francineh98's Reviews (278)

Identity: A Novel

Nora Roberts

5.0

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I really enjoyed Identity—might be my favorite Nora Roberts book yet. The romance was just right, and both Morgan and Miles' families were so supportive and lovable. The suspense kept things interesting (identity theft is no joke!). Definitely recommend the audiobook too—great listen!

Content Warnings

Educated

Tara Westover

4.5

emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Tara Westover’s Educated is a powerful and deeply emotional memoir that left a lasting impact on me. Her journey—from growing up in an isolated and abusive environment to eventually earning a PhD—is both heartbreaking and inspiring. It’s painful to read about the abuse she endured, especially knowing that those around her often denied or minimized her experiences, leaving her feeling gaslighted and alone.

While some have questioned the accuracy of her memories, it's important to understand how trauma can distort or fragment recollection—our minds often protect us by reshaping painful events. Despite the controversy, I do believe that some type of abuse did occur. Her story is raw and courageous.

This memoir is a testament to the transformative power of education and personal resilience, I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Content Warnings

High Noon

Nora Roberts

3.0

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I really enjoyed the variety of characters and the dynamics between them—especially the connections involving Phoebe’s family. In fact, I felt there was more emotional depth in those relationships than in the central romance between Phoebe and Duncan, which left me wishing for a stronger romantic connection.

The story does touch on some heavy and potentially triggering topics, so readers should be mindful of that going in. Additionally, some of Duncan’s comments—though clearly meant to be humorous—came off as a bit creepy at times, which detracted from my enjoyment.

Overall, High Noon was an okay read, but I definitely prefer Nora Roberts’ more recent works, which I feel offer richer character development and more balanced storytelling.

Content Warnings

The Witness

Nora Roberts

4.75

dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Content Warnings

The Let Them Theory: A Life-Changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

Mel Robbins

3.0

informative reflective medium-paced

Finally dipped my toes into the self-help genre, and honestly, I might be coming back for more!

Mel Robbins does a solid job introducing the "Let Them" theory—an approach that encourages letting go of things outside your control in order to reclaim your energy and personal power. She shares a few relatable examples that helped the concept click for me, making it feel practical and applicable to everyday life.

The writing is straightforward and easy to follow.

That said, the message did start to feel repetitive after a while. Knowing that Robbins hosts a podcast, I couldn’t help but think this content might’ve worked better as a shorter, more concise episode. Still, there were a few helpful takeaways I’ll be keeping in mind, and it definitely piqued my interest in her other work. The 5 Second Rule is next on my list—it sounds like something I could really use right now.

The Obsession

Nora Roberts

4.0

dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

From the very first chapter, The Obsession had me hooked. While the pacing is on the slower side, it works beautifully to build both the suspenseful mystery and the evolving romance between Naomi and Xander. The characters are well-drawn, and I especially enjoyed getting to know the close-knit town and its residents. There are some darker themes explored in the story, so I recommend checking content warnings before diving in. Overall, it was a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read.

Content Warnings

Change of Pace

Kayla Grosse

3.75

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Everything's Coming Up Rosie

Courtney Walsh

4.5

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

ARC Review - Releasing June 10, 2025
Rating: 4.5⭐️

Spice: None (💋 only)

Everything’s Coming Up Rosie is a heartfelt story about dreams, new beginnings, and all the messy moments in between. Rosie, a struggling actress in New York City, is forced to face the reality that her big-city acting career may never take off. Nearly bankrupt and out of options, she accepts a job in a small-town in Wisconsin to help stage a production of Cinderella. What she doesn’t expect is that her cast will consist entirely of residents from a retirement community.

As Rosie navigates this unexpected detour, she’s pushed to confront her emotions, reevaluate her dreams, and consider what comes next. With the unlikely support of a grumpy stage manager, a brooding teenager, and a kind-hearted physical therapist, Rosie finds herself on a journey to save the theatre program—and maybe rediscover her own passion in the process.

Courtney Walsh masterfully captures the emotional tug-of-war that comes with feeling stuck in life and uncertain about the future. This is a moving, introspective read that explores the vulnerability of letting go and the courage it takes to forge a new path.

While the story has a slow start, it quickly builds momentum, and by a few chapters in, I was completely hooked.

I highly recommend Everything’s Coming Up Rosie to anyone who enjoys stories of self-discovery and the unexpected beauty of change.

Pick this book up if you like:

🎭 clean romance

🎭 found family

🎭 the theatre

🎭 women’s fiction

A huge thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Content Warnings

The House in the Cerulean Sea

TJ Klune

5.0

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

The House in the Cerulean Sea was an absolutely endearing read. This was my first experience with TJ Klune's work, and I was immediately drawn in by their warm, immersive writing style that brought each character to life. The story is filled with heart and charm, creating a gentle, comforting atmosphere that’s perfect for anyone looking for a slower, cozier read.

Every character was beautifully crafted, but Chauncey completely stole my heart—his dream of becoming a bellhop is just too adorable! Klune’s ability to balance whimsy with deeper emotional themes made this book both touching and memorable. I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a lot of soul.

Content Warnings

The River Has Roots

Amal El-Mohtar

4.0

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Content Warnings

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