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leahhmorriss's reviews
95 reviews
The Start of Something by Miranda Dickinson
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I started off with really high hopes for this book but the middle half was really boring.
I think the characters were pretty two dimensional, they had their own problems and that was pretty much the focus of their stories.
The romance was hardly there, and the bits that were included were SO unrealistic to me. How are they falling in love over window messages about biscuits and marvel? And then meeting through a hole in the hedge?? It annoyed me so much how they were moping about being in love after meeting face to face three times and having the deadest conversations.
I get they were both going through their own struggles, and at times I did actually enjoy Lachlan’s storyline, but if they both stopped being insecure for one minute and actually had a mature conversation then a good 100 pages of this book would’ve been avoided. This again takes me back to the point of how can you be in love with a woman yet not feel comfortable telling her you had a leg injury.
The ending of this book felt rushed. It took until the last 20 pages for them to have a mature conversation and then BOOM happy ever after.
I think this book had a lot of potential and the author had a good idea, but the characters just fell pretty flat for me.
I think the characters were pretty two dimensional, they had their own problems and that was pretty much the focus of their stories.
The romance was hardly there, and the bits that were included were SO unrealistic to me. How are they falling in love over window messages about biscuits and marvel? And then meeting through a hole in the hedge?? It annoyed me so much how they were moping about being in love after meeting face to face three times and having the deadest conversations.
I get they were both going through their own struggles, and at times I did actually enjoy Lachlan’s storyline, but if they both stopped being insecure for one minute and actually had a mature conversation then a good 100 pages of this book would’ve been avoided. This again takes me back to the point of how can you be in love with a woman yet not feel comfortable telling her you had a leg injury.
The ending of this book felt rushed. It took until the last 20 pages for them to have a mature conversation and then BOOM happy ever after.
I think this book had a lot of potential and the author had a good idea, but the characters just fell pretty flat for me.
The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this book whilst I was immersed in reading it, but after I sat back and thought everything over I noticed things that knocked the rating down for me. I feel like there were some plot holes and the final plot twist didn’t even really make sense.
Before I even read this book, I read the blurb and thought ‘predictable, the wife did it.’ But then with the way these characters were written, it had me second guessing EVERYONE. I had every character on my suspect list at one point. So then when it turned out that Sarah was actually the murderer, it was kind of an unpleasant surprise. There was so much build up and potential for the other characters and then all of a sudden it was the most predictable ending. I feel like there was some plot holes in this twist ending, such as how on earth did Adam not notice a dead body and blood beside him when he woke up? He touched her before he left! I also feel like the timing of Sarah going home and Adam getting home that night was off. There was also foreshadowing of pregnancy when Sarah was getting morning sickness, which never got brought up again. And one of the biggest things for me was the scene when Sarah had sex with an unknown man in the middle of the night?? What the hell was that about. I’m assuming it was Bob but it was so so random.
I think if you don’t take this book too seriously and just read it for what it is, it’s an enjoyable read. But there were definitely things that didn’t add up and for that reason it knocked my rating down a star.
I think if you don’t take this book too seriously and just read it for what it is, it’s an enjoyable read. But there were definitely things that didn’t add up and for that reason it knocked my rating down a star.
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
*contains spoilers*
This was by far one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was written so well and the author dealt with difficult topics in a respectful way. It was so traumatising to read but I couldn’t take my eyes away from the pages.
As I was reading this book I felt as though I was really in Vanessa’s mind. I felt manipulated by Strane in the same way that Vanessa did, I felt loved, betrayed, scared, every feeling that she felt. At the start, I found myself believing everything that Strane was telling Vanessa, thinking that he really did care for her and love her. And when it was found out that he was perusing other girls, it felt like a betrayal because wasn’t Vanessa “special”?
Vanessa is a very complex character and therefore it’s very difficult to like her, no matter how much I empathise for her. My main issue with her is that she refused to help other girls who were in the same situation as her, even though she knew how much Strane had destroyed her. For example, when a grown man was clearly making Inez uncomfortable and she ignored it, or when she knew that a customer at the hotel was taking an underage girl up to his hotel room and raping her. She also could’ve helped the other victims of Strane without exposing herself, yet chose to protect him even after his death. My heart broke for her as a child, and I truly understand the hold that he had over her, but I just think she could’ve done more to help as an adult.
Strane’s suicide made me cry with frustration. He took the cowards way out and will never be held accountable and justice will never be properly served. He truly was a horrible man and the fact that he was so in denial that he was a pedophile and that he raped Vanessa was so scary.
One character I will never forgive in this book is Vanessa’s mother. She KNEW that her daughter had been groomed and raped by her teacher and didn’t even try to send that man to jail. How a mother could let that slide is beyond me. The Browick school was to blame almost as much. They knew something was going on and refused to investigate further to avoid a scandal. I really wish Taylor Birch would’ve been able to shut them down for good.
I would genuinely read pages and pages of essays about this book. It will always be a favourite of mine from here on out and I think Vanessa’s story was an extremely important one to tell.
This was by far one of the best books I’ve ever read. It was written so well and the author dealt with difficult topics in a respectful way. It was so traumatising to read but I couldn’t take my eyes away from the pages.
As I was reading this book I felt as though I was really in Vanessa’s mind. I felt manipulated by Strane in the same way that Vanessa did, I felt loved, betrayed, scared, every feeling that she felt. At the start, I found myself believing everything that Strane was telling Vanessa, thinking that he really did care for her and love her. And when it was found out that he was perusing other girls, it felt like a betrayal because wasn’t Vanessa “special”?
Vanessa is a very complex character and therefore it’s very difficult to like her, no matter how much I empathise for her. My main issue with her is that she refused to help other girls who were in the same situation as her, even though she knew how much Strane had destroyed her. For example, when a grown man was clearly making Inez uncomfortable and she ignored it, or when she knew that a customer at the hotel was taking an underage girl up to his hotel room and raping her. She also could’ve helped the other victims of Strane without exposing herself, yet chose to protect him even after his death. My heart broke for her as a child, and I truly understand the hold that he had over her, but I just think she could’ve done more to help as an adult.
Strane’s suicide made me cry with frustration. He took the cowards way out and will never be held accountable and justice will never be properly served. He truly was a horrible man and the fact that he was so in denial that he was a pedophile and that he raped Vanessa was so scary.
One character I will never forgive in this book is Vanessa’s mother. She KNEW that her daughter had been groomed and raped by her teacher and didn’t even try to send that man to jail. How a mother could let that slide is beyond me. The Browick school was to blame almost as much. They knew something was going on and refused to investigate further to avoid a scandal. I really wish Taylor Birch would’ve been able to shut them down for good.
I would genuinely read pages and pages of essays about this book. It will always be a favourite of mine from here on out and I think Vanessa’s story was an extremely important one to tell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.0
For the most part I enjoyed this book. I’ve never read a book by Matt Haig before but I enjoyed his writing style. I’d definitely pick up another one of his books.
I liked the main character, Nora, and felt as though I could relate to her in some ways regarding mental health.
I think the overall message of this book is very important and I feel it would definitely help someone who is struggling to find their happy place in this world.
I liked the main character, Nora, and felt as though I could relate to her in some ways regarding mental health.
I think the overall message of this book is very important and I feel it would definitely help someone who is struggling to find their happy place in this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? N/A
3.0
This book consists of 3 separate novellas based around a friendship group of 3 female main characters.
This was a short but sweet read. I really enjoyed the first 2 novellas but the 3rd was really boring and I ended up skim reading most of it, which is surprising because I usually love Ali Hazelwood’s writing.
This was a short but sweet read. I really enjoyed the first 2 novellas but the 3rd was really boring and I ended up skim reading most of it, which is surprising because I usually love Ali Hazelwood’s writing.
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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 have to say, I was PLEASANTLY surprised by this book. I’d say it was at least my 2nd, perhaps joint first, favourite book of this series. I didn’t have high hopes that I was going to love this book as I previously had a bit of a love hate relationship with Nesta, but I ended up really loving her story and character.
I think this book really helped understand Nesta’s trauma and why she behaves the way that she does, and I was quite shocked to realise I relate to her in many ways. I loved her friendship with Gwyn and Emerie so much, they’re all such powerful and strong women, both physically and mentally.
I loved reading more from Cassian’s POV, I didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with him. I think his and Nesta’s relationship developed at the perfect pace and I was rooting for them so hard. They’re so perfect for each other.
I’m so so sad to have reached the end of this series. I know there’s more books in the works but they will never be done fast enough for me. I’m soooo excited. Until then, I’m going to let myself get sucked into the SJM universe and move on to the Throne Of Glass series!
I think this book really helped understand Nesta’s trauma and why she behaves the way that she does, and I was quite shocked to realise I relate to her in many ways. I loved her friendship with Gwyn and Emerie so much, they’re all such powerful and strong women, both physically and mentally.
