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elementarymydear's Reviews (967)
I really, really wanted to enjoy this book. There were some things I really liked! Emma’s voice was very engaging, and I liked the various side characters and the friendships they had with each other.
That being said, this book ultimately failed to deliver for me. I just could not find it in myself to root for the romance! We’re told very early on (and kudos for an excellent exposition) that Emma has a massive crush on Bridget, and then… we’re told it again. And again. And there’s a time skip, which I would have loved to actually spend time on, and we’re told it again. Honestly, I felt more chemistry with Emma’s one night stand than with the woman she’s supposedly in love with.
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Add in a sprinkle of biphobia and a nickname for one of Emma’s co-workers that made me VERY uncomfortable, this one did not hit the mark for me. It’s such a shame, as the writing itself (bar a couple of moments) was very, very strong.
I will give the author another go, because I did really enjoy her writing style, and perhaps a different romance will be more of a hit with me, but this one was a bit of a disappointment.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
That being said, this book ultimately failed to deliver for me. I just could not find it in myself to root for the romance! We’re told very early on (and kudos for an excellent exposition) that Emma has a massive crush on Bridget, and then… we’re told it again. And again. And there’s a time skip, which I would have loved to actually spend time on, and we’re told it again. Honestly, I felt more chemistry with Emma’s one night stand than with the woman she’s supposedly in love with.
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Add in a sprinkle of biphobia and a nickname for one of Emma’s co-workers that made me VERY uncomfortable, this one did not hit the mark for me. It’s such a shame, as the writing itself (bar a couple of moments) was very, very strong.
I will give the author another go, because I did really enjoy her writing style, and perhaps a different romance will be more of a hit with me, but this one was a bit of a disappointment.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
This was SUCH an enjoyable read! While it’s a mythology and fantasy story, it reads with all the depth, detail and atmosphere of a historical novel.
I wasn’t overly familiar with the Beowulf legend going into this book, and after reading it I definitely want to read more! I also really liked the approach the author took, of creating a character close enough to the action that we got to be in the heart of it all, but far enough removed that it felt like a fresh perspective.
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I really enjoyed Fryda as a main character. She was tender hearted but fierce, determined without becoming callous. She had so many layers and complexities to her, and was a pleasant contrast to the typical hero-types.
There was a great combination of political intrigue with high fantasy and battles, which kept the book engaging, varied, and proved how much range the author has. I love book that blends genres so this was an absolute hit with me!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
I wasn’t overly familiar with the Beowulf legend going into this book, and after reading it I definitely want to read more! I also really liked the approach the author took, of creating a character close enough to the action that we got to be in the heart of it all, but far enough removed that it felt like a fresh perspective.
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I really enjoyed Fryda as a main character. She was tender hearted but fierce, determined without becoming callous. She had so many layers and complexities to her, and was a pleasant contrast to the typical hero-types.
There was a great combination of political intrigue with high fantasy and battles, which kept the book engaging, varied, and proved how much range the author has. I love book that blends genres so this was an absolute hit with me!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
reflective
slow-paced
This is an incredibly powerful book, that follows three generations of one family across a turbulent time for their country and their culture.
At its core, this book is about family. We begin with the marriage between Nala and Rajan, a young couple marrying in the 1940s, and follow them and their descendants through to the 21st Century. As much as their lives are shaped by civil war, the book is not necessarily about the war, but instead about the people and their relationships with one another.
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While the author doesn’t shy away from the violence these characters have endured, she also doesn’t indulge in it, and none of it ever felt gratuitous. The balance of all the different elements of the story was exactly right, and it’s definitely a book that will make you both laugh and cry.
All of the characters were so vividly depicted, and I really enjoyed seeing how they all found different ways to connect with their culture and community. At times it caused tension among the family, and I thought it was such a great depiction of how families can disagree and argue but still support one another. All of the complexities of family life were brilliantly written, and it was bittersweet to say goodbye to these characters at the end.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
At its core, this book is about family. We begin with the marriage between Nala and Rajan, a young couple marrying in the 1940s, and follow them and their descendants through to the 21st Century. As much as their lives are shaped by civil war, the book is not necessarily about the war, but instead about the people and their relationships with one another.
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While the author doesn’t shy away from the violence these characters have endured, she also doesn’t indulge in it, and none of it ever felt gratuitous. The balance of all the different elements of the story was exactly right, and it’s definitely a book that will make you both laugh and cry.
All of the characters were so vividly depicted, and I really enjoyed seeing how they all found different ways to connect with their culture and community. At times it caused tension among the family, and I thought it was such a great depiction of how families can disagree and argue but still support one another. All of the complexities of family life were brilliantly written, and it was bittersweet to say goodbye to these characters at the end.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
I was really looking forward to this read, and I was so gutted that it didn’t quite live up to expectations!
There are plenty of things to like. The Pride and Prejudice characters and plot are used in an entertaining way, with lots of fun twists on the story we know and love. Georgiana Darcy has a much bigger role, which is always a win in my eyes! And I liked how British folklore, as well as folklore from other cultures, were brought into the magical elements.
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As for the plot, I think there was just too much of it. There were so many different storylines going on, in different timelines, and then all of it was stuck on top of the already layered P&P plot. The story felt quite cluttered, and when we found out why we’d gone through so much backstory, it wasn’t even necessary in-world.
Combined with the writing style, the story became a bit of a chore to follow. The book was written from Lydia’s perspective, and although we’re told she’s writing a letter to someone, it reads more like a constant stream of consciousness. We flit from one timeline to another, bouncing around the story, often getting quite muddled. It was also written in a sort of quasi-period style, and while this did improve as the book went on, at the start it was sometimes nonsensical.
There were some really enjoyable aspects to this book, but ultimately I left disappointed.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
There are plenty of things to like. The Pride and Prejudice characters and plot are used in an entertaining way, with lots of fun twists on the story we know and love. Georgiana Darcy has a much bigger role, which is always a win in my eyes! And I liked how British folklore, as well as folklore from other cultures, were brought into the magical elements.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
As for the plot, I think there was just too much of it. There were so many different storylines going on, in different timelines, and then all of it was stuck on top of the already layered P&P plot. The story felt quite cluttered, and when we found out why we’d gone through so much backstory, it wasn’t even necessary in-world.
Combined with the writing style, the story became a bit of a chore to follow. The book was written from Lydia’s perspective, and although we’re told she’s writing a letter to someone, it reads more like a constant stream of consciousness. We flit from one timeline to another, bouncing around the story, often getting quite muddled. It was also written in a sort of quasi-period style, and while this did improve as the book went on, at the start it was sometimes nonsensical.
There were some really enjoyable aspects to this book, but ultimately I left disappointed.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
I’d heard only good things about this book, so when I had the chance to review the audiobook I jumped at it!
This is an incredibly sweet, whimsical set of stories about the ‘food detectives’ – a father and daughter duo who recreate a particular meal from someone’s past. It’s not just about the ingredients, but where they’re from, the kitchen they were cooked in, and so much more.
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The book is split into six parts, each one about a different person who has come to the detectives looking for a meal. These people are from all walks of life, and they each have their own reasons for visiting the detectives, but they all come away having found something unexpected. Some of them reconnect with their family, living or dead, while others discover a secret they didn’t know about their family history.
The through-thread of all the stories is Nagare and Koishi, the father and daughter who run the detective agency. Their relationship is so sweet, and layered, and over the course of the book we get more and more glimpses into their lives as we build up a picture of who they are.
This kind of book is really well-suited to an audiobook. It’s a short, light listen, and the narrator is excellent too. I had a wonderful time listening to this book and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
This is an incredibly sweet, whimsical set of stories about the ‘food detectives’ – a father and daughter duo who recreate a particular meal from someone’s past. It’s not just about the ingredients, but where they’re from, the kitchen they were cooked in, and so much more.
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The book is split into six parts, each one about a different person who has come to the detectives looking for a meal. These people are from all walks of life, and they each have their own reasons for visiting the detectives, but they all come away having found something unexpected. Some of them reconnect with their family, living or dead, while others discover a secret they didn’t know about their family history.
The through-thread of all the stories is Nagare and Koishi, the father and daughter who run the detective agency. Their relationship is so sweet, and layered, and over the course of the book we get more and more glimpses into their lives as we build up a picture of who they are.
This kind of book is really well-suited to an audiobook. It’s a short, light listen, and the narrator is excellent too. I had a wonderful time listening to this book and I highly recommend it!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
mysterious
fast-paced
Okay so everyone needs to CALM DOWN because I think this might be my NEW FAVOURITE BOOK.
The story is a mystery, set in rural Vermont. We follow Alex, a journalist who has left New York to investigate a series of disappearances in a small town. Along the way she uncovers family secrets, falls in love, and ultimately solves the mystery.
What I was hoping from this book was vibes – spooky, cosy, autumnal – and it 100% delivered. But there’s so much more than that! I loved the way Alex’s past and true intentions were steadily revealed to us. It’s so hard to do that well, especially in first person, but I thought it was done excellently here. Alex had a brilliant character arc that really elevated the whole book to the next level, and added so much to the existing layers of the story.
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The writing and the mystery drew you in, and once I started reading it was so hard to put it down! It’s impossible not to be drawn into the setting, and I so quickly became invested in knowing what had happened. The small-town atmosphere felt like Schitt’s Creek but with more murder, or like a Professor Layton game, with the key figures and places in the town being so pivotal to the story.
The queer representation was excellent, and I loved the relationship between Alex and Luna. It had heart and felt grounded without being at odds with the rest of the story in tone, and the way it linked in with the wider story? I was desperate to know that it would all end okay! (And I won’t tell you if it did – you’ll have to find out for myself!).
This is a really excellent mystery, perfect for reading under the covers while the days get shorter. Sophie Tanen is one to watch!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
The story is a mystery, set in rural Vermont. We follow Alex, a journalist who has left New York to investigate a series of disappearances in a small town. Along the way she uncovers family secrets, falls in love, and ultimately solves the mystery.
What I was hoping from this book was vibes – spooky, cosy, autumnal – and it 100% delivered. But there’s so much more than that! I loved the way Alex’s past and true intentions were steadily revealed to us. It’s so hard to do that well, especially in first person, but I thought it was done excellently here. Alex had a brilliant character arc that really elevated the whole book to the next level, and added so much to the existing layers of the story.
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The writing and the mystery drew you in, and once I started reading it was so hard to put it down! It’s impossible not to be drawn into the setting, and I so quickly became invested in knowing what had happened. The small-town atmosphere felt like Schitt’s Creek but with more murder, or like a Professor Layton game, with the key figures and places in the town being so pivotal to the story.
The queer representation was excellent, and I loved the relationship between Alex and Luna. It had heart and felt grounded without being at odds with the rest of the story in tone, and the way it linked in with the wider story? I was desperate to know that it would all end okay! (And I won’t tell you if it did – you’ll have to find out for myself!).
This is a really excellent mystery, perfect for reading under the covers while the days get shorter. Sophie Tanen is one to watch!
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
It’s no surprise that I jumped at the chance to read this book. A coming-of-age story featuring a bisexual piano player? Sign me up!
Chasing Harmony proceeded to surprise me in many ways. The writing is very lyrical, making it so relaxing to read and just sink into. It’s weirder than I expected – mostly in a good way, I think – and wasn’t afraid to embrace the emotional, physical, and spiritual turbulence of teenage-hood.
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The story is told in multiple timelines, spanning about eleven years. I thought this was done really effectively, using both timelines to raise questions and add suspense. With a book as character-driven as this one, it was really good to know the start and the end before having the journey revealed to us over the course of the novel.
I really liked the main character Anna, and while some of the other characters weren’t explored as much as I’d have liked, we got to see them through Anna’s eyes which, inevitably, had some bias. I would have liked to explore the relationship between Anna and her mother a bit more, but I found the relationship between Anna and Liss very moving and true to life.
The whole story was grounded in the story of Anna’s journey as a performer, and it was really nice to see the parallels of her musical journey alongside her personal life. It added a nice depth to the story and made for a moving conclusion.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.
Chasing Harmony proceeded to surprise me in many ways. The writing is very lyrical, making it so relaxing to read and just sink into. It’s weirder than I expected – mostly in a good way, I think – and wasn’t afraid to embrace the emotional, physical, and spiritual turbulence of teenage-hood.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The story is told in multiple timelines, spanning about eleven years. I thought this was done really effectively, using both timelines to raise questions and add suspense. With a book as character-driven as this one, it was really good to know the start and the end before having the journey revealed to us over the course of the novel.
I really liked the main character Anna, and while some of the other characters weren’t explored as much as I’d have liked, we got to see them through Anna’s eyes which, inevitably, had some bias. I would have liked to explore the relationship between Anna and her mother a bit more, but I found the relationship between Anna and Liss very moving and true to life.
The whole story was grounded in the story of Anna’s journey as a performer, and it was really nice to see the parallels of her musical journey alongside her personal life. It added a nice depth to the story and made for a moving conclusion.
I received a free copy for review. All opinions are my own.