tdhaswell's reviews
56 reviews

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

slow-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.75

We get it, Shannon is small and not like
other girls- we don't need to be
reminded on every page.
Johnny's demeanor is more of a war
veteran than a 17yo rugby player.

It was really good at times, and really
bad at times. I'm hoping Claire Gibsie's
book is a bit better.

Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid

fast-paced

3.0

Very reflective. Almost Mitch Albom-esque which I didn’t know when I started it. I thought I wouldn’t enjoy that style but it wasn’t bad. I think it just happened to come at a time in my life when the reflections resonated with me.
Characters are quite flat and the storyline is bland but it is one of TJRs earlier novels.

Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

fast-paced

5.0

I previously read If He Had Been With Me, and this novel has a similar style and story but it is more thought out and overall just a lot better.

I do still wish the storyline with Sean developed differently. It isn’t realistic and feels like an ‘easy way out’ to segue into her relationship with Elliot. I understood what the writers intention is but feel there could have been more to that storyline.

Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy

4.0

Honestly had 5-star potential but there were (too many) cringe, eye-roll plot points… especially the ‘plot twist’ at the end.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern

slow-paced

5.0

I loved The Night Circus and I was gifted Morgenstern’s The Starless Sea. I loved it just as much. She is such a talented writer. Her fantastical writing style and carefully constructed plot building always produces such well-crafted stories. Morgenstern’s novels are experiences.

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

fast-paced

3.5

Some of the drama felt inorganic and over-exaggerated so I put off finishing it for a while. The ending was really heartfelt but also a bit unrealistic…

Are we really supposed to believe everyone was OK with turning the entire AfroWinter Ball into a Malakai-Kiki love expression? Or that THAT many people really wanted a live Brown Sugar episode? It seemed a bit selfish or, at least, unrealistic.

Despite that, I loved a lot of this book. It was refreshing and insightful.
A similar concept to Dear White People on Netflix.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

5.0

It is so raw and real. Such a refreshing read. I could not put it down. Heartwarming and gut wrenching at the same time.

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

fast-paced

3.0

The ending is absolutely tragic, obviously, but SO rushed and predictable.

I had already guessed the cheating with Sasha as well as Autumn’s pregnancy.

The characters are very one-dimensional. The whole tiara thing is.. strange. The idea of ‘outcasts’ incompatible with ‘popular’ kids and Autumn’s storyline with Finny is very basic and cliche.

I think I would have really enjoyed this and found it much more authentic and relatable if I was much younger, perhaps Grade 7-9.

As I said, it is an average read with a deeply sad event slapped on at the end which doesn’t make it a great novel. However, I enjoyed it for what it was- simple, heartwarming found-family that tugs on your heart strings at the end.

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

As a mixed race South African descended from Indians, I felt this book with every fibre of my being. Following generations is a difficult concept to master but was wonderfully executed and very effective. I was shocked finding out it was Gyasi’s debut novel.

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

medium-paced

4.0

I quite enjoyed it actually. The slow-burn allowed me to actually foster a connection with the characters. The reveal lacked something for me, I can’t quite put my finger on it… but, other than that, it was really good.