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126 reviews

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O'Neill

lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Babel by R.F. Kuang

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Love Lessons by Sidney Halston

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Pregnancy

Minor: Cursing and Death of parent

Cowbois by Charlie Josephine

3.5

Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol

Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Alcohol

The Free People's Village by Sim Kern

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, and War

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Transphobia

Evenings & Weekends by Oisín McKenna

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Terminal illness, and Abortion

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Alcohol

Minor: Bullying and Eating disorder

Anyone's Ghost by August Thompson

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

Anyone’s Ghost by August Thompson is a debut coming-of-age novel that promises a story of love and friendship between two young men. 

While the premise is highly intriguing the novel fell short for me. I found myself struggling to continue the book despite wanting to know how everything ended up. The characters are definitely messy humans, and at times a bit unlikeable, so if that is not your thing I definitely wouldn’t recommend this for you. The book is very heavy literary fiction which could be why it takes a minute to get into it, but I felt the pacing was very slow and there were parts I found myself skimming or skipping over because of how they were drawn out. 

All in all this book is extremely well written and if you like literary fiction and are okay with very heavy storylines then this book might be for you! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent

The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Alcohol

Moderate: Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent