Scan barcode
alysereadsbooks's reviews
367 reviews
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
I love Emily Henry books and this one was no exception. The plot premise was dramatic and drew me in right away, and I really liked the overall storyline and characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Sea Change by Gina Chung
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
3.5
I listened to this as an audiobook and found it deeply engrossing, and also pretty sad. I enjoyed the water/octopus motif. It kind of sucks that you don’t get to find out what happens to her dad.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Central Places by Delia Cai
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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
2.5
Listened to the audiobook and thought it was just okay. Didn’t love it. I found the main character a bit insufferable. I also found the ending unsatisfying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Sexual content
The Museum of Human History by Rebekah Bergman
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
2.5
Wanted to like this one, but it was quite weird. I think maybe I missed some of the nuance since I listened to the audiobook and felt the perspective change was more difficult to keep track of. The premise was cool, but the execution fell a little flat.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Magic Gifts by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A quick fun read. I like the continuity of the characters and world but the fact that each book has its own mystery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Finished this one a while ago, but generally find the Kate Daniel’s series entertaining. I like the overarching lore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Violence
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I listened to the audiobook and found this to be fun and entertaining. I liked the bi representation, and how flawed the characters were.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this one, listened to it on audiobook. It felt like a modern and more diverse rendition of friends. It was a good reminder to celebrate the people you love regularly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Heartbreaking and beautiful. I listened to the audiobook and loved the voice actors. Very different from what I normally read, but enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Child death and Death
Black Girls Must Have It All by Jayne Allen
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.5
Really loved this series and this ending. I felt that the author struck the perfect balance between rom com and drama.