annibear_bookworm's reviews
18 reviews

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-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

5.0

Arc Review*

I was hoping for the opportunity to read Just My Luck by Rebecca Rennick. I have read her two other books in the Gummy Bear Orgy series & I am looking forward to what she has in store for the series going forward.

Just My Luck follows Emma, a self-proclaimed unlucky girl, on a trip to Ireland in search for the Luck of the Irish. After losing her job & an apartment that spontaneously flooded, her best friend Jules books a round trip to Ireland as a gift to lift Emma’s spirits.

During Emma’s quest for luck she meets Conor, a tall, dark, handsome & luck son-of-a-gun. They have an adorable meet cute which turns into another which turns into a coincidental other?

In a turn of events, Conor chauffeurs Emma around Ireland. Close quarters evolving into the perfect smutty romance “sexcation”, according to Jules.

Rebecca Rennick writes the best dual perspective romance books. I love seeing the view of each party. I love the quirkyness of her female characters & the dark & endearing male characters she creates. The smut is great & buildup is great. I have devoured her books in a few short days. She is an amazing author and I can’t wait to see what else she publishes in the future.

Content Warnings

Buckle Up: by Lawrence Lindell

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad tense fast-paced

5.0

I feel for little Lonnie, he is torn between two houses when he was used to routine & having both parents in the same home. This graphic novel shows how kids are impacted by the decisions of their parents.

Buckle Up is a character driven graphic novel, in the beginning we see Lonnie's sadness viewing a once together family in a portrait, we see he's ashamed of the school seeing he gets dropped off at school by one then get picked up after school by the other parent. He becomes a nervous, stand offish kid while coping with family issues.

I liked the dialogue between his family & the internal dialogue he keeps to himself before he speaks up about it.

Most of the dialogue happens in the car or through text. I saw most conversations between his sister Nicole or his Dad. Although Lonnie had scenes with his Mom I wish I saw more conversations with her as well. Maybe in another novel the audience can in their relationship more in depth, if this gets turned into a series or perhaps a different perspective in Lonnie's life.

I think this graphic novel is a great coming of age story to show all families are different & that's ok. I believe this novel can help kids cope if they are going through a similar situation. I would to read more from these characters if it becomes a series or a collection of Lonnie adventures.

The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.5

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I liked the characters: June, her brother Dylan, her best friend Sana & her crush Levi. Both Levi & June are going through a relationship issues. June's is worse than Levi's, while Levi's relationship with Kelly is hanging by a thread, he isn't going through public humiliation as new meme worthy "Crying Girl".

When Levi is discovered in Benson Beach, in Tea Tide, the shop June owns. Sana, June's bestie, who get strong Awkwafina vibes from, devises a plan to get back at their exs by publicly dating each other. The viral sensation brings business to Tea Tide, which keeps it afloat for the time being.

I liked the small town beach setting, the quirky shops & bars brought character to the story.

I liked the writing style, although I wished I could have read more of a dual perspective. I wanted to know about how Levi was feeling during the Revenge Ex situation. I wanted to know what he was going through with his relationship with Kelly & what he thinking in terms of his future. I loved that June & Levi were high school buddies, really good family friends & had hidden crushes on each other.
.
The book was a medium paced read but it kept my attention, what was going to happen with June & Levi, Tea Tide, Dylan & Mateo's wedding & Sana's future in journalism. I liked the characters & the overall atmosphere of the book.

I definitely want to read more from Emma Lord. I am glad I was able to read this book & to find a new author that I liked.

We Need to Do Something by Max Booth III

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced