Take a photo of a barcode or cover
danadoesbooks's Reviews (954)
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the gifted ebook of When The Summer Was Ours! All opinions in this review are my own.
I feel like it is a bit misleading to call this a historical fiction novel. It is more like a romance novel set in Hungary during WWII and beyond. However, despite this categorical difference, I did really like the story of Eva and Aleandro. I loved the star-crossed lovers romance and the significant time jumps that help tell the full story of the romance. While I wish the novel included more historical details and descriptions, I haven't read a WWII novel set in Hungary so it was interesting to read about.
I feel like it is a bit misleading to call this a historical fiction novel. It is more like a romance novel set in Hungary during WWII and beyond. However, despite this categorical difference, I did really like the story of Eva and Aleandro. I loved the star-crossed lovers romance and the significant time jumps that help tell the full story of the romance. While I wish the novel included more historical details and descriptions, I haven't read a WWII novel set in Hungary so it was interesting to read about.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Forever for the gifted ebook of As Seen on TV! All opinions in this review are my own.
It's hard for me write this review because I feel like I read two different books. I loved the first half which was true to the premise and included tons of pop culture references! However, I was a little concerned after passing the 50% mark because it seemed like the whole story had been told.
I did not like the second half and the sole reason is the love interest. When a fight broke out between him and Adina, he would mimic her words and was incredibly immature. When they did finally get back together, it was after doing the bare minimum and he never showed that anything would be different. I wanted more for Adi!
It's hard for me write this review because I feel like I read two different books. I loved the first half which was true to the premise and included tons of pop culture references! However, I was a little concerned after passing the 50% mark because it seemed like the whole story had been told.
I did not like the second half and the sole reason is the love interest. When a fight broke out between him and Adina, he would mimic her words and was incredibly immature. When they did finally get back together, it was after doing the bare minimum and he never showed that anything would be different. I wanted more for Adi!
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Thank you to Celadon for the gifted copy of Elsewhere! All opinions in this review are my own.
Vera grows up in an isolated town in the mountains where mothers face a strange affliction. Some mothers vanish into the clouds at night. No one knows who will vanish and they take nothing with them, but the people left behind must destroy every trace of the ones who left. As Vera grows up, she begins to worry she may be the next to vanish.
I absolutely loved Elsewhere! I read it in one day (it helped that I had a train ride to read on) and I was so engrossed in it! I want to keep this review spoiler free so I will just say there are so many moments that stayed with me from this book long after I read it. I already cannot wait to reread it!
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the gifted ebook of Death by Beach Read! All opinions in this review are my own.
Despite Death by Beach Read being the ninth book in the series, it is the first one that I read. I love the town it is set in and the people that populate it!
For a cozy mystery, Death by Beach Read is pretty spooky! I really liked the mystery in this novel and how much action happens in it. I feel like Death by Beach Read really blurs the line between cozy mystery and thriller!
Despite Death by Beach Read being the ninth book in the series, it is the first one that I read. I love the town it is set in and the people that populate it!
For a cozy mystery, Death by Beach Read is pretty spooky! I really liked the mystery in this novel and how much action happens in it. I feel like Death by Beach Read really blurs the line between cozy mystery and thriller!
informative
fast-paced
Thank you to Hachette and the author for the gifted copy of The Divorce Colony! All opinions in this review are my own.
I found these case studies of women petitioning for divorce fascinating! I liked how each of the four women had a different story and reasoning for traveling west. I also liked that many of them included descriptions of how the women fit into the town once they got there.
I found these case studies of women petitioning for divorce fascinating! I liked how each of the four women had a different story and reasoning for traveling west. I also liked that many of them included descriptions of how the women fit into the town once they got there.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Thank you to BiblioLifestyle, William Morrow, and the author for the gifted copy of Last Summer on State Street! All opinions in this review are my own.
In the summer of 1999, Felicia "Fe Fe" Stevens is on the cusp of big changes. A new friend has entered her group and her apartment complex is being torn down by the Chicago Housing Authority. The more that changes, the more Fe Fe tries to hold on to her family and friends.
This slim novel is by no means an easy read. I like that despite adult Felicia narrating the story, she only reveals information privy to young Fe Fe. This means that reader only understands as much as she did at the time, which adds to the emotional impact once more is revealed.
Despite its young protagonist, Last Summer on State Street is a powerful novel about the true cost of gentrification.
In the summer of 1999, Felicia "Fe Fe" Stevens is on the cusp of big changes. A new friend has entered her group and her apartment complex is being torn down by the Chicago Housing Authority. The more that changes, the more Fe Fe tries to hold on to her family and friends.
This slim novel is by no means an easy read. I like that despite adult Felicia narrating the story, she only reveals information privy to young Fe Fe. This means that reader only understands as much as she did at the time, which adds to the emotional impact once more is revealed.
Despite its young protagonist, Last Summer on State Street is a powerful novel about the true cost of gentrification.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the gifted ebook of The Lucky Escape! All opinions in this review are my own.
Unfortunately, I have decided to DNF The Lucky Escape 150 pages into it. I loved the premise, but unfortunately, the execution didn't keep my attention. I couldn't force myself to read another 200 pages of Annie and Patrick on their fake honeymoon.
Unfortunately, I have decided to DNF The Lucky Escape 150 pages into it. I loved the premise, but unfortunately, the execution didn't keep my attention. I couldn't force myself to read another 200 pages of Annie and Patrick on their fake honeymoon.
adventurous
fast-paced
Through Titan's Trail is the first novel in the Fabled Quest Chronicles series. I like that the characters are introduced slowly in the beginning so you have a good understanding of who each one is and how they relate to the group before they embark on the trail. If you like fast-paced adventure fantasy novels, then Through Titan's Trail is for you!
Thank you to Lake Union and NetGalley for the gifted ebook of The Seven Day Switch! All opinions in this review are my own.
I read a little over 100 pages of The Seven Day Switch, but I've decided it's not for me. Most of the characters seem to rely heavily on stereotypes. The working mom thinks the stay at home mom doesn't do anything all day. The stay at home mom judges the working mom for having a house that is not up to her standards. There is the devoted husband and the lazy husband. Even the kids are categorized into "healthy" and "lazy" based on how much technology they use. I didn't care about any of the characters to continue reading.
I read a little over 100 pages of The Seven Day Switch, but I've decided it's not for me. Most of the characters seem to rely heavily on stereotypes. The working mom thinks the stay at home mom doesn't do anything all day. The stay at home mom judges the working mom for having a house that is not up to her standards. There is the devoted husband and the lazy husband. Even the kids are categorized into "healthy" and "lazy" based on how much technology they use. I didn't care about any of the characters to continue reading.