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suzyvee's reviews
208 reviews
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Bookshop of Dust and Dreams by Mindy Thompson
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Outlawed by Anna North
adventurous
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
3.25
I mostly enjoyed this story as an idea, which follows Ada a young woman who cannot get pregnant with her husband after a year of being married. She is a midwife apprentice, learning from her mother. She is accused of being a witch and putting a curse on other women in her town, making them barren. She leaves her home before they can put her to death and ultimately ends up joining a group of women outlaws who were thrown out of their homes by husbands for not producing a child. It’s a (white) feminist twist on a Wild West story.
I agree that parts of this could’ve been better written, and maybe that’s why I had a hard time rating it.
CW: infertility, misogyny, violence, miscarriage, death, guns & gunshots, suicide
I agree that parts of this could’ve been better written, and maybe that’s why I had a hard time rating it.
CW: infertility, misogyny, violence, miscarriage, death, guns & gunshots, suicide
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Infertility, Misogyny, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was another great story by TJR. In the same-TJR-universe 4 book series, I would rank this 3rd.
Carrie Soto is a retired tennis great, having won a record-breaking 20 grand slam titles. After 6 years into her retirement, she decides to make a come back because a young, rising tennis star matched her record on her way to passing it.
The story follows Carrie’s career and shows her determination, grit, and her close and sometimes complicated relationship with her father/coach. I loved how well TJR incorporated real tennis greats into the book and used retired tennis stars’ accomplishments and personalities in her creation of her characters. Loved it.
Carrie Soto is a retired tennis great, having won a record-breaking 20 grand slam titles. After 6 years into her retirement, she decides to make a come back because a young, rising tennis star matched her record on her way to passing it.
The story follows Carrie’s career and shows her determination, grit, and her close and sometimes complicated relationship with her father/coach. I loved how well TJR incorporated real tennis greats into the book and used retired tennis stars’ accomplishments and personalities in her creation of her characters. Loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
I discovered after I started reading this that 4 of TJR’s books are all in the same universe - AND, I happened to have read the first three in the right order: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo; Daisy Jones & The Six; Malibu Rising; and Carrie Soto is Back.
I enjoyed the stories of Evelyn Hugo & Daisy Jones more, but this was a really great read. The first part of the book alternates between the MC’s (Nina) POV and her mother’s POV as a young woman. That approach lets readers in on background information related to how Nina and her siblings grew up, and how that history impacted their present. The story is largely about family dynamics, but also about how to care for yourself and learn about your own needs.
I enjoyed the stories of Evelyn Hugo & Daisy Jones more, but this was a really great read. The first part of the book alternates between the MC’s (Nina) POV and her mother’s POV as a young woman. That approach lets readers in on background information related to how Nina and her siblings grew up, and how that history impacted their present. The story is largely about family dynamics, but also about how to care for yourself and learn about your own needs.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
hopeful
sad
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? No
4.25
I thought this started off a little slowly, but by about halfway through, the pace picked up. This story was important to tell, as it provides insight to a topic that isn’t widely known.
The storytelling focus on the relationship dynamics between Lily and Kath, as well as Lily’s relationships with her family and Chinese friends, was very well done. It showed how conflicted and frustrated Lily was with her feelings toward Kath and how her parents’ and family’s opinion of her changed.
This was obviously very well-researched and meaningful to the author. I appreciated this story being written.
The storytelling focus on the relationship dynamics between Lily and Kath, as well as Lily’s relationships with her family and Chinese friends, was very well done. It showed how conflicted and frustrated Lily was with her feelings toward Kath and how her parents’ and family’s opinion of her changed.
This was obviously very well-researched and meaningful to the author. I appreciated this story being written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Hate crime, Homophobia, Car accident, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Adventure Is Now by Jess Redman
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
I love Amanda Gorman. Her words are a balm for our nation.
College Girl, Missing: The True Story of How a Young Woman Disappeared in Plain Sight by Shawn Cohen
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.25
I lived in Bloomington when this happened. I went on a couple of the searches. I met Mrs. Spierer. I will never forget the pain that radiated from her.
This book included details that had never been published before. The writing was good, and I felt that the coverage was as balanced as it could be, given that it included direct quotes from the persons of interest. As many people have said and will continue to believe - someone who saw and interacted with Lauren that night knows more than they’ve come forward with. It’s heartbreaking that this family has not gotten answers.
This book included details that had never been published before. The writing was good, and I felt that the coverage was as balanced as it could be, given that it included direct quotes from the persons of interest. As many people have said and will continue to believe - someone who saw and interacted with Lauren that night knows more than they’ve come forward with. It’s heartbreaking that this family has not gotten answers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail