madsisbookedup's Reviews (257)

Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Talia Hibbert

4.25

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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: Yes

The Roommate

Rosie Danan

4.0

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Twisted Games

Ana Huang

3.0

emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Bringing Down the Duke

Evie Dunmore

4.25

challenging emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I’ve also been a fan of historical romance but at times I’m irked by the female protagonists often lack of better judgement. Too often are we given a heroine who is just obsessed with finding a husband 😴

In Dunmore’s series this definitely isn’t the case. Annabelle is a driven and intelligent woman who strives for better rights for women and for greater equality between the sexes.

This really is what I wish every Regency and Victorian romance was like. I can be invested and not feel like I’m betraying all my feminist ideals.

The writing is refreshing and witty. The romance is full of tension and long lingering stares, which is exactly what you want in a period romance and the spice is on point.

I can never give @salty_caroline_reads enough thanks for bringing this series into my life.

7.5/10 - a refreshing historical romance, that didn’t make me feel like a hypocrite

🌶🥰😊😍🤓 - no tears with this one!

Anything But Fine

Tobias Madden

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted 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: Yes

It Happened One Summer

Tessa Bailey

4.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Beautiful World, Where Are You

Sally Rooney

3.75

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was quite possibly the most publicised book release of 2021. It really was everywhere.

Last year reading Normal People pulled me out of a fairy significant reading slump. It firmly cemented Rooney as an auto buy author for me.

It took me a while to warm up to this one. I kept preempting having my heart crushed so I tried not to get too attached to the characters, which is ridiculous.

Rooney’s comments on the state of the world were thoughtful and observant. Though I found myself annoyed with the comments by the famous author character loathing her own fame. Felt a little on the nose to me perhaps.

The email format took a bit to get used to but eventually I settled into it and liked the free abs personal discourse between two best friends. Their dynamic and banter felt so grounded.

I was genuinely shocked when the lives of these characters were broken at the end. A ‘happy’ ending felt like a welcome change.

It’s not as good as Normal People but it’s better than Conversations with Friends.

8/10 - if you’re a Rooney fan, obviously read it. If you’re looking to dip your toe into the Rooney fandom then I wouldn’t start here.

😢😊😠 - some misty eyes but no tears with this one