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analenegrace's reviews
540 reviews
Wild and Wrangled by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
I can't believe the Rebel Blue Ranch series is over! While I thought the first one wasn't great, I'm so glad I kept going because these kept getting better and better and this one was the best one yet! Cam is a character who I've adored since we met her in the beginning and finally getting her story was fantastic. She's complicated and lovable and I'm glad she got a love interest who loved her just right. Dusty was sexy, equally as complicated, and equally as lovable.
Plot-wise, this book is mostly focused on Cam and Dusty finding their way back to each other and figuring out how to finally be together forever. There's never any question, since we're in both of their heads, whether they are in love, its more about the logistics of this love and what the future looks like. They both made mistakes in their high school relationship and continue to, and they are forced to finally communicate better with input from beloved characters from this series like Amos, Ada, Wes, Gus, and Teddy.
The smut in this book is so good and I loved how Dusty forced Cam to slow down, not just in sex, and get what she actually wants out of life.
This series does an amazing job of showcasing a great co-parenting relationship between Gus and Cam, where we aren't rooting for them to get together but there also isn't tension. The Ryder family ADORES Cam and with her shitty family, I appreciate that she has them to turn to.
This book literally had me kicking my feet and giggling at the romance and I loved how much they loved mid-tier chain restaurants, I also believe all problems can be solved at a Chilis.
Best Line: "Your history is still part of the picture, but its less important than where you are now. There's a reason that rearview mirrors are small and windshields are big."
Plot-wise, this book is mostly focused on Cam and Dusty finding their way back to each other and figuring out how to finally be together forever. There's never any question, since we're in both of their heads, whether they are in love, its more about the logistics of this love and what the future looks like. They both made mistakes in their high school relationship and continue to, and they are forced to finally communicate better with input from beloved characters from this series like Amos, Ada, Wes, Gus, and Teddy.
The smut in this book is so good and I loved how Dusty forced Cam to slow down, not just in sex, and get what she actually wants out of life.
This series does an amazing job of showcasing a great co-parenting relationship between Gus and Cam, where we aren't rooting for them to get together but there also isn't tension. The Ryder family ADORES Cam and with her shitty family, I appreciate that she has them to turn to.
This book literally had me kicking my feet and giggling at the romance and I loved how much they loved mid-tier chain restaurants, I also believe all problems can be solved at a Chilis.
Best Line: "Your history is still part of the picture, but its less important than where you are now. There's a reason that rearview mirrors are small and windshields are big."
The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was an unexpected delight! I wasn't expecting this to be anything more than a lighthearted Sci-Fi but instead I was confronted with my favorite topic in Sci-Fi, the enduring spirit of humanity and it had me tearing up by the end.
Our narrator, Scout, is nonbinary and we get bits and pieces of their journey while they just generally get to exist in their gender identity rather than it being an important part of the story. They and their brother's dynamic, seen through their interactions and conversations is so nice and felt authentic to the characters.
The adventure of this story is fantastic with the characters dealing with an empty universe and Scout being so dedicated to finding answers to the mystery of what destroyed worlds across the universe. Scout is so dedicated to the survival of "humanity" in the more generic sense and I really appreciated the way they approached people's histories and what is actually important to understand those who came before.
While the plot was fantastic, I really liked the story of Bylina and Ovelin and what a Last Stand actually meant.
This story was about humanity, what makes a people, and what its worth to conserve knowledge. As an academic, I loved the space archivism and as a cat lover I loved the Pumpkin the cat!
Our narrator, Scout, is nonbinary and we get bits and pieces of their journey while they just generally get to exist in their gender identity rather than it being an important part of the story. They and their brother's dynamic, seen through their interactions and conversations is so nice and felt authentic to the characters.
The adventure of this story is fantastic with the characters dealing with an empty universe and Scout being so dedicated to finding answers to the mystery of what destroyed worlds across the universe. Scout is so dedicated to the survival of "humanity" in the more generic sense and I really appreciated the way they approached people's histories and what is actually important to understand those who came before.
While the plot was fantastic, I really liked the story of Bylina and Ovelin and what a Last Stand actually meant.
This story was about humanity, what makes a people, and what its worth to conserve knowledge. As an academic, I loved the space archivism and as a cat lover I loved the Pumpkin the cat!
The Boyfriend Subscription by Steven Salvatore
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
honestly this book wasn't that bad but as a queer woman in New Orleans the way he kept talking about New Orleans was wierd like there isn't a thriving queer community here. I hate the way people talk about the south. Also the MC said "nola" and NO ONE SAYS THAT
The Love Haters by Katherine Center
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an E-ARC of this one, unfortunately the main character, plot, and writing turned me off which sucks since I tend to love Katherine Center's books.
Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza: A Reckoning by Peter Beinart
challenging
dark
informative
This is the most important book I'll read in 2025 point blank period. There is no book I could pick up that would or could mean more. Beinart captures the horrors of Israel's actions against the Palestinians over decades and how Israel has fundamentally warped Judaism and its history with their ideology.
As a jewish American, I have spent the last two years feeling devastated by the actions of those in my community and watched as they have become more and more radicalized against marginalized peoples. I work on a college campus and to see how other Jews have reacted to student protests has been shocking and horrifying. Even as I've struggled to reconcile my beliefs with things I've been taught, its been harder to watch how people have been drawn into propaganda and right wing extremism.
Palestinians are dying each day for a supposed freedom that only harms all Jews wherever we are. We as Jews must stand against the Israeli Government's actions and demand the freedom of the Palestinian people.
There are still moments in the book where I wanted more, but as Beinart reckons with his own community, he demands freedom, justice, and peace, all of the things we all must demand if we want to survive.
Supporting Israel is supporting genocide, there is no other stance I respect. Free palestine, free all oppressed peoples. Stop the genocide before it is too late.
This book is vital for all Jews reckoning with their community and their stance and I hope you won't be afraid to read it.
As a jewish American, I have spent the last two years feeling devastated by the actions of those in my community and watched as they have become more and more radicalized against marginalized peoples. I work on a college campus and to see how other Jews have reacted to student protests has been shocking and horrifying. Even as I've struggled to reconcile my beliefs with things I've been taught, its been harder to watch how people have been drawn into propaganda and right wing extremism.
Palestinians are dying each day for a supposed freedom that only harms all Jews wherever we are. We as Jews must stand against the Israeli Government's actions and demand the freedom of the Palestinian people.
There are still moments in the book where I wanted more, but as Beinart reckons with his own community, he demands freedom, justice, and peace, all of the things we all must demand if we want to survive.
Supporting Israel is supporting genocide, there is no other stance I respect. Free palestine, free all oppressed peoples. Stop the genocide before it is too late.
This book is vital for all Jews reckoning with their community and their stance and I hope you won't be afraid to read it.
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Read for the May meeting of the HEA Book Club at Blue Cypress Books.
While I was excited to read a local New Orleans author with a book set in New Orleans, this book was just too long and stilted without an engaging enough plot and it took a while for me to read because of this. I think this book could have used with some serious editing down and some work on the dialogue. The actual plot isn't bad, but there isn't much conflict and so the resolutions don't feel very earned and the slow burn just isn't full of tension.
The MCs are nice, and I liked reading New Orleans characters by a New Orleanian. I'm not a dog person but the dogs seemed super fun, even if I have complicated feelings about Frenchies (love poodles tho!)
While I was excited to read a local New Orleans author with a book set in New Orleans, this book was just too long and stilted without an engaging enough plot and it took a while for me to read because of this. I think this book could have used with some serious editing down and some work on the dialogue. The actual plot isn't bad, but there isn't much conflict and so the resolutions don't feel very earned and the slow burn just isn't full of tension.
The MCs are nice, and I liked reading New Orleans characters by a New Orleanian. I'm not a dog person but the dogs seemed super fun, even if I have complicated feelings about Frenchies (love poodles tho!)
She Doesn't Have A Clue by Jenny Elder Moke
adventurous
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a super fun mystery & romance with vibes of Ally Carter's most recent, The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year. The mystery is interesting enough to keep me engaged even though I don't love mysteries, and the romance is cute and the tension between Kate and Jake is amazing. You can feel their history.
I found Kate a little frustrating as an MC, because I just thought she was a little all over the place, but that was an important part of her getting her shit together. i thought she was a too oblivious at times, but it was clear she was so caught up in her character, Loretta, that she often couldn't see past it. Jake was a good love interest, clearly obsessed with Kate but struggling with communication. Their history was interesting, and I thought the way we got hints of it worked well.
The audiobook narrator was amazing and the voices were done so well, it was easy to tell who was speaking and when we were in Kate's head.
