latashman's reviews
158 reviews

Blue Horses: Poems by Mary Oliver

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

Beautiful poems that connect nature with the human spirit. Beautiful prose filled with imagery of the nature you can find outside your door .

The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

There were some laugh out loud moments in this book and great quotes. It also had a good overall message. I was mostly frustrated because a lot of the conflict was based on miscommunication and assumptions being made. I'm okay with an initial conflict with that, but 300+ pages of the same repeated conflict was very frustrating. 

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

dark emotional fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. I've heard great things about this author and this particular book so I decided to give it a try. The prose was engaging and I found myself feeling as Will met each of these people and learned their connection. I also enjoy the open ending, you get to decide what happens next. 

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris

dark funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was enjoyable. It felt like a "guilty pleasure" while reading it. Sookie was not a very likable character due to her self consciousness, but I liked seeing her growth throughout the book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Blood, and Murder

Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent

Minor: Fatphobia

The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This book started as a funny look at a Southern book club obsessed with true crime and quickly turned into a gory thriller. The audiobook was wonderful, the narrator made me feel like I was sitting and my grannys table and hearing her tell me a story. I liked that in the end it came down to women taking care of the issue themselves instead of relying on or needing the assistance from the men in their life. A nice dose of female rage. This was my first Grady Hendrix book and I am looking forward to reading the rest of their backlog. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Gore, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

medium-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved this book. I found myself kicking my heels up as I read and giggling at some of the things said. I liked that the MMC was so supportive of the FMC throughout the book. I did find some pieces of the story to be a little cliche and predictable, but I thought that was part of the fun. I liked the anticipation built throughout the story. The political structure was interesting. 

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

This book was far too long for the storyline with so little world building. The glossary would have been better as footnotes or weaved throughout the story. I wish that we had more answers at the end instead of more questions. It left me feeling unfulfilled after dedicating so much time to this length of book. It felt like nothing serious was wrapped up at the end. 

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

adventurous fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

I really liked the lover story with the MMC pining for the FMC throughout most of the book. The dual POV was great and exactly the type of book I like. What the heck was that ending though? There are so many other stronger endings that could have happened instead of this. I wish there was more info about the war in this book. 

Horse by Geraldine Brooks

adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

As a horse girl, I loved this book. The history behind racing horses and Lexington's success and fall were very interesting. Loved the three storylines intertwining to put the full story and picture together. The audiobook was excellent with multiple narrators. 

The part that I didn't like, I felt that the modern day race was centered on a white savior. I think it was done on purpose with Jess never maturing to the point of action and causing the infuriation with the ending.