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teeclecticreads's reviews
280 reviews
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
I can’t believe it took me this long to actually read a Taylor Jenkins Reid book, but I’m so glad that I did because no, I feel like there are two versions of me: who I was before TJR, and who I am now after TJR.
This book was so thoughtfully, carefully and beautifully written. I love when a work of fiction can really immerse me in the world so much that it feels like it was an actual real life events. I am so enamoured by Evelyn Hugo and her life and I love that as a character, she was not just aware, but outwardly made it clear that she was not a perfect person. That she made questionable decisions, but she also stood behind all of those decisions and was apologetic when she needed to be.
The drama was toooooo good! Every chapter found myself so desperate to find out more about the husband that was being focused on. Then the twist at the end????? I reached that twist around 10:30 in the night and my brain was so boggled that I had to finish the book right then and there. No pausing. Let’s just say that even though this was my first this won’t be my last book by Taylor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Car accident
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Eating disorder, Abortion, and Outing
I put eating disorder in the tags but with context I think a better description would be diet culture. Given the setting of the mid 1900s in Hollywood, many celebrities would be watching what they eat as to not get ‘unattractive’ for roles.
Just Do It by Maxine Morrey
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I got this ARC on NetGalley and wanted to read it before it was published (January 18). I love that there’s Deaf rep and the story on a whole is very sweet and riddled with humour.
My main issue with it was the miscommunication, oh my gosh! I hate a third act break up too and the fact that they broke up because they weren’t talking to each other and working things out just annoyed me. Like please, you both are in your thirties acting immature.
I started the story thinking it was a 4 because the archaeology details and the fun in the forced proximity was great! After 50% though it just demoted itself to a 3, but if you don’t mind the tropes I mentioned then it’s worth a read :)
My main issue with it was the miscommunication, oh my gosh! I hate a third act break up too and the fact that they broke up because they weren’t talking to each other and working things out just annoyed me. Like please, you both are in your thirties acting immature.
I started the story thinking it was a 4 because the archaeology details and the fun in the forced proximity was great! After 50% though it just demoted itself to a 3, but if you don’t mind the tropes I mentioned then it’s worth a read :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death
Call Me Iggy by Jorge Aguirre
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
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
I first have to say that I love the graphic design style used in this. The story is also pretty interesting and while it's full of humour, it tackles important issues as well. Abuelito's ghost is helping Iggy to learn Spanish to impress a white girl he likes named Kristi, as his father seems to prefer French and never taught his sons how to. It goes hilariously wrong though and Marisol agrees to help in exchange for him cleaning with her. As an undocumented immigrant, she lives in fear of deportation like her brother was, especially since Trump is elected president. Very touching.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
The Last Days of You and Me by Debbie Howells
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Debbie Howells for this eARC. The title doesn’t prepare you enough for how sad and moving yet sweet and inspiring this would be. These four characters all become connected somehow and navigate the coming seasons with each other. They experience terminal illness, death but also love together and it’s so beautiful how they rely on each other for strength. I can’t say too much without spoiling it but if you’re emotional it may jerk a few tears. It’s out on January 29 so make sure you get your copy then. It’s so worth it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Car accident, and Death of parent
A Game for All the Family by Sophie Hannah
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m gonna be honest, I don’t have a clue was I just read. It was funny for sure, but the mystery is kinda confusing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking and Murder
The Future Is Disabled: Prophecies, Love Notes, and Mourning Songs by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha, Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
5.0
l loved that I could see myself and my spoonie friends in a lot of these stories and experiences, while also learning more about the identities I don’t hold.
There was pain, griet, frustration and love sprinkled all throughout the book, and having Leah themself narrate it made it more immersive (eg. they teared up while reading a particular section).
It was informative and held my attention the whole time. I can’t wait to read Care Work and see where everything started.
There was pain, griet, frustration and love sprinkled all throughout the book, and having Leah themself narrate it made it more immersive (eg. they teared up while reading a particular section).
It was informative and held my attention the whole time. I can’t wait to read Care Work and see where everything started.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Racism, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I tell you guys I still can’t wrap my head around what I read…
I read this book in a day. Had to put it down after and contemplate my life. Delicious Monsters had me feeling the same way 😂 I mean…wow! It’s one thing to know there’s a twist and it’s another to not have known the twist would’ve been so twisted!!
Each chapter had me thinking “what the heck??” or just utterly upset and frustrated (in a good way). I know the year just started but it’s definitely in the running for one of my top 5 books of the year. Remarkable writing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Rape, Torture, and Murder
In Search of Superpowers: A Fantasy Pin World Adventure by Briana Lawrence
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
I thought this was a cool concept overall, but there were elements of the book that I didn’t particularly enjoy.
Firstly, Becca was a serious brat and way too clingy to Sophie. I get that they’re twins but having someone not allow you to feel like an individual while also having the parents back them up was very frustrating to read about.
I’m not a fan of the cliffhanger that ended the story, but that’s just my preference in general. I wish the issue with Angie’s dad and Latrice would’ve been solved. I also don’t understand the conversation at the end. Without spoiling, the fact that one person in a relationship was going against the other was very weird.
Despite all that, having pins that give you great powers is pretty cool as someone who myself loves pins. I also like that though they all shared this thing together, they still had their individual storylines as they tried to navigate their own issues.
Firstly, Becca was a serious brat and way too clingy to Sophie. I get that they’re twins but having someone not allow you to feel like an individual while also having the parents back them up was very frustrating to read about.
I’m not a fan of the cliffhanger that ended the story, but that’s just my preference in general. I wish the issue with Angie’s dad and Latrice would’ve been solved. I also don’t understand the conversation at the end. Without spoiling, the fact that one person in a relationship was going against the other was very weird.
Despite all that, having pins that give you great powers is pretty cool as someone who myself loves pins. I also like that though they all shared this thing together, they still had their individual storylines as they tried to navigate their own issues.
Gamer Girls: Out of Control by Andrea Towers
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
I think a lot of you are sleeping on these middle grade reads!
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book is about Lucy, who recently moved to a new town and is trying to navigate having new friendships while missing her old ones. Even though it was handled in a way that a middle grade audience would more relate to, I think that no matter what age you are, friendships can be difficult and there’s something to be learned from this.
My favourite thing is that the book is PACKED with representation!! Lucy’s cousin Jordan has Celiac disease and is also gay. Nat’s sister Dylan is in a relationship with a non-binary person. Jordan’s mom is a lesbian and so are other characters in the book. And I secretly think Lucy may be on the Aro spectrum based on her emphasis on not liking anyone or ever having a crush.
I think this is such a great book for kids who feel different to read. They can see that whatever they feel or experience isn’t strange. Some of us love other people than society expects. Some of us can’t have gluten (me included 😂 though I don’t have celiac) and that’s okay! There’s also a couple of really nice drawings sprinkled throughout. It’s definitely worth a read.
Enemies to Lovers by Portia MacIntosh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I really am not enjoying the story. The interaction between the MCs fees forced and cringy, and that long tangent about yoga felt like an unnecessary addition. I also don’t like the writing style very much.