angieoverbooked's reviews
499 reviews

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

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mysterious tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I really enjoyed the podcast element of this. Very engaging way to develop the plot. 
Late Bloomer by Mazey Eddings

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

 A lighthearted, quick read sapphic romance. I appreciated the autism and neurodivergent representation. The plot wasn’t the most captivating but the characters and setting were lovely. Using dual POVs was a good choice. 

Ratings 

Quality of Writing 4/5 

Pacing 3/5 

Plot Development 3/5 

Characters 5/5 

Overall Enjoyability 4/5 

The Reformatory by Tananarive Due

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dark emotional tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

5.0

Nearly All the Men in Lagos Are Mad: Stories by Damilare Kuku

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dark emotional funny
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

WOW- this is an outstanding collection.

You know how sometimes the book title of a short stories collection is just one of the story titles, and not necessarily an indicator of the collection as a whole? Well, you need to be prepared that this book title is indeed an indicator of the collection. The endless audacity of these men!

This was a messy and infuriating read- but also captivating and, at times, funny. A+ writing and creativity from Kuku. I have an eARC of her debut novel which comes out later this year and cannot wait to read it now. 
The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

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emotional lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.75

A couple from the past with very present chemistry, a beautiful setting, found family, and a not-so-perfect but filled-with-love wedding story... what more can I ask for with a romance? Oh, and a bonus- a man who goes to therapy! 

I really enjoyed this book. At certain points, it was a bit too close to the edge of too much going wrong or dilemmas that didn't feel that likely, but at least this developed the characters more as we saw how they recovered and handled each challenge. And it was so steamy and swoony, I will ignore the small nagging musings I had about some of the events. 

Ratings
Quality of Writing 5/5
Pacing 4/5
Plot Development  4/5
Characters 5/5
Overall Enjoyability 5/5

Bye, Baby by Carola Lovering

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

4.0

Another thriller with characters I didn’t love (am I ever supposed to?) but an intriguing story that kept me interested. 

And alternate timelines and perspectives, which tend to work for me. 
There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension by Hanif Abdurraqib

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emotional informative slow-paced

5.0

This book is beautiful, poetic commentary on basketball- and so much more. It is commentary on community and home- making a home wherever you are, never leaving home, leaving home but always missing it. It’s about loneliness, mourning, endings, and survival. 

Another indisputable win for me from Abdurraqib. A book you want to take your time with and soak up every word. 
Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah

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

4.75