giuliawanders's reviews
17 reviews

Wings and Embers by Sarah J. Maas

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

4.0

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A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

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

4.75

I loved that this book delved so much in PTSD, that the relationship amongst the characters develop at a realistic pace (not very quickly), and I’m just so involved with the characters by this point, I want to know what happens next! I really couldn’t put it down!
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A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous inspiring mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

4.0

Started it thinking “what a cliché” and then I got so into it and now I need to know what happens next!
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The Girl at the Lion d'Or by Sebastian Faulks

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

3.5

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Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

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emotional inspiring 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

5.0

This book captivated me from beginning to end, and made me so emotional and reflective. I was in tears from 20 pages before the conclusion to the end.
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Are You Happy Now by Hanna Jameson

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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The Need by Helen Phillips

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

This feels like a terrible fever dream a mother experienced.

The book wasn’t captivating me but maybe it’s because I don’t have kids.
It seemed like it represents well how exhausting kids can be at times, no matter how much you love them.
I was definitely surprised by what happens and I was tense in many points,
because, like, how do you escape someone who is just like you? How could she prove to David that it was really her if it came to that? Molly and Moll basically have the same memories up to a point. And if one tried to kill the other, how do you come up with a plan that works on yourself? This is actually mind blowing.
I was a bit disappointed at the end, I didn’t feel like I got closure and sometimes it’s fine when the author leaves you hanging but this time I would’ve liked to know more about what happens next. 

I personally wouldn’t recommend it but maybe it would hit different if I was a mother.
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It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

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emotional fast-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

3.0

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It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

3.5

First time I ever read a romance novel, I’m here because I heard some people complaining that it romanticises domestic violence.

I mostly disagree, I think the author did a great job at showing the whole
“I’m sorry, forgive me” thing
and I was moved at the end when I found out that the story is inspired by her parents’. Only thing is that
Ryle should not be depicted as someone who is just acting because of his trauma and has no control over it. He is an abuser and he should not be left alone with their child.


We need to talk about this sad issue so that we raise awareness, we help people understand that people that stay with violent partners are not weak and there’s so much more at play. Hopefully someone in a similar situation will read the book or see the movie and it will help them leave!

Also, I was quite curious to know what was happening next, I couldn’t put it down!
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Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet

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

4.5

I personally really enjoyed it and I really wanted to keep reading. I liked how the narration of the stories of the two characters are intertwined. I would’ve liked to know  what Rebecca ends up doing afterwards but I imagine that leaving us guessing is part of the charm of the book. 

Also, the book left me wondering if it was a true story until the end. Like, so many references to real people and places!
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