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Reviews tagging 'Grief'
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon: Mead Mishaps 1 by Kimberly Lemming
27 reviews
browneyesblue84's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
I thought that this book was okay. The one thing that I look forward to when I decide to read a romance novel is a story. It has to be a good story to capture my attention. Some readers are ashamed to say this, but I decided to read this book after seeing a Booktok review on TikTok. Fallon and Cinnamon’s relationship is cute. The fact that he asked for her consent before he did anything was refreshing. He really respects and loves her. I really enjoyed the story itself and the lore behind it. My only complaint is the fact that the story started to drag a little bit towards the end. Other than that the writing is pretty easy to follow. I would describe this novel as medium paced. This book is worth four out of three stars in my opinion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Grief
mari1532's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
#23For23 (learn more at: https://www.23for23.net/)
After weeks of waiting, I was finally able to listen to this book through my local library.
Brief Summary: Cinnamon is a bit of a homebody. Well, she does love to go out with her best friend to the local tavern and to the market to sell her spices, but she is definitely, absolutely not someone seeking out adventure. However, one day after celebrating with her friend at the local festival she stumbles home drunk and accidentally rescues, Fallon....who just so happens to be a demon.
After Fallon makes his intention to kill an enemy that is not Cinnamon or her family clear, she is forced to agree to help him. As they set out on their adventure Cinnamon must grapple with her past and open herself up to new opportunities. However, what she doesn't expect is that by doing so she might also be opening her heart.
Thoughts: This book was WILD and I LOVED absolutely every single second of it. Lemming's writing was so entertaining and endearing. Cinnamon was everything I wanted in a main character. She was funny, introspective, kind, feisty, educated, and empowered. The way that she evolves throughout the book is so endearing. I also really loved how Lemming made her a real person. For example, when Cinnamon gets dirty on her adventures Lemming not only mentions that she bathes, but that Cinnamon is very unhappy with the current state of feeling gross. It's a little thing, but I find in adventure books things like that are often glossed over and it makes the characters in a book feel less human. This is just one way that Lemming's writing is so nuanced.
I also enjoyed all of the side characters that Cinnamon and Fallon meet throughout their adventure and Cinnamon's family back at home. Everyone had very distinct personalities and contributed something to the plot and friendship group. There were also quite a few instances where they provided some great comedic lines.
I did enjoy the relationship between Cinnamon and Fallon. It was sweet and entertaining. I do wish that we had spent just a little more time on the development of their relationship. There were a few times when it felt like things were being swept along due to the plot. The times when they were alone together were often steamy, but if there had been a smidge more in the emotional connection, I would not have been mad.
If you love fantasy romance novels or just romance novels I would highly recommend this book. It's heartwarming and entertaining
After weeks of waiting, I was finally able to listen to this book through my local library.
Brief Summary: Cinnamon is a bit of a homebody. Well, she does love to go out with her best friend to the local tavern and to the market to sell her spices, but she is definitely, absolutely not someone seeking out adventure. However, one day after celebrating with her friend at the local festival she stumbles home drunk and accidentally rescues, Fallon....who just so happens to be a demon.
After Fallon makes his intention to kill an enemy that is not Cinnamon or her family clear, she is forced to agree to help him. As they set out on their adventure Cinnamon must grapple with her past and open herself up to new opportunities. However, what she doesn't expect is that by doing so she might also be opening her heart.
Thoughts: This book was WILD and I LOVED absolutely every single second of it. Lemming's writing was so entertaining and endearing. Cinnamon was everything I wanted in a main character. She was funny, introspective, kind, feisty, educated, and empowered. The way that she evolves throughout the book is so endearing. I also really loved how Lemming made her a real person. For example, when Cinnamon gets dirty on her adventures Lemming not only mentions that she bathes, but that Cinnamon is very unhappy with the current state of feeling gross. It's a little thing, but I find in adventure books things like that are often glossed over and it makes the characters in a book feel less human. This is just one way that Lemming's writing is so nuanced.
I also enjoyed all of the side characters that Cinnamon and Fallon meet throughout their adventure and Cinnamon's family back at home. Everyone had very distinct personalities and contributed something to the plot and friendship group. There were also quite a few instances where they provided some great comedic lines.
