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mrsclappreads's reviews
338 reviews
Takedown by Ali Bryan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Wow, talk about an emotional rollercoaster! I was totally hooked, didn't expect to be so drawn in, but the mix of heartache, family drama, and budding romance had me glued to the pages. The way the author captured the turmoil of teenage emotions, from dealing with a dying father to navigating rocky relationships, all against the backdrop of the intense wrestling/MMA world, was truly masterful. By the end, I was a mess of tears, feeling every ounce of the main character's pain and growth. I have a love-hate relationship with these kinds of books, but this one hit all the right notes for me.
The Grimmer by Naben Ruthnum
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked finding magic in everyday places, like the local bookstore. It took me a while to really get into the story, about 100 pages, but once it got going, it was interesting. I enjoyed the good versus evil theme and the many world travel bits, even though that can be confusing. The family drama felt real, especially how they hide their issues. Some parts were slow, but overall, it was a cool mix of fantasy and sci-fi.
40 Days in Hicksville by Christina Kilbourne
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"
Jumping into this after the scrumptious feast of 'A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder' felt like indulging in a sweet dessert. It’s a murder mystery that’s not too intense, perfect for both adults and middle schoolers alike. Reminded me of the good ol’ Nancy Drew days, but with a modern spin that kept things fresh.
The family drama between Kate, her mom, Zach, and his dad was grippingly portrayed, but the mystery of the missing brother had me scratching my head. I mean, how do you not talk about that with your own kids? Yet, it kinda made sense in a twisted way, reflecting the times when we didn’t exactly air our dirty laundry. Zach’s mom popped up now and then, but not enough to disrupt the flow. Just added to the intrigue, I suppose.
The ending wasn’t what I expected, but it had a twist that left me hungry for more. Overall, the story flowed nicely, even if there were a couple of unnecessary detours. But hey, they tied up nicely in the end.
Jumping into this after the scrumptious feast of 'A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder' felt like indulging in a sweet dessert. It’s a murder mystery that’s not too intense, perfect for both adults and middle schoolers alike. Reminded me of the good ol’ Nancy Drew days, but with a modern spin that kept things fresh.
The family drama between Kate, her mom, Zach, and his dad was grippingly portrayed, but the mystery of the missing brother had me scratching my head. I mean, how do you not talk about that with your own kids? Yet, it kinda made sense in a twisted way, reflecting the times when we didn’t exactly air our dirty laundry. Zach’s mom popped up now and then, but not enough to disrupt the flow. Just added to the intrigue, I suppose.
The ending wasn’t what I expected, but it had a twist that left me hungry for more. Overall, the story flowed nicely, even if there were a couple of unnecessary detours. But hey, they tied up nicely in the end.
Age 16 by Rosena Fung
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This graphic novel struck a chord with its exploration of timeless themes, spanning generations and capturing the struggles women face in being kinder to others than to themselves. Visually striking, it distinguishes each era with vibrant colors while authentically portraying the complexities of friendships among teens from various backgrounds. Though the writing could be more polished, the simplicity of the artwork effectively conveys the narrative, making it a standout choice for readers seeking a compelling and diverse graphic novel experience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Pillow Talk by Stephanie Cooke
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
As a wrestling fan since the 80s, this story really spoke to me. Watching the shy girl find her confidence through pillow wrestling was awesome. The Pillow Fight Federation (PFF) took the sexy out of pillow fighting, which I'd heard of but never really thought about until now. It's made me want to join a league myself. The book's message of body positivity and the struggles women face, like balancing multiple jobs and education, hit home. The strong friendship and diversity in the characters added depth, and the graphic novel format made it feel like I was watching a movie. There were moments, like when the main character doubts herself, that really resonated with me. Plus, being set in Toronto with street names I recognize added a nice touch of nostalgia. I think this book would be perfect for teens at my school.
The Curse of Eelgrass Bog by Mary Averling
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Middle school style. Not my thing but imagine they will like it. Fantasy genre would make it a hit I think.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This tale was like a tantalizing blend of spices, offering a three-pepper 🌶️🌶️🌶️ kick of excitement. It does come with trigger warnings.
While the narrative unfolded in a fantastical realm, it felt more like a leisurely beach read, offering a brief escape from reality. As my initiation into this author's world, it left me pondering whether another journey would beckon me. The allure was not as gripping as I had hoped, leaving me yearning for a more captivating adventure.
