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anni_banani's reviews
65 reviews
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
emotional
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This is the best review I can give a book with such an unsatisfying ending. So good otherwise that I just want to write a FixIt FanFic.
This is a Pretty Woman role reversal sort of which I really loved! And I hate pretty woman. Lol
I loved both Stella and Michael and them together
The second book is so good!
This is a Pretty Woman role reversal sort of which I really loved! And I hate pretty woman. Lol
I loved both Stella and Michael and them together
The second book is so good!
Recipe for Persuasion by Sonali Dev
This is maybe my fave in the Rajes Series. Dev gives you so much more than you bargained for, a really true and deep character overhaul. Wow the healing in this book outbounds me and that’s why I’ve re read it. I’m a sucker for inter generational storytelling and this book does it so well. I loved Shoban !!
I was so satisfied by the end and will always cry when re reading
I believe the very beginning of chap 33 is when Shoban is r*ped by her husband. One paragraph that is easy to skip if you like. Detailed but brief
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
Loveeee this book!
Overall I love the Rajes series more than the original Austen books personally. The retelling work so so well and Dev pulls them off amazingly. I love listening to her discuss how she came to this series in interviews
What I love in this book
Overall I love the Rajes series more than the original Austen books personally. The retelling work so so well and Dev pulls them off amazingly. I love listening to her discuss how she came to this series in interviews
What I love in this book
- Intergenerational story rotating POV btw mother daughter and daughter’s love interest
- I related too much to Ashna wow. As much as I was frustrated with her sometimes, i completely understand where she was coming from
- I’m attracted to both love interests!
- Rico was a great man MC
- Ashnas character development, wow
- Women in pro sports
- Calling out martial assault and Islamophobia
- Chai mmmmm
- Women in solidarity
This is maybe my fave in the Rajes Series. Dev gives you so much more than you bargained for, a really true and deep character overhaul. Wow the healing in this book outbounds me and that’s why I’ve re read it. I’m a sucker for inter generational storytelling and this book does it so well. I loved Shoban !!
I was so satisfied by the end and will always cry when re reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Gun violence, Sexism, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Islamophobia
Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I love sonali dev- dream of meeting her one day!!
This is the worst book of the Rajes Series mostly because I just never liked Trisha (the MC) that much. I love that she’s a woman unapologetic for her talent skill and being outstanding in her field. She also fiercely loves her family.
I almost dipped out in the beginning because the of the discussion of Blindness and Disability was pretty generic. I’m glad I stayed and finished.
I thought the wickham character being a harmful white woman worked well!
I also love the Dadi character!
This is the worst book of the Rajes Series mostly because I just never liked Trisha (the MC) that much. I love that she’s a woman unapologetic for her talent skill and being outstanding in her field. She also fiercely loves her family.
I almost dipped out in the beginning because the of the discussion of Blindness and Disability was pretty generic. I’m glad I stayed and finished.
I thought the wickham character being a harmful white woman worked well!
I also love the Dadi character!
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
I have read the first two books in the Kiss Quotient Series and this book blows the first one out of the water!
It just got better and better all the way through. I loved the opening scene so much! The ending was so so good so satisfying. I loved the pairing, they were both so hot, I thought they were good for each other and had great sex and chemistry. It is rare to get to read a rom com with an immigrant MC especially a character who is just beginning their immigrant journey and I really appreciated that.
I liked Kiss Quotient well, though I hated the ending. Loved this one, totally a Helen Hoang fan now
It just got better and better all the way through. I loved the opening scene so much! The ending was so so good so satisfying. I loved the pairing, they were both so hot, I thought they were good for each other and had great sex and chemistry. It is rare to get to read a rom com with an immigrant MC especially a character who is just beginning their immigrant journey and I really appreciated that.
I liked Kiss Quotient well, though I hated the ending. Loved this one, totally a Helen Hoang fan now
From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home by Tembi Locke
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
4.5
I’ve read and re read this book after a personal loss.
