alicia_ann_reads's reviews
458 reviews

American Christmas by Adriana Herrera

lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Sweet but spicy (like off the block!) holiday romance novella! 

Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

Loved this second chance holiday romance for us older folks! Ace and Trans rep were excellent! 

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

This is the first time I've actually read the story, although I know it well from many screen adaptations.

I found the writing a little tough to chew through, but Jim Dale's narration was good. 

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

challenging dark sad tense 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

4.5

SBIT is still my favourite read of White's but this book was so good. It packed so many punches, the multiple representations in this book are phenomenal (trans, autism, asexuality/aromanticism), as well as classism, family trauma, you name it. 

It was definitely horrific, I listened via audiobook and ohh cringed in several areas. 

Auto but author. 

Amor Actually by Adriana Herrera, Sabrina Sol, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Alexis Daria, Zoey Castile

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This is an anthology featuring several couples and throuples at that find love (and many a lot of intimacy) leading up to Nochebuena. 

I liked that each story was quick, different but that characters overlapped and the last story brought everyone together under one roof. 

Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I didn't really like Roman at the beginning, I'm not a fan of deceit, but he did grow on me and I loved the blooming love between written words and the magical realism of the typewriters.

The middle of the book just started to sag a little, but then the love story bloomed.

The best part was honestly the last couple chapters where the stakes really ramped up and now I need to read book 2. 

Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Fake Dating, grumpy sunshine, enemies to Lovers. 

The narrator was mildly annoying to listen to. The rest was just like a cute sappy Hallmark movie. ,

Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne

funny lighthearted 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? No

3.5

Well this was cozy! It did drag a little for me about halfway, and then dragons entered the chat and it picked right up and kept on going.

I am interested enough in the egg mystery to read the next book but I think to truly get the cozy vibes you've got to be able to read it fairly quickly.

I had to set this book down for a couple weeks due to illness and I think that affected my enjoyment because the stakes aren't that high I didn't really care as much, in the place I left off, though I am glad I picked it back up. 

The Christmas Catch by Clare Lydon

funny 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

This was on track to be excellent. 

The first 60-70% of the book was great, travel mishaps after travel mishap, as two childhood friends can't deny their attraction and try to get home for Christmas.

But after the peak it just slowed down and I didn't remotely care about the end. Hence the 3.75. 

Still a cute read.