gillyreads's reviews
1043 reviews

Yes No Maybe by Jessica Sherry

I received a copy of this on Netgalley.

There were a lot of things I loved about this book. The wide cast of supporting characters who were unique and interesting in their own right, the sense of community and fun in the neighbourhood, Rowan's dedication to teaching and connection to her students, Jack's belief in love and romance in spite of thinking he won't have it for himself, nearly all of the plot, the development of their relationship and personal emotional growth. However there were a number of small issues that added up into feeling a little irritated overall. Also, I really hated the fatphobic element of Dean's initial story of his childhood struggles and especially the way that turned out in the end. The only reason I kept reading after that was because I knew he wouldn't be the main love interest. Most of the aspects of Dean as a character were inconsistent with his final conversation with Rowan, and the love triangle aspect of the story was unbelievable to me. I found Rowan's insecurities and the way she projected onto Jack super irritating. The emotional conflict and build up of these tory really didn't need that, and personally I found it detracted from the overall story. I really wanted to like this book, but overall these issues were too much.

Romancing the Grump by Jenny Proctor

fast-paced

I loved this. It was all the good parts of a hockey romance without the tropes I hate (like playboy asshole pro athletes). The motivations behind each character were well thought out and built up through the story and I loved the whole concept of the team and their popularity (I was quite disappointed to find out that the first book in the series is only on amazon). I liked how some of the tropes were a little subverted, like he's grumpy without being an actual horrible person, and she's sunny without being portrayed as an idiot. I particularly liked was that the fake dating trope was subverted a little by

Summer actually mostly being honest about her feeling throughout

. 
Honestly the only thing I didn't like that much was I felt it was unnecessary for it to turn out that

Nathan's dad had been a good dad while a pro-hockey player even though he didn't remember that. Like, he could have realised he doesn't have to be his father without that part

. But that didn't ruin the book or anything.

My Kind of Trouble: A Novel by L.A. Schwartz

I received a copy of this book on NetGalley

I don't usually love books where lying is a major part of the plot/relationship development but the rest of the premise of this book intrigued me and I am so glad I gave it a chance. I loved the small town feel, with so many great minor characters and intersecting connections. I thought that was done really well. The romance was very cute, and I particularly enjoyed the focus on them figuring each other out and the gradual shift to understanding each other better and clearer communication rather than just one big miscommunication (though obviously there is Harmony's inital con/lies to overcome).
Props on well rounded representation as well. I appreciated that Harmony didn't have to experience too much fatphobia, without erasing the realities that exist. Also that there was a depth to the diversity in the town that showed a range of experiences. This was all very natural and background to the story, but used the plot of Library book banning attempts to highlight it's importance. 

I did feel like it probably could have been a little longer, for a little more development in the second half of the book. I would have enjoyed more of Harmony trying to make things right but overall a really fun and enjoyable romance.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Ableism, and Transphobia

Minor: Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Car accident

The Other Side by Sally Morgan

On the Plus Side by Jenny L. Howe

fast-paced

Review withheld due to SMP boycott

Only and Forever by Chloe Liese

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

Great ending to the series. Really enjoyed it, and is probably my favourite.

At First Spite by Olivia Dade

fast-paced

I liked the idea of the premise, but had expected there to be more time between Athena's break up and the new romance. Some of the story felt a bit rushed, particularly some of the elements of her depression (though I did think the mental health elements were well done). 

Overall, I think this is Dade's best writing I've read on a craft level, and I mostly enjoyed it. On a personal preference note, just really not interested in so much monster romance included in what I'm expecting to be a contemporary romance. It mostly felt quite forced into the narrative.

Who Do You Serve, Who Do You Protect?: Police Violence and Resistance in the United States by Maya Schenwar

informative medium-paced

Comprehensive and important look at how state violence functions, including a expansive view beyond just the us police force. 

If one sees policing for what it is—a set of practices sanctioned by the state to enforce law and maintain social control and cultural hegemony through the use of force—one may more easily recognize that perhaps the goal should not be to improve how policing functions but to reduce its role in our lives.”

Bodies Are Cool by Tyler Feder

hopeful informative inspiring

Utterly delightful. This book is incredibly easy to read aloud, and each page filled with vibrant illustrations that provide a joyful celebration of many variations of the human body. Plus bodies ARE cool.

Bedtime Sorted! by Jimmy Rees

I love the illustrations for this book, very clever and really add extra storytelling layers plus some amusement for the parents.