut is pretty good. However that is not enough to redeem this book. I nearly DNF-ed at the 70% point but chose to trudge through to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Minor: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book more than I initially thought! At first I was hesitant because Isma’s perspective starts the story. I didn’t feel like I understood her. However, each section of the book is from another character’s perspective (written in 3rd person). As more information is revealed by each character, I learned to empathize with Isma more. Home Fire asks powerful questions of us as readers and from the characters: how to endure racism as an immigrant, what does it mean to be a citizen, how do we endure grief, and what we are willing to do for our family? There were two unexpected twists that chewed my heart up and spit it back out 😭💔
I learned to see Eamonn as a man trying to escape his father’s shadow, coming to terms with his father’s selfishness and political motives, and learning to speak his mind.
All these characters have flaws that make them painfully human and relatable, but they also have redeemable qualities. They love their families, they feel lonely and inadequate sometimes, but they’re also seeking/working towards a life purpose. Even Karamat who is motivated by potential political gains, but loves his wife and is afraid of losing the power he has worked hard for. He’s also caught between his life as a political figure and his identity as a Pakistani immigrant.
Highly recommend!
I learned to see Eamonn as a man trying to escape his father’s shadow, coming to terms with his father’s selfishness and political motives, and learning to speak his mind.
All these characters have flaws that make them painfully human and relatable, but they also have redeemable qualities. They love their families, they feel lonely and inadequate sometimes, but they’re also seeking/working towards a life purpose. Even Karamat who is motivated by potential political gains, but loves his wife and is afraid of losing the power he has worked hard for. He’s also caught between his life as a political figure and his identity as a Pakistani immigrant.
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Torture, Xenophobia, Islamophobia, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Blood, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
Black Sheep by Brynne Weaver, Alexa Harlowe
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Cringy! This professor/student relationship is so awkward to me. After a few encounters and a night of drinking alone, Eli wakes up hung over and miraculously understands Bria’s distant behavior? He’s attracted to the “darkness” in her and sees all the mysterious expressions she makes as alluring? Yeah, sure super believable 🙄
Bri’s traumatic childhood growing up in a cult would be more interesting if there was more than 1 flashback. Also, could we get more perspectives? I think the intensity and mystery would be heightened if we had a 3rd unknown perspective/character who would eventually be revealed.
I almost feel like the story would be better in Bri and Eli did not have any romantic interest. Then the story could be more focused on their trauma, healing, FBi investigation, and finding closure about the cult’s manipulation.
The concept is kind of cool, but poorly executed. If you’re gonna have a mystery/dark romance, I need to feel tense.
Bri’s traumatic childhood growing up in a cult would be more interesting if there was more than 1 flashback. Also, could we get more perspectives? I think the intensity and mystery would be heightened if we had a 3rd unknown perspective/character who would eventually be revealed.
I almost feel like the story would be better in Bri and Eli did not have any romantic interest. Then the story could be more focused on their trauma, healing, FBi investigation, and finding closure about the cult’s manipulation.
The concept is kind of cool, but poorly executed. If you’re gonna have a mystery/dark romance, I need to feel tense.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.25
Honestly, super surprised. Read this based on Facebook group recommendations.
The smutty scenes were spicy without being cringy and weird. The banter is funny and made me smile, even giggle aloud at times.
The twist at the end also caught me and did not feel contrived.
My only three complaints:
The smutty scenes were spicy without being cringy and weird. The banter is funny and made me smile, even giggle aloud at times.
The twist at the end also caught me and did not feel contrived.
- I want to know more about Sloane and Lark’s terrible experience in college. It’s clearly a professor taking advantage of his students (sexual grooming maybe?), but how did he get away with it for so long? How did Lark’s family help Sloane cover up the professor’s murder?
- Why are Sloan’s parents completely removed from her life?
- David Miller’s lack of a POV chapter. If there was a mysterious 3rd person POV chapter before his murderous intentions were revealed i think it would have taken the twist up a notch. I am still satisfied with the twist though.
Overall, I would recommend. I dislike gang/mafia tropes so this serial killers killing other more terrible serial killers is a wonderful take.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book sucked me in. I love all the clues Libby and Miller find that unlocked pieces of their Chelsea house history. Having three characters’ perspectives was great. It called into question how accurate each characters’ memory is/isn’t. how do they perceive and process their trauma? How does it affect them as adults?
Moreover, I enjoyed Henry’s perspective. He’s an enthralling complicated mix of a traumatized child, suppressed gay man, dark sociopath, self aware yet unapologetic, but also a manipulative narcissist. I feel connected to him, but also disgusted.
I did particularly predict some of the mystery and twists but some of them I didn’t due to the characters’ varying accounts. That is why the book doesn’t get a full 5 stars. Overall, really enjoyed it.
The book ends on a nail biting cliff hanger which I enjoyed but it also left me feeling tense.
I didn’t really enjoy the addition of Libby and Miller’s love story. It was subtle but I thought it was unnecessary. However, I did like that Libby’s adoptive mother had a chaotic lifestyle, and death of her adoptive father left her with anxious tendencies.
Though Lucy gets away with murder, it’s also closure for her. I feel okay with it even though murder is wrong. Her ex was trying to rape her, he was physically and emotionally abusive, and he was a criminal. In a sick way, it’s justice for Lucy and signals the end of her terrible life in France.
