bioteacherbooknerd's reviews
89 reviews

You, with a View by Jessica Joyce

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-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? It's complicated

4.5

I am obsessed with this book! This seriously has all of my favorite tropes in one book! Enemies to lovers, somewhat second chance, known each other since they were kids, this is everything I want in a love story!! I absolutely love how Jessica used this super unique story of Noelle’s grandma to weave so many things together. Also this book dealt so well with what grief looks like, I felt so connected to Noelle as she navigated her grief. I also loved how this book shows how true vulnerability is so important in relationships. I just can’t say enough how much I loved this book. The characters, the unique story, the descriptions of the settings. Everything was wonderful
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense medium-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

4.0

This was a very interesting take on Macbeth. I do want to state that I never fully read the play but know the main plot points. That being said this is very close in terms of the main points I am familiar with. I think the main difference here is that Lady Macbeth in the play seems to be villainized but here you see more of her motivations in the actions she takes. She is a more three dimensional character here. This is quite intense at times and there are brutal descriptions of violence on page, so make sure you are prepared for that. Overall I thought the descriptions the author uses in this book really lend themselves to having the setting be a big part of the story, almost as its own character. I thought this was a well done story, and I would recommend it if you like gothic stories. I also did like a theme of female power that weaved its way throughout this story 
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

3.5

This book was okay but I wanted to love it more. I felt like the build up of the romance was so long but then the actual conclusion of everything was too short. I also just wanted to be more invested in this love story than I was. This was definitely a fun story, but after all I’ve heard about this author I was just hoping for more. I think the author gets a lot right with this book, but I couldn’t get over how rushed the end felt after how great her story building was earlier on in the book.
This Is Me Trying by Racquel Marie

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

This book touched on some pretty heavy topics such as suicide, grief, depression, family abandonment and more. This was a book full of rich emotion and complicated characters just trying to navigate growing up. I appreciated how the characters both came to their own realizations about things going on in their lives instead of relying on each other to “fix” things. I will definitely continue to think about this book because of the well written characters.
We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • 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

5.0

This book was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! This had the perfect mix of tension in this psychologically thrilling story of a toxic friendship between two vampires who love the club scene in London. This two POV story really had me hooked into it & I loved every minute of it! I loved the descriptions of the club scene in the late 1970’s & more recently & the story felt glamorous & dangerous all at the same time
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

This book was so cute, and I loved that it also dealt with some heavier pieces as well. It dealt with racism and discrimination against the indigenous community while also being a fun romantic comedy. I think Ember learns a lot through the trials she goes through in this book, but I wanted to see more from her in terms of growth. I am definitely excited to see what Danica Nava will write next. This was such a great debut that had the perfect amount of humor, sweetness and fun while also tackling heavier themes.
The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave

Go to review page

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

5.0

I went into this book expecting a mystery/thriller and I finished it having read a great mystery, but also just a wonderful book about humans and how hard it can be to be human sometimes. This book touches on love, grief, loyalty and so much more. I absolutely sobbed near the end of this book just because of how much certain sentiments touched my heart. This book truly highlights the impermanence of all things, and is somewhat a call to action to hold tight to the people and love you have. This is one of those books I have so many quotes from that I will be thinking about for a long time to come.
Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was so well done. This has some magical elements in it that helps to discuss the story’s very heavy topics brought to the attention of the reader through this book, which is alcoholism and suicide. I felt like this gave a look into how these two things are hurting Native American communities, while also telling a very compelling story with magical realism elements. This was a heavy book, but it left quite an impression.
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

Go to review page

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

4.5

This book was so well done. Not only did I learn so much because of the historical context, but the author was able to perfectly weave in historical context to make her story so memorable. I absolutely loved how this story touched upon family, found family, first love, justice, freedom & so much more. I just don’t have the right words to express how much I was invested in this story. Emotionally this story is a lot because of some of the topics addressed because of the historical context, but the way the author handled it was so well done. I just have so much appreciation for this story
The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-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

This was a really cute story. The main reason I’m not rating this higher is because I wanted more for the female main character in terms of personal growth. I think she grew, but a lot of her issues seemed to magically disappear and I wanted them to be wrapped up with her doing a little more for herself instead of it just being about her relationship. That being said, Matthew was such a sweetheart and I really loved his character. In general this was a really cute fake engagement with real feelings. I also liked the aspect of found family that exists in this book as that is always one of my favorite micro tropes