arbyreads's reviews
43 reviews

Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert

emotional funny 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

5.0

So so good. My library didn’t have GALCB on e-book so this is my first Talia Hibbert novel and I loved it!! Characters are so lovely and the set up is so good. Also love a romance novel that has a character who also loves romance novels. 

I though TH did a really good job showing how someone should react to a friend/ partner have an anxiety attack in public when DB sat w ZA. It was thoughtful yet casual and I really appreciated it since I haven’t seen something that felt that authentic and real and right in a book before

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Death of parent and Grief

Minor: Fatphobia and Toxic relationship

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 39%.

I so badly want to finish this book but all two braincells that I have left after grad class and work don’t let me. Will return to over winter break

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer and Sexual harassment

Minor: Medical content and Panic attacks/disorders

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang

dark emotional funny inspiring 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

4.75

I loved this book. The characters are so phenomenal and the love between them is so so good

Just a heads up: I heard about this book thru Tik Tok, and in none of the reviews I saw did they mention that emergency hospital visits and long term caretaking were in this book so def check the content warnings if that is something that you are not looking to read about rn

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical trauma and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Cancer, Excrement, and Gaslighting

Neon Gods by Katee Robert

dark funny fast-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

If you are looking for a retelling or plot focused book I would suggest u respectfully skip it but if u are looking for a quick read that will make u think “I rmemeber that from my humanities class what a fun and flirty twist” then this is the one for you. 

I really enjoyed Katee’s commitment to intentionally writing clear consent. Loved this version of Hades. Check TW before you read. Looking forward to the next one! 

Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

Lost interest but will prob revisit during next season of Netflix show. 

Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi

adventurous dark mysterious slow-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I want to go back and reread this before doing a full review. At some points reminded me of KOTS from earlier This year

The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen

adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Please check the content warnings prior to reading this book (I wish Book Tok/ cover flaps had done more to warn about the content of the first twenty pages)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief

Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

Chronicle of a Death Foretold by Gabriel García Márquez

adventurous dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0