Scan barcode
thesmutsister_emma's reviews
356 reviews
Hood Feminism: Notes from the Women That a Movement Forgot by Mikki Kendall
challenging
informative
reflective
5.0
Listen, Learn, and Take Action
I know this isn't like most my other books, and I realize this might be uncomfortable for some, but that means you are being challenged. This review will, of course, be different than my others and be a true reflection of the impact this book had on me. With a lot of the books I read, I have the ability to turn my brain off and just read while not looking in at my own biases (not always though. Get a Life, Chloe Brownis a wonderful example of a time I could not do this.) This was not one of those books. I went into this book very intentionally, which is part of the reason it took me so long to get through. I wanted to bet sure that as I read I was being critical, especially of myself. I wanted to be sure that I was not just glossing over the words on the page, but truly absorbing them.
I saw this book over a year ago and bought it upwards of six months ago. I needed to be sure I was in a place I could receive this criticism and take it and reflect on it rather than be defensive. Over the past three to four years, I have worked on myself and my internal biases as much as I could as they reared their ugly heads. This was a case of me being scared to be called out.
Despite this fear, once I dove into this book, I found myself being receptive to Kendall rather than pushing back or digging in my heals as I thought I would. There were a few points in the book where I had to hit pause and stop to reflect on the way I saw things. I found myself asking, "But why would something like this continue to happen?" and ignoring my own brain when it screamed that while it doesn't happen to me, that doesn't mean it can't be happening to anyone.
Kendall does a good job of making her points easily digestible for women like me who come from my own privilege and only recently started recognizing it. One of my favorite points Kendall states toward the end of the book was that by sharing her experiences, we are able to see her with more humanity, but not Black people as a whole and that is something I experienced up until a few years ago. I was bad about crying over injustices I heard of, and yet was still a hardcore Trump supporter well into my senior year of high school. I'm not sure what it took for me to start seeing Black people's experiences as a whole rather than singular interactions that happened to them. I do remember heavilyarguing with a friend over the unjust persecution of Cyntoia Brown. I remember vehemently defending her, citing the fact that if she had been a white girl instead, no one would even bat an eye and we would not be remotely having this discussion because she never would have been arrested.
So at some point, my views obviously changed. And yet, there is still room for me to learn, as I saw with this book. And there always will be room to learn because I will never understand what it's like to be a Black woman, so I need to learn to be the best ally I can.
I know this isn't like most my other books, and I realize this might be uncomfortable for some, but that means you are being challenged. This review will, of course, be different than my others and be a true reflection of the impact this book had on me. With a lot of the books I read, I have the ability to turn my brain off and just read while not looking in at my own biases (not always though. Get a Life, Chloe Brownis a wonderful example of a time I could not do this.) This was not one of those books. I went into this book very intentionally, which is part of the reason it took me so long to get through. I wanted to bet sure that as I read I was being critical, especially of myself. I wanted to be sure that I was not just glossing over the words on the page, but truly absorbing them.
I saw this book over a year ago and bought it upwards of six months ago. I needed to be sure I was in a place I could receive this criticism and take it and reflect on it rather than be defensive. Over the past three to four years, I have worked on myself and my internal biases as much as I could as they reared their ugly heads. This was a case of me being scared to be called out.
Despite this fear, once I dove into this book, I found myself being receptive to Kendall rather than pushing back or digging in my heals as I thought I would. There were a few points in the book where I had to hit pause and stop to reflect on the way I saw things. I found myself asking, "But why would something like this continue to happen?" and ignoring my own brain when it screamed that while it doesn't happen to me, that doesn't mean it can't be happening to anyone.
Kendall does a good job of making her points easily digestible for women like me who come from my own privilege and only recently started recognizing it. One of my favorite points Kendall states toward the end of the book was that by sharing her experiences, we are able to see her with more humanity, but not Black people as a whole and that is something I experienced up until a few years ago. I was bad about crying over injustices I heard of, and yet was still a hardcore Trump supporter well into my senior year of high school. I'm not sure what it took for me to start seeing Black people's experiences as a whole rather than singular interactions that happened to them. I do remember heavilyarguing with a friend over the unjust persecution of Cyntoia Brown. I remember vehemently defending her, citing the fact that if she had been a white girl instead, no one would even bat an eye and we would not be remotely having this discussion because she never would have been arrested.
So at some point, my views obviously changed. And yet, there is still room for me to learn, as I saw with this book. And there always will be room to learn because I will never understand what it's like to be a Black woman, so I need to learn to be the best ally I can.
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Almost, But Not Quite
I am about to commit the sin of all reviewing sins... and make a book comparison. When I first started this book, I devoured the first 25% of it the night I got it on Libby. I was so excited, and if you know me, you are aware of why this is the case. I read Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren last year and have been searching for something similar ever since. Despite being a similar setup, as you can tell from the title, lightening did not quite strike twice in this case.
In Funny You Should Ask, we follow Chani and Gabe on two different sets of interviews a decade apart. We see an alternating timeline, observing what happened ten years ago, versus what is happening in present day. I thought this set up was going to be what did it for me because it was one of the things I adored about Love and Other Words, yet I found myself searching for more.
The Characters
Chani: I felt like when it came to Chani's character, there was much left to be said. I did not feel like I could name any of her personality traits other than the fact that she is Jewish, she is a writer, and she enjoys Star Trek (and has a weird thing for dogs' tongues...) It didn't really feel like I was reading a three dimensional character. I felt like a lot of everything that came with her was very surface level.
Gabe: I feel very similarly about Gabe as I did about Chani. I feel as though most of what happened in this book with Gabe was very surface level. Not a lot of it felt much deeper than if someone had yelled "For the plot!"and carried on. There was an attempt to try to explain why Gabe fell in love with Chani the first time around but honestly? It felt very shallow. Not everything has to have this huge, deeper meaning behind it, but this one didn't really make sense. And it really didn't make sense as to why he still cared ten years later. There was not much there other than common interests and physical attraction that gave me any reason to believe these two should still be in love.
Things I Loved
I adored the set up of this. The idea of a weekend long interview and then an attempt to recreate it to revive Gabe's career was such an amazing concept. I also loved Chani's blog posts and being able to see what she had written over the years, as well as what had been said about each of the characters. It was a neat spin to give some more outside info.
Things I Didn't Love
The way that these characters interacted was amazing, I just wish it had gone deeper. Maybe a few more interactions over the years or more the first time around would have helped me fall in love alongside them. I feel like had I read this before other books with this main trope that I would have enjoyed it more.
The Final Verdict
If you are wanting a second chance romance that is a mash up of. Emily Henry and Christina Lauren's writing styles with a little bit of Lucy Score, this is definitely the one for you. Sending all my love to you and Teddy.
I am about to commit the sin of all reviewing sins... and make a book comparison. When I first started this book, I devoured the first 25% of it the night I got it on Libby. I was so excited, and if you know me, you are aware of why this is the case. I read Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren last year and have been searching for something similar ever since. Despite being a similar setup, as you can tell from the title, lightening did not quite strike twice in this case.
In Funny You Should Ask, we follow Chani and Gabe on two different sets of interviews a decade apart. We see an alternating timeline, observing what happened ten years ago, versus what is happening in present day. I thought this set up was going to be what did it for me because it was one of the things I adored about Love and Other Words, yet I found myself searching for more.
The Characters
Chani: I felt like when it came to Chani's character, there was much left to be said. I did not feel like I could name any of her personality traits other than the fact that she is Jewish, she is a writer, and she enjoys Star Trek (and has a weird thing for dogs' tongues...) It didn't really feel like I was reading a three dimensional character. I felt like a lot of everything that came with her was very surface level.
Gabe: I feel very similarly about Gabe as I did about Chani. I feel as though most of what happened in this book with Gabe was very surface level. Not a lot of it felt much deeper than if someone had yelled "For the plot!"and carried on. There was an attempt to try to explain why Gabe fell in love with Chani the first time around but honestly? It felt very shallow. Not everything has to have this huge, deeper meaning behind it, but this one didn't really make sense. And it really didn't make sense as to why he still cared ten years later. There was not much there other than common interests and physical attraction that gave me any reason to believe these two should still be in love.
Things I Loved
I adored the set up of this. The idea of a weekend long interview and then an attempt to recreate it to revive Gabe's career was such an amazing concept. I also loved Chani's blog posts and being able to see what she had written over the years, as well as what had been said about each of the characters. It was a neat spin to give some more outside info.
Things I Didn't Love
The way that these characters interacted was amazing, I just wish it had gone deeper. Maybe a few more interactions over the years or more the first time around would have helped me fall in love alongside them. I feel like had I read this before other books with this main trope that I would have enjoyed it more.
The Final Verdict
If you are wanting a second chance romance that is a mash up of. Emily Henry and Christina Lauren's writing styles with a little bit of Lucy Score, this is definitely the one for you. Sending all my love to you and Teddy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Sexism, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Car accident, and Death of parent
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm About as Dramatic as Annie
As y'all well know (or at least can see rather clearly) I am in quite the reading slump. I have struggled reading all year and have not had many books I truly have loved. After a week of reading this though, strap in bitches because WE ARE BACK AND, FRIENDS, ARE WE BACK IN THE BEST OF WAYS. I am feral over this book and oh god I love it so fucking much.
The Characters
Chloe:Chloe, girlie, I don't know that I could relate more to a character when it comes to the general "fuck around and find out" attitude while also just maintaining the most deadpan sarcasm and I LOVE IT. And her notes and lists and organization skills? All over it. Have y'all seen my new digital planner yet? I have my whole week mapped out the best that I can to a T. And if you roll in changing shit on me, I WILL be skressed. S I get it, girlie, I really do.
Red: Redford. Oh my god. If my heart could belong to a man more... fuck if I know would happen. He honestly is the absolute best and I cannot wait for y'all to attempt to change my mind. The way he loves Chloe and gives her exactly what she needs while not making her seem incapable due to her fibromyalgia is so beautiful. And at the end, his whole thing about how he will survive without her, he just doesn't want to? Y'all if there was ANYTHING that I read that I need to take to heart, it was that shit.
Things I Loved
I honest to fuck loved the whole book. I don't have any complaints and will now and forevermore be shouting about this book from the fucking rooftops.
Things I Didn't Love
As I said, no issues. I literally cannot think of one. My whole heart belongs to this book.
The Final Verdict
I know I threaten y'all frequently about reading books, but this one? This one is for fucking real. If you do not go read this book right now we are no longer book besties and I will be promptly unfollowing you the second I find out. Now, go. Before I change my mind and make you listen to me recount the entire book, Southern mannerisms and all.
As y'all well know (or at least can see rather clearly) I am in quite the reading slump. I have struggled reading all year and have not had many books I truly have loved. After a week of reading this though, strap in bitches because WE ARE BACK AND, FRIENDS, ARE WE BACK IN THE BEST OF WAYS. I am feral over this book and oh god I love it so fucking much.
The Characters
Chloe:Chloe, girlie, I don't know that I could relate more to a character when it comes to the general "fuck around and find out" attitude while also just maintaining the most deadpan sarcasm and I LOVE IT. And her notes and lists and organization skills? All over it. Have y'all seen my new digital planner yet? I have my whole week mapped out the best that I can to a T. And if you roll in changing shit on me, I WILL be skressed. S I get it, girlie, I really do.
Red: Redford. Oh my god. If my heart could belong to a man more... fuck if I know would happen. He honestly is the absolute best and I cannot wait for y'all to attempt to change my mind. The way he loves Chloe and gives her exactly what she needs while not making her seem incapable due to her fibromyalgia is so beautiful. And at the end, his whole thing about how he will survive without her, he just doesn't want to? Y'all if there was ANYTHING that I read that I need to take to heart, it was that shit.
Things I Loved
I honest to fuck loved the whole book. I don't have any complaints and will now and forevermore be shouting about this book from the fucking rooftops.
Things I Didn't Love
As I said, no issues. I literally cannot think of one. My whole heart belongs to this book.
The Final Verdict
I know I threaten y'all frequently about reading books, but this one? This one is for fucking real. If you do not go read this book right now we are no longer book besties and I will be promptly unfollowing you the second I find out. Now, go. Before I change my mind and make you listen to me recount the entire book, Southern mannerisms and all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Ableism, Drug use, Physical abuse, Racism, Medical content, and Alcohol
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
So Like...
... What's suspicious about this book? I never did get that one. Did I love it nonetheless? Hell yeah! The path to their friendship was so precious and I loved it.
The Characters
Celine: I really loved Celine's character. I liked her obsession with conspiracy theories and how that was something that made her who she is. She was so grumpy and it was great to see in a female character as someone who has very grumpy days. She didn't let any of this sway who she was, she stayed her grumpy self thankfully and it was something I enjoyed very much.
Brad: Bradley, bless his heart. He was such a sweetheart this whole book. I honestly feel like he would beg a wonderful best friend. I want a best friend Brad in my life because I need that kind of banter and sass.
Things I Loved
I love that Celine did not have to compromise any part of who she was to be with Brad. It is something that I see young girls doing way too often and this was very hopeful for me to see. It helps me keep in mind that we are doing better for our younger generations than was done for us.
Things I Didn't Love
I think at times I forget what it was like being 17/18. I have to remind myself that I would have been just as frustrating and just as non-communicative at 17/18. Literally the avoidance of feelings (from both of them) was one of the only things I didn't love in this book. I also wish there had been more to what happened to make them enemies than just "Here's the flashback... alright, let's keep moving" As big of a deal as it was, I thought there would be more detail to it and maybe we'd see it from both sides.
The Final Verdict
This is such a cute, fluffy rom-com if that's something you're looking for. It doesn't have the usual spice levels I seek out but it was great anyway 💜
... What's suspicious about this book? I never did get that one. Did I love it nonetheless? Hell yeah! The path to their friendship was so precious and I loved it.
The Characters
Celine: I really loved Celine's character. I liked her obsession with conspiracy theories and how that was something that made her who she is. She was so grumpy and it was great to see in a female character as someone who has very grumpy days. She didn't let any of this sway who she was, she stayed her grumpy self thankfully and it was something I enjoyed very much.
Brad: Bradley, bless his heart. He was such a sweetheart this whole book. I honestly feel like he would beg a wonderful best friend. I want a best friend Brad in my life because I need that kind of banter and sass.
Things I Loved
I love that Celine did not have to compromise any part of who she was to be with Brad. It is something that I see young girls doing way too often and this was very hopeful for me to see. It helps me keep in mind that we are doing better for our younger generations than was done for us.
Things I Didn't Love
I think at times I forget what it was like being 17/18. I have to remind myself that I would have been just as frustrating and just as non-communicative at 17/18. Literally the avoidance of feelings (from both of them) was one of the only things I didn't love in this book. I also wish there had been more to what happened to make them enemies than just "Here's the flashback... alright, let's keep moving" As big of a deal as it was, I thought there would be more detail to it and maybe we'd see it from both sides.
The Final Verdict
This is such a cute, fluffy rom-com if that's something you're looking for. It doesn't have the usual spice levels I seek out but it was great anyway 💜
Heartless Heathens by Santana Knox
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
I'm going to come back. It's just not a right now book.
Cupids Peak by Lee Jacquot
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I'm Sucker For A Hockey Player 4.25 🌟
I know I have said this every damn time, but honest to fuck, this has got to be my favorite of the Holinight Novellas. If you asked me last week, I would have said Hollows Grove but now it is most definitely this one. If anyone needs me, I will mentally be stuck at Cupid's Peak in the snow with an NHL player for the next 4-5 business days.
The Characters
Mia: Girl, you sweet precious thing. You sweet sweet summer child. Bless your poor little heart. You are oblivious as hell, aren't you, babes? If it were me, I'd've been jumping at the thought that maybe a hockey player had a thing for me. I also would have died the second I saw that man at the restaurant. Died I tell you.
Eli: I know he's fictional. I know men like him don't exist in the NHL. Does it sway my hoping that that's not the case and that one day I will go to a game and a man like him will see me up in the nosebleeds and we will have our own insta-love moment? Nope. I would commit war crimes for this man. Honest to fuck.
Things I Loved
There isn't much I didn't love about this book. It had everything I could have wanted to make me love it but it was just missing a little... something.
Things I Didn't Love
I cannot name a single thing I didn't love.
The Final Verdict
Don't let my rating fool you. If I sit on this, it will probably get bumped up because I loved it that much. Anyone who is a fan of friends-to-lovers, this is a fucking MUST.
I know I have said this every damn time, but honest to fuck, this has got to be my favorite of the Holinight Novellas. If you asked me last week, I would have said Hollows Grove but now it is most definitely this one. If anyone needs me, I will mentally be stuck at Cupid's Peak in the snow with an NHL player for the next 4-5 business days.
