30something_reads's reviews
628 reviews

Interesting Facts About Space by Emily Austin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.

 There's nothing wrong with this one (and I'll probably revisit it later). I just set it down and had no desire to pick it back up before it needed to be returned to the library. 

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

And he knew that if the rest of his life was spent in building bridges, it would be no bad thing.

Maia deserves only good things for the rest of his life.

This is absolutely not a "for everyone" fantasy but I absolutely adored Maia and the story of his unlikely ascension to the throne. He is such a relatable character in that he is thrown into this position of power and feels like he is just fumbling his way through it (but with so much heart and earnestness.)

Addison has created such a rich and vibrant world that is, admittedly at times, a little difficult to keep track of. The existence of a 20+ page "Handbook for Travelers into the Elflands" at the beginning of the text that included sections on Pronunciation, Names, Forms of Address, Emperors, and a list of "Persons, Places, Things, and Gods" was a bit daunting.

I read this in tandem with the audiobook and I highly recommend because it helped tremendously with pronunciation (however, it did nothing to help me remember names and places.)

I am excited to see that there are additional books in this world. I'll absolutely be getting into them! 

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

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

 I just feel so warm and happy for them like??? 🥹♥️ Andy and Nick are my best friends now and I love them and their fat goofy cat.

Cat Sebastian nailed the emotional intimacy needed to make this friends to lovers such a sumptuous treat. I believed every tender and heart warming moment between them. The fumbling, the nervousness, the soft quiet gestures.

Just a delight ♥️ 

Tadek and the Princess by Alexandra Rowland

emotional funny reflective sad

4.0

I know I said I wanted an epilogue where I could see Kadou and Evemer blissfully in love but I didn't ask for this emotional devastation, Alexandra 😭💔

Tadek deserves only good things and I love him 🥹♥️

Resisting Maxu by Victoria Aveline

fast-paced

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

3.75

 On my reread I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first time around (it was a good time overall though). I still enjoy Meg and Maxu as characters and they have some pretty memorable scenes but unfortunately it feels like the exploration of their relationship was sacrificed for the greater plot of the series. 

Programmed for Love by Lyonne Riley
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. 🫠 

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

2.5

If there’s one thing about me, it’s that I like messy “unlikable” 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 didn’t 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* 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic

Kidnapped by the Pirate by Keira Andrews
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.)

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? 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence, Police brutality, Homophobia, and Outing