morganmay's reviews
102 reviews

And then she was gone by Lisa Jewell

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

3.5

3.5 stars - I knew basically nothing going in, which is what I would recommend! I do feel like there weren’t any twists, but it was still a good thrill! 
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

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

5.0

I could go on and on. I put this off for so long since I’m not a romance reader and that’s what I thought this was but it is so much more. As a queer woman myself, it was so perfect the way the MC describes what it’s like to feel your first gay feelings. And with the setting of the 50’s homophobia and political climate, this was so interesting from start to finish. I do wish we heard more about their futures, but I think that’s just bc I liked the characters so much? Not that anything was actually missing. 
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

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

4.0

I wanted a bit more thriller/to be scared for the characters but otherwise really good read 
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

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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? Yes

3.75

This was SO obviously political and I have no idea how I really didn’t think about it much when I first read it (Probably bc I was like 12, and I should NOT have been reading it) This was so good and I’m excited to read the others and see what happens!!
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This did a great job of taking a classic haunted house story and keeping it interesting throughout the entire story! 
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty

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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? Yes

2.5

Idk so boring to me. I didn’t care about any of the characters and also I feel like no one really learned any lessons? Except the couple whose son died maybe. 2.5 stars to me 
The Locked Door by Freida McFadden

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

This was my first Frida McFadden book and I feel like I called the end from the beginning?? Also there’s SOOO much heavy handed writing about the NC being “just like her father” and I felt like it was TOO much leading in the wrong direction. But I liked it fine? Middle of the road for me. But maybe my expectations were too high bc people love her books sm. 
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston

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

4.0

Very interesting from page one which is super rare imo! I kinda wish there was like a slightly longer version with a little more detail, but mostly just bc I found the MC so interesting. 
The Outsider by Stephen King

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dark sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Losing a star bc whyyyyyy does Stephen King LIVE to have someone random character just so they can be racist OR a racist depiction of a POC???? Steve, I’m BEGGING you to get sensitivity readers. 
It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

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dark funny hopeful reflective sad tense fast-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

3.0

This was certainly so important for me to read when I read it as a young person in like 2010. It definitely has made a huge impact on my life, which is important. That being said, it doesn’t hold up super well in 2024. There’s quite a few racist/transphobic moments that just didn’t need to happen?? But some of the other moments similar to those make sense since the character is only 15. Overall something I might read again when feeling depressed, since it’s so validating for someone with suicidal ideation. BUT it’s definitely not the best book I’ve ever read.