I appreciate this book for many things, most was how much it helped me to learn to continue on after loss and hold my loved one in my heart when it hurts so much without them. I also learned a lot about international marriage, Italy, Black History in Texas, dying of a terminal illness, adoption, merging of families across cultural barriers.
I’m so grateful for a place to hold space for grief and loss. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
I appreciate this book for many things, most was how much it helped me to learn to continue on after loss and hold my loved one in my heart when it hurts so much without them. I also learned a lot about international marriage, Italy, Black History in Texas, dying of a terminal illness, adoption, merging of families across cultural barriers.
I’m so grateful for a place to hold space for grief and loss. I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.
Permission to Come Home: Reclaiming Mental Health as Asian Americans by Jenny T. Wang
5.0
Read this book!
I found it so easy to start reading and take away so much. I will be coming back to this over and over. I’m really grateful. I find it accessible and all the more impactful because of that
I found it so easy to start reading and take away so much. I will be coming back to this over and over. I’m really grateful. I find it accessible and all the more impactful because of that
Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I recommend the second book Chef’s choice. You don’t have to read this book to read that.
The love interest Rae in this book, I loved and they come back in the second book. Also the roommate Luna
The love interest Rae in this book, I loved and they come back in the second book. Also the roommate Luna
Triple Sec by TJ Alexander
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
That was a mix
- Great sex! THANK YOU TJ kinky fun. Hottest sapphic sex I’ve ever read, truly a big deal!
- The plot dragged a lot for me - I didn’t need a chapter and a half about getting firewood
- Every character was hot and I was attracted to every love interest with has only happened two or three times to me
- A fun fantasy with lots of real world emotions and issues but still fiction. Totally here for it
- I loved the best friend
- I don’t have a better word for it- MC is dumb which is fine in a fun fantasy. Not only dumb but a lot, if not all, of the conflict hinges on Mel making assumptions that could be so easily cleared up if she just checked and asked. Some of those assumptions I buy cuz her character but it got out of control.
Th biggest issue for this book for me is how much bartending is glorified and I never was invested in the competition (the MC spends the whole book preparing for a bartending competition). If this is your niche- famous cocktails and bitters and garnishes then go for it, if not then skip to the romance and sex! I loovvveeedddd the love interests both cool, hot, amazing fashion sense and kind people. Both were some of my fave love interests in all rom com books. Dont skip those parts!
My fave Alexander is chefs choice and this story doesn’t hold up to that though sex happens way sooner! By the time I was going to give up on the book, I was almost done. I’m a big fan of Alexander and hope they keep writing more!!
My fave Alexander is chefs choice and this story doesn’t hold up to that though sex happens way sooner! By the time I was going to give up on the book, I was almost done. I’m a big fan of Alexander and hope they keep writing more!!
The Sun Is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I totally recommend this book. It manages to be both a feel good book that is completely real and corny!
my favorite part of this book was how much I could relate to it, not only cuz it shows a real depiction of an interracial relationship but the complexity of love in all forms. I related so much to the family dynamics which is rare for me.
For writing- the craftwomanship really stands out. I love all the alternating POVs especially the third person omniscient. It was a good read all the way through- beginning middle and end.
my favorite part of this book was how much I could relate to it, not only cuz it shows a real depiction of an interracial relationship but the complexity of love in all forms. I related so much to the family dynamics which is rare for me.
For writing- the craftwomanship really stands out. I love all the alternating POVs especially the third person omniscient. It was a good read all the way through- beginning middle and end.
I recommend this book for
- die hard romantics
- science nerds especially physics and astronomy
- a good corny time
- Adam Silvera Fans
- fate vs free will and alternate universe theories
- accepting your roots, the good and the bad
- lovers of 90s grunge
- relating to the diaspora and immigrant experience
- taking time to discuss how different minorities are connected which is so rare
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts