francesmthompson's reviews
937 reviews

challenging dark funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

No, I don't know how a book can be both dark and light-hearted. And absolutely absurd. But once I got over all the above, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected and not just because of the fabulous bi rep.

Bellies by Nicola Dinan

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

5.0

This is the first book to completely break me in a long, long time and I was crying long after I read the last words. Which is to say, I loved it.

Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

Come for the blindfolded sapphic three-way, stay for the cute and comedic moments...

Firstly, a little commotion for the cover!?!?!? Love it!

Secondly, I think I'm finally admitting to myself that butch/femme romances are my current catnip and so this scratched all my itches in all the right ways.

A slickly written, and hella queer, contemporary romcom Zoe Brennan, First Crush had lots to offer. Loved how deeply researched the wine side of the story was and although I did spend the first chunk of the book wishing Zoe's crush was actually her nemesis Rachel (I'm a sucker for a true enemies to lovers), by the end of the book it was very clear Laine was the woman for Zoe.

Yes, this book had lots of light, comedic moments but there was also depth to the story too, especially in regards to dealing with loss and grief, and learning how to confront the past and practise forgiveness.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

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4.25

Will be forever grateful to this book for giving me the phrase Last Page Ache to perfectly describe that feeling when you finish a good book and have to say goodbye.

The strange case by Laurie Kirwan-Ashman, Fallon O’Dowd, Mitali Jahagirdar, Nick Luddington, Derek Kolstad

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced