ashleyj_reads's reviews
314 reviews

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass
Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.

Narrator wasn't working for me; her voice maid the already obnoxious MC even more annoying. I'm sad about this, because I usually love Cass.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

𝙁𝙔𝙄 I don’t buy into cancel culture. However, I did consider current events when wanting to read this book. I did decide to source this book ethically: I borrowed the digital version via library app.

Four stars only because I want to know more about the Hempstocks. I understand why we’re not told more, but that’s not the point here. I’m very curious and one star’s worth of upset about it.

This is well-written: seamless timeline changes, and action to thought/dialogue pieces. The not magic is beautifully created and experienced by character and reader. 

What a wild, fascinating, and mind boggling experience for a child!! It’s no wonder he doesn’t know where home is as an adult.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide

Minor: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, and Death of parent

What Does It Feel Like? by Sophie Kinsella

emotional inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

The Official Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book by Taylor Swift

5.0

Seven Percent of Ro Devereux by Ellen O'Clover

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

adventurous dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book absolutely destroyed me. I need more of Evie and The Villian, now. 


I wish I could go back in time and tell myself not to take so long getting into this book! Once I got past the exposition (it was slow for me, but that could’ve been the mood reader problem), I was HOOKED and couldn’t put the book down!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder

Minor: Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Torture, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

Fool Me Once by Ashley Winstead

medium-paced

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

3.0

This was a kind of decent, well-written story. Odd for me to read a book even remotely related to politics, but I did kind of like it. The relationships (read: not just the romantic ones) were odd and gave me some icks. The romantic relationships were toxic and most likely wouldn't have been repaired if they were IRL. Plus, I SUPER don't like the main character; there were several times I almost abandoned this book because she gets on my nerves.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Infidelity

The Women by Kristin Hannah

5.0