I did enjoy the relationship between Cinnamon and Fallon. It was sweet and entertaining. I do wish that we had spent just a little more time on the development of their relationship. There were a few times when it felt like things were being swept along due to the plot. The times when they were alone together were often steamy, but if there had been a smidge more in the emotional connection, I would not have been mad.
If you love fantasy romance novels or just romance novels I would highly recommend this book. It's heartwarming and entertaining
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Slavery, Misogyny, Alcohol, Violence, Classism, Cursing, and Grief
jalexpulliamkepler's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
not a literary masterpiece but very fun
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Slavery
Moderate: Blood, Alcohol, Body horror, Grief, Misogyny, Violence, and Cursing
Minor: Rape
maxthedinosaur's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
Guys I think this might be my first 6 star in years. I am absolutely in love with this book, and the characters, and Kimberly's writing. I loved everything about this book, it was a perfect mix between insta love and slow burn. I love fallon, he might be my new favorite book boyfriend. I need to read the rest of this series immediately. I have not had a story that affected me as much as this one has in a long time. I feel like I will be thinking about this book (especially Fallon) for months
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Sexual content, Slavery, Racism, War, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Child death, Grief, and Religious bigotry
jourdanicus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
🫢🫣😳🥵😅
I was drawn into this one by my current interest in D&D. I enjoyed the humor and the occasional anachronism. I can definitely relate to Cinnamon's complete lack of interest in adventure, but I'm glad she got dragged into it so I could live vicariously through her 😆
This could have been a 4 star read for me but I felt that maybe some editing for vocabulary could have helped. Some words were repeated from one sentence to another or even within the same sentence, which isn't a big deal but kinda breaks the immersion.
I also felt the story could have used a few more female/feminine characters. The ones who were included were great though.
I was drawn into this one by my current interest in D&D. I enjoyed the humor and the occasional anachronism. I can definitely relate to Cinnamon's complete lack of interest in adventure, but I'm glad she got dragged into it so I could live vicariously through her 😆
This could have been a 4 star read for me but I felt that maybe some editing for vocabulary could have helped. Some words were repeated from one sentence to another or even within the same sentence, which isn't a big deal but kinda breaks the immersion.
I also felt the story could have used a few more female/feminine characters. The ones who were included were great though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Murder, Grief, Violence, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy, Rape, and Cursing
Content warnings are listed by the author at the beginning of the book which I really appreciated!cozyfantasyfaetay's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
I can't wait to read the rest of these books. This was so good. Enemies to lovers, fast paced, "touch her & die". Diverse characters, great adventure sequences, and the spice: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood, Cursing, Death, Violence, Gore, and War
Minor: Grief, Slavery, and Vomit
jaz_gets_literary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
I saw this book all over social media last year and didn’t pick it up because it’s not my usual genre. But I’m a sucker for a beautiful cover and when I saw the new cover I knew I had to read it. I’m glad the cover changed my mind and am also glad that I didn’t read it when it was getting hyped up. I enjoy reading this at my own pace not just because everyone else says they love it. It definitely lived up to the hype. If I was Cin I would have fell for Fallon from the moment he stepped foot in that house.. When that wall she’s hiding her feelings behind falls, we get to see the cutest relationship between the two of them. The spice in here is top tier. Love it. I listened to the audio in tandem with reading the digital and you have to listen to the audio. It’s so good. I can’t wait to get into the rest of this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Grief and Alcohol
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
That time I got drunk and saved a demon- 2⭐️ 3🌶️
Fantasy
Unwilling-hero FMC
POC
Allies to lovers
Mystical creatures
Secret history
He falls first
I was so excited to get the ARC for this book. One that I had seen rave reviews for all over tiktok. Unfortunately the story didn’t quite live up to the hype. The idea of following a strong, black, anti-hero, who winds up being roped into a quest to save the day is a fun one, I just didn’t know if I was supposed to read it as a satire or not. The medieval vibes with modern duologue and slang didn’t fit as nicely as I had hoped. I cringed at the literal Hamilton lyrics quote.
I found so much of the sincere moments were cut by random jokes or the FMC almost breaking the 4th wall with breaking down Fantasy or romance novels and comparing her quest to them. I wanted to take it as tongue in cheek, but it happened so often that it wasn’t silly. It was annoying.
I really loved the realistic moments, like a mom calling her kids by the wrong names, the changing of minds about captivity and slavery… But the pacing inconsistencies took away from the potency of the statements. While I liked the sentiments of having the heavy topics present, they seemed so out of place in this rom-com fantasy
The world building was barely there and what was there was so slap-dash that much of it was sidelined bad dialogue and rushed plot.
The open door spice scenes were meh. I just didn’t enjoy the two main characters because they were inconsistent. Things were cheesy and surface level.
I wanted to like this. But I just didn’t.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an Advanced eRrader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Fantasy
Unwilling-hero FMC
POC
Allies to lovers
Mystical creatures
Secret history
He falls first
I was so excited to get the ARC for this book. One that I had seen rave reviews for all over tiktok. Unfortunately the story didn’t quite live up to the hype. The idea of following a strong, black, anti-hero, who winds up being roped into a quest to save the day is a fun one, I just didn’t know if I was supposed to read it as a satire or not. The medieval vibes with modern duologue and slang didn’t fit as nicely as I had hoped. I cringed at the literal Hamilton lyrics quote.
I found so much of the sincere moments were cut by random jokes or the FMC almost breaking the 4th wall with breaking down Fantasy or romance novels and comparing her quest to them. I wanted to take it as tongue in cheek, but it happened so often that it wasn’t silly. It was annoying.
I really loved the realistic moments, like a mom calling her kids by the wrong names, the changing of minds about captivity and slavery… But the pacing inconsistencies took away from the potency of the statements. While I liked the sentiments of having the heavy topics present, they seemed so out of place in this rom-com fantasy
The world building was barely there and what was there was so slap-dash that much of it was sidelined bad dialogue and rushed plot.
The open door spice scenes were meh. I just didn’t enjoy the two main characters because they were inconsistent. Things were cheesy and surface level.
I wanted to like this. But I just didn’t.
Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an Advanced eRrader Copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Racism, Blood, Body horror, Cursing, Slavery, Death, Grief, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Confinement, and Gore
likeagilmoregirl's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
I can’t even begin to describe how much fun this book was to read!
A sassy main character? Check.
Powerful and scary, yet lovable and silly demons? Check.
Hilariously unserious narration? Check.
Epic adventure? Check.
Incredibly spicy scenes that you may or may not be embarrassed to admit you read? Check.
In a world where humans live in fear of demons, one girl discovers the key to unleashing them from the chains of a false god and restoring harmony. Reluctantly, she embarks on an epic quest, with a very grumpy demon at her side, to destroy the false god, finding new friends and a spicy romance along the way.
This adorable, fast-paced, enemies to lovers, cozy romantasy story delivers exactly what it promises. It is adventurous, sometimes heartwarming, and always entertaining without ever taking itself too seriously. The characters are funny and lovable and the world building is simplistic but well thought out.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
*Infinite thanks to Netgalley, Orbit Books, and Kimberly Lemming for providing me with the e-book version of this book for review.*
A sassy main character? Check.
Powerful and scary, yet lovable and silly demons? Check.
Hilariously unserious narration? Check.
Epic adventure? Check.
Incredibly spicy scenes that you may or may not be embarrassed to admit you read? Check.
In a world where humans live in fear of demons, one girl discovers the key to unleashing them from the chains of a false god and restoring harmony. Reluctantly, she embarks on an epic quest, with a very grumpy demon at her side, to destroy the false god, finding new friends and a spicy romance along the way.
This adorable, fast-paced, enemies to lovers, cozy romantasy story delivers exactly what it promises. It is adventurous, sometimes heartwarming, and always entertaining without ever taking itself too seriously. The characters are funny and lovable and the world building is simplistic but well thought out.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars.
*Infinite thanks to Netgalley, Orbit Books, and Kimberly Lemming for providing me with the e-book version of this book for review.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Blood, and Death
Minor: Confinement, Grief, and Rape
kendal_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery and Grief
Minor: Vomit and Fatphobia