emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

I devoured this book and it left me feeling like a smiling god. (All puns intended)

This book hits best if you're a fan of the podcast, sure, but this one in particular feels like they stretched themselves to tell a real story that's more than just fan service. Is there fan service? Absolutely. But I'm not going to hold it against them because I am a fan who enjoys the occasional servicing.

The comments on the intersectionality between science and faith was something that truly stuck with me, along with the Night Vale scientific method which can sum up my reaction to this book perfectly.

(1) Hypothesis;
(2) Argument;
(3) Fight;
(4) Cry;
(5) Hug.

This was my first time listening to an audiobook and I thought it was great for this book! The mystery itself was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed seeing the power dynamics within a cheer squad play out. This book touches on insecurity, cliques, infidelity, and body image all while maintaining a fairly realistic take on the high school experience.

Cleo McDougal Regrets Nothing, and I certainly don't regret reading this book. You get the thrill of the political atmosphere of DC with a dash of romcom and drama.

The irony of the title isn't lost on me - Cleo keeps a list of regrets. 233 of them to be exact. And that really hits home for me, as a reader with generalized anxiety disorder. I often fixate on my past, especially choices that I regret, so I identified heavily with Cleo. Cleo is a flawed character, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the story.

Was this book perfect? No. But it focused on Cleo and her journey towards the future, always forward, and I can respect a book with such commitment to seeing a character through.

I absolutely flew through this book. Combining the stress of a wedding with the thrill of a murder mystery was absolutely perfect. This book kept me guessing because there were SO many people that had a motive!! Usually within the first 50 pages, I've guessed who the murderer is... And here I did too, but honestly? I was beginning to doubt my guess!

The multiple perspectives is a common device nowadays, but it really served to further the mystery of this book. I personally loved Hannah and Olivia's chapters, as I felt they were fleshed out and relatable characters. Combining this with time skips and the classic bait and switch with the murderee? Genius.

TLDR? This book is full of twists and turns and perfect for any modern day mystery lover.

This book was so unexpected for me and I'm so glad that I picked it up. The prose was beautiful and the general ambiance of the book was so eerie and creepy that it gave me the willies while I read it. I haven't read a book whose plot was as well constructed as this in a long while, and I loved the twists and turns (most unexpected) throughout. Overall just amazing.

This book was sheer perfection. I was entranced by their writing style, the setting, the magic system, just everything! You're thrust into this world of political intrigue, full of its own moral dilemmas... and then you mix in temperamental royalty.

Overall I was just sold on this book from the get go and would recommend it to anyone looking for a refreshing adult fantasy.

I'm torn when it comes to this book. I listened to the audiobook which, while fantastic, took a lot of the tension out of the story. But there were twists and turns, misdirections and red herrings, and I was ultimately satisfied with how the story ended.

Is Miss Pennyface going to come to my apartment if I don't give it a 5 star?

Better rate it as one just to be sure ;)

I'd like to preface this review with that I don't usually enjoy historical fiction, but I read this book for a themed challenge. It was pretty good, though albeit predictable. A lot of the plot elements seemed unrealistic even though this story was grounded in the real world. I enjoyed Sophie and Mariah, but I found myself questioning the actions of Mrs. Trenton and Mrs. Ellis.

But overall, I flew through this book in under a day and it was still enjoyable.