Rep: Clover is cis, Black, and lesbian (word not used on page but she spent her life pretty closContent warnings: lesbophobia, alcohol, toxic parents.
Rep: Clover is cis, Black, and lesbian (word not used on page but she spent her life pretty closeted and in a comphet relationship), Bee is cis, Black and hetero. Side queer characters. Oodles of POC characters.
This was a great house swap story. I adored everything about this one....more
Content warnings: blood, references to car accident, diabetic talk.
Rep: Perley (MC) is cis, white, Jewish, queer and diabetic. Amandine is cis, Black,Content warnings: blood, references to car accident, diabetic talk.
Rep: Perley (MC) is cis, white, Jewish, queer and diabetic. Amandine is cis, Black, chubby and a vampire.
This was so sweet!
I loved the illustrations - the artwork brings so much life to this story. And the plot itself was so fascinatingly done!
In a world where vampires (and some other were-creatures) exist, everything is surprisingly normal. Amandine was recently turned via blood transfusion as she was in a pretty bad car accident, and it was the only way to save her. Her life was changed forever, and she's trying to figure out her new normal.
Perley is trying to figure out his new normal, too, after being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
Their relationship quickly becomes codependent and while they're sweet together (pun intended lol) they both realise that their relationship can't last if they're only using each other.
I'm glad this one explored friendships, group therapy, and adjusting to having a massive change being thrust upon your life. It was handled with grace and care, and made me feel very warm and fuzzy inside....more
Content warnings: fat shaming and fat phobic comments/remarks, past toxic romantic relationship and also friendship relationship, parent who died of cContent warnings: fat shaming and fat phobic comments/remarks, past toxic romantic relationship and also friendship relationship, parent who died of cancer, alcohol, cancer mentions, racism, depictions of grief, sexuality discovery.
Rep: Brynn (MC) is cis, Bigambul, and bisexual. Side POC characters, side gay character.
This was an utter delight!
I loved reading Brynn's adventures in New York, and how it was her dream to do the tasks her mum set her there. The friendships she made were my favourite parts of this book. The romances were cute, and one in particular was swoon worthy. I was so happy with the ending of the book, too. It was just beautifully done....more
Rep: Emma (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Caleb (MC) is cis, white, and biromantic demisexual. Juliet (SC) is Black, nonbinary and aroace. Side POC and queer characters.
I'll get this off my chest first - I don't know how anyone can read the synopsis of this and go 'ahh, yes, I will tag this as lesbian'. Stop with the bisexual erasure, please.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Having only read They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody only last month, I was excited to read this one.
This one wasn't as heavy (imo) as They Hate Each Other, but it definitely had that strained (or plain bad) parent for at least one of the MCs.
I felt like Emma got such a raw deal. She deserved a lot better. Her characterisation was done so brilliantly, and I adored it a lot.
I also loved Caleb's relationship with his own mum - she was so awesome. And he's such a good egg. His dad is a straight up wanker, though.
I am so disheartened to say that I found this so boring. It breaks my heart since I have pretty steadily loved Kalynn's other fantasy books.I am so disheartened to say that I found this so boring. It breaks my heart since I have pretty steadily loved Kalynn's other fantasy books....more
**spoiler alert** Content warnings: cheating, alcohol consumption, explicit sexual content (including 3 public sex scenes), talks of parents separatin**spoiler alert** Content warnings: cheating, alcohol consumption, explicit sexual content (including 3 public sex scenes), talks of parents separating.
Rep: Truly (MC) is cis, white, and bisexual. Colin (LI) is cis, white, and bisexual and appears to have ADHD (he is on Adderall).
I had higher hopes for this book.
If you click this spoiler cut, you do so at your own risk.
(view spoiler)[ Aside from the fact that the cover art is literally Joe Keery, the cover art is also misleading because there are zero scenes in bookstores. I just wanted to note that.
Truly St James is a romance author who is invited to do a guest episode of a well known podcast. She's the romantic to the 'realist' in family law attorney Colin McCrory.
The book starts off with Truly being cheated on by her loser boyfriend, and then we dive straight into the podcast recording scene.
From there, Truly and Colin (one of the least sexy names ever, by the way), are portrayed to be antagonists.
In this book, it really feels like the author was trying desperately for them to dislike each other but it just fell flat for me.
I didn't feel any of their chemistry, I didn't feel any of the spark I've felt with 3/4 of Bellefleur's other books.
My hopes were set so very high for this book, and all I came away with is: Truly is a brat, and Colin is a Mary Sue. Seriously, the guy has no flaws.
There's three counts of public sex that will drive people wild, and one very long in-room sex scene that will keep "spice" lovers happy.
There was some fantastic scenes. Bellefleur really knows how to pull a reader in and capture their attention. She knows how to make me gasp, make me laugh, make me cringe, and feel secondhand embarrassment. However, I honestly just didn't see the spark between these two.
If it wasn't for that end chapter being Colin's POV, I would say with certainty that these characters would not end up together once the book ends. He falls first, and falls harder, but that's it. There's just not a thing there for me to seriously believe they'd work long term except that we're told they would.
I'm really sad for myself how much this let me down. I was expecting it to be THE f/m book that I recommended everyone because it was just that good. And yes, the writing IS just that good, but the characters I just don't care for like I have previously from Bellefleur.
And there's the entire side-plot of Truly trying to get her parents back together that was a whole mess of yikes to me. That just sat really... ickily with me.
There are also only so many times one can read about how Truly wanted to map out Colin's moles with her tongue, bite his thighs and the like before it got tedious. It was said so often at one point that I couldn't stop rolling my eyes.
Also, and this is purely a pet peeve - the amount of times that instagram was referred to in narrative as "IG" and then occasionally instagram was just irksome. There were a few other instances of things where initials were used instead of the full title for things that was so very american that it was off-putting.
In true Alexandria style, there are zero characters of colour. And strangely enough, there aren't any other queer characters, either (except it's sort of alluded that Caitlin is queer, but it's a very much 'squint to see' situation).
There is a really fantastic scene where Truly and Colin talk about their bisexuality and bi-erasure that was beautiful. I loved that a lot.
Content warnings: murder (so much omfg), blood, vomit, death, manipulation, gaslighting, ableism, war themes (central theme), poisoning,
Rep: Violet iContent warnings: murder (so much omfg), blood, vomit, death, manipulation, gaslighting, ableism, war themes (central theme), poisoning,
Rep: Violet is cis, white, and disabled. Some side queer characters, one side non-binary character, side POC characters.
Originally I had DNFed this at 11% but then I blamed it on the fact that I was incredibly sick and couldn't focus on the book. This was definitely a reason. The first 28% was, not slow, but didn't grip me.
I've seen multiple people say they knew at page 20 that they were going to love it, and I was not that person. It wasn't until the dragons showed up that the book actually got good for me. Then it was a game changer.
I really need to stop listening to people because there are people who said this is super smutty, and I'm like, what are y'all reading for this to be super smutty? Note: The smut happens at 74% and it's literally 2 sex scenes, that's it.
Anyway, I was also told that Xaden tries to kill Violet a bunch of times. Which also didn't happen. I have an ARC, I should know.
Anyway again.
This book was pretty good! I was hooked. It captivated me so very wholly (after the dragons showed up, this is important) that I was desperate to know what happened next.
There were like 2 things I didn't predict, but that's good. I love that this book could surprise me, and that alone will make me want to read the second book.
There were parts that I thought could've been taken out, a fair few repetitive pieces. And I did not care for Xaden's POV right at the end - it did nothing to elevate or improve the book for me. It was the last chapter, so it was weird and unnecessary. But I'm guessing this is gearing up for Xaden's POV in book 2. Can't have fated mates or w/e they are without POV switching.
The dragons were the best part. Rhiannon and Liam were the second best part.
I love Violet's strength and determination. She's a formidable, if somewhat reckless, protagonist, but that's good considering her life.
While I'm here, I'll just say the fact that this war has been going on for 400 years (!!) is wild to me. And to then have a lot of merciless killing in house on top of that? Doesn't make sense.
The heteros, and anyone who loves cis men, are loving this one, which is no surprise -Xaden is a ~bad boy. So if you're hetero, you'll probably love this book.
Content warnings: underage drinking/alcohol consumption, coming out themes.
Rep: Lara (MC) is cis, white (Russian-American) and unlabelled bisexual (diContent warnings: underage drinking/alcohol consumption, coming out themes.
Rep: Lara (MC) is cis, white (Russian-American) and unlabelled bisexual (discussion had on page, but still figuring the label out), Jasmine (LI) is cis, white and bisexual. Side cis bisexual characters. Side cis aro+ace character. Mentions of a non-binary character.
I wanted to love this one a lot more than I did. Some of the parts felt very YA to me - this isn't a bad thing. I read a LOT of YA, it's just this read a little immature in parts.
A part of me wants to be That Bitch and say "I just don't relate" when Lara describes wanting to lick Chase's biceps. Like. I know this is a thing people like to do but it kind of threw me for a moment.
Then there's the fact that her comment on "non-binary friend" which really missed the mark. Platonic friend is what should've been used here. This was specifically talking about a platonic friendship and that is 100% the word that should've been used. It was weird to have that there when it shouldn't have been.
The fact that Lara has a non-binary person in her life and yet she can't think of another word that isn't girlfriend or boyfriend for a partner is weird.
I don't know what it is, but there's just something about this book that rubbed me the wrong way. Which sucks. Because it had the potential to be so awesome.
Content warnings: violence, racism, homophobia (past, mentions), parental abandonment recounted, self-harm for magic, blood & gore depiction, gun violContent warnings: violence, racism, homophobia (past, mentions), parental abandonment recounted, self-harm for magic, blood & gore depiction, gun violence, police brutality. Rep: Bitter is queer. Actually, everyone is queer. Mostly black cast, too, and other POC.
Bitter is set several years before Pet, when Jam’s mum, Bitter, is a teenager.
This was absolutely amazing. I think I loved this more than Pet, which is saying something.
I love that we get to see exactly what Bitter's powers are in this book, how we are shown just who she is as a person, and how that power manifests itself.
I read this after straight after reading Pet, and this one is a lot heavier. The topics are heavy in both books, but this one is written, and handled differently. We go back to when Bitter was a teenager and we get to see what life was like when there were so many monsters around.
The exploration of art as a medium of power was so beautifully done in this book.
One of my favourite parts was getting to see how Bitter and Alo come together, as well as them falling in love. It was so sweet and I loved it. I love how casual they both are when they mention they're both queer, and past relationships they'd had with different genders. It was just. I loved it a lot.
Content warnings: anxiety and panic attacks, alcohol consumption, alcoholic parent, borderline-alcoholic sister, Brooke had an ovarian cyst burst (nonContent warnings: anxiety and panic attacks, alcohol consumption, alcoholic parent, borderline-alcoholic sister, Brooke had an ovarian cyst burst (non graphic of that part, thankfully), emotional abuse, blood.
Rep: Brooke (main character) has pretty bad anxiety, and is white. Harper (side character) is sapphic, as is her girlfriend. Everyone else is white and hetero.
I went into this book not knowing much other than it was very hetero (I was not wrong) and that it was about a girl living with a boy housemate (also not wrong). I figured they'd get together (also not wrong there lol).
A note - Brooke and her housemates are all 18, so this is upper young adult.
I wasn't expecting to laugh as much. There were so many moments of second hand embarrassment I felt for Brooke, and there were times I genuinely laughed at the funny stuff going on.
The anxiety spirals that Brooke went through regularly was absolutely relatable. I wanted to hug her a lot. She needs a good hug, that kid.
This was enjoyable, funny, and really easy to read. The audio is fantastic - thank you to my library for having this one!
Rep: Bree is Black (sexuality unconfirmed, but she's probably hetero?), Alice is Asian and lesbian (sexuality not said on page, but she's exclusively attracted to girls), Selwyn is white and pansexual (his ID confirmed by Tracy via tweet), Greer is white and non-binary, Sarah is a 'white passing' POC and sapphic, Tor is white and bisexual (and a fucking asshole, that needs to be noted because I hate her a lot lol), Mariah is Black, Patricia is Black.
I hate that my original review was deleted (fuck you goodreads!), because I know I said so much. I reread this one in preparation for Bloodmarked coming out and holy heck it was just as phenomenal as the first time!
Content warnings: death of parent (cancer, running theme), depictions of grief, student/professor relationship (unchallenged in the fact that so many Content warnings: death of parent (cancer, running theme), depictions of grief, student/professor relationship (unchallenged in the fact that so many people knew about it and no one did anything, and this professor was sleeping with several of his 18 year old students).
Rep: lolol none.
Since my original review got deleted, I don’t have all of the ‘I just finished this book and it was so bad!� heat that I did when I typed out my first one, so have some residual anger.
Apart from the fact that if Lina had just read the damn diary from start to finish in one sitting (!!!) this was just. So many levels of ugh.
Lina’s mum dies of cancer and her dying wish is that Lina go live in Italy with her father, thus uprooting Lina’s entire life in America to go live in Italy.
Instantly Lina befriends a boy, Ren (we know he is going to be the love interest because he’s the first boy she interacts with) and they set about following in Lina’s mother’s footsteps around Florence � doing the things she did while there, visiting the same places in a last ditch effort for Lina to know more about her mum since her mum kept her dad a secret from her Lina’s entire life.
Oh, and she was having a secret relationship with her professor. Straight out of high school and into Italy she’s having a relationship with her professor. And everyone is okay with it! It’s ~secret (though several people knew) and everyone was just “meh, you do you� over it.
Meanwhile, Lina is crushing on some other guy, but then instantly turns and has feelings for Ren.
Oh to be 16/17 and hetero and have insta-love on your side.
This was pretty boring. I forced myself to read the whole thing for book club, despite having DNFed it, then picking it back up.
Note to self: this just proves it’s never worth picking back up a book you DNF.
Content warning: suicide, suicide attempts (main character, several, mostly off-page, with references/memories of), suicide ideation, ableism, blood aContent warning: suicide, suicide attempts (main character, several, mostly off-page, with references/memories of), suicide ideation, ableism, blood and gore, war themes, murder, misogyny, sexual assault, rape threats, cheating, physical injuries (graphic), cancer, vomiting, grief depiction, torture, physical assault, poverty themes, death from a fall, drowning.
Rep: Harper (MC) has cerebral palsy, Rhen (MC) has depression, Jake (SC) is achillean, Noah (SC) is achillean and black.
So I read this book via audio.
I felt like things happened, but also not a lot happened at the same time?
Harper is really awesome. I loved her chapters. Rhen, not so much. Grey is also a not so much enjoyed character.
It needs a severe balance of characters as almost everyone is a cis male and there’s like, 2 women that aren’t Harper?
I’m still unsure if I’m going to finish this series. But I was provided with an advance reader copy of Forging Silver Into Stars, so I at least want to give it a try.
This is also fantasy in the loosest sense of the word (IMO).
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