The Characters
Mia: Girl, you sweet precious thing. You sweet sweet summer child. Bless your poor little heart. You are oblivious as hell, aren't you, babes? If it were me, I'd've been jumping at the thought that maybe a hockey player had a thing for me. I also would have died the second I saw that man at the restaurant. Died I tell you.
Eli: I know he's fictional. I know men like him don't exist in the NHL. Does it sway my hoping that that's not the case and that one day I will go to a game and a man like him will see me up in the nosebleeds and we will have our own insta-love moment? Nope. I would commit war crimes for this man. Honest to fuck.
Things I Loved
There isn't much I didn't love about this book. It had everything I could have wanted to make me love it but it was just missing a little... something.
Things I Didn't Love
I cannot name a single thing I didn't love.
The Final Verdict
Don't let my rating fool you. If I sit on this, it will probably get bumped up because I loved it that much. Anyone who is a fan of friends-to-lovers, this is a fucking MUST.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
It's Always a Good Time to Examine Things
I'm going to get very blunt with y'all but I feel like it's necessary for this one. As a white woman growing up in the south, I have always known a fair amount of privilege. Over the years, I have tried to look at that privilege and take inventory of it while attempting to be a better ally. It doesn't always happen until I am face to face with it. This was one of those cases.
Our FMC, Gina, is a Puerto Rican woman in her late 20s on a competition dance show that is vaguely like Dancing With The Stars. She is one of their regular cast members during the show and is paired with Stone, who is a reality TV "star" from a survivalist show that includes his family. Throughout the book, as we see Gina and Stone falling for one another, something Gina kept coming back to was being insistent that she would not be involved in a "showmance." Gina says she does not want to be seen as the sexy Latina and does not want it to ruin her image. At first I totally understood where she was coming from, as I can understand being a woman it impacting her image. The further the story went on, though and the more Gina pushed back with this excuse, I was understanding less and less. By our third act breakup when Gina was using this to tell Stone why they needed to breakup, I was extremely frustrated. I didn't get why it was that big of a deal. Then I sat on it. Of course I wouldn't understand it. I'm a white woman. It was not meant for me to relate to, but it was made for me to learn from. I needed to look at my own privilege where I was saying, "It can'treally be that bad. It can't affect her this badly," and realize that while it might not affect me that badly, it surely could affect Gina that badly.
I was able to take things from this book and learn from them as I hope to continue to do throughout my reading journey. Now, onto my review.
The Characters
Gina: I loved Gina so much, especially after I reflected on why her decisions didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I love how powerful she was and that she was unwavering in the fact that she would not let anyone stand in her way of getting what she wanted when it came to her career or even the trophy. She was going to do it her way, and by god, she was going to do it the right way without faking anything. This was so strong to see and I loved it.
Stone: I really enjoyed Stone, but I thought his arc was going somewhere completely different, especially by the end of the book with the way he felt about everything going on around him. It was something I was not expecting, but not in a bad way.
Things I Loved
I really loved the chemistry between the two of them. It was something I could tell even off the page. I also really enjoyed the writing style a lot. I liked the development I saw in both characters.
Things I Didn't Love
I felt like the pacing and timeline were a little weird. I felt like there was going to bye more buildup to the third act breakup rather than just kind of a bam moment. The casual sexual harassment (at the least) of Stone bay Lauren also really bothered me because it was just kind of played for laughs. This wouldn't bother me as much if it wasn't for Gina's whole thing being that she wants to be objectified and sexualized as little as possible then for our MMC to beg SAed by a side character in the last few chapters and it to just be shrugged off immediately really bothered me.
The Final Verdict
This was such a good book and had definitely solidified my opinion that I need the rest of Alexis Daria's books in physical copy. I'm super excited for this rerelease and can't wait for everyone else to read it as well.
I'm going to get very blunt with y'all but I feel like it's necessary for this one. As a white woman growing up in the south, I have always known a fair amount of privilege. Over the years, I have tried to look at that privilege and take inventory of it while attempting to be a better ally. It doesn't always happen until I am face to face with it. This was one of those cases.
Our FMC, Gina, is a Puerto Rican woman in her late 20s on a competition dance show that is vaguely like Dancing With The Stars. She is one of their regular cast members during the show and is paired with Stone, who is a reality TV "star" from a survivalist show that includes his family. Throughout the book, as we see Gina and Stone falling for one another, something Gina kept coming back to was being insistent that she would not be involved in a "showmance." Gina says she does not want to be seen as the sexy Latina and does not want it to ruin her image. At first I totally understood where she was coming from, as I can understand being a woman it impacting her image. The further the story went on, though and the more Gina pushed back with this excuse, I was understanding less and less. By our third act breakup when Gina was using this to tell Stone why they needed to breakup, I was extremely frustrated. I didn't get why it was that big of a deal. Then I sat on it. Of course I wouldn't understand it. I'm a white woman. It was not meant for me to relate to, but it was made for me to learn from. I needed to look at my own privilege where I was saying, "It can'treally be that bad. It can't affect her this badly," and realize that while it might not affect me that badly, it surely could affect Gina that badly.
I was able to take things from this book and learn from them as I hope to continue to do throughout my reading journey. Now, onto my review.
The Characters
Gina: I loved Gina so much, especially after I reflected on why her decisions didn't make a whole lot of sense to me. I love how powerful she was and that she was unwavering in the fact that she would not let anyone stand in her way of getting what she wanted when it came to her career or even the trophy. She was going to do it her way, and by god, she was going to do it the right way without faking anything. This was so strong to see and I loved it.
Stone: I really enjoyed Stone, but I thought his arc was going somewhere completely different, especially by the end of the book with the way he felt about everything going on around him. It was something I was not expecting, but not in a bad way.
Things I Loved
I really loved the chemistry between the two of them. It was something I could tell even off the page. I also really enjoyed the writing style a lot. I liked the development I saw in both characters.
Things I Didn't Love
I felt like the pacing and timeline were a little weird. I felt like there was going to bye more buildup to the third act breakup rather than just kind of a bam moment. The casual sexual harassment (at the least) of Stone bay Lauren also really bothered me because it was just kind of played for laughs. This wouldn't bother me as much if it wasn't for Gina's whole thing being that she wants to be objectified and sexualized as little as possible then for our MMC to beg SAed by a side character in the last few chapters and it to just be shrugged off immediately really bothered me.
The Final Verdict
This was such a good book and had definitely solidified my opinion that I need the rest of Alexis Daria's books in physical copy. I'm super excited for this rerelease and can't wait for everyone else to read it as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
My Best Friend's Sister by Q.B. Tyler
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
My Favorite Trope
Song for the Book: Secret Love Song by Little Mix
Okay, look, y'all are going to come at me for this one, but ever since I was younger, the brother's best friend thing has always been one of my favorite tropes. That and the best friend's brother trope, (but that one is mainly because I definitely had a crush on my best friend's brother) have always been some of my favorites. So whyyyy am I just now learning about this book from Q.B., whom I already adore??? Lord if I know, but shit.
The Characters
Ava: Alright, I'm going to be as real as I can with y'all about this one. Ava got on my nerves a little bit. She was 23 in this book, which is only a year younger than me, and yet she was extremely immature. For her to be in NYU Law, she just seemed very naive and immature at times which got on my nerves more than I thought it would. She felt more like a 17 or 18 year old from a very sheltered home rather than a grown woman in law school. Despite this, I loved her fire that she held. She was constantly pushing against Jackson and forcing him to do better and give her what she deserved. For this, I honestly loved her.
Jackson: Here we go. Look, Jackson seemed pretty cool at times, but y'all, there were times where I was trying to figure out what the hell was going through this man's head despite being in his head. I enjoyed the way he ended up becoming but there were so many times where I questioned if a cishet white man had written his character because he was drinking the dumb bitch juice at points.
Things I Loved
I liked the change of pace being able to be inside the MMC's head for one throughout the whole book rather than it being dual POV or just from the FMC's POV. I thought that was a super cool writing decision on Q.B.'s part, especially to portray the urgency with Ava's brother and all of that. I also loved the spice, but I was expecting that from Q.B. because she has never failed me before with her spice.
Things I Didn't Love
I honestly just didn't care for how immature and naive Ava felt a lot of times. It felt weird for me with her being the age she was. If you had told me that Ava had previously been like 17 or 18 it would have made more sense with the way she was written for most of this story.
The Final Verdict
If you're a fan of the brother's best friend trope, this is most definitely the book for you. It was such a great one to have on hand when I felt like I was going into a reading slump.
Song for the Book: Secret Love Song by Little Mix
Okay, look, y'all are going to come at me for this one, but ever since I was younger, the brother's best friend thing has always been one of my favorite tropes. That and the best friend's brother trope, (but that one is mainly because I definitely had a crush on my best friend's brother) have always been some of my favorites. So whyyyy am I just now learning about this book from Q.B., whom I already adore??? Lord if I know, but shit.
The Characters
Ava: Alright, I'm going to be as real as I can with y'all about this one. Ava got on my nerves a little bit. She was 23 in this book, which is only a year younger than me, and yet she was extremely immature. For her to be in NYU Law, she just seemed very naive and immature at times which got on my nerves more than I thought it would. She felt more like a 17 or 18 year old from a very sheltered home rather than a grown woman in law school. Despite this, I loved her fire that she held. She was constantly pushing against Jackson and forcing him to do better and give her what she deserved. For this, I honestly loved her.
Jackson: Here we go. Look, Jackson seemed pretty cool at times, but y'all, there were times where I was trying to figure out what the hell was going through this man's head despite being in his head. I enjoyed the way he ended up becoming but there were so many times where I questioned if a cishet white man had written his character because he was drinking the dumb bitch juice at points.
Things I Loved
I liked the change of pace being able to be inside the MMC's head for one throughout the whole book rather than it being dual POV or just from the FMC's POV. I thought that was a super cool writing decision on Q.B.'s part, especially to portray the urgency with Ava's brother and all of that. I also loved the spice, but I was expecting that from Q.B. because she has never failed me before with her spice.
Things I Didn't Love
I honestly just didn't care for how immature and naive Ava felt a lot of times. It felt weird for me with her being the age she was. If you had told me that Ava had previously been like 17 or 18 it would have made more sense with the way she was written for most of this story.
The Final Verdict
If you're a fan of the brother's best friend trope, this is most definitely the book for you. It was such a great one to have on hand when I felt like I was going into a reading slump.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Our Ride To Forever by Julie Olivia
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Doing it for the Insurance
Song for this book: Tightrope by Sara Bareilles
I didn't know I was going to love this couple as much as I did. I have been so wrapped up in wanting Bennett and Ruby's story that I just didn't look at Orson and Theo's. I also didn't realize how much I was going to relate to Theo as much as I do. It was all such a wonderful surprise that made me so happy and found me a new book boyfriend.
The Characters
Theo: Lord have mercy, I loved Theo so much. I really enjoyed her internal dialogue and felt like I could relate to her a lot more than I have with a lot of FMCs lately. I enjoyed how she tried to be gentle with herself, despite thinking that none of her friends saw her as their "everyday friend." It's something I struggle with as well because I also see myself as the vacation friend. Seeing her get put first, truly first, was something that I needed to see. It reminded me that someday, I will find my peanut butter cracker loving weirdo.
Orson: I haven't thought a whole lot about Orson through the series. Like I said, I have been a little distracted by Bennett and Ruby (mainly Bennett because I just know I will be writing similar thing about him the second I finish his book. Orson honestly came out of the fucking gate for my heart. He looked at me within the first 30 pages and stole my heart the same way he did Theo's. Am I complaining? No. Is he going on the book partner list? Yes.
Things I Loved
I honestly loved this book to bits and pieces. It meant the world to me. I loved how Orson was not the one to truly stand up to Theo's family and how Theo didn't magically fix Orson's anxiety. There was so much that I loved about this book, but I loved them together more than anything.
Things I Didn't Love
I don't know that there was anything about this book I did not love. It all had me so wrapped and tangled up I was having to force myself to take breaks to eat and sleep. I wish I had the chance to read it cover to cover in one sitting but it just wasn't meant to be.
The Final Verdict
I don't know that I can recommend a book more. Do I have to go on an expedition to Mt. Everest to scream it to the world? This book feels worthy of it, so if y'all see me on a plane, mind your own business.
Song for this book: Tightrope by Sara Bareilles
I didn't know I was going to love this couple as much as I did. I have been so wrapped up in wanting Bennett and Ruby's story that I just didn't look at Orson and Theo's. I also didn't realize how much I was going to relate to Theo as much as I do. It was all such a wonderful surprise that made me so happy and found me a new book boyfriend.
The Characters
Theo: Lord have mercy, I loved Theo so much. I really enjoyed her internal dialogue and felt like I could relate to her a lot more than I have with a lot of FMCs lately. I enjoyed how she tried to be gentle with herself, despite thinking that none of her friends saw her as their "everyday friend." It's something I struggle with as well because I also see myself as the vacation friend. Seeing her get put first, truly first, was something that I needed to see. It reminded me that someday, I will find my peanut butter cracker loving weirdo.
Orson: I haven't thought a whole lot about Orson through the series. Like I said, I have been a little distracted by Bennett and Ruby (mainly Bennett because I just know I will be writing similar thing about him the second I finish his book. Orson honestly came out of the fucking gate for my heart. He looked at me within the first 30 pages and stole my heart the same way he did Theo's. Am I complaining? No. Is he going on the book partner list? Yes.
Things I Loved
I honestly loved this book to bits and pieces. It meant the world to me. I loved how Orson was not the one to truly stand up to Theo's family and how Theo didn't magically fix Orson's anxiety. There was so much that I loved about this book, but I loved them together more than anything.
Things I Didn't Love
I don't know that there was anything about this book I did not love. It all had me so wrapped and tangled up I was having to force myself to take breaks to eat and sleep. I wish I had the chance to read it cover to cover in one sitting but it just wasn't meant to be.
The Final Verdict
I don't know that I can recommend a book more. Do I have to go on an expedition to Mt. Everest to scream it to the world? This book feels worthy of it, so if y'all see me on a plane, mind your own business.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Abandonment
Kingdom of the Cursed by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I'm Just Surprised Anybody Would Date You
4🌟
Y'all, why did I wait so long to read this book? I needed this months ago when I first bought it quite frankly. I should have read this one long before I did.
The Characters
Emilia: Go bad bitch, go bad bitch, go. I can't go into details on this one without spoiling shit, but honestly, Emilia is who I strive to be in life. She truly took Wrath (and all of Hell) by the balls and said, "Try me, bitch." If you aren't out here looking for an Emilia, don't hit me up. She's about to become my whole personality.
Wrath: I stand by the fact that this noodle is the biggest softie known to man, despite the fact that he is literally the head of the House of Wrath. He tries so hard, and gets so far, but in the end, it doesn't even matter because I see straight through him. If my next partner is not out here treating me the way Wrath is treating Emilia, I don't fucking want it.
Things I Loved
I loved it so much honestly. I loved the "training," I love the sessions where we are getting to know Emilia better as a character as well as the other characters within Wrath's circle of Hell. It made me so happy and I genuinely wish I had been able to get through it faster.
Things I Didn't Love
What in the fresh hell was the twist with Wrath?? And then also the one with Vittoria???? I rage quit the book for a solid 30 minutes to call a whole ass real life man and yell about this one
The Final Verdict
Bitch, if you're a fantasy lover, you better get out here and get you one of these. I honestly liked this book more than anything I have read lately.
4🌟
Y'all, why did I wait so long to read this book? I needed this months ago when I first bought it quite frankly. I should have read this one long before I did.
The Characters
Emilia: Go bad bitch, go bad bitch, go. I can't go into details on this one without spoiling shit, but honestly, Emilia is who I strive to be in life. She truly took Wrath (and all of Hell) by the balls and said, "Try me, bitch." If you aren't out here looking for an Emilia, don't hit me up. She's about to become my whole personality.
Wrath: I stand by the fact that this noodle is the biggest softie known to man, despite the fact that he is literally the head of the House of Wrath. He tries so hard, and gets so far, but in the end, it doesn't even matter because I see straight through him. If my next partner is not out here treating me the way Wrath is treating Emilia, I don't fucking want it.
Things I Loved
I loved it so much honestly. I loved the "training," I love the sessions where we are getting to know Emilia better as a character as well as the other characters within Wrath's circle of Hell. It made me so happy and I genuinely wish I had been able to get through it faster.
Things I Didn't Love
The Final Verdict
Bitch, if you're a fantasy lover, you better get out here and get you one of these. I honestly liked this book more than anything I have read lately.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: War