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triple_m's reviews
270 reviews
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
For a book about serial killers, this was incredibly boring. There really isn’t much of a plot and somehow NO STAKES. It’s like police don’t exist in this world and serial characters all have special names like they exist as supervillains in The Boys.
Back to no stakes, there is absolutely zero tension. The killings made it somewhat interesting but without any stakes it wasn’t compelling. The one scene with tension was introduced as a twist so there was no build up and it had a quick resolution (and really only served as a vessel for a third act break up).
Really just a lackluster romance with gore. Read Mindfuck instead.
Back to no stakes, there is absolutely zero tension. The killings made it somewhat interesting but without any stakes it wasn’t compelling. The one scene with tension was introduced as a twist so there was no build up and it had a quick resolution (and really only served as a vessel for a third act break up).
Really just a lackluster romance with gore. Read Mindfuck instead.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop
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? No
3.0
The writing did slightly remind me of Wattpad (the word “orbs” was used once to refer to eyes) and ultimately not for me.
The MMC, Rome, is a character that exists solely to devote himself to the FMC, Janelle. I can completely see why that appeals to readers, but I personally found him to be flat and lacking personality.
Very spice-heavy for a relatively short book.
The MMC, Rome, is a character that exists solely to devote himself to the FMC, Janelle. I can completely see why that appeals to readers, but I personally found him to be flat and lacking personality.
Very spice-heavy for a relatively short book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up by Charish Reid
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? No
4.0
Grumpy sunshine done right (where the grump is actually just grumpy and not a mean-spirited asshole). The dynamic between Diego and Mickey was interesting with her being his professor and him being her boss at the bar.
I enjoyed reading about older main characters and felt they did mostly act their age. I did feel they felt more lust than love and scoffed a few times when they just “couldn’t keep their hands off of each other” for like TWO WEEKS.
I felt really connected to Mickey and her feelings about living with a chronic illness, but I didn’t feel connected to Diego’s grief. I felt told about it rather than actually feeling it.
Overall still very cute and I would definitely recommend.
I enjoyed reading about older main characters and felt they did mostly act their age. I did feel they felt more lust than love and scoffed a few times when they just “couldn’t keep their hands off of each other” for like TWO WEEKS.
I felt really connected to Mickey and her feelings about living with a chronic illness, but I didn’t feel connected to Diego’s grief. I felt told about it rather than actually feeling it.
Overall still very cute and I would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Religious bigotry
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Almost DNF’ed at the out of nowhere kissing in the woods in the beginning but I’m glad I stuck with it. The book really picked up when the games actually began (I mean, obviously, haha).
One thing I loved about this book was that I was unable to predict the ending. The stakes were high and the odds for a good ending felt very unlikely. Does she win the games? Will she survive? Will she somehow get out of it? Those questions really kept me engaged and excited to read how it would end.
I could’ve done without any romantic subplot but it wasn’t horrible.
One thing I loved about this book was that I was unable to predict the ending. The stakes were high and the odds for a good ending felt very unlikely. Does she win the games? Will she survive? Will she somehow get out of it? Those questions really kept me engaged and excited to read how it would end.
I could’ve done without any romantic subplot but it wasn’t horrible.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol
A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair
challenging
dark
slow-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
3.5
A slightly disappointing follow up to A Broken Blade, but I’m hoping the book is just suffering from middle book syndrome. I know the next book isn’t the last so I’m apprehensive about how long this series will go on.
This book can be a tough read because I love Keera and I just one thing to go right for her without so much resistance and push back haha. I felt so bad for her as she struggling to find acceptance and build trust.
The romance took a back seat to the world building and political plot in this book, which I was fine with. Riven didn’t even show up for like 70 pages or something.
I really fucking hate love triangles and even though I really didn’t like Riven in this book I don’t see the connection because Keera and prince boy at all. Like at all. Their random connection at the very end felt so out of pocket and disloyal.
This book can be a tough read because I love Keera and I just one thing to go right for her without so much resistance and push back haha. I felt so bad for her as she struggling to find acceptance and build trust.
The romance took a back seat to the world building and political plot in this book, which I was fine with. Riven didn’t even show up for like 70 pages or something.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Torture
A Broken Blade (The Halfling Saga) by Melissa Blair
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Really interesting world building and characters.
I love Keera as a character but I did get pretty over how much of a “bad ass” she is haha. Like yes she’s otherworldly tough—I get it. I did however love how flawed she is as a character and seeing how her forced assassin servitude weighs on her.
It was disheartening to see Riven constantly trying to find ways to distrust her, but I get it. Overall the romance was fine. Not my favorite couple but I didn’t dislike it either.
I love Keera as a character but I did get pretty over how much of a “bad ass” she is haha. Like yes she’s otherworldly tough—I get it. I did however love how flawed she is as a character and seeing how her forced assassin servitude weighs on her.
It was disheartening to see Riven constantly trying to find ways to distrust her, but I get it. Overall the romance was fine. Not my favorite couple but I didn’t dislike it either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Shoutout to NetGalley for giving nobody’s like me access to the ARC.
What an absolutely beautiful love story!! Kennedy Ryan always writes the most well-rounded and realistic characters and I can tell she really puts love and care into writing about sensitive topics. A bit insta-lovey but I think the couple are truly a perfect fit for one another.
I loved seeing positive representation for ex-spouses/co-parents, stay at home moms, therapy, and autism.
It was fun to have a villain in this book (fuck you, Edward).
What an absolutely beautiful love story!! Kennedy Ryan always writes the most well-rounded and realistic characters and I can tell she really puts love and care into writing about sensitive topics. A bit insta-lovey but I think the couple are truly a perfect fit for one another.
I loved seeing positive representation for ex-spouses/co-parents, stay at home moms, therapy, and autism.
It was fun to have a villain in this book (fuck you, Edward).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexual content
How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America by Clint Smith
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
This book is part history and part personal reflection about Clint Smith’s journey as a Black man learning parts of history that have previously been buried.
Well-written and important.
Well-written and important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Rape, and Slavery
A Soul to Revive by Opal Reyne
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.0
Opal Reyne has yet to miss. Another great installment to the Duskwalker Bride series. I’m always amazed at how much more lore and world building she is able to add to each book. I loved seeing so much of other couples and this book and I really don’t think it took away from Emerie and Ingram’s love story.
I was hoping for a more violent FMC, considering that Emerie was a Demon Slayer, but I still enjoyed her character and she was very brave.
As always, I am looking forward to the next book!
I was hoping for a more violent FMC, considering that Emerie was a Demon Slayer, but I still enjoyed her character and she was very brave.
As always, I am looking forward to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Infertility, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Psychic Teenage Bloodbath by Carl John Lee
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Fun, fast, and bloody, with a surprisingly sweet sapphic love story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Bullying, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Lesbophobia, and Injury/Injury detail