blissofalife's reviews
111 reviews

Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

Go to review page

reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Overall I liked it. It was witty and though I'm not a true crime fan myself (much too anxious) I enjoyed the references sprinkled throughout. I do wish it leaned a little heavier into Phoebe believing Sam could be a serial killer in the beginning, I think I expected this to be horror/thriller-turned-rom/com but it was really just rom/com. A quick listen, didn't love the narrator but they did a good job. Not one I would recommend, but also not one I WOULDN'T recommend. You know?
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A delightful listen! I loved that it was recorded by a full cast, it felt almost like I was listening to a radio show. Well written, just a fun time! Will definitely 'read' the rest of the series. Princess Cimerone fits the "not like other girls" trope to a T but this is pretty much the only time I've ever enjoyed that in a character! Instead of it being used to disparage other princesses, it's just a matter of fact. It doesn't make her better or worse, just different. Which I liked.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Icebound Land by John Flanagan

Go to review page

adventurous dark 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? No

3.75

This one was definitely missing the light-hearted back-and-forty that I loved soo much in the first two books. Darker tone and some darker parts than previously seen.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
East by Edith Pattou

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious slow-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? No

4.0

Just as enjoyable to read in my mid twenties as it was in high school 
Venetia by Georgette Heyer

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A witty delight
The Burning Bridge by John Flanagan

Go to review page

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

4.0

I appreciate the authors attention to detail, events aren’t just happening, they’re unfolding in front of our eyes as the characters observe their world. Our knowledge grows right along with theirs, we aren’t expected to just believe the characters can do or know something. We’re shown.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Wolf and The Wildflower by Stacy Reid

Go to review page

lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

What a wild ride, truly bonkers premise and Reid made it work so well! Some parts were a bit more gushy than I would prefer, but I guess that’s just something that comes with the genre!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad 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

4.0

I laughed, I cried (a LOT), I related to the feelings of grief and struggling to connect with others over it. It felt very eye-opening in the way society can view grief and thinks it should be experienced. Clover was so flawed, yet no excuses were made for her and I loved it.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Woman Who Rides Like a Man by Tamora Pierce

Go to review page

adventurous 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? Yes

3.5

An enjoyable continuation of the series, I still don’t love the author’s tendency towards white savior but I like the characters and will probably continue checking the series out from the library.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Earl Takes All by Lorraine Heath

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A fun read, I gasped out loud multiple times. Truly a wild time! I genuinely had no idea what was going to happen one chapter to the next.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings