loudgls89's reviews
676 reviews

Rachel Ryan's Resolutions by Laura Starkey

emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

The Christmas Book Club by Sarah Morgan

emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

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

4.5

The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary

emotional funny fast-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

4.75

A Death in the Parish by Richard Coles

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Christmas with the Lords by Hannah Langdon

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Snowed In by Catherine Walsh

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Lost For Words by Stephanie Butland

emotional relaxing sad 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

Parenting Hell: The Book of the No.1 Smash Hit Podcast by Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Miscarriage

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

emotional lighthearted 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

5.0

Strong Female Character by Fern Brady

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

5.0

I first came across Fern Brady when watching Taskmaster last year and I instantly loved her and the way she approached the tasks. I found out after the show that she was autistic and that the show had been a freeing and welcoming experience for her. 

What I didn’t realise until I listened to this book is how hard Fern’s life has been up to now. Her autobiography, narrated by herself in audiobook form, dives right into her life with no nice rosy filter applied. 

From her time at school in a secure unit, to her self harm and suicide attempts, to her time working in a strip club at university, Fern lets us into her life and how the world isn’t set up for autistic people, and specifically for autistic women, who find it particularly hard to be diagnosed. 

I wouldn’t say this was as easy read in any way, so you need to be prepared before going in, but it was enlightening and definitely worth reading/listening to, in order to get a perspective of how life can be so much harder for someone who is neurodiverse. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt