If there are highs, there are lows.
We’ll start this part with some more highs before we hit the lows. As mentioned in P.1, 3.75 stars and above means that I enjoyed the book for the most part. Once you get below 3.75 … something or another leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth. Now, I will preface this by noting that not all 3.75 are equal. There are some that I enjoyed a little more than the others. For me, the 3.75 is the middle of books that had a lot of good going for them. Or the ones that had one too many things that irritated me. Although not all 3.5′ ratings are bad, either. I do need to give lower ratings for books I did not like. But I feel bad when I do.
So, without further ado. Let’s go!
The “3.75”
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Date Read: May 4, 2025
Rating: 3.75 stars
It took me some time to get invested in the story. That is why I did not rate the book higher.
In this novel, we follow three different women. Each woman is set in a different time period. They are all connected in one way or another.
I have found that Emilia Hart is a hit or a miss for me. The same can be said for this book. I enjoyed it overall with a few qualms here and there. I’ve read reviews from people who didn’t like it. So … I leave this book up to each person to read for themselves.
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
Date Read: May 31, 2025
Rating: 3.7 stars
And I quote: “The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches is a cozy, found family book that is centered around magic, with a bit of romance added.
That is about it.”
That is how I started my review. This book was cozy, but not a lot happened. I think that is why I wasn’t the biggest fan of it. It’s not a bad book, though. It wasn’t for me when I read it. I had finished an action-pack book before this one. My biggest gripe was that the book focused mainly on the “will they, won’t they” trope. This involved Mika and Jamie.
This book is quite popular in the cozy fantasy genre. I am one of those who don’t love it as much. But still enjoyable enough. Mandanna has another book that I’m on the fence about, but feel I should read. Who knows, I may like it!
10 Marchfield Square by Nicola Whyte
Date Read: June 20, 2025
Rating: 3.7 stars
An overall enjoyable book. I picked this book up due to the Only Murders in the Building vibes. It did deliver on those vibes, but not in the same quirky way that the show does. A murder took place, and we meet our main amateur sleuths. Lewis is a crime author who is facing an almost writer’s block due to his last book being a failure. Then we have Audrey, a cleaner. Celeste is the rich old lady paying them to figure out this crime before the police.
I wish that I remembered this story more, but it’s not very memorable. Audrey got annoying throughout the book. It is a slow-burning murder mystery, with a lot of exposition. More showing, less telling is more my cup of tea. The mystery was not as surprising. I do want to read Whyte’s second book. She did an overall good job, which I know means she can only go up from here.
Sick and Dirty: Hollywood’s Gay Golden Age and Making of Modern Queerness by Michael Koresky
Date Read: June 30, 2025
Rating: 3.75 stars
This book is nonfiction and was informative on exactly what the title said. We visit different Hollywood films that had undertones in their movies. I have to re-read this book because I read really fast, and I swear I missed a few things.
The Children’s Hour is where the title comes from. More specifically, the quote that is said by Shirley MacLaine’s character Martha Dobie.
Oh, I fell so God-damned sick and dirty—I can’t stand it anymore.
A play turned movie with a controversial plot. It’s an overall sad movie. I highly suggest watching it.
This book was informative and made me view things in a different light.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
Date Read: June 23, 2025
Rating: 3.7 stars
My introduction to Stephen Graham Jones. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and gave it a 10 out of 10 for its horrifying and graphic scenes. That being said, this book does have major trigger warnings for gore.
A story that is based on vengeance. A group of friends is now suddenly being tracked down by an unknown killer. The killer reveal was unseen by me. You also get to spend some time in the POV of the killer. Except it’s done in 2nd person. I had never experienced that!
Each chapter title is based on Agatha Christie’s novel, And Then There Were None. Well, the children’s rhyme in that story. I found that to be a nice touch and a way to reclaim a once racist rhyme. The title of the book also comes from a speech … a racist speech.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
Date Read: September 13, 2025
Rating: 3.7
Ah, this book. The more I think about it, the lower rating I want to give it. I personally think this book is highly overrated for a story told before. What I mean by that is how we follow Nora, being at a low point in her life. She’s facing many circumstances that have put her in situational depression.
I don’t know. Nora’s selfishness is what made me dislike the book. If you want a story about how choices change lives, then It’s a Wonderful Life portrays this well. Plus an angel gets their wings by the end!
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang
Date Read: Oct. 19, 2025
Rating: 3.8 stars
In short form: this is what Midnight Library was intending the overall message to me.
Long form: Serin (our protagonist) is unsatisfied with her life. She’s young, but she knows her life isn’t headed where she wants it to go. One day she gets invited to the Rainfall Market, and we follow her on this fantastical adventure.
It’s not exactly the same as Midnight Library. The plot deals with more than Serin learning to love her life.
A great way to dive into and learn about Korean folklore, while mixed with modern issues. It can read juvenile, but it may have to do with how it was translated. Still a great overall story.
The Institute by Stephen King
Date Read: Nov. 2, 2025
Rating: 3.8 stars
Stephen King does not need an introduction. Nonetheless, this is the first book I have read by him.
The main reason this book did not get a higher rating is the slowness. I was told by a friend that the majority of King’s novels are context-heavy. I don’t think that’s a bad thing, but this dragged on for me. There was a lot of information to take in that took away from the main plot. Again, that is my take on this book.
A unique take on X-Men.
The 3.5
- The King in Yellow by Robert W. Chambers | April 26, 2025 | 3.6 Stars
- A well-known horror book that is a compilation of short stories. The book’s title is also the title of a fictional play. This play is mentioned throughout a few of the short stories. This play is said to drive those who read it mad.
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley | May 12, 2025 | 3.45 Stars
- Another thriller that takes place on an island. A “perfect” setting. Gave it a lower rating because I could not stand any of the characters. I did not feel bad about what happened. In fact, he deserved it. Overall, not a bad thriller. I just felt the wedding was never-ending, and everyone needed to be slapped.
- Archenemies by Marissa Meyer | March 12, 2025 | 3.5 Stars
- After a year’s break, I decided to finish this series. An enemies-to-lovers book, with some really naive characters. You mean I have to put my trust in them? I can see why there are those against the heroes. Adrian is an airhead because she missed so much. But hey, at least I was slightly entertained.
- In the House in the Dark of the Woods by Laird Hunt | March 12, 2025 | 3.5 Stars
- Wait … I read 3 books in one day?! This book was weird. It was a vague story, which is not my cup of tea. There were too many questions and not enough answers. Although touche character. Good job in hoodwinking our protagonist and me. This book is a fast read, which is a plus.
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber | June 16, 2025 | 3.6 Stars
- I still stand by the fact that the OUABH series is better written. This book reads very YA. It was predictable, but a lot of the dialogue had me rolling my eyes. I didn’t have the story. I can see why it’s popular, but I feel it’s slightly over hyped.
- The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes | June 19, 2025 | 3.5 Stars
- It was enjoyable until the 56% mark, and then I found it annoying. This book felt like it dragged. Figuring out the clues as the reader is easy. So, having to read your characters who still do not know can be very annoying to read. Avery is too naive for how smart she is. The love triangle still kind of exists, which is weird at this point.
- Legendary by Stephanie Garber | June 28, 2025 | 3.5 Stars
- To put it simply: I don’t like Tella. She is an annoying character and protagonist. I couldn’t enjoy this book as much due to her. I was told that I would change my mind about her at the end, nope!
- Julie Chan Is Dead by Liann Zhang | August 7, 2025 | 3.5 Stars
- It was a fast read, an interesting look into the life of an influencer … but darker. But I couldn’t give it a higher rating because Julie is an annoying main character and narrator. She’s dumb and too impulsive. I am honestly surprised that she made it to the end of the book if I am honest.
- Ocean’s Godori by Elaine U. Cho | September 6, 2025 | 3.6 Stars
- Godori, or as I know it, is Go-Stop. A Korean (and I think Japanese) game. I’ve seen many K-dramas that have characters play this game. I found that the plot was confusing. We didn’t get a lot of information, which you then had to make sure to pick up on. Cho is great at action sequences, though. She had me at the edge of my seat many times.
- Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose | September 14, 2025 | 3.5 Stars
- The good of this book: I fell for the red herring and did not see the twist coming. The bad: too many POV’s. It made me confused, and I also hated the way the sibling relationship was written. They didn’t get along, but they didn’t even have some sense of care for each other either.
- The God of the Woods by Liz Moore | October 8, 2025 | 3.6 Stars
- I had higher expectations, which made me not enjoy the book as much as I could have. Another multiple POV book, along with time jumps. The fall of this book was how things would get good. However, in the next chapter, we will get a new POV. It made the action disjointed. Like The Guest’s List, this book makes the point that men (mostly) suck.
- The Sirens by Emilia Hart | October 12, 2025 | 3.65 Stars
- I liked it, but it wasn’t as cohesively written as Weyward, which is why it’s not rated as high. I solid book, but maybe not if you’re not interested in historical fiction that shows the woes women can face.
The 3.25 aka “The Ones That Could Have Been Better”
Read: April 15, 2025
Rating: 3.25
The reason why I have this 3.25: I found out the big reveal 30% in the book. There was no twist, and the different personalities were the only reason I kept reading. And to find out what our protagonist would do.
Read: July 7, 2025
Rating: 3.4
This book was my revelation to the knowledge that maybe, just maybe pure romance genre is not for me. I did not hate the book, but I did not love it as I had hoped. Did not meet expectations. Also, Miles reads like he was written by a woman. (He was, in fact, written by a woman.)
Read: August 2, 2025
Rating: 3.4
The weakest of the trilogy. Garber had so much going in the book, but not all the loose ends were fixed. Too much was going on. Tella had more of a high playing role than Scarlett. Ironic since this was supposed to be a joint POV. And nope, I did not like Tella by the end. Her and Legend were meant to be.
Read: March 7, 2025
Rating: 3.25
The premise and prose of this story sounded better than what it delivered. It was a slow-paced book for what it wanted to tell. Holly Black took her time setting up the world we are in, but nothing happened. Everything went down in three chapters. A character I was supposed to care for in the sequel, I didn’t. Charlie is give “not like other girls” vibe. It made her unlikable.
Read: April 3, 2025
Rating: 3.4
This book made it to the rating because it was close, but not close enough for 3.5. It was going to be higher than Archenemies. However, Nova was way too gullible. I felt her character development took a back step. This book gets a plus for its stakes. My initial review of this book is rather long. So, you can read it on my Goodreads.
The 3.0
The books on the list are a case of it wasn’t for me. I know people who have enjoyed these books. But one thing or another did not work for me. Or the after feeling of reading the book was more sad than happy. Memorable in a sad way, not my favorite feeling.
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck | February 24, 2025 | 3 Stars
- This book is a classic, but it made me sad. It’s a mean book. The way things were done in the past was mean. (Hello, is that you past? Are you here for the future? Because humans are reverting back!) There is animal death, which only added to the sadness. It’s a good book that makes you look at different characters.
- The Henna Artist | April 27, 2025 | 3 Stars
- I will say that this book was out of the norm of what I gravitate towards. I wanted to like the book. The downside is that I took too long to get invested in the story. Lakshmi did questionable things that I didn’t like. Radha, who apparently has her own book in this series, is so annoying. She is thirteen, but acts like she knows more. Honestly, I don’t feel bad for her. Anyway, this book ended up not being for me.
The 2.75
Read: April 29, 2025
Rating: 2.75
I fell for another over-hyped book. The book cover also intrigued me. Too low stakes for the premise. An adult Caraval, but people actually die, and does Ophelia care? Nah! She’s there to save her sister, but even then, she’s more interested in having sex every chance she gets. She also can’t do a single task without help. Who Blackwell was is obvious. There’s no twist. Not if I figured it out 200 pages before Ophelia did. This felt like a smutty Caraval. I’m not much of a smut lover.
Read: June 13, 2025
Rating: 2.85
Oh boy. The more I think about the book, the more I want to lower the rating. I blame myself, though. I expected too much. What did I get? I weird white-washed version of Fruits Basket. Ganymedes is one of the most incompetent protagonists. He’s also so full of himself that it doesn’t read as confidence. It reads like arrogance. All the clues were given to him in the form of exposition. We were told everything! There was no action in him, figuring anything out. Everyone just told him. Which is ironic when you remember that they all hate him.
Anyway, this book left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Good for diversity, but man, was the story not fun.
The “I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone” 2.25
Read: August 15, 2025
Rating: 2.4
This is one of those books that made me realize I hate giving low ratings. I don’t know. I feel bad when I do.
Diavola looks like it will be this intense, haunting ghost story. It’s not. It’s an underwhelming family drama. I didn’t go in for a family drama. I wanted to feel suspense and chills. I got eye rolls and irritation. Not one character in the book is likable.
I will now quote what I put in my review: “Not unnerving or scary in the slightest. I get more freaked out seeing my cats staring in the abyss at my home, and I think they’re seeing a ghost.”
That’s it! That’s my belated year in review. This second part is as belated as could be. I have a goal this year. I want to post more blog posts and keep my reading up-to-date.
We all have different ways to rate books. If I gave a low rating to one of your favorite books, please keep this in mind. What doesn’t work for me could work for you.
‘Til next time!
The Scarlett Synopsis 
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