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bayleereads's reviews
154 reviews
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I knew I was going to like this book, but I didn't realize how much I was going to *LOVE* it! This was such a lovely story and definitely not a genre I'm used to reading, but I already can't wait for my reread. Linus and Arthur have my heart and Talia + Sal were my favorite kiddos. Also lets talk about Helen?? How lovely and supportive she was?? The characters in this book were SO lovable and the story is just so captivating!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Bullying
Minor: Child abuse
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I kind of went into this one a bit blind, and it did not disappoint. This was such a unique and loving story, even though it was sad and emotional at times. I really loved Dannie and Bella's friendship... it reminded me of my own relationship with my best friend. I removed a 1/2 star because I feel like it was a bit misleading since it was supposed to be more romance based... and while there was romance... I felt like it was more about Dannie and Bella's friendship than it was about Dannie and David or Bella and Aaron. I'd say its about 25% romance and 75% friendship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
Vagina Problems: Endometriosis, Painful Sex, and Other Taboo Topics by Lara Parker
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.0
I was just diagnosed with Endometriosis 4 days ago, so this book really resonated with me. Not only does Lara talk about diagnoses and what they entail, but she also talks about more taboo topics regarding endo and other illnesses like friendships, sex, doctor dismissals, romance, and so much more. I am truly blown away by this book and will forever hold it near and dear to my heart. I'll definitely read it again in the future when I feel invalidated or when I feel like I need to talk to a friend. That's what reading this book felt like-- listening to a friend who is going through the same issues as you.
Please read this one if you have any chronic illness/pain, but especially if you have vagina problems!
Reread 2023: still love this book! Changing my initial review from 5⭐️ to 4⭐️. Some things I noticed this time around: Sex is the main topic in this book, which can be depressing and even bothersome to someone who isn’t sexually active. And I almost feel like the author looks down on people who decide to treat their endometriosis through surgery… because it didn’t work for her, she may think it won’t work for others? Regardless, it’s still a good book with lots of relatable details and information about different vagina problems!
Please read this one if you have any chronic illness/pain, but especially if you have vagina problems!
Reread 2023: still love this book! Changing my initial review from 5⭐️ to 4⭐️. Some things I noticed this time around: Sex is the main topic in this book, which can be depressing and even bothersome to someone who isn’t sexually active. And I almost feel like the author looks down on people who decide to treat their endometriosis through surgery… because it didn’t work for her, she may think it won’t work for others? Regardless, it’s still a good book with lots of relatable details and information about different vagina problems!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Medical content
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
I wanted to love this so badly… but I just could not get into it!! After nearly 100 pages in, I decided to DNF because I didn’t want to waste any more time reading a book I wasn’t enjoying! This one just didn’t live up to the hype for me!
→ Things I Disliked: no quotation marks for dialogue (??? I really hated that & got so confused), and honestly I didn’t like any of the characters 😬
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
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? Yes
5.0
Oh my poor heart 😭😍 This was easily one of my all-time favorite YA novels! Charlie & I relate so much, that it often felt like I could have written certain lines myself. Her relationships with Amelia & her mom were so close to mine with my BFF & mom— I bawled at some parts because I felt so *seen.* Love love love this one and I can’t wait to reread it in the future!
→ Things I Liked: diverse cast of characters, family drama, short chapters, real-life situations
→ Things I Disliked: sometimes it was a bit too dramatic but I’m pushing that to the side because it’s just so good!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Fatphobia
Moderate: Death of parent
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
I honestly don’t know how to review this one. The following words come to mind: phenomenal, amazing, heart wrenching, challenging, beautiful. I will recommend this til the day I die. If you haven’t read it yet: do so now. Please.
→ Things I Liked: diverse cast of characters, multi-generational, multiple perspectives
→ Things I Disliked: literally nothing it’s so good
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Violence, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
funny
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
The third & final Brown sisters novel comes to a close and it couldn’t have ended more perfectly.
