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binreads's reviews
72 reviews
My Husband by Maud Ventura
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I don't know how I'm supposed to go to sleep after that ending!!! I ran to my laptop to see everyone's reviews!
I'll be honest, 98% of the book is extremely slow, repetitive, and lacks any real substance, besides the fact that this woman is absolutely crazed by the obsession she has over her husband. That girl is COLD. Not just in her marriage, or with her 'friends', but I actually was taken aback by how she felt about her own damn kids.
I did NOT expect that twist in the epilogue. my jaw was DROPPED. It really does put the whole book into a different perspective. THEY BOTH CRAZY. But i'm also like....he's making HER crazy??? I don't know if I should feel bad for her or just hate both of them. Like he really said that he 'marks his territory' when he has s*x with her after she goes off with someone else like......you nasty sir. Maybe she should toss you out the window...
Without the epilogue, I would've definitely rated this lower. Mostly because I didn't enjoy that it was all just her stream of thoughts and not a lot of dialogue or character interaction. I really had to force myself to push through it. I also wouldn't categorize it in thriller or horror, I'd say it's more just dark and psychological.
I did NOT expect that twist in the epilogue. my jaw was DROPPED. It really does put the whole book into a different perspective.
Without the epilogue, I would've definitely rated this lower. Mostly because I didn't enjoy that it was all just her stream of thoughts and not a lot of dialogue or character interaction. I really had to force myself to push through it. I also wouldn't categorize it in thriller or horror, I'd say it's more just dark and psychological.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
4.5
Wow. It's unbelievable how much this woman has gone through in her life. I will never forgive society for how they treated her/how they still treat her. Let the girl spin around on instagram and post her emojis.
It's disgusting to know how her family used and controlled her...did not help her during her toughest times, nor did they care about her. I'm so glad she got out. I'm so glad people noticed something was up.
Was there real complex writing? No, but it was extremely emotional. As I read, I could hear her voice. I can only imagine how much trauma it was to go through these experiences and to revisit some of the worst moments in her life.
It's disgusting to know how her family used and controlled her...did not help her during her toughest times, nor did they care about her. I'm so glad she got out. I'm so glad people noticed something was up.
Was there real complex writing? No, but it was extremely emotional. As I read, I could hear her voice. I can only imagine how much trauma it was to go through these experiences and to revisit some of the worst moments in her life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Abortion, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Love, Holly by Emily Stone
Alexa, play invisible string by Taylor Swift.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Alexa, play invisible string by Taylor Swift.
This book was beautifully written and I highly recommend it. Don't let the cover fool you, it is a deep story that covers grief, sorrow, and picking up the pieces along the way.
I picked this up for my holiday read of the year, not expecting just how intense this book was going to be. It wasn't just another holiday romance but a story that dives into the deepest depths of human connection. It made me laugh, made me cry and even made me angry. The story takes over the place of a year, and does time jumps which didn't bother me at all.
It encapsulated the love between many different relationships: friendships, romantic partners, siblings, family etc. I would happily read this book again.
I picked this up for my holiday read of the year, not expecting just how intense this book was going to be. It wasn't just another holiday romance but a story that dives into the deepest depths of human connection. It made me laugh, made me cry and even made me angry. The story takes over the place of a year, and does time jumps which didn't bother me at all.
It encapsulated the love between many different relationships: friendships, romantic partners, siblings, family etc. I would happily read this book again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
The StoryGraph account actually recommended this book to me on tiktok!!
If i could give this a 1000000000000/10, I would.
I've had this sitting on my shelf for a while and since it is spooky season, I thought it was finally the perfect time to read. I loved every second of it. The trans/latin experience and representation was so refreshing to read.
I enjoyed the characters so much, the 3 musketeers, Yadriel, Maritza and Julian. Yad was endearing, Martiza was hysterical and Julien was the heart. The pacing was perfect, never felt too slow or rushed.
Spoilers ahead, beware!
I'm kinda impressed with myself because I had a feeling Tio Catriz was bad halfway through. Mostly because I was thinking, why is this dude being overly nice?
Especially when he caught sight of Yad's portaje, I knew something was up. Why wouldn't Catriz tell his own brother about Yadriel, wouldn't he be worried or concerned? If he really wanted to help Yadriel, why wouldn't he speak with him about it?
Then he was always coming and going so much throughout the book. What I DIDN'T guess, until it was literally happening, was that he had taken Miguel and Julien. That ending was WILD!!!
I saw there's a sequel in the works and I'm super excited to read it!
If i could give this a 1000000000000/10, I would.
I've had this sitting on my shelf for a while and since it is spooky season, I thought it was finally the perfect time to read. I loved every second of it. The trans/latin experience and representation was so refreshing to read.
I enjoyed the characters so much, the 3 musketeers, Yadriel, Maritza and Julian. Yad was endearing, Martiza was hysterical and Julien was the heart. The pacing was perfect, never felt too slow or rushed.
Spoilers ahead, beware!
Especially when he caught sight of Yad's portaje, I knew something was up. Why wouldn't Catriz tell his own brother about Yadriel, wouldn't he be worried or concerned? If he really wanted to help Yadriel, why wouldn't he speak with him about it?
Then he was always coming and going so much throughout the book. What I DIDN'T guess, until it was literally happening, was that he had taken Miguel and Julien. That ending was WILD!!!
I saw there's a sequel in the works and I'm super excited to read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Transphobia, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Racism and Deportation
When Life Gives You Vampires by Gloria Duke
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Finished this so quickly! I am a lover of all things vampire and since spooky season is rolling around, I wanted to start it off with something light and fun. It was a funny, lighthearted read.
I will say though, heavy trigger warning regarding weight, body self image, disordered eating etc. It's a constant throughout the book and can be hard to read.
I feel like this lacked in the story building for the vampire rules and such. I've read a lot of vampire books, all with different lore, but this one seemed to rely heavily on those callbacks to pop culture references to other vampire franchisees (Twilight, Buffy..) so I feel like it didn't really stand on its own. But, as someone who unapologetically loves Twilight, I LOVED all the twilight references made in this book, I was laughing so hard.
There also was a lot of plot holes, or things that just didn't make much sense or were just a waste of information. Like why did Tristan change her in the first place?? I know he says like it's against the vamp rules to turn a newborn without prior approval granted from the vampire council, but he never states why he even changed her in the first place?? I know he tried to use his vampire influence on her and he thought she gave him permission but again why? Or was it because she bit him back that caused her to become a vampire.....I feel like either I missed that or it was never answered.
I will say though, heavy trigger warning regarding weight, body self image, disordered eating etc. It's a constant throughout the book and can be hard to read.
I feel like this lacked in the story building for the vampire rules and such. I've read a lot of vampire books, all with different lore, but this one seemed to rely heavily on those callbacks to pop culture references to other vampire franchisees (Twilight, Buffy..) so I feel like it didn't really stand on its own. But, as someone who unapologetically loves Twilight, I LOVED all the twilight references made in this book, I was laughing so hard.
There also was a lot of plot holes, or things that just didn't make much sense or were just a waste of information.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Blood
Moderate: Death, Stalking, and Murder
Immortality: A Love Story by Dana Schwartz
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
What an enjoyable sequel. I loved the addition of real life aspects being intertwined with this work of fiction. I don't think I enjoyed it more than the first though, the beginning was pretty slow. It wasn't until chapter 21 when things really started picking up tbh.
I really enjoyed the slight love triangle aspect between Hazel and her two suitors. Simon was a lovely lovely addition, I liked how he treated Hazel with such respect. So was Princess Charlotte and Eliza. Ugh, love them. Honestly, all the characters added to this book were great.
I guess I'm with everyone else when they say they were disappointed Jack didn't show up sooner. We didn't get to experience much of their romance in the first and I feel like the same happened in this one. He doesn't show up until page 238, more than halfway through the book, so it's a big bummer that we don't get more of him. Him and Hazel's connection is so sweet, and especially since it's called 'A Love Story', you would think he's be in it more.
The Companions to the Death were annoying anyways, freaking immortal weirdos trying to play God. Jack/Hazel did the right thing.
CHARLOTTE AND ELIZA MY GIRLS FOREVER I WISH THEM NOTHING BUT THE BEST I LOVE THEM SO MUCH MAKE A SPIN OFF BOOK FOR THEM PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE
I really enjoyed the slight love triangle aspect between Hazel and her two suitors. Simon was a lovely lovely addition, I liked how he treated Hazel with such respect. So was Princess Charlotte and Eliza. Ugh, love them. Honestly, all the characters added to this book were great.
The Companions to the Death were annoying anyways, freaking immortal weirdos trying to play God. Jack/Hazel did the right thing.
CHARLOTTE AND ELIZA MY GIRLS FOREVER I WISH THEM NOTHING BUT THE BEST I LOVE THEM SO MUCH MAKE A SPIN OFF BOOK FOR THEM PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Sexism, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
dnfing all the books I haven’t picked up in awhile, will come back to this!
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
dnfing all the books I haven’t picked up in awhile, will come back to this!
The Gifts That Bind Us by Caroline O'Donoghue
dnfing all the books I haven’t picked up in awhile, will come back to this!
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions by Neil Gaiman
dnfing all the books I haven’t picked up in awhile, will come back to this!