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anjoureadsbooks's reviews
129 reviews
Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
This was so beautiful and raw and real. The characters felt very realistic and I felt so drawn to them. I could relate, empathize and root for them.
This is not only a romance, it’s a story of personal growth and self discovery.
It explores what it means to be a visible Black woman in the online space and the cost of sharing pieces of yourself with the world.
This is a love triangle and while it’s my least favorite, I still really enjoyed this book.
Mal and Jo’s relationship was so mature and also real.
It is a masterclass in communication, patience, letting people see and love you.
Malcom “acts of service” Walters, the man that you are. My anxious, self-aware, emotionally intelligent man. Real life men need to take notes from him.
My Jojobee, my sweet Jojo. I really loved her character development in this story. Jo is so used to taking care of everything and handling things alone that she doesn’t know how to accept help. She is weak, strong, resilient, broken, and so so loving and caring. I’m so happy she found the love she deserves.
The side characters? Absolutely loved them. Kieran, Kelechi, Dahlia, even Ezra.
This story impacted me so much and I will definitely be thinking about it for a while.
Thank you, Shirlene Obuobi, for writing this.
PS: I lowkey want Dahlia to have her own book.
This is not only a romance, it’s a story of personal growth and self discovery.
It explores what it means to be a visible Black woman in the online space and the cost of sharing pieces of yourself with the world.
This is a love triangle and while it’s my least favorite, I still really enjoyed this book.
Mal and Jo’s relationship was so mature and also real.
It is a masterclass in communication, patience, letting people see and love you.
Malcom “acts of service” Walters, the man that you are. My anxious, self-aware, emotionally intelligent man. Real life men need to take notes from him.
My Jojobee, my sweet Jojo. I really loved her character development in this story. Jo is so used to taking care of everything and handling things alone that she doesn’t know how to accept help. She is weak, strong, resilient, broken, and so so loving and caring. I’m so happy she found the love she deserves.
The side characters? Absolutely loved them. Kieran, Kelechi, Dahlia, even Ezra.
This story impacted me so much and I will definitely be thinking about it for a while.
Thank you, Shirlene Obuobi, for writing this.
PS: I lowkey want Dahlia to have her own book.
Oleander: A Great Expectations Retelling by Scarlett Drake
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Oh this book took my heart, gave it a beating and then put it back together.
Jude is one of a kind. A true lover. His love was persevering enduring, and almost unconditional. Cas, my poor broken boy, I’m happy you found the love and happiness you deserve.
These two went through so much pain both together and separately. The ending was a reward for me. Seeing them happy and in love healed me.😭
PS: I really wish I could get a little novella of them just living life and being in love.🥹
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This is such a beautiful, emotional and tender story.
I adore these characters in the book and I’m so attached to them.🥹
Yadriel’s need for acceptance from his community, the reality and finality of death, the ramifications of it, was so moving and impactful.
Julian’s existence and his pain and the loss of his mortality was so emotional for me.
Yadriel and Julian’s love story was the most beautiful thing. I laughed, cried, swooned over these two.
They’re so adorable and they’ve carved themselves a special place in my heart.
Their happy ending was literally perfect.♥️
It is also a culturally rich story. The representation in terms of identity was so good to see. It is rooted in Mexican folklore about “The Lady Death” and “Dia de los muertos”.
The story explores various important themes: social and community acceptance, self love, mortality, deportation, racism. It is full of such depth and meaning and I will literally never be the same again.
I adore these characters in the book and I’m so attached to them.🥹
Yadriel’s need for acceptance from his community, the reality and finality of death, the ramifications of it, was so moving and impactful.
Julian’s existence and his pain and the loss of his mortality was so emotional for me.
Yadriel and Julian’s love story was the most beautiful thing. I laughed, cried, swooned over these two.
They’re so adorable and they’ve carved themselves a special place in my heart.
Their happy ending was literally perfect.♥️
It is also a culturally rich story. The representation in terms of identity was so good to see. It is rooted in Mexican folklore about “The Lady Death” and “Dia de los muertos”.
The story explores various important themes: social and community acceptance, self love, mortality, deportation, racism. It is full of such depth and meaning and I will literally never be the same again.
Broken Whispers by Neva Altaj
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was a cute, predictable and overall lovely story. It gave me everything I need in mafia romance. Unhinged, possessive and utterly pathetic man who is finished for him woman. I love the fact that the MMC is not your conventionally, handsome man. Nothing gets me more than a character who thinks they’re unloveable and then finding a partner who loves them wholeheartedly with all their imperfections. Will definitely be continuing this series.
