jenwestpfahl's reviews
299 reviews

The Haunting of Maddy Clare by Simone St. James

dark medium-paced

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

3.0

The ghost story was compelling enough to continue and the answers were obvious to the reader just the right amount of steps before the characters. I liked the descriptions of Maddy’s antics.

The instant romance was rather hard to believe and kind of weighed down the story. I was not at all expecting the graphic descriptions that went along with this part of the story and wasn’t a fan.

Content Warnings

The Book Woman's Daughter by Kim Michele Richardson

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adventurous 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? No

4.5

I loved the writing in this book and the themes of perseverance and female solidarity. It was so well-researched - from the rural horse book delivery routes and women coal miners to the blue people of Kentucky and forest fire prevention - to set a realistic scene and plot. I was taken aback by how hard life was so recently in these mountain regions.

Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray

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informative inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I hadn’t heard of Frances Perkins and she was a remarkable woman! This was an engrossing tale about her personal and professional life. The depiction of FDR was also very interesting.

The Heroine's Journey: Woman's Quest for Wholeness by Maureen Murdock

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

I didn’t understand much of the first chapter or two. And what I did understand maybe felt relevant in 1990 but none of it resonated with me.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

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hopeful lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

It took me 80 pages or so to get into this but I ended up loving it. Eudora’s backstory is very interesting, and you can’t help but love her new cast of friends. The ending was very satisfying.

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This is a light magical realism read. The character development of the two main present time characters was the focus of the book while the magic was sort of in the background. The historical plot line was also interesting.

Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

One of the best books I have read in a while. I felt like I was there in person watching everything unfold and wanting to jump in and alter the course of the characters’ lives.

Content Warnings