This was such a cute (& steamy oml 🥵) romance. The story/plot is very different— one I’ve never read about before. I loved Eve and how she stood up for herself while being sensitive at the same time. She reminded me of myself in some ways.
I removed a star because of two reasons:
1) the conflict felt forced? Everything was going seemingly well & then BAM the conflict arises. It seemed avoidable and unnatural.
2) I wasn’t keen on the self-diagnosing. I get wanting to have answers and being curious about yourself— possibly having a medical “issue.” However, people with disabilities & medical concerns fight so hard to get proper diagnoses and are so often dismissed, so it can be discouraging and frustrating when others self-diagnose without seeking medical intervention.
Other than that— I’m a fan! I liked this one very much & I recommend 🤗
This was such a cute (& steamy oml 🥵) romance. The story/plot is very different— one I’ve never read about before. I loved Eve and how she stood up for herself while being sensitive at the same time. She reminded me of myself in some ways.
I removed a star because of two reasons:
1) the conflict felt forced? Everything was going seemingly well & then BAM the conflict arises. It seemed avoidable and unnatural.
2) I wasn’t keen on the self-diagnosing. I get wanting to have answers and being curious about yourself— possibly having a medical “issue.” However, people with disabilities & medical concerns fight so hard to get proper diagnoses and are so often dismissed, so it can be discouraging and frustrating when others self-diagnose without seeking medical intervention.
Other than that— I’m a fan! I liked this one very much & I recommend 🤗
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical trauma
Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson
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
3.0
I had high expectations going into this one, and I wouldn't say I was let down... but I wasn't blown away either. I had a hard time connecting to the main character, and it wasn't because her race is different than mine, thus having different experiences, but I think it was more her personality that I had a hard time with. I just couldn't connect with her most of the time, and found her to be needy and annoying. I also very much disliked her cousin Imani-- she was just a brat.
I also thought the story was quite predictable and I was so over the lying trope. It's a subject found in many YA novels, but I thought this one was a bit overdone? The lying and keeping secrets got old after a while.
Overall, it was a cute high school romance. It was very predictable, but still a fun storyline. Tye was super sweet, and Nala's grandma was great too. I think the main reason I stuck it out was because of these two characters. The ending was sweet and brought the book together for me. This book was based on Black JOY which I thought was amazing!
I also thought the story was quite predictable and I was so over the lying trope. It's a subject found in many YA novels, but I thought this one was a bit overdone? The lying and keeping secrets got old after a while.
Overall, it was a cute high school romance. It was very predictable, but still a fun storyline. Tye was super sweet, and Nala's grandma was great too. I think the main reason I stuck it out was because of these two characters. The ending was sweet and brought the book together for me. This book was based on Black JOY which I thought was amazing!
Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ahhh this was such an interesting book! So suspenseful and captivating. The story is so mysterious and heart-wrenching, and the characters are fascinating. I really didn’t know if I was going to like this one since it’s out of my comfort zone— but it was amazing! The only “complaint” I have is that sometimes details were over explained, and I think the book could’ve been 20 pages less just by taking out over-descriptiveness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Suicide, Stalking, and Pregnancy
A Pho Love Story by Loan Le
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
This was a cute read! It's lighthearted like most YA romances, but it also has a deeper family story that deals with trauma and grief. I think it also has some life lessons that can be learned, like the consequences that can happen when you hide things from your family. I removed a star because it seemed a bit too long, like some pieces were drawn out or unneeded. I loved all the characters, but it seemed like Linh was a bit *too* dramatic sometimes!
I think one of my favorite things about this book was that I learned some Vietnamese!!! There are a lot of dialogue that happens between Linh and Bao and their families. I found myself using Google translate sometimes so I could better understand the conversations!
Overall this was a fun read and I recommend!
I think one of my favorite things about this book was that I learned some Vietnamese!!! There are a lot of dialogue that happens between Linh and Bao and their families. I found myself using Google translate sometimes so I could better understand the conversations!
Overall this was a fun read and I recommend!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism