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megan_bbender's reviews
88 reviews
The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is such a 50/50 book, nothing happens but everything happens, slow pace but fast pace. There's nothing interesting about this book.
You won't feel anything from this book because there's simply nothing in it. You won't feel a connection to the characters, the plot, or the story.
In a few months, I will see this book sitting on my shelf and I will say to myself, "I can't remember anything that happened in this book." It's not a terrible book by any means, but it's very forgettable.
It's not like I had to force myself to read this book because it was bad, but I wouldn't recommend spending any time on it. There's nothing particular that I didn't like, but there is nothing that stands out to me that I did like.
It's very back and forth with this book, it's good but it's also not good.
You won't feel anything from this book because there's simply nothing in it. You won't feel a connection to the characters, the plot, or the story.
In a few months, I will see this book sitting on my shelf and I will say to myself, "I can't remember anything that happened in this book." It's not a terrible book by any means, but it's very forgettable.
It's not like I had to force myself to read this book because it was bad, but I wouldn't recommend spending any time on it. There's nothing particular that I didn't like, but there is nothing that stands out to me that I did like.
It's very back and forth with this book, it's good but it's also not good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover
emotional
sad
tense
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
This was my first Colleen Hoover book and that was only because it was chosen for Book Club. With that being said, I was actually really pleasantly surprised. I could not stop reading this book, I read for hours straight and could not put it down. I will definitely be reading more Colleen Hoover books.
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style but Colleen's storytelling definitely makes up for it. There's a fine line when it comes to authors sharing details and I find that it's very easy to miss the mark and word vomit every single unnecessary detail. Colleen was able to create a perfect balance. I enjoy books so much more when I am able to picture the scenes and images. I think that Colleen did a great job at helping her readers connect to the book.
I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style but Colleen's storytelling definitely makes up for it. There's a fine line when it comes to authors sharing details and I find that it's very easy to miss the mark and word vomit every single unnecessary detail. Colleen was able to create a perfect balance. I enjoy books so much more when I am able to picture the scenes and images. I think that Colleen did a great job at helping her readers connect to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Sexual content and Car accident
Minor: Incest, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Behind Every Lie by Christina McDonald
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! I often find that mystery books are predictable, but there was a lot of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. The author kept me on my toes the whole time I was reading and I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.
I found that the writing was a bit silly at some parts but the plot itself made up for it.
I found that the writing was a bit silly at some parts but the plot itself made up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Rape, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Child death, Death, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Emotional abuse and Stalking
The Perfect Alibi by Phillip Margolin
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
Apparently this book is the second book of the Robin Lockwood series, unfortunately I only found out after finishing it. However this book still had me on the edge of my seat the entire time! I will read the rest of them.
I love the perspective that the story was told through and I honestly loved how fast paced the book was. It seems as if the author brilliantly chose the boring details to be left out; nothing was dragged out but there was still suspense while reading.
I love how this book had multiple aspects but there was nothing left hanging, there was always an unexpected twist that made the book super entertaining. The only issue that I had with this book was that I found it a bit hard to keep track of who all the different characters were.
I will definitely be reading more from Phillip Margolin!
I love the perspective that the story was told through and I honestly loved how fast paced the book was. It seems as if the author brilliantly chose the boring details to be left out; nothing was dragged out but there was still suspense while reading.
I love how this book had multiple aspects but there was nothing left hanging, there was always an unexpected twist that made the book super entertaining. The only issue that I had with this book was that I found it a bit hard to keep track of who all the different characters were.
I will definitely be reading more from Phillip Margolin!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Murder
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, and Grief
Minor: Stalking
Playground by Aron Beauregard
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
On one side I thought that it was pretty good but on the other side I can’t stop thinking “what the fuck did I just read?”
It is nothing like I have ever read before, I definitely wouldn’t say it’s a bad book but I think I’m struggling morally with reading something that includes such horrific things done to kids.
It is nothing like I have ever read before, I definitely wouldn’t say it’s a bad book but I think I’m struggling morally with reading something that includes such horrific things done to kids.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Abandonment
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
If I ever choose to read a romance novel, I usually go for the super heavy cheesy and sappy romance. But my friend gave me this book as a gift so I had to give it a chance.
I found that the writing really flowed however towards the end there were some parts that were a bit choppy and didn't go super nicely together.
At first, I didn't think that I was going to really enjoy this book but as I kept reading I started liking it more and more. At Chapter 22, I had to take a break and stop reading because I just knew what was going to happen. I read the last bit of the book with a heavy heart. I like to rate books based on their ability to make me feel things, and this book made me feel a lot.
I thought that I knew what direction the book was going but I was wrong. The ending had a turn, but then it did become predictable again. I still enjoyed it though, I thought it was super heartfelt.
I found that the writing really flowed however towards the end there were some parts that were a bit choppy and didn't go super nicely together.
At first, I didn't think that I was going to really enjoy this book but as I kept reading I started liking it more and more. At Chapter 22, I had to take a break and stop reading because I just knew what was going to happen. I read the last bit of the book with a heavy heart. I like to rate books based on their ability to make me feel things, and this book made me feel a lot.
I thought that I knew what direction the book was going but I was wrong. The ending had a turn, but then it did become predictable again. I still enjoyed it though, I thought it was super heartfelt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
Growing up, I was not a fan of Jennette McCurdy as I never watched any Nickelodeon. However, when this book first came out and I heard some of the reviews, I knew I had to read this book for myself. It's painful to know that someone went through these experiences throughout their life.
I'm so appreciative of the truthfulness and the bravery that it would have taken to write this book. Jennette writes and describes things in such a way that is simple but still powerful. I applaud her for speaking out and sharing her story!
I'm so appreciative of the truthfulness and the bravery that it would have taken to write this book. Jennette writes and describes things in such a way that is simple but still powerful. I applaud her for speaking out and sharing her story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Blood, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: Cursing and Stalking
LVOE by Atticus
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.5
I sat down and read the first few poems, then I read the next few, and then I ended up reading the whole book at once. I really liked some of these poems but others I found weird or didn't get the humour.
These poems were simple, they didn't cause me to see a new perspective but they were simple reminders about how life can still be beautiful.
These poems were simple, they didn't cause me to see a new perspective but they were simple reminders about how life can still be beautiful.
Here at Dawn by Beau Taplin
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
3.5
Some of these are really amazing and I don't have the talent to put into words how much some of these poems were able to open my eyes. There were some that just stood out and that I was really able to connect with.
Some of the metaphors and comparisons in this book are simply just brilliant. I really enjoyed going through them.
One of my favourite poems out of this book is Hostels and Homes.
Some of the metaphors and comparisons in this book are simply just brilliant. I really enjoyed going through them.
One of my favourite poems out of this book is Hostels and Homes.
A Golden Fury by Samantha Cohoe
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
I really only enjoyed this book after I read Chapter 15 and onwards. I thought it was pretty slow starting off but I didn't mind the ending at all. The plot eventually got exciting. I loved all the characters and thought the attention to detail was great.
With that being said, I felt like there could have been more in the background. Things like what was happening with the war throughout that time?
I can't really explain why I can't give this book a higher rating. It just feels very in the middle, it wasn't bad but it doesn't at all compare to my favourite books.
With that being said, I felt like there could have been more in the background. Things like what was happening with the war throughout that time?
I can't really explain why I can't give this book a higher rating. It just feels very in the middle, it wasn't bad but it doesn't at all compare to my favourite books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Minor: War