Moreover, I enjoyed Henry’s perspective. He’s an enthralling complicated mix of a traumatized child, suppressed gay man, dark sociopath, self aware yet unapologetic, but also a manipulative narcissist. I feel connected to him, but also disgusted.
I did particularly predict some of the mystery and twists but some of them I didn’t due to the characters’ varying accounts. That is why the book doesn’t get a full 5 stars. Overall, really enjoyed it.
I didn’t really enjoy the addition of Libby and Miller’s love story. It was subtle but I thought it was unnecessary. However, I did like that Libby’s adoptive mother had a chaotic lifestyle, and death of her adoptive father left her with anxious tendencies.
Though Lucy gets away with murder, it’s also closure for her. I feel okay with it even though murder is wrong. Her ex was trying to rape her, he was physically and emotionally abusive, and he was a criminal. In a sick way, it’s justice for Lucy and signals the end of her terrible life in France.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Torture
Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
I was pleasantly surprised. I saw this book hyped on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram so i just had to know if it was good. Overall, the smutty scenes are very steamy without being too cringy. I love the clues Tessa finds. Each one elevated the danger and increased Tessa’s desperation. I empathized with Tessa’s grief, frustration, guilt and fear.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of professor+student kinks I think if Saint were also a grad student like Tessa their meet cute and love story would still work and there would be the same power dynamic.
I was really moved by Tessa’s determination to find clues about her sister. The party invitation, the failed rendezvous at the party, redacted news articles, her assault, etc. All a great build up.
I am a confused how her “mediocre” school performance allowed her to get a scholarship to an elite university. I think the author could have tweaked that detail a bit. maybe instead of Tessa lying a lot to get into the school, she relinquished a dream job or even broken off a serious relationship. Something like that would have made more sense to me and increased the idea that Tessa was desperate for answers. She was willing to give up her “good life” to investigate Wren’s death.
I think the author could have added 1-2 scenes of Tessa and Saint bonding over something other than their dead siblings. It felt like #traumabonding What else do they have in common? Do they like the same books? Do they enjoy the same movies? Can they bond over an activity other than sex? It’s just playful banter, Saint falling head over heels for Tessa, and sexual sparks? We’re just supposed to believe Saint thought she was mysterious and attractive and that’s why he feels protective and caring towards her? This aspect of their relationship is why the book does not get 4⭐️ Their relationship is still missing substance beyond the physical.
Also, the scene where Saint walks in the bathroom and forgives Tessa after finding out she was using him and lying to him? It seems suspicious to me that he forgave her in less than a day.
After Tessa moved out Sloane does not circle back to Tessa’s roommates Kris and Jai who were making snarky, passive aggressive comments about her dating Saint. I wonder if that was thrown in to put pressure on Tessa or if they will comes back in book two.
Personally, I am not in a rush to read book 2. The “meh” love story is why this book only gets 3⭐️ I am more invested in the mystery society at Oxford, the political power each member has, and what they use their influence for.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of professor+student kinks I think if Saint were also a grad student like Tessa their meet cute and love story would still work and there would be the same power dynamic.
I am a confused how her “mediocre” school performance allowed her to get a scholarship to an elite university. I think the author could have tweaked that detail a bit. maybe instead of Tessa lying a lot to get into the school, she relinquished a dream job or even broken off a serious relationship. Something like that would have made more sense to me and increased the idea that Tessa was desperate for answers. She was willing to give up her “good life” to investigate Wren’s death.
I think the author could have added 1-2 scenes of Tessa and Saint bonding over something other than their dead siblings. It felt like #traumabonding What else do they have in common? Do they like the same books? Do they enjoy the same movies? Can they bond over an activity other than sex? It’s just playful banter, Saint falling head over heels for Tessa, and sexual sparks? We’re just supposed to believe Saint thought she was mysterious and attractive and that’s why he feels protective and caring towards her? This aspect of their relationship is why the book does not get 4⭐️ Their relationship is still missing substance beyond the physical.
Also, the scene where Saint walks in the bathroom and forgives Tessa after finding out she was using him and lying to him? It seems suspicious to me that he forgave her in less than a day.
After Tessa moved out Sloane does not circle back to Tessa’s roommates Kris and Jai who were making snarky, passive aggressive comments about her dating Saint. I wonder if that was thrown in to put pressure on Tessa or if they will comes back in book two.
Personally, I am not in a rush to read book 2. The “meh” love story is why this book only gets 3⭐️ I am more invested in the mystery society at Oxford, the political power each member has, and what they use their influence for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Suicide, Violence, and Blood
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Vuong is amazing as expected. I read Night Sky with Exit Wounds and I’m not disappointed with this. It’s not only a love letter to his childhood in Hartford CT, but to his family. It’s a search for identity, a reckoning with the past, finding joy even in fleeting things, and all of life in between. I cried and smiled but was also left so stunned. On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous is poetic, thoughtful, empathetic, reflective, but also full of rage, grief, and yearning.
We watch Little Dog fall in love, watch him be bullied, but also grow into himself, like skin that he would grow into. It’s beautiful and I cannot recommend enough!
We watch Little Dog fall in love, watch him be bullied, but also grow into himself, like skin that he would grow into. It’s beautiful and I cannot recommend enough!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, and Abortion