While the narrative unfolded in a fantastical realm, it felt more like a leisurely beach read, offering a brief escape from reality. As my initiation into this author's world, it left me pondering whether another journey would beckon me. The allure was not as gripping as I had hoped, leaving me yearning for a more captivating adventure.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Spoiler free
I snagged my copy from the Owl Crate February book box, and let me tell you, the ribbon and sprayed edges added such a delightful flair to the story! It's like someone took the time to read the book and make a magical connection with the colors.
I decided to dive into this adventure with a buddy read on StoryGraph, and trust me, it's worth every page-turning moment. Picture this: a YA romanticy enemies-to-lovers type of book that'll have your heart racing and your emotions soaring!
Despite being a bit older reader, I found myself totally engrossed in the character development. Sure, sometimes YA can make my eyes roll, but it also whisked me back to my younger years in the most nostalgic way possible. Plus, the flow of the book was impeccable, with just the right length of chapters to keep me hooked.
Now, I'll admit, a few events that popped up later in the story threw me for a loop, but overall, it was an absolute joy to read.
And guess what? I'm already counting down the days until I can get my hands on book two! 😏
I snagged my copy from the Owl Crate February book box, and let me tell you, the ribbon and sprayed edges added such a delightful flair to the story! It's like someone took the time to read the book and make a magical connection with the colors.
I decided to dive into this adventure with a buddy read on StoryGraph, and trust me, it's worth every page-turning moment. Picture this: a YA romanticy enemies-to-lovers type of book that'll have your heart racing and your emotions soaring!
Despite being a bit older reader, I found myself totally engrossed in the character development. Sure, sometimes YA can make my eyes roll, but it also whisked me back to my younger years in the most nostalgic way possible. Plus, the flow of the book was impeccable, with just the right length of chapters to keep me hooked.
Now, I'll admit, a few events that popped up later in the story threw me for a loop, but overall, it was an absolute joy to read.
And guess what? I'm already counting down the days until I can get my hands on book two! 😏
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction and Drug abuse
Pushing Blame by T.S. Rubidoux
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
**no spoilers **
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Right from the beginning, the story captivated me, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages, which is a rarity for me lately. The writing style was engaging, with a smooth flow that effortlessly drew me in, and each chapter ended with a compelling hook that kept me intrigued.
Throughout the story, the author skillfully sprinkles background information about the characters and their spouses, providing insight into their personalities and making it easy to determine whether you'd want to befriend them or not.
The narrative begins with a group of close-knit female friends, likely in their 40s or 50s, who are part of a book club. The unexpected death of one of their husbands, who happens to be a famous movie star, sets off a chain of events that reveals hidden scandals and secrets among the women.
In terms of genre, I found the story reminiscent of a blend between "Dexter" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley." While it starts a bit slowly as you get to know the characters, this buildup is essential for the twist that occurs later in the plot.
When the twist finally unfolds, I was taken completely by surprise, pausing my reading to let out a burst of laughter and a resounding "yes" aloud. I'm not one to try and predict plot twists, preferring to immerse myself in the story rather than play detective, so the unexpected turn of events was a delightful revelation for me.
I believe this book would make an excellent choice for my book club, and I'm confident they'll enjoy the exhilarating ride it offers. Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and unpredictable read.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Right from the beginning, the story captivated me, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages, which is a rarity for me lately. The writing style was engaging, with a smooth flow that effortlessly drew me in, and each chapter ended with a compelling hook that kept me intrigued.
Throughout the story, the author skillfully sprinkles background information about the characters and their spouses, providing insight into their personalities and making it easy to determine whether you'd want to befriend them or not.
The narrative begins with a group of close-knit female friends, likely in their 40s or 50s, who are part of a book club. The unexpected death of one of their husbands, who happens to be a famous movie star, sets off a chain of events that reveals hidden scandals and secrets among the women.
In terms of genre, I found the story reminiscent of a blend between "Dexter" and "The Talented Mr. Ripley." While it starts a bit slowly as you get to know the characters, this buildup is essential for the twist that occurs later in the plot.
When the twist finally unfolds, I was taken completely by surprise, pausing my reading to let out a burst of laughter and a resounding "yes" aloud. I'm not one to try and predict plot twists, preferring to immerse myself in the story rather than play detective, so the unexpected turn of events was a delightful revelation for me.
I believe this book would make an excellent choice for my book club, and I'm confident they'll enjoy the exhilarating ride it offers. Overall, I highly recommend it to anyone seeking an engaging and unpredictable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Sexual harassment
A Pretty Implausible Premise by Karen Rivers
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Child abuse and Mental illness