I loved reading more from Cassian’s POV, I didn’t think it was possible to fall more in love with him. I think his and Nesta’s relationship developed at the perfect pace and I was rooting for them so hard. They’re so perfect for each other.
I’m so so sad to have reached the end of this series. I know there’s more books in the works but they will never be done fast enough for me. I’m soooo excited. Until then, I’m going to let myself get sucked into the SJM universe and move on to the Throne Of Glass series!
Someone Else's Life by Lyn Liao Butler
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was quite slow for the first half. I think the plot had a lot of potential but ended up being quite predictable and I did guess all of the plot twists before they happened. Some of it seemed a little far fetched and unbelievable, but I enjoyed the book as a whole. I think the last 10% was a little dragged out and could’ve been shortened.
I found myself being quite frustrated with the main character, Annie. For a start, given her interest in TV shows involving stalkers and murderers, I do not understand why she would even let a stranger into her home. She then proceeded to ignore multiple red flags and odd behaviour from the woman who claimed to know a lot more about Annie’s life than she should. After finding out how crazy the woman was, she even tried to defend her and reason with her and offer to help her! Any sane person would not so easily forgive or try to understand this woman after everything she caused.
Overall, I did enjoy the book when I was reading it and found myself wanting to continue to the end.
I found myself being quite frustrated with the main character, Annie. For a start, given her interest in TV shows involving stalkers and murderers, I do not understand why she would even let a stranger into her home. She then proceeded to ignore multiple red flags and odd behaviour from the woman who claimed to know a lot more about Annie’s life than she should. After finding out how crazy the woman was, she even tried to defend her and reason with her and offer to help her! Any sane person would not so easily forgive or try to understand this woman after everything she caused.
Overall, I did enjoy the book when I was reading it and found myself wanting to continue to the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcoholism and Violence
Animal Farm by George Orwell
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book taught me that pigs cannot be trusted and they will manipulate you until they have power over you. They will gaslight you into believing they’re leading a revolution when in reality THEY’RE the bad guys.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Gun violence, Slavery, and Gaslighting
A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.5
I loooved having multiple POVs in this book. It was a bit odd at first jumping from first to third person, but I got used to it. I did feel like this book dragged a tiny bit, but I loved the parts about the Winter Solstice. It felt like a warm hug, like a Christmas special of my favourite TV show.
I’m so sad to think this is potentially the last time I will read Feyre’s POV, especially since the next book is from Nesta’s POV and she really pissed me off in this book, just when I was starting to like her. Other than that, it was nice to see the Inner Circle finally being a family again without all of the death surrounding them.
The one scene I really disliked in this book was when Rhys and Feyre had sex with an image of their future child in their minds. I get what SJM was trying to do, but it just felt a little creepy to me and made me uncomfortable. Totally ruined that great scene.
I’m so sad to think this is potentially the last time I will read Feyre’s POV, especially since the next book is from Nesta’s POV and she really pissed me off in this book, just when I was starting to like her. Other than that, it was nice to see the Inner Circle finally being a family again without all of the death surrounding them.
A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
The last book in the original trilogy! I loved it so much. The only reason it didn’t get 5 stars is because sometimes I found myself a little bored and wasn’t fully entranced in the story which did not happen at all with the other books. But I’d say that was only in the first half as the second half was filled with action. I think the war was written so well, I could picture everything clearly in my mind as if I was watching an epic scene unfolding in a movie. I loved it so so much.
I definitely cried the most in this book and god was it an emotional rollercoaster. I think the one thing that I would change about this book is that I felt Feyre sat on the sidelines too much during the battles. I know they didn’t have much time to prepare, but with a tiny bit more training she would’ve been one of the most powerful beings on that battlefield (which she exampled with the fight between Feyre and the Attor).
I think this was such a perfect ending to wrap up the first 3 books, but I’m certainly going to miss Feyre’s POV. I can’t wait to see where the SJM universe takes me from here.
I definitely cried the most in this book and god was it an emotional rollercoaster. I think the one thing that I would change about this book is that I felt Feyre sat on the sidelines too much during the battles. I know they didn’t have much time to prepare, but with a tiny bit more training she would’ve been one of the most powerful beings on that battlefield (which she exampled with the fight between Feyre and the Attor).
I think this was such a perfect ending to wrap up the first 3 books, but I’m certainly going to miss Feyre’s POV. I can’t wait to see where the SJM universe takes me from here.