beanslibrary's reviews
160 reviews

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

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challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Wow. Wow wow wow this book

An Embarrassment of Witches by Sophie Goldstein, Jenn Jordan

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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

Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams

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emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Reading Bitter Sweet felt like watching a movie—one of those films where you find yourself talking to the screen, wanting to yell ‘no!’ at the main character as they make one frustrating decision after another. The story flowed effortlessly, making it a quick and engaging read, with just enough detail to bring everything to life without feeling overwhelming.

The book’s biggest strength is its focus on flawed, deeply human characters. The FMC, in particular, was tough to love for much of the story, and I struggled to relate to her at times. Still, the way the book explored imperfections—rather than shying away from them—felt intentional and compelling.

That being said, the MMC was awful. He was manipulative, self-serving, and emotionally exhausting to watch unfold on the page. The way he navigated his relationship with the FMC felt calculated, as if he always knew exactly how to keep her tethered to him while giving the bare minimum in return. It made their dynamic frustrating, and I constantly wished for more pushback from the FMC. Given how infatuated she had been with him growing up, their relationship fell together too easy, almost like the book was trying to justify his behavior rather than truly reckoning with it.

As someone fascinated by the inner workings of the publishing industry, I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. It added an extra layer of interest that kept me invested.

Overall, Bitter Sweet is an interesting character-driven read with a smooth, engaging style. If you enjoy stories about personal growth, flaws, and the messy realities of relationships—especially the ones that leave you frustrated and questioning motivations—this one is worth picking up.

Content Warnings

The Answer is No by Fredrik Backman

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funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.5

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig

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emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

What if you had all the time in the world, but still felt like you were running out of it? How to Stop Time is a mix of historical fiction, a little romance, and a lot of reflection on what it really means to live.

The story follows Tom Hazard, who has a rare condition that makes him age incredibly slowly. He’s seen centuries pass, but instead of feeling invincible, he’s weighed down by his past and the rules that keep him from truly connecting with others. As he tries to navigate modern life, he has to figure out what actually makes a life worth living.

Matt Haig’s writing is thoughtful and immersive, full of moments that make you pause and think. The book has a slower, introspective pace, but it works well for the story. If you like books that blend history, philosophy, and a touch of the extraordinary, this one is definitely worth checking out!

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

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challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced