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30something_reads's reviews
613 reviews
Programmed for Love by Lyonne Riley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.
I may come back to this, I may not. The writing is not giving what I need it to give and I refuse to force myself through a novella that is not grabbing my attention.
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.75
Do not speak to me. I am simply a puddle of goo and therefore am unable to verbalize my enormous feelings at this time. š«
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
If thereās one thing about me, itās that I like messy āunlikableā characters and this pair is a nice opposites-attract/ second chance romance set up. She is averse to emotional intimacy and sabotages relationships that get too serious. He wears his heart on his sleeve and is in love with the idea of soul mates and a HEA.
Unfortunately, I think I like the concept of this one more than the actual execution. Maybe it's the writing. Maybe it's that the author's brand of humor doesn't really mesh with my own. There were some great moments but often those felt overshadowed by a lot of minutiae that I didnāt really find interesting.
TW: Also, a random thought: I do feel like there should be content warnings listed for Covid-19 and discussions of pandemic traumas. It plays a large enough role in the plot that I think it warrants a CW. (It was a jump scare right around the 40% mark)
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
Unfortunately, I think I like the concept of this one more than the actual execution. Maybe it's the writing. Maybe it's that the author's brand of humor doesn't really mesh with my own. There were some great moments but often those felt overshadowed by a lot of minutiae that I didnāt really find interesting.
TW: Also, a random thought: I do feel like there should be content warnings listed for Covid-19 and discussions of pandemic traumas. It plays a large enough role in the plot that I think it warrants a CW. (It was a jump scare right around the 40% mark)
*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I've decided that I can't stand it when Cornell Collins tries to do accents.
(I also didn't love how descriptive the one characters recollections of a horse dick were.)
(I also didn't love how descriptive the one characters recollections of a horse dick were.)
How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith Jr.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
The author explores his childhood and "the boogeyman" that followed him throughout his life, whether it was his Blackness, his economic status, his queerness. I really enjoyed his reflections on spirituality and his relationship with religion as he grows up and comes to terms with his identity.
This feels like it would be a nice companion piece to All Boys Aren't Blue - another YA memoir exploring growing up Black and queer. I really enjoyed this format and the audiobook was wonderful.
I only wish there had been a little more? Maybe an extended epilogue. I feel like we were left hanging with the "what happens after". I wanted to know more about the author's relationships with his family. Did he come out? How did he navigate that?
This feels like it would be a nice companion piece to All Boys Aren't Blue - another YA memoir exploring growing up Black and queer. I really enjoyed this format and the audiobook was wonderful.
I only wish there had been a little more? Maybe an extended epilogue. I feel like we were left hanging with the "what happens after". I wanted to know more about the author's relationships with his family. Did he come out? How did he navigate that?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Homophobia, and Outing
The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco by Talia Hibbert
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Talia Hibbert never disappoints when it comes to delivering silly, sweet, and spicy antics. This one is all of those things.
It's a little bit insta-lovey for my taste, but still absolutely swoony. Nik is a loveable doofus who is absolutely obsessed and Aria is a badass with her emotional shield all the way up. I do love her for bringing and entire box of sex toys with her on a week long, fake dating getaway.
It's a little bit insta-lovey for my taste, but still absolutely swoony. Nik is a loveable doofus who is absolutely obsessed and Aria is a badass with her emotional shield all the way up. I do love her for bringing and entire box of sex toys with her on a week long, fake dating getaway.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Biphobia
Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Please, if you ever hear me mention that a Red Tower book sounds interesting and that I think I want to buy it because the first edition is beautiful, kindly tell me to shut the fuck up.
... I made it to page 12 (and that was with using the audiobook.)
I started with the physical book but the writing choices immediately made me switch to the audio (I can be more forgiving of sentence structure when I'm listening rather than looking at it with my eyes.) But despite the audiobook being full cast, it was also really grating because the narrators over enunciated every single pause and short choppy sentence.
Disappointing but I knew that was a possibility when I went into it. Can someone tell me what happens? I liked the concept of the plot.
... I made it to page 12 (and that was with using the audiobook.)
I started with the physical book but the writing choices immediately made me switch to the audio (I can be more forgiving of sentence structure when I'm listening rather than looking at it with my eyes.) But despite the audiobook being full cast, it was also really grating because the narrators over enunciated every single pause and short choppy sentence.
Disappointing but I knew that was a possibility when I went into it. Can someone tell me what happens? I liked the concept of the plot.
One Night in Hartswood by Emma Denny
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Get yourself a man who yearns for you the way Raff Barden yearns for Penn de Foucart.
A runaway groom and the hunter sent to retrieve him.
Clandestine meeting in the forest.
Secret identities.
Mutual pining.
Huddling close while they camp outside. ("Only for warmth," they say! Not because they wanna hold each other tenderly.)
This was a delight. I would hazard to call this an accurate Historical- more historical adjacent. It was very A Knights Tale coded and I really loved that.
A runaway groom and the hunter sent to retrieve him.
Clandestine meeting in the forest.
Secret identities.
Mutual pining.
Huddling close while they camp outside. ("Only for warmth," they say! Not because they wanna hold each other tenderly.)
This was a delight. I would hazard to call this an accurate Historical- more historical adjacent. It was very A Knights Tale coded and I really loved that.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Outing, and Medical trauma
Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.75
I will admit, the worldbuilding and the magical lore kept me confused for a good chunk of this book (there was just a lot for me) but I still ate this up so fast.
A solid set-up for a romantasy series! I am absolutely about to binge the next one because I am desperate for more tension between Zarya and Rabin.
A solid set-up for a romantasy series! I am absolutely about to binge the next one because I am desperate for more tension between Zarya and Rabin.
Heat Clinic by Alexis B. Osborne
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
DNF @36%
I'm all good, thanks āš»
(It's fine. I just don't need 260+ more pages of smut and reading about how everyone tastes like cookies & tea or some never before heard of combination of the two.)
I'm all good, thanks āš»
(It's fine. I just don't need 260+ more pages of smut and reading about how everyone tastes like cookies & tea or some never before heard of combination of the two.)