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This is sci-fi, feminist literature. It is not subtle.
It lays bare the insidious, absurd and strategic nature of the patriarchy.
I love how it’s in your face.
And I love how Vengeful and Angry the protagonist, Wi Zetian is. Her rage and her unpredictability is what I love most about her.
There are times she makes crazy and impulsive decisions and I want to judge her but I pause and put myself in her shoes, if I was an 18 year old girl living in her world, her circumstances, how would I behave?
It helped me understand her actions sometimes.
Although, the story could have been much better if it had more character depth and romantic development. The romantic connection between Zetian, Yizhi and Shimin felt pretty underdeveloped but ate up the little I got regardless. I think it could have helped if we had the POVs of the love interests a few times in the book.
I still really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend.
I can't wait to read book 2- Heavenly Tyrant. Hoping there’s more depth and the writing improves this time around.
Also, that ending had me like what the fuck???
But it’s a really good setup for the series so I’m not even mad at it.
It lays bare the insidious, absurd and strategic nature of the patriarchy.
I love how it’s in your face.
And I love how Vengeful and Angry the protagonist, Wi Zetian is. Her rage and her unpredictability is what I love most about her.
There are times she makes crazy and impulsive decisions and I want to judge her but I pause and put myself in her shoes, if I was an 18 year old girl living in her world, her circumstances, how would I behave?
It helped me understand her actions sometimes.
Although, the story could have been much better if it had more character depth and romantic development. The romantic connection between Zetian, Yizhi and Shimin felt pretty underdeveloped but ate up the little I got regardless. I think it could have helped if we had the POVs of the love interests a few times in the book.
I still really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend.
I can't wait to read book 2- Heavenly Tyrant. Hoping there’s more depth and the writing improves this time around.
Also, that ending had me like what the fuck???
But it’s a really good setup for the series so I’m not even mad at it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Blood
Let Your Hearts Be Light by Fae Quin
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Aether by Louisa Masters
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
This was such a fun, quick read.
I wish it was longer tbh.
I wish it was longer tbh.
The Bishop's Prodigal Daughter by Timendu Aghahowa
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This book was chaotic, funny and absolutely dramatic. There’s romance, church politics, family drama and of course a cutesy romance. It felt like a movie and I devoured it in two sittings.
Eloviano, the FMC is so imperfect and I love her for it. She goes through this journey of finding herself and struggles with rediscovering her faith. She’s also very stubborn which I can personally relate to.
She showed those church elders shege and I enjoyed every minute of it.🤣 She did not take her foot off their neck from beginning to end.
Now, the romance! 🥹This is a slow burn. The kind where you’re literally just clawing at your book and begging them to just kiss. 🧎🏽♀️Elo and Datonye have such amazing chemistry and tension and I loved every scene of them together.
The religion aspect of this book also didn’t feel preachy. It just felt like i was going along on the journey of someone(Elo) who is finding her faith again, all while falling in love with a gorgeous man.
I lowkey wish there will be a little novella about them just being in a relationship and living their lives because I want more of them.
Also, I’m really interested in Zino(Elo’s sister) and I really can’t wait to read her own book. She seemed like she has a lot of personal struggles and I also want to see how she and Elo repair their relationship.
This was an overall lovely read and i definitely recommend.♥️
Eloviano, the FMC is so imperfect and I love her for it. She goes through this journey of finding herself and struggles with rediscovering her faith. She’s also very stubborn which I can personally relate to.
She showed those church elders shege and I enjoyed every minute of it.🤣 She did not take her foot off their neck from beginning to end.
Now, the romance! 🥹This is a slow burn. The kind where you’re literally just clawing at your book and begging them to just kiss. 🧎🏽♀️Elo and Datonye have such amazing chemistry and tension and I loved every scene of them together.
The religion aspect of this book also didn’t feel preachy. It just felt like i was going along on the journey of someone(Elo) who is finding her faith again, all while falling in love with a gorgeous man.
I lowkey wish there will be a little novella about them just being in a relationship and living their lives because I want more of them.
Also, I’m really interested in Zino(Elo’s sister) and I really can’t wait to read her own book. She seemed like she has a lot of personal struggles and I also want to see how she and Elo repair their relationship.
This was an overall lovely read and i definitely recommend.♥️
Thawed Hearts by Chloe Slate
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
3.5
This was a fun spicy read. I’ve never read FFF and ouuuu, I liked this one. It’s pretty short and fast paced too. Just 72 pages so don’t go looking for a plot or a literary masterpiece. It is smut.
Read if you’re here for a good time.
Read if you’re here for a good time.