The Library of the Uncommons

strangerloop reviewed Down to a Science by Haley Cass (I Heart SapphFic Pride, #1)

Ellie Beckett's life is simple and uncomplicated; she's on track to become a leading expert …

Down to a Science

4 stars

Super fun read, I loved the chemistry between the two MCs. As always this author has a good sense for the pace at which the relationship should best develop, although I felt that the pacing in terms of writing could be a touch better. There was a lot of will-they-won't-they, which is not my favorite trope, but if it's to your liking, I would definitely recommend this one.

Lastly, the protagonist felt autistic-coded to me, although I don't know if it was intentional. Found it well-done in any case, as there was no negative attention drawn to it, and I could recognize parts of my own experience in Ellie's thoughts.

strangerloop finished reading Down to a Science by Haley Cass (I Heart SapphFic Pride, #1)

Down to a Science by Haley Cass, Lori Prince (I Heart SapphFic Pride, #1)

Ellie Beckett's life is simple and uncomplicated; she's on track to become a leading expert in biomedical engineering, she has …

strangerloop wants to read Enheduana by Sophus Helle

Sophus Helle: Enheduana (2023, Yale University Press)

Enheduana by Sophus Helle

In Enheduana: The Complete Poems of The World’s First Author, Sophus Helle provides Anglophone readers access to the Sumerian author …

strangerloop wants to read A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger

Samara Breger: A Long Time Dead (2023, Bywater Books)

A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger

Samara Breger's A Long Time Dead is a lush, Victorian romance, drenched in blood and drama, about the lengths two …

strangerloop finished reading Better Than Expected by Haley Cass (When You Least Expect It, #2)

Haley Cass: Better Than Expected (Paperback, Independently Published)

Better Than Expected by Haley Cass (When You Least Expect It, #2)

Hannah Dalton had a lot of expectations in her life. Growing up watching her mother struggle for everything they had, …

strangerloop reviewed When You Least Expect It by Haley Cass (When You Least Expect It, #1)

Haley Cass: When You Least Expect It (AudiobookFormat, 2021, Tantor Media)

Caroline Parker knows three things to be true. First, she is going to be Boston's …

Review of "When You Least Expect It"

5 stars

I picked this up because it was on my library's list of no-wait books, so I expected a milquetoast romance story where the MCs just happen to be a couple of women instead of a straight couple.

I was very pleasantly surprised. The characters were well-fleshed out and made me feel invested in their story as well as their personal journeys, even if they aren't necessarily people I would like in real life. The romance was developed at a reasonable pace for the circumstances. I also enjoyed the fact that the couple faces not only external hindrances, but also problems that stem from their personalities and past experiences. Lastly, there were a couple sex scenes included that were both very steamy and very tatefully done, in my opinion.

I listened to the audio book version of the book, which I thought was excellently narrated. The speaker was able to create …

I picked this up because it was on my library's list of no-wait books, so I expected a milquetoast romance story where the MCs just happen to be a couple of women instead of a straight couple.

I was very pleasantly surprised. The characters were well-fleshed out and made me feel invested in their story as well as their personal journeys, even if they aren't necessarily people I would like in real life. The romance was developed at a reasonable pace for the circumstances. I also enjoyed the fact that the couple faces not only external hindrances, but also problems that stem from their personalities and past experiences. Lastly, there were a couple sex scenes included that were both very steamy and very tatefully done, in my opinion.

I listened to the audio book version of the book, which I thought was excellently narrated. The speaker was able to create a unique and easy to recognise voice for each of the characters, while also performing their emotions well.

Overall this was a a very fun and enjoyable read that I would recommend to anyone looking for a tasteful romance story.

strangerloop finished reading When You Least Expect It by Haley Cass (When You Least Expect It, #1)

When You Least Expect It by Haley Cass (When You Least Expect It, #1)

Caroline Parker knows three things to be true. First, she is going to be Boston's most sought after divorce attorney …

strangerloop wants to read Lady Eve's Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow

Rebecca Fraimow: Lady Eve's Last Con (2024, Rebellion)

Lady Eve's Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow

Ruth Johnson and her sister Jules have been small-time hustlers on the interstellar cruise lines for years. But then Jules …

strangerloop started reading The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr

Suzette Mayr: The Sleeping Car Porter (Paperback, 2022, Coach House Books)

When a mudslide strands a train, Baxter, a queer Black sleeping car porter, must contend …

Absolutely phenomenal book, I have listened to nearly half of it in a single day. The story is entirely character driven, and the author does an incredible job at describing and embodying the main character. Makes me feel like I know the guy. Besides the lovely characterization and dialog, there is also a wealth of historical information to absorb from this story. And it is a very educational and sobering experience about the everyday reality of black people in America (I'm pretty sure the attitudes described in the story still very much exist, but maybe in a slightly different form).

strangerloop wants to read Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

Rebecca Thorne: Can't Spell Treason Without Tea (2022, Thorne, Rebecca)

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

All Reyna and Kianthe want is to open a bookshop that serves tea. Worn wooden floors, plants on every table, …

strangerloop finished reading The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

Naomi Klein: The Shock Doctrine (AudiobookFormat, 2012, Macmillan Audio)

The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

An introduction to "disaster capitalism" argues that the global free market has exploited crises, violence, and shock in the past …

strangerloop reviewed The Shock Doctrine by Naomi Klein

An introduction to "disaster capitalism" argues that the global free market has exploited crises, violence, …

Enlightening read

5 stars

This is an absolutely phenomenal book. Having grown up in a country that has been on the receiving end of the titular shock doctrine, this book gave me the tools to better understand my experience. While I have always been aware of different aspects of the issue, I can now put all of it together and understand the bigger picture.

Naomi Klein has an excellent writing style, explaining her thoughts in very clear and understandable terms. I listened to the audio version, but when I checked out a written copy of the book, I was really impressed by the sheer amount of sources/references she names. That's why I believe that this work is not just a think piece, but a product of actual, serious research.

Overall I would 100% recommend reading The Shock Doctrine, just with a warning that it might make you very, very angry at the world.