booksbyjess__'s reviews
23 reviews

Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion by Allie Beth Stuckey

Go to review page

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

Fighting the Fire: BIblical Strategies for Overcoming Anger by Phil Moser

Go to review page

challenging hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

5.0

Knight Owl by Christopher Denise

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Go to review page

emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-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

5.0


Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Blooms That Broke Us by Ashley Dill

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-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

5.0

A big thank you to the author, Ashley Dill, for sending me an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed below are my own.

While this book was not a typical genre I read in, I absolutely adored it. It made me emotional time and time again— from laughter to tears. So please have a box of tissues for this one 🤧

The Blooms That Broke Us is not only well-written; it brings out so many emotional and poignant themes throughout the story as we follow Jack and Miranda’s stories. It was gripping and had me flying through the pages to know what would happen next. I honestly could not put the book down once I was halfway through— it kept me up well past midnight 😅

Jack and Miranda are incredible characters with even better character arcs. Their growth over the course of the story is both compelling and tore at my heart strings more than once. I absolutely appreciated the delicate way their relationship was portrayed and how deeply the sanctity of marriage came across in the book. Through reading this book, I came to realize just how much secular books downplay marriage which is saddening. So getting to read a book with a Christian take was refreshing!

While a clean read, the book has grit. But that’s what makes the story feel real and raw. It’s beautifully told and handled so well.

If you’re looking for a gritty story that tugs on your heart and doesn’t let you go long after you turned the final page, I would absolutely suggest picking up this title! 💜💐

PS: If you want more details on tropes— swipe right! If you want to go in blind like I did (which 10/10 do recommend) go grab your copy and start reading now! 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
N/A -FIRST DRAFT by

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious 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? No

5.0

Foxe's Book of Martyrs by John Foxe, W. Grinton Berry

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Smoke & Summons by Charlie N. Holmberg

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75