amalas_bookstop's reviews
96 reviews

One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Go to review page

emotional lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am really glad I read this, it makes me appreciate the current content from Taylor. While the writing in this story leaves a lot to be desired, I did enjoy the plot. I enjoyed reading a romance with folks in their 30s trying to navigate adult issues, that was refreshing in a way. I just thought at time the characters were very repetitive and the writing did not flow like am I used to from her. 

At times this story brought both cringes and smiles to my face. Solid 3 star.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

Go to review page

emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book is way overhyped. It wasn’t really the book I was expecting. I quite frankly wanted to spend more time in the past and kind of wished Addy would have done more with the life she was given, curse or not. It felt like in 300 years this girl did not change or grow up at all, which the demon was happy to point out over and over again. I didn’t really connect with anyone and felt like this book was 200 pages too long.

This book was not for me, very slow paced and very repetitive. 
Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Go to review page

emotional informative mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book had so much more than I was expecting! Meet Lilly she is just one branch of this dysfunctional Chinese American family that is full of secrets. In this book you will find commentary of what does it mean to be an American and if you could change things, would you?

This is a 600 page literary fiction, she really gives time for each family member to tell their journey and for reader to understand how their story contributes to the family whole.

This book also has a touch of magical realism (Chinese fable come to life) and a science fiction (or is it?). This ended being the perfect book to read for the holidays.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This review is based on the audiobook which I thought was really good. I was really looking for a thrilling book that I could listen to in the background while a work, so it didn’t need my complete attention. I thought this book was perfect. Only thing I am going to say is don’t read any blurbs about this book before hand you will be spoiled!
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Yeah, I ended up enjoying the ending. I think it is hard for me to truly feel connected to any fantasy. So a 4 star is pretty good coming from me. I will say I did not enjoy the FMC for like the majority of this book. Her grief was really overwhelming and at times hard to deal with, I would have enjoyed a break from her. But I get how that journey was crucial to the storyline. I think I also would have enjoyed this better if all characters were truly college aged. She seemed so young to be going to bars and living like a college freshman but not at the same time.

Great book I can see how a young 14-15 year old would relate!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Enchanted Sonata by Heather Dixon Wallwork

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This story was so magical! As someone who grew up with a musical theory background I loved how this author wound The Pied Piper magic with this nutcracker retelling. I just thought this magical Russian town was so darling. This was the perfect book to read for Christmas!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This really is a work of art! It was refreshing to read an African American classic that focuses on the struggle to find love as a black woman. Zora Neal Hurston tackles so much in this book from colorism and even the struggles between male and females in the black race. I really enjoyed reading this.

It was really helpful to read this immersively with the audiobook. It really helped make the dialogue pop. Zora Neal Hurston does a fantastic job of writing African American southern dialect, that hearing it read to me sounded like a movie.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was certainly entertaining!
For an adult this book was somewhat predictable, but I still marveled when the plot twists were revealed. I do have to say if a younger me read this book, the little girl who loved mysteries, this probably would have been a 5 star.

I really enjoyed the times the author let us a reader see the evidence through handwritten notes, that really helps with the immersive feeling of solving a crime.

If you are looking for an entertaining change of pace, you should read this!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Woooh! This book was messy! Does it make me toxic that I liked it?! I cannot imagine a better ending than what was given. To be fair this was my least favorite Katniss for like the majority of this book (even though I understand she was dealing with a lot). However, the final stand in the capital was riveting and heartbreaking.

Even the way Suzanne Collins writes about the political and economic struggle that finally boils over. I still have tons of questions but this series deserves a standing ovation! Bravo!!!👏🏾
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Everything I've Ever Wanted to Say by Lauryn Norwood

Go to review page

emotional hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Overall I thought this was a really nice friends to lovers romance. I do have to admit Coco and her people pleasing ways had me yelling at her a bit, but everything work out in the end.

My only critique is that I wanted more of their relationship as a couple. For lot of this book they have other things going on and we really only see them together in the epilogue.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings