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rdmoreland0801's reviews
258 reviews
Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Cara Bastogne never disappoints. I enjoy listening to these quick romance audiobooks as a palette cleanser while I’m crocheting.
Interesting concept, good execution, and I love the full cast narration.
Interesting concept, good execution, and I love the full cast narration.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I have officially become a devoted Emily Henry fan. I now need to go back and read the rest of her catalog.
Daphne and Miles were both so sweet, both with their own troubled childhoods. Despite their pasts, they both turned out to be such caring individuals who would give anything to anyone. They unfortunately do this to their own detriment.
Daphne always puts everyone else’s needs above her own. She never allows herself to get close to others for fear they’ll leave her. This leaves her completely isolated after her engagement ends.
Miles has spent his whole life trying to protect his sister from their narcissistic mother, but still feels tremendous guilt for leaving her, although she had gone off to college. He tends to settle, believing he doesn’t deserve more.
Peter and Petra are quite literally the worst (fictional) people in the world. They had no regards for the people they were hurting and just kept making it worse by inviting Daphne and Miles to their wedding and making comments on their “relationship”.
I loved the natural progression of Daphne and Miles’ relationship from reluctant roommates, to friends, to falling in love. It was so refreshing to see both of them put their feelings aside to just be what the other needed in any given moment, but I was so happy to see them finally get together.
I strive to feel all of these different emotions when reading a book like this, and I am looking forward to more.
Daphne and Miles were both so sweet, both with their own troubled childhoods. Despite their pasts, they both turned out to be such caring individuals who would give anything to anyone. They unfortunately do this to their own detriment.
Daphne always puts everyone else’s needs above her own. She never allows herself to get close to others for fear they’ll leave her. This leaves her completely isolated after her engagement ends.
Miles has spent his whole life trying to protect his sister from their narcissistic mother, but still feels tremendous guilt for leaving her, although she had gone off to college. He tends to settle, believing he doesn’t deserve more.
Peter and Petra are quite literally the worst (fictional) people in the world. They had no regards for the people they were hurting and just kept making it worse by inviting Daphne and Miles to their wedding and making comments on their “relationship”.
I loved the natural progression of Daphne and Miles’ relationship from reluctant roommates, to friends, to falling in love. It was so refreshing to see both of them put their feelings aside to just be what the other needed in any given moment, but I was so happy to see them finally get together.
I strive to feel all of these different emotions when reading a book like this, and I am looking forward to more.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Absolutely adored this book and so thankful I listened to it on audio. Rocky was the absolute best and his voice was hilarious. The narrator did a great job with all the voice inflections to indicate annoyance, fear, and just plain sassiness.
Minus .25 stars solely for all the science-y parts that went right over my head. Other than that, this was very enjoyable.
Minus .25 stars solely for all the science-y parts that went right over my head. Other than that, this was very enjoyable.
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
5.0
So devastatingly beautiful. The writing, the emotion, the relatability. I come from a very loving family, but I understand the pressure of living up to everyone’s expectations.
Sometimes being amiable is not the best way to approach life. You get stuck in a circle of life that you hate, but you can’t find a way out because you fear disappointing others. It makes it hard to understand who you are.
Harriet and Wyn left so much unsaid, afraid to drag the other down. It was so hard to watch them struggle in their own ways through their breakup, but so beautiful to see them find their way back to each other.
I find myself wishing more and more that I had built the sort of relationships this group has. Found family you know will be there for every changing stage in your life.
I found myself laughing and crying so much throughout this book. One of my favorite books off all time, and I know I’ll be thinking about it everyday for a long time.
Sometimes being amiable is not the best way to approach life. You get stuck in a circle of life that you hate, but you can’t find a way out because you fear disappointing others. It makes it hard to understand who you are.
Harriet and Wyn left so much unsaid, afraid to drag the other down. It was so hard to watch them struggle in their own ways through their breakup, but so beautiful to see them find their way back to each other.
I find myself wishing more and more that I had built the sort of relationships this group has. Found family you know will be there for every changing stage in your life.
I found myself laughing and crying so much throughout this book. One of my favorite books off all time, and I know I’ll be thinking about it everyday for a long time.
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
4.5
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs in this book, especially Evangeline’s. That poor girl is probably my favorite character. After everything she went through, I’m glad she found her happy ending.
I don’t understand the people who loved Mayan so much, but to each their own. It was set up nicely for a redemption arc, but it never came to fruition. He never loved Mare, it was pure obsession. At some point, his character flaws had to fall on him and couldn’t continue to be blamed on his mother. I have sympathy for him, but he needed to go.
As for everyone upset about the ending with Mare and Cal, I get it but it needed to happen. Where they left things was realistic. They both had to become people they didn’t recognize and that is hard to live with. I think that time apart to figure out how they will keep on living was the mature thing to do. They’ll eventually come back together, even if the readers won’t get to see it.
After all the hell Mare went through, I believe she earned the right to some peace in the end.
I don’t understand the people who loved Mayan so much, but to each their own. It was set up nicely for a redemption arc, but it never came to fruition. He never loved Mare, it was pure obsession. At some point, his character flaws had to fall on him and couldn’t continue to be blamed on his mother. I have sympathy for him, but he needed to go.
As for everyone upset about the ending with Mare and Cal, I get it but it needed to happen. Where they left things was realistic. They both had to become people they didn’t recognize and that is hard to live with. I think that time apart to figure out how they will keep on living was the mature thing to do. They’ll eventually come back together, even if the readers won’t get to see it.
After all the hell Mare went through, I believe she earned the right to some peace in the end.
All This Twisted Glory by Tahereh Mafi
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I will say, this book did not further the plot at all. I’m hoping the final two books give us a little more.
That being said, I love Cyrus and his absolute obsession with Alizeh. He is down bad and their banter gives me the will to live.
Kamran is still a whiny little bitch who continuously pities himself. However, I think Tahereh Mafi is setting him up for something bigger. I’m really hoping we see a little “enemies”-to- lovers with Huda. They constantly have me cackling with their flirtatious disdain for each other.
I could listen to all of these characters bicker and banter forever, but I do hope to eventually advance in the plot line.
That being said, I love Cyrus and his absolute obsession with Alizeh. He is down bad and their banter gives me the will to live.
Kamran is still a whiny little bitch who continuously pities himself. However, I think Tahereh Mafi is setting him up for something bigger. I’m really hoping we see a little “enemies”-to- lovers with Huda. They constantly have me cackling with their flirtatious disdain for each other.
I could listen to all of these characters bicker and banter forever, but I do hope to eventually advance in the plot line.
King's Cage by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.25
It was so sad to confirm that Maven was made this way because of his mother’s interference, but we already knew that. However, what’s worse is that Maven cannot or will not change his ways. His feelings for Mare were could have saved him, but they were instead twisted into obsession.
I love the sweet little moments of Mare and Cal here and there, it was a nice way to break up some of the sad or difficult stuff.
I also really liked the relationships Mare was able to start building with the other newbloods. I hope we get to see even more interaction with Kilorn but especially Farley. I think they could be a lot of good for each other.
On to the final book!
I love the sweet little moments of Mare and Cal here and there, it was a nice way to break up some of the sad or difficult stuff.
I also really liked the relationships Mare was able to start building with the other newbloods. I hope we get to see even more interaction with Kilorn but especially Farley. I think they could be a lot of good for each other.
On to the final book!
Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
How can I give this high of a rating when I dislike the main character so much? Because I think that’s the point. We’ve been told again and again that nobody is born evil, anybody can betray anybody, etc. mate is pretty self-centered and selfish, but she’s a 17 year old girl who got thrown into being the face of a revolution.
Mare is so confused and it shows through in her actions. She doesn’t want to be looked at as a leader, but she still expects people to follow her. She tells herself not to trust anybody, but ends up trusting all the wrong people while pushing those who love her away.
In the next book, we’ll either see her fight back against Maven, or she’ll continue down the dark path she’s headed down. Kilorn, Cal, and Julian all see it and they’re scared.
I’m excited to see more of Maven in the next book, especially after that ending.
Mare is so confused and it shows through in her actions. She doesn’t want to be looked at as a leader, but she still expects people to follow her. She tells herself not to trust anybody, but ends up trusting all the wrong people while pushing those who love her away.
In the next book, we’ll either see her fight back against Maven, or she’ll continue down the dark path she’s headed down. Kilorn, Cal, and Julian all see it and they’re scared.
I’m excited to see more of Maven in the next book, especially after that ending.
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Not my typical genre, but it was a nice little palette cleanser for me.
I wish the book had been a little bit longer so we could have gotten even more little details about their experiences through time. Some parts felt a little rushed.
I also kinda wish they had all gone their separate ways at the end. They were so entirely trauma-bonded, I think it would’ve been extremely healing for them to finally be their own people.
I would like a couple more stories from their times after his death. In the end, Constanta said she’d never say his name again. I love how she never actually said his name throughout the entire book. She really made the story about the wives, rather than the man.
I wish the book had been a little bit longer so we could have gotten even more little details about their experiences through time. Some parts felt a little rushed.
I also kinda wish they had all gone their separate ways at the end. They were so entirely trauma-bonded, I think it would’ve been extremely healing for them to finally be their own people.
I would like a couple more stories from their times after his death. In the end, Constanta said she’d never say his name again. I love how she never actually said his name throughout the entire book. She really made the story about the wives, rather than the man.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Not sure how it’s possible that I both did and didn’t see the betrayal coming. There’s something to be said about being too good to be true.
Nobody and nothing is as it seems. Mare is a lowly Red thief, avoiding the Silver elite at every turn. After a crazy turn of events, she finds herself in the middle of this unknown world.
Made is now struggling to navigate this treacherous new life, while contributing to the rebel forces, and fighting her feelings between two princes.
This was a a good start to a fantasy series. I’m looking forward to more.
Nobody and nothing is as it seems. Mare is a lowly Red thief, avoiding the Silver elite at every turn. After a crazy turn of events, she finds herself in the middle of this unknown world.
Made is now struggling to navigate this treacherous new life, while contributing to the rebel forces, and fighting her feelings between two princes.
This was a a good start to a fantasy series. I’m looking forward to more.