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cjeannette's Reviews (602)
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
It’s been a while since I’ve dipped into a dystopian world, and Silver Elite was the perfect book to pull me back in. The world system was intriguing but the world-building wasn’t super detailed and maybe had some gaps that made me pause but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story because really I’m just reading for the vibes 😅. I was hooked, staying up way too late two nights in a row just to find out what happened next.
Wren is a strong, clever FMC who often has to downplay her strength and smarts, making her all the more compelling but definitely had some moments where she was frustrating or I questioned her choices. Cross delivers full-on shadow daddy energy, and their enemies-to-lovers/forced proximity romance brought spice and tension to the story. I had fun reading this and will be reading book 2 when it comes out but it’s not necessarily a book I’d recommend to everyone—just the folks who are ok with just reading for vibes and glossing over some plot holes.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This is hands down my favorite Abby Jimenez book—which says a lot, because I’ve loved them all. She had me completely falling for Samantha and Xavier. She pulled me through every emotion, reading witj with tears in my eyes and then laughing-out-loud with perfectly timed lines. I adored the main characters and especially appreciated the no-nonsense Gen Z energy from Tristan, Samantha’s younger brother. Be sure to read the author’s trigger warning upfront, as the story tackles some heavy themes to be aware of—especially if you’ve experienced any of them.
If you love (or need) a romance that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in happy endings, this one’s for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Child abuse
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
“It boils my blood to think of people settling into their living rooms to consume my mother’s tragedy. They think of themselves as bystanders, but they’re fiends, nourishing themselves with someone else’s suffering.
There is nothing Americans love more than butchered women. Nothing captures our imagination so completely.”
An emotional and dark thriller, Everything Sweet Is Bitter follows Providence as she unravels the mystery of her mother’s disappearance while confronting the weight of her own lived trauma. The audiobook narration was outstanding, perfectly capturing the intensity and vulnerability throughout the story. While a few loose ends left me questioning some of the plot choices, I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a single day. Definitely read the author’s trigger warning at the start of the book before diving in.
Thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for a free copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Murder
Minor: Car accident
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Bad Publicity blends some of my favorite rom-com tropes—forced proximity, second chance romance, and enemies to lovers—with deeper themes of grief and loneliness. While it carries the structure of a light romance, there’s definitely more emotional weight than expected, and a more closed-door approach to intimacy. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the author and publicist—it added a fun, behind-the-scenes twist to the book world that I love. Overall, an enjoyable read that balances heartache and humor in a thoughtful way.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Books for free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
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adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
While the pacing was slow to start, The Road of Bones won me over with its rich world-building and thoughtful character development. The story really picked up in the second half, and that’s when it truly started to hook me. On the fantasy spectrum, I’d place it firmly in the romantasy category, with a lean toward epic fantasy. I switched between reading and listening to the audiobook, and the narrator was fantastic, adding depth and emotion to the journey. A strong start to what feels like the beginning of an immersive, character-driven series.
reflective
fast-paced
"I didn't really know what inifinity meant,
but I had heard my teacher say it once
when she talked about the universe
& books felt like the universe to me."
I had the chance to see Clint Eastwood shortly after this book was released and loved having the chance to revisit this collection. Poignant and thoughtful poems on resilience, healing, community, and being Black in America. His writing beautifully captures each experience or feeling of the poem with each one ending in a way that was so compelling I had to pause and reread.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved Alex Aster’s dive into adult romance with this feel-good, rom-com story. It’s a fun, heartwarming read with just enough emotional weight to stick with you.
While I can see why some readers might find Elle’s reactions to Parker frustrating (we get a little into unreliable narrator territory), I saw her behavior as reflections of deeper trauma and the healing journey she was on. It added a layer of depth that made me root for her growth even more. Diane Guerrero as the audiobook narrator was also such a fun Orange Is the New Black throwback for me.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
“You’re not ever supposed to know. Not all the way. That’s what makes the whole thing work the way it does. We can’t know. That’s what makes us keep going.”
I got lucky this May, reading not one but two of my favorite books of the year. Tommy Orange’s beautiful, thought-provoking writing weaves together multiple perspectives of multiple characters who’s paths will intersect in meaningful and sometimes heartbreaking ways. Each character’s story was so vividly told, I found myself feeling deeply connected to each of there stories.
I highly recommend this book to everyone and look forward to reading more of Orange’s work—and being more intentional about adding Indigenous authors to my TBR.
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
One of my favorite reads of the year! I loved following Margo’s messy, heartfelt journey as she stumbles through adulthood and motherhood all at once. Elle Fanning’s narration in the audiobook was absolute perfection. She brought Margo’s voice to life in such a memorable way. Set in Fullerton and across Orange County, the story gave me a wave of college nostalgia that made it even more special. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories that balance humor and heart.