I found Kate a little frustrating as an MC, because I just thought she was a little all over the place, but that was an important part of her getting her shit together. i thought she was a too oblivious at times, but it was clear she was so caught up in her character, Loretta, that she often couldn't see past it. Jake was a good love interest, clearly obsessed with Kate but struggling with communication. Their history was interesting, and I thought the way we got hints of it worked well.
The audiobook narrator was amazing and the voices were done so well, it was easy to tell who was speaking and when we were in Kate's head.
What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks so much to the publisher and Netgalley for an E-arc of this book! Rachel Lynn Solomon is my #1 favorite author so getting to read one of her books in its ARC format was so exciting to me!!!!
This book is gorgeous, funny, heartfelt and exactly what I expect from an RLS book. She never fails me! As her first book set outside of Seattle, this book captures the feeling of moving to a new place and it being the perfect place for you. I've always wanted to visit Amsterdam, but this book made me want to even more. the descriptions of place are absolutely gorgeous and I desperately want to take a boat tour!
Our MC, Dani, is so deliciously relatable, struggling with career, family, and her future. She isn't sure why she doesn't feel uniquely passionate about anything and when she gets abruptly fired and sees her first love for the first time in over a decade, her sense of self is in a rough spot. I really appreciated the way she struggled with feeling infantilized by her parents even in her late twenties and just not measuring up to the expectations of everyone around her. Her chronic health conditions and port wine stain birthmark are something she's always had to hide and I loved how she learned to love them.
Wounter, our love interest, was to die for!!! He was passionate about Dani and about his work/family, but hasn't really been himself since his father got sick. Suggesting a green card marriage was WILD but it worked so well for our characters as they get to know each other again.
I loved the way art was used throughout this book as a representation of their love, and I appreciated how we got flashbacks to their high school relationship so we could understand how down bad they were then!
Another perfect RLS!
This book is gorgeous, funny, heartfelt and exactly what I expect from an RLS book. She never fails me! As her first book set outside of Seattle, this book captures the feeling of moving to a new place and it being the perfect place for you. I've always wanted to visit Amsterdam, but this book made me want to even more. the descriptions of place are absolutely gorgeous and I desperately want to take a boat tour!
Our MC, Dani, is so deliciously relatable, struggling with career, family, and her future. She isn't sure why she doesn't feel uniquely passionate about anything and when she gets abruptly fired and sees her first love for the first time in over a decade, her sense of self is in a rough spot. I really appreciated the way she struggled with feeling infantilized by her parents even in her late twenties and just not measuring up to the expectations of everyone around her. Her chronic health conditions and port wine stain birthmark are something she's always had to hide and I loved how she learned to love them.
Wounter, our love interest, was to die for!!! He was passionate about Dani and about his work/family, but hasn't really been himself since his father got sick. Suggesting a green card marriage was WILD but it worked so well for our characters as they get to know each other again.
I loved the way art was used throughout this book as a representation of their love, and I appreciated how we got flashbacks to their high school relationship so we could understand how down bad they were then!
Another perfect RLS!
Gallant by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
V.E. Schwab's writing brings her universes to the reader in a way so few others can, and I'm always amazed at how I get sucked into these worlds immediately. Gallant was no exception, with full complicated characters, beautiful descriptions, and the perfect audiobook narrator for this book.
The plot of this book reminds me of Starling House by Alix E Harrow in the best ways imaginable; the house is a full blown character in this story and those who protect it, protect the world. our MC, Olivia, is smart but is pushed and pulled in different directions during this story and I was honestly unsure what would end up being the truth of the story until the very end. Her plot winds and wanes as she explores her identity, family, and more.
Matthew, her cousin, is fascinating and heartbreaking, and I was hoping so desperately for a different ending for him, but the one he got makes sense.
I wouldn't say this book has a happy ending, instead it feels like a part of the story is just beginning. This is a standalone but it could launch many stories.
The plot of this book reminds me of Starling House by Alix E Harrow in the best ways imaginable; the house is a full blown character in this story and those who protect it, protect the world. our MC, Olivia, is smart but is pushed and pulled in different directions during this story and I was honestly unsure what would end up being the truth of the story until the very end. Her plot winds and wanes as she explores her identity, family, and more.
Matthew, her cousin, is fascinating and heartbreaking, and I was hoping so desperately for a different ending for him, but the one he got makes sense.
I wouldn't say this book has a happy ending, instead it feels like a part of the story is just beginning. This is a standalone but it could launch many stories.
Friends with Benefits by Marisa Kanter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I wanted to enjoy this one, but the writing style just wasn't doing it for me. It was very slow and the voices also just weren't working for me.