stefanicox's Reviews (519)

I'm so frustrated with this book! Pride and Prejudice is one of my all time favorite stories, so I started off loving the modern take on the Bennetts and their romantic interests. The language still feels reminiscent of Austen while updated for modern slang and situations (example: The younger Bennetts are into CrossFit), which was well done. However, the huge drawback was that the "scandal" with Lydia and Wickham that the author chose to create was quite offensive and poorly written. After that I was really put off and had a hard time enjoying the end. Also, none of the POC characters seemed to have any depth and appeared to be there just to show how intolerant Mrs. Bennet was. Too bad, this book had so much promise!

Very sensuous. It's about food and wine and restaurant life, and the book does a great job of engaging all your senses as you read. I got pretty tired of the main characters by the end though. Think it could have been shorter.

This is such a quick read, because you keep wanting to know what happens next. Even if you're familiar with the Charles Manson case, the fictionalized version here is really well-written and compelling. It's told from the point of view of an outsider girl who gets drawn into the cult. You start to understand how and why people get drawn into environments that seem downright disturbing and harmful. The author does a really good job of capturing on the page that vulnerable time period of adolescence when community and support systems are so essential to thriving, and how that can easily go wrong. Great read for summer, since it's a page-turner.

Note: I received an advance reading copy of this book from the publisher for review.

Sad and haunting, but somehow also redeeming at the same time. Really developed characters and exploration of human flaws.

Note: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher.

I didn't quite realize how much of the book is dedicated to Padma's relationships, which I didn't always find that interesting. However, the memories and musings on food and culture were wonderful, and it's fun that she sprinkles recipes throughout!

I'd been wanting to read this one ever since I heard that the comic had inspired women to get actual tattoos of the NC (non-compliant) logo. It's definitely a disturbing comic in some ways, but very creative and thought-provoking. It has a little bit of a Hunger Games feel to it.