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soulofsam's reviews
98 reviews
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Good lord, I may be into older women.
I had a blast reading this and it is the perfect lighthearted, a little (a lot) spicy romance vacation read. I liked how the characters despite most of it revolving around their relationship had their individual stories. I also absolutely adore Parker and Acacia and almost wish we knew more of them.
Of course this had its flaws and I won't lie I had a lot of moments were I felt like Erin, guilty for how much I was enjoying it. Yet I am so glad we got a happy end with Parker realizing they make each other happier than anyone else ever has.
The epilogue was a but too much with the double proposal for my taste.
I had a blast reading this and it is the perfect lighthearted, a little (a lot) spicy romance vacation read. I liked how the characters despite most of it revolving around their relationship had their individual stories. I also absolutely adore Parker and Acacia and almost wish we knew more of them.
Of course this had its flaws and I won't lie I had a lot of moments were I felt like Erin, guilty for how much I was enjoying it. Yet I am so glad we got a happy end with Parker realizing they make each other happier than anyone else ever has.
Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
One of my easiest five star reads I have ever had. I loved this book every second and I can't wait to read more of Meryl's books.
I adore the setting of a producer and assistant because I admittedly love the pull of "forbidden" relationships. (As long as it is consensual and shit, I am not a shitty person.)
Both characters were written so well imo and I could relate to their emotionality so well. They might not have had the most depth and a few facets could have been explored more, but within the scop of the book we learned so much about them. Despite her flaws I truly enjoyed Jo's growth so much, her willingness to stand up for what needs to be done and to admit when she messed up and actually change. I adored the support system of Avery and Evelyn they have and props to Chantal!
I loved the end and I am so so glad they got their living together and being happy!
I adore the setting of a producer and assistant because I admittedly love the pull of "forbidden" relationships. (As long as it is consensual and shit, I am not a shitty person.)
Both characters were written so well imo and I could relate to their emotionality so well. They might not have had the most depth and a few facets could have been explored more, but within the scop of the book we learned so much about them. Despite her flaws I truly enjoyed Jo's growth so much, her willingness to stand up for what needs to be done and to admit when she messed up and actually change. I adored the support system of Avery and Evelyn they have and props to Chantal!
I loved the end and I am so so glad they got their living together and being happy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Carrie Soto Is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid
emotional
inspiring
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
First up, the time it took me to finish this is not indicative of my enjoyment of the book.
Having finished my third Taylor Jenkins Reid book with this I can confidently say her writing just works for me. I find her characters compelling and really enjoy the descriptive nature of the books. I might not have the faintest idea how tennis actually works but I could feel the energy of the court and picture the crowds and expressions of players. I like when a book makes ir possible for me to lose myself in it and I could do that with this!
I have a few points I didn't like, the Spanish felt written very white if that makes sense? Large bits of conversation just left untranslated disrupted the reading flow and could have been easily adapted. Overall really enjoyed it tho and sad that this almost completes my journey through the Evelyn Hugo Universe.
Having finished my third Taylor Jenkins Reid book with this I can confidently say her writing just works for me. I find her characters compelling and really enjoy the descriptive nature of the books. I might not have the faintest idea how tennis actually works but I could feel the energy of the court and picture the crowds and expressions of players. I like when a book makes ir possible for me to lose myself in it and I could do that with this!
I have a few points I didn't like, the Spanish felt written very white if that makes sense? Large bits of conversation just left untranslated disrupted the reading flow and could have been easily adapted. Overall really enjoyed it tho and sad that this almost completes my journey through the Evelyn Hugo Universe.
Infamous by Lex Croucher
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
3.25
This book was something.
I enjoyed the premise but found it difficult to get into despite enjoying it, as I found Eddie quite unreasonable and annoying at the beginning. Overall I think my biggest issue with the book was its pacing of the story. It took a long time for the exciting part, the artists, to be introduced and when they did the final plottwist didn't leave enough pages for a proper resolution. Personally, I wish it had been paced different as I ended up growing fond of Eddie and her obliviousness. I enjoyed the rebellious writer for her time and Rose was a brilliant character and friend and so were Kitty and Valentine.
I initially enjoyed Nash bringing excitement to the story but I ended up flat out detesting him. Sadly this happened so late that it left me finishing the book with bitter feelings about what a foul person he is.
I enjoyed the premise but found it difficult to get into despite enjoying it, as I found Eddie quite unreasonable and annoying at the beginning. Overall I think my biggest issue with the book was its pacing of the story. It took a long time for the exciting part, the artists, to be introduced and when they did the final plottwist didn't leave enough pages for a proper resolution. Personally, I wish it had been paced different as I ended up growing fond of Eddie and her obliviousness. I enjoyed the rebellious writer for her time and Rose was a brilliant character and friend and so were Kitty and Valentine.
I initially enjoyed Nash bringing excitement to the story but I ended up flat out detesting him. Sadly this happened so late that it left me finishing the book with bitter feelings about what a foul person he is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Infidelity
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
To say I flew through this is an understatement. I read this in less than 48 hours and cried multiple of them.
I forgot how much I truly love this book for so many reasons. The amount of story development and growth in so many underdeveloped characters. The whole Half-Blood Prince business which is one of my favourite plots. Slughorn, and everything we learn about Snape and Malfoy is just truly fascinating.
I am so glad I read this again after so long and have to admit I missed a few scenes they created for the movie. Particularly the story about Lily and the fish she gave to Slughorn.
I forgot how much I truly love this book for so many reasons. The amount of story development and growth in so many underdeveloped characters. The whole Half-Blood Prince business which is one of my favourite plots. Slughorn, and everything we learn about Snape and Malfoy is just truly fascinating.
I am so glad I read this again after so long and have to admit I missed a few scenes they created for the movie. Particularly the story about Lily and the fish she gave to Slughorn.
Neues von den Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
emotional
funny
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Read in German but reviewing in English.
The sobs, the amount of tears and the absolute emotions this brought me. Reading this felt like going back to a time when I was much younger and read the first three and it was great. I struggled getting into it with the time skip but once I did it was amazing go meet these sisters again that I grew up with. I felt so so awful for Batty and my heart HURT for her and she truly shoes that the happiest people often carry the deepest sorrows. I loved seeing how the family has grown and the love that lives in that house with everyone. I had my problems with a few things about the characters, but the end really made up for so much of it. I truly enjoyed this so much.
The sobs, the amount of tears and the absolute emotions this brought me. Reading this felt like going back to a time when I was much younger and read the first three and it was great. I struggled getting into it with the time skip but once I did it was amazing go meet these sisters again that I grew up with. I felt so so awful for Batty and my heart HURT for her and she truly shoes that the happiest people often carry the deepest sorrows. I loved seeing how the family has grown and the love that lives in that house with everyone. I had my problems with a few things about the characters, but the end really made up for so much of it. I truly enjoyed this so much.
That Summer Feeling by Bridget Morrissey
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
- 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
4.5
I've never really been to camp but now I really really want to.
The further along in the book I got the more emotional I got and I did shed a few tears. I enjoyed the bubbly and warm nature of this so much and it truly was a perfect summer read. A few moments had me worried, that things would go wrong through miscommunication like it does so often. I was so glad to be proven wrong and how big of an important thing talking to each other was.
I was so baffled how Garland didn't realize the true nature of the vision for so long because I had it figured out by like chapter 3 haha.
The further along in the book I got the more emotional I got and I did shed a few tears. I enjoyed the bubbly and warm nature of this so much and it truly was a perfect summer read. A few moments had me worried, that things would go wrong through miscommunication like it does so often. I was so glad to be proven wrong and how big of an important thing talking to each other was.
I was so baffled how Garland didn't realize the true nature of the vision for so long because I had it figured out by like chapter 3 haha.
Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
3.5
I might need to read up and think about the ending because I definitely for lost somewhere along the way.
I liked this more than I expected after the first few chapters but it was also wildly different than I thought. I somehow didn't think it would lean into the magical that much, but ended up enjoying the exploration of it. I found some characters a bit, dull and wish they could have been fleshed out more but I guess it is a series after all! I was a bit disappointed in Peter and how he quickly abandoned his love for Lesley when another "girl" came around.
Overall not sure I will read the second one, but glad I finally read this after it was on my tbr for 3+ years.
I liked this more than I expected after the first few chapters but it was also wildly different than I thought. I somehow didn't think it would lean into the magical that much, but ended up enjoying the exploration of it. I found some characters a bit, dull and wish they could have been fleshed out more but I guess it is a series after all! I was a bit disappointed in Peter and how he quickly abandoned his love for Lesley when another "girl" came around.
Overall not sure I will read the second one, but glad I finally read this after it was on my tbr for 3+ years.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
I remember why this is my favourite part of the series, both book and movie. The found family feeling and trope is so strong in this one and it is everything I want. We finally get more development of all the characters, even those smaller like Luna and Ginny. I also loved more insight into the adults, their past their positions, and what they are about. Especially Lupin and McGonagall made me love them even more this book.
After losing so many people in recent years I have a new found understanding of Harry at the end, one I didn't have when I first read the book. It truly makes me dislike Dumbledore all the more and yet the end, of all of them together is a great comfort because they are family and look out for each other.
Further notes: Tonks is my favourite and she deserved to be given more space, Lupin and Sirius are GAY, and McGonagall one of the bravest most amazing women of this series.
After losing so many people in recent years I have a new found understanding of Harry at the end, one I didn't have when I first read the book. It truly makes me dislike Dumbledore all the more and yet the end, of all of them together is a great comfort because they are family and look out for each other.
Further notes: Tonks is my favourite and she deserved to be given more space, Lupin and Sirius are GAY, and McGonagall one of the bravest most amazing women of this series.
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
emotional
hopeful
reflective
4.5
I adored this book and I am so glad it had a happy ending.
It's a very interesting writing on someone with autism and I enjoyed reading it so much and I could actually understand her so well. I would def recommend this to other people
It's a very interesting writing on someone with autism and I enjoyed reading it so much and I could actually understand her so well. I would def recommend this to other people