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jennastopreading's reviews
535 reviews
The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
Thank you to the publisher for my egalley of this title, all opinions are my own!
What an absolute delight this story was! While yes, there is a love story in it, they was so much more to it. I loved the setting, the growth we saw from the characters, the banter between elderly Georgina and young Kelsey, and more. Not only did we get to see a 30 something main character (which I love, because I feel that 20 something's are overdone these days), but we got to witness Georgina's heart and priorities change, too. The themes of hope, forgiveness, and starting over at any age were so beautifully fleshed out.
The love story in this book was swoon worthy without steam, and I loved it. The tension was well executed, the characters were very sweet with one another, and I loved the lack of miscommunication - aka the reason for the worst third act break ups in history! These adults communicated well, were respectful, and realistic - three things I rarely see bundled into one story.
I took off one star because I desperately wanted an epilogue, but other than that - adored this book and cannot wait to read more from Courtney Walsh!
What an absolute delight this story was! While yes, there is a love story in it, they was so much more to it. I loved the setting, the growth we saw from the characters, the banter between elderly Georgina and young Kelsey, and more. Not only did we get to see a 30 something main character (which I love, because I feel that 20 something's are overdone these days), but we got to witness Georgina's heart and priorities change, too. The themes of hope, forgiveness, and starting over at any age were so beautifully fleshed out.
The love story in this book was swoon worthy without steam, and I loved it. The tension was well executed, the characters were very sweet with one another, and I loved the lack of miscommunication - aka the reason for the worst third act break ups in history! These adults communicated well, were respectful, and realistic - three things I rarely see bundled into one story.
I took off one star because I desperately wanted an epilogue, but other than that - adored this book and cannot wait to read more from Courtney Walsh!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Car accident, and Abandonment
Summers at the Saint by Mary Kay Andrews
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read this via Netgalley!
Mary Kay Andrews sure knows how to weave together a layered story! This did not at all go in the direction that I expected, but I was along for the ride. Here are 3 things I enjoyed about this story:
1) While this story started out with what felt like 100 characters, they all ended up being pretty darn important. Each played a key role in the book, and it was fun to get to know them.
2) The resort setting is one that I don't think I've read before, and that was just a heckuva good time.
3) I appreciated the age span of the characters in this story - they weren't all teens/early 20's, and they weren't all middle aged. It was nice to have some differing perspectives, backgrounds, and life stages among the crew!
3 things I didn't like about this book:
1) It was about 75 pages too long - it drug way too much in the middle for me. I almost didn't finish it.
2) Some of the language/slang in this book was cringey for me to read. I wanted to die when a middle aged woman used the term "hot guy" for a middle aged man..or when another said, "A younger man? Me likey!" I had secondhand embarrassment.
3) The bulk of the action happened in the last 20% of the story, and while I wish I could say it were worth it, I really just wanted the book to be over most of the time that I was reading it.
Mary Kay Andrews sure knows how to weave together a layered story! This did not at all go in the direction that I expected, but I was along for the ride. Here are 3 things I enjoyed about this story:
1) While this story started out with what felt like 100 characters, they all ended up being pretty darn important. Each played a key role in the book, and it was fun to get to know them.
2) The resort setting is one that I don't think I've read before, and that was just a heckuva good time.
3) I appreciated the age span of the characters in this story - they weren't all teens/early 20's, and they weren't all middle aged. It was nice to have some differing perspectives, backgrounds, and life stages among the crew!
3 things I didn't like about this book:
1) It was about 75 pages too long - it drug way too much in the middle for me. I almost didn't finish it.
2) Some of the language/slang in this book was cringey for me to read. I wanted to die when a middle aged woman used the term "hot guy" for a middle aged man..or when another said, "A younger man? Me likey!" I had secondhand embarrassment.
3) The bulk of the action happened in the last 20% of the story, and while I wish I could say it were worth it, I really just wanted the book to be over most of the time that I was reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Rape, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
challenging
dark
tense
slow-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
5.0
As someone who is not typically a historical fiction reader, I am absolutely FLOORED at how much I enjoyed this novel! I immediately added some books by Ariel Lawhon to my wishlist. What a wonderful tribute to a remarkable midwife, Martha Ballard.
Martha's character was wise, endearing, and no nonsense. I found her likable and honorable and I loved being in her head. As a loving mother and a smart business woman, Martha was incredibly hard working and intelligent. She was kind but firm and stuck up for herself and those who were on the fringes of society when necessary - the definition of a strong female main character.
I am absolutely fascinated by birth and the ways that women were cared for before the invention of modern medicine, and this book spared no details on the subject. It was so beautifully described and showed the grace and power of women bringing life into this world.
Last but not least, Ephraim Ballard - he has my heart. Such a gentleman and the epitome of a strong, protective, loyal husband. I love him.
So many TW's for this book, so please take care before reading it if you are a sensitive reader.
Martha's character was wise, endearing, and no nonsense. I found her likable and honorable and I loved being in her head. As a loving mother and a smart business woman, Martha was incredibly hard working and intelligent. She was kind but firm and stuck up for herself and those who were on the fringes of society when necessary - the definition of a strong female main character.
I am absolutely fascinated by birth and the ways that women were cared for before the invention of modern medicine, and this book spared no details on the subject. It was so beautifully described and showed the grace and power of women bringing life into this world.
Last but not least, Ephraim Ballard - he has my heart. Such a gentleman and the epitome of a strong, protective, loyal husband. I love him.
So many TW's for this book, so please take care before reading it if you are a sensitive reader.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Blood, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Sexism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity and Pandemic/Epidemic
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
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
3.0
Julia Whelan remains QUEEN OF AUDIOBOOKS. Love her so much and this was an easy listen because of her.
I liked this story just fine, but I didn't love it the way I expected to. Like all of the previous EH novels I've read in the past, it hits on some heavy hitting topics and has depth in ways that a lot of romcoms miss. But interestingly enough, I don't think I would classify this book as "funny" at all, and I guess I was expecting more humor with the title having FUNNY in it?
The setting of the story may have been my favorite part and it definitely has me excited to visit Michigan this summer! The town felt like a character in and of itself, it felt very Stars Hollow in a way. Some of the characters throughout the town really made it fun, too. I do wish that the setting of Daphne's work, the library, had been better fleshed out.
I liked Miles a lot (despite his constant wearing of Crocs) and I found him very endearing. I wish we had seen more growth in Daphne throughout the story, but she also was a very realistic, believable character. I wish we had gotten more of Julia.
Overall, it was a decent book and I wasn't bored, but it's not my favorite romance I'll read in 2024.
I liked this story just fine, but I didn't love it the way I expected to. Like all of the previous EH novels I've read in the past, it hits on some heavy hitting topics and has depth in ways that a lot of romcoms miss. But interestingly enough, I don't think I would classify this book as "funny" at all, and I guess I was expecting more humor with the title having FUNNY in it?
The setting of the story may have been my favorite part and it definitely has me excited to visit Michigan this summer! The town felt like a character in and of itself, it felt very Stars Hollow in a way. Some of the characters throughout the town really made it fun, too. I do wish that the setting of Daphne's work, the library, had been better fleshed out.
I liked Miles a lot (despite his constant wearing of Crocs) and I found him very endearing. I wish we had seen more growth in Daphne throughout the story, but she also was a very realistic, believable character. I wish we had gotten more of Julia.
Overall, it was a decent book and I wasn't bored, but it's not my favorite romance I'll read in 2024.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
The Mostly True Story of Tanner and Louise by Colleen Oakley
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
The Best Way to Bury Your Husband by Alexia Casale
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
It may have just been that I lost momentum, but I had no desire to pick it up in between reading sessions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Domestic abuse
Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.5
Thank you to the publisher for my eARC via Netgalley!
Annabel Monaghan doesn't miss! I fell in love with her first two books, and this one was no different. What I love about her books is the way she weaves in heavy hitting topics while still keeping the overall mood of the book as light. So while this was an enjoyable, sweet story about, it features a mom going through a divorce and trying to figure out her life while grieving the loss of her mother - and without her pernicious ex husband.
While I would consider SUMMER ROMANCE to be a "beach read", it packs a powerful punch with a MC you can root for. I greatly appreciate Monoghan's portrayal of a female protagonist that isn't in her 20's (not that there's anything wrong with MC's in that category, but as someone in my 30's, I love reading someone who is a bit more *seasoned* in life). I think Ali's struggles will hit home for readers who have gone through a divorce when they had children involved, and the emotional turmoil of trying to figure out the logistics and also a way to move on with their life.
I also really enjoyed the male protaganist, Ethan, and the multiple dimensions of his character. He had some ground to make up in her mind due to being her childhood friend's "kid brother", and he rose to the occasion. Not only was he well educated and kind, but he was involved in his community in a big way. While I didn't find him as "swoony" as some MMC's in books, I actually found I really appreciated that about him because he was realistic. He was sweet, caring, and good to her without being over the top or fake.
Again, another win from Annabel Monaghan, and I can't wait to read everything else she ever writes!
Annabel Monaghan doesn't miss! I fell in love with her first two books, and this one was no different. What I love about her books is the way she weaves in heavy hitting topics while still keeping the overall mood of the book as light. So while this was an enjoyable, sweet story about, it features a mom going through a divorce and trying to figure out her life while grieving the loss of her mother - and without her pernicious ex husband.
While I would consider SUMMER ROMANCE to be a "beach read", it packs a powerful punch with a MC you can root for. I greatly appreciate Monoghan's portrayal of a female protagonist that isn't in her 20's (not that there's anything wrong with MC's in that category, but as someone in my 30's, I love reading someone who is a bit more *seasoned* in life). I think Ali's struggles will hit home for readers who have gone through a divorce when they had children involved, and the emotional turmoil of trying to figure out the logistics and also a way to move on with their life.
I also really enjoyed the male protaganist, Ethan, and the multiple dimensions of his character. He had some ground to make up in her mind due to being her childhood friend's "kid brother", and he rose to the occasion. Not only was he well educated and kind, but he was involved in his community in a big way. While I didn't find him as "swoony" as some MMC's in books, I actually found I really appreciated that about him because he was realistic. He was sweet, caring, and good to her without being over the top or fake.
Again, another win from Annabel Monaghan, and I can't wait to read everything else she ever writes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.75
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
dark
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75