annarbpollock's reviews
52 reviews

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

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lighthearted slow-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? It's complicated

2.5

This could've been 100 pages shorter. Some of the scenes dragged on for comedic effect, but they just didn't land for me. Spent about 200 pages thinking just get on with it.
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman

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4.5

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-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

3.5

I had a hard time wanting to pick up the story for a while, but once I got about 3/4s of the way through, it really picked up and I enjoyed it! A heavy read in certain spots, though.
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

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

2.5

I did not love these characters. 
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

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funny hopeful informative reflective medium-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? Yes

4.25

Great read. I love the writing style, but sometimes the plot or dialogue felt forced. LOVE Kia and Scotch together!! They're so cute and I wish we saw more of them at the end.
Scout's Honor by Anna Pollock

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

 I am SO excited to have this out in the world.

This book holds such a special place in my heart. Here we have an introduction to our two POVs and main characters; Michael Wilson and Thomas Cooper. They each love differently than the heteronormative way our society might think is "normal." While Michael has never been in a relationship, Thomas has been in the same one since high school. The thing is, both of them want that to change. Our future can hold so much more than our past.

By the end of this book, we see the two of them find ways to be kind to themselves, and how the power of non-toxic male friendship can allow them to open their hearts in ways they haven't been able to imagine.

Michael deserves love. Thomas deserves love. You deserve love. Scout's Honor!! 
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 34%.
Boring, the dialogue was hard to follow, and I kind of shut down after the n-word.
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When You Call My Name by Tucker Shaw

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challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad medium-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? No

4.25

Oh this book is beautifully written. 4.25 because the characterization wasn't fully developed for the two main characters, but the characters around them were wonderfully built. 
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Normal People by Sally Rooney

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

2.0

Kind of skimmed the last fifty pages. I might have liked it better if the formatting was different. I had a hard time with the poor communication throughout the entire book. 
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren

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emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25