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dhatislandbookworm's reviews
225 reviews
Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Elizabeth Acevedo, I’m sorry I was unfamiliar with your pen.
This was my first Acevedo novel and she has an auto buy reader in me.
Acevedo was able to convey the raw, honest grief of Camino and Yahaira, two girls who have to reckon with the reality that they did not truly know their father in the face of tragedy.
Camino and Yahaira are two fleshed out, compelling characters that you can’t help but sympathize with as they navigate betrayal, identity, complex family dynamics, class disparity, and more in the aftermath of their father’s death.
Each chapter is a punch to the gut as Acevedo captures both girls’ journeys with distinct, memorable prose. I was so enamored that when it was over, I wanted more.
This is a novel-in-verse that I listened to this on audio, which was fantastic, but I will be re-reading physically to capture the full effect of Acevedo’s writing.
Clap When You Land is an absolute masterpiece and I will be recommending it for years to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Infidelity and Stalking
Minor: Trafficking
The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Though I appreciated the homages to 90s/00s slasher films, the group dynamic, and the underlying theme of gentrification (which I do wish we went more in-depth on), this did not work for me.
Going into this, I was expecting more of a high-stakes, campy slasher horror. Instead, the story veered more into the paranormal horror sub-genre with low stakes for the characters.
I also struggled with the uneven pacing. This could have been edited down at least 50-75 pages. It started off very slow and didn’t pick up for me until about 30%, However, when it did, the action scenes were great, but were few and far between and didn’t last very long.
Additionally, Devon and Drew’s relationship rift isn’t addressed until the book is almost over, and by that point I had forgotten about it.
I also accurately guessed the ending 4% into the book, which was a bummer, so the end fell completely flat for me.
This may be best enjoyed by someone dipping their toes into thriller/horror, but may disappoint more experienced horror readers.
Going into this, I was expecting more of a high-stakes, campy slasher horror. Instead, the story veered more into the paranormal horror sub-genre with low stakes for the characters.
I also struggled with the uneven pacing. This could have been edited down at least 50-75 pages. It started off very slow and didn’t pick up for me until about 30%, However, when it did, the action scenes were great, but were few and far between and didn’t last very long.
Additionally, Devon and Drew’s relationship rift isn’t addressed until the book is almost over, and by that point I had forgotten about it.
I also accurately guessed the ending 4% into the book, which was a bummer, so the end fell completely flat for me.
This may be best enjoyed by someone dipping their toes into thriller/horror, but may disappoint more experienced horror readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Classism
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
Exes & Foes by Amanda Woody
emotional
funny
medium-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? N/A
4.25
Amanda Woody has done it again.
Like THEO, Woody has a way of luring you in to the story with humor and witty characters, only to hit you with an emotional rollercoaster that you can’t (and kinda don’t want to) get off from.
Exes and Foes was not only a friends-to enemies-to friends-to lovers story, but also an amazing work about friendship, found family, and knowing your self-worth. I laughed and cried with Emma, Caleb, and their whole friend group.
This was an amazing sophomore effort and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store.
Like THEO, Woody has a way of luring you in to the story with humor and witty characters, only to hit you with an emotional rollercoaster that you can’t (and kinda don’t want to) get off from.
Exes and Foes was not only a friends-to enemies-to friends-to lovers story, but also an amazing work about friendship, found family, and knowing your self-worth. I laughed and cried with Emma, Caleb, and their whole friend group.
This was an amazing sophomore effort and I can’t wait to see what else they have in store.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Toxic friendship and Injury/Injury detail
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
This was a nice, quick read! I love Drew and this was a great insight into her life, values, and why she uses the platform the way she does.
She also does a great job at using funny, relatable, and at times emotional, anecdotes to discuss how to love yourself and how to de-center misogyny.
She also does a great job at using funny, relatable, and at times emotional, anecdotes to discuss how to love yourself and how to de-center misogyny.
Can't Escape Love by Alyssa Cole
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.75
First off, Reggie is THAT girl, ok? I love seeing Black nerdy women thrive. She didn’t let people’s preconceived notions about her get in the way of her goals and I, for one, stan.
Next, Reggie and Gus had amazing chemistry that just jumps off the page and I was happy to see that there was an established relationship beforehand so it didn’t seem too insta-lovey. Gus was also supportive, respected Reggie’s boundaries, and didn’t feel the need to “fix her,” like in Reggie’s previous relationships.
Overall, this was a short delight to read! I do wish that we got at least 50-75 more pages, because the last 20% seemed rushed and wrapped up too neatly. I needed something more from it. Plus, there’s sooooo much to explore with these two that we could hoenstly get a full stand-alone novel 🥲
Like me, if you haven’t read the Reluctant Royals series before jumping into this one, this novella can technically stand on it’s own. However, this would be best enjoyed if you read the first two books since it references other characters and storylines.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Sexism
Let the Games Begin by Rufaro Faith Mazarura
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The premise of Let The Games Begin is perfect: a charming romance set against the backdrop of the Olympics.
I was excited for this, especially since it released during the Paris games and T&F is one of my favorite events. However, this unfortunately did not live up to my expectations.
Zeke and Olivia’s relationship felt very surface level and lacked the burning chemistry I usually expect in a romance novel. We were told they got deep with each other instead of shown, so I didn’t feel like their relationship was built on anything besides attraction.
The story’s writing and pacing were also issues for me. The pacing was inconsistent and some dialogue and character choices felt juvenile for a novel marketed towards adults. At times, I forgot that they were in their mid-20s.
What I did love was how Mazarura tackled Zeke’s mental health and his journey with therapy. I will always love when the mental health of Black men is discussed in literature. Etc. I also loved Olivia’s ambition and her relationship with Aditi. Olivia never let the multitude of hurdles she faced hinder her and Aditi was a real ride or die.
If you’re itching for a sports romance with medium-ish stakes to keep with the spirit with the games, this may be for you. It just wasn’t my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
SFSX (Safe Sex), Vol. 1: Protection by Tina Horn
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Misogyny
Bingo Love Volume 1: Jackpot Edition by Paulina Ganucheau, Gail Simone, Sara Alfageeh, Tee Franklin, Shawn Pryor, Ariela Kristantina, Jenn St-Onge, Beverly Johnson, Marguerite Bennett
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Bingo Love was heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time. My heart ached watching Hazel and Mari marry people they didn’t love and living lives that they were not 100% happy with. But my heart soared when they reconnected and tried to navigate their love in the new millennium.
I loved the art style, the vibrant colors, and the diversity throughout story. I love seeing older, Black sapphics in love. And more stories with older sapphic MCs in general please!
I highly recommend reading this particular edition because it contains additional stories that answers some questions you may have after you’ve finished reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Dementia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content and Religious bigotry
This Is Me Trying by Racquel Marie
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This Is Me Trying should be renamed to This Is Me Crying because I am in shambles
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Sexual content, and Car accident