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ashlightgrayson's reviews
747 reviews
Love Not Found, Vol. 2 by Gina Biggs
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
This series makes me so happy. Abeille and Miel still spend some time experimenting with each other in this volume, but their relationship progresses, and they officially become an item. We also see how Clove and Ivy are seeing each other more often. Both of them are becoming more open to cuddling and other forms of touch, in part due to Abeille's influence.
In this volume we are finally shown how Poppy's sister, Evette, died. Poppy, Abeille's old room, becomes prominent within the story. I have mixed feelings about her. I dislike her for being manipulative and lashing out at Abeille. Poppy is very critical of the way Abeille both chooses to live her life and to grieve her sister. It's not behavior that is conducive to a friendship. Besides that, it feels like she may have some residual romantic feelings for Poppy. This wasn't fully explored in this volume, but I feel it will probably be explored more later on. I appreciated that Poppy eventually owns up to her behavior and makes amends.
Meanwhile, we get a lot of wholesome romantic development for Clove. Ivy also is starting to spend more time with Aster. We also learn a bit more of her family together with some interesting family drama. Everyone gets some time to shine, and I was always interested in seeing what was going on with each character. Whilst volume 1 felt like an introduction to a lot of the characters, volume 2 feels like an exploration of every character. It was a great time and I'm looking forward to more in volume 3.
In this volume we are finally shown how Poppy's sister, Evette, died. Poppy, Abeille's old room, becomes prominent within the story. I have mixed feelings about her. I dislike her for being manipulative and lashing out at Abeille. Poppy is very critical of the way Abeille both chooses to live her life and to grieve her sister. It's not behavior that is conducive to a friendship. Besides that, it feels like she may have some residual romantic feelings for Poppy. This wasn't fully explored in this volume, but I feel it will probably be explored more later on. I appreciated that Poppy eventually owns up to her behavior and makes amends.
Meanwhile, we get a lot of wholesome romantic development for Clove. Ivy also is starting to spend more time with Aster. We also learn a bit more of her family together with some interesting family drama. Everyone gets some time to shine, and I was always interested in seeing what was going on with each character. Whilst volume 1 felt like an introduction to a lot of the characters, volume 2 feels like an exploration of every character. It was a great time and I'm looking forward to more in volume 3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
The Eyes That Searched Their Souls by CW McGregory
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Full disclosure of any bias before you read this review: I am an acquantaince of the author. The copy I read was one that I bought of my own volition with my own money. Now for the review:
I am usually not into thrillers but the premise and cover of the book was so intriguing that I could not resist giving it a try. This is a debut novel and is a very good start considering that it is self published. Gabriel is an unlikeable but charming main character. He is immediately established as a cheating womanizer that also befriends people that condone this behavior. His unlikeable traits feel purposeful and give space for him to grow as the narrative develops. The writing can feel a bit stiff at times and I think the book would have benefited from a bit further editing. However, this does not take away from how interesting the story is.
Gabriel's father lives in Jamaica and at least half of the story takes place there. Gabriel's cheating eventually leads to him being cursed by voodo magic. The people closest to Gabriel begin to be affected by this curse. The story afer the first few pages kept me on my toes the whole time. I wanted to keep reading without stopping. It is not a long book at all, but it packs a punch with how much happens in it. I know that there are plans for a sequel and I'm looking forward to it. Thrillers are usually not my thing, but I can get on board with more of this.
I am usually not into thrillers but the premise and cover of the book was so intriguing that I could not resist giving it a try. This is a debut novel and is a very good start considering that it is self published. Gabriel is an unlikeable but charming main character. He is immediately established as a cheating womanizer that also befriends people that condone this behavior. His unlikeable traits feel purposeful and give space for him to grow as the narrative develops. The writing can feel a bit stiff at times and I think the book would have benefited from a bit further editing. However, this does not take away from how interesting the story is.
Gabriel's father lives in Jamaica and at least half of the story takes place there. Gabriel's cheating eventually leads to him being cursed by voodo magic. The people closest to Gabriel begin to be affected by this curse. The story afer the first few pages kept me on my toes the whole time. I wanted to keep reading without stopping. It is not a long book at all, but it packs a punch with how much happens in it. I know that there are plans for a sequel and I'm looking forward to it. Thrillers are usually not my thing, but I can get on board with more of this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma, and Pregnancy
One Piece, Vol. 1: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
I have had multiple friends try to convince me for years to try and read One Piece, and I finally caved. Luffy is a typical cinnamon roll main character. I think the world is very interesting with both pirates and magic. Luffy accidentally eats a devil fruit at the beginning of the story which gives him the power to stretch his limbs like Mr. Fantastic (the side effect being that he is unable to swim now). Luffy has a very welcoming found family of sorts and dreams of being a pirate. The adults around him are very protective despite some of them having less than savory ways of making a living. This made for a very nice introduction to a lot of the characters as well as Luffy and the world. I'm looking forward to continuing this journey forward. Nothing like a future pirate that can't swim to get you interested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Berries and Greed by Lily Mayne
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Wholesome kinky monster romance is the best way I can describe this story. The main character, Beryl, grows up in a cult that worships monsters (called demiurgus) that they aspire to be able to have sex with. A very strange premise for a romance novel to start. Beryl is our main character who wants to leave the cult to go live in the real world. Eventually she gets her wish when an innocent demiurgus named Greid stumbles upon the cult and strikes a deal with her to leave the cult. He needs a new roommate and she needs a way out, so it works out in both of their favors.
Greid and Beryl are both awkwardly cute and become very good friends that spend a lot of time together. It's a friends to lovers story that introduces the interesting world of demiurgus. Beryl ends up getting a job at a local bar and starts trying to make friends. I really liked that the story explored how strange it is to leave a religious cult and have to adapt back into society. Greid is a misfit as well in other ways. The demiurgus are known for being assertive and specifically sexually dominant and assertive in bed. Greid on the other hand, is a very shy, sexually submissive, and nerdy guy. What is cool is that Beryl and Greid like each other for who they are. Greid's family is also super cool once they get introduced. It's no surprise that Greid is such a sweetheart.
The story is very slice of life and the sexual scenes are very kinky and explicit. Beryl has vaginismus and I think this is the first time I've ever read a story that includes a character with the condition. I loved that it didn't make Beryl and Greid's sex life any less exciting and joyful. There is no penis in vagina intercourse in the entirety of the story but it was still great smut. I hope to find more books with a variety of positive sexual experiences such as this one. It was written in a loving and non-judgmental way that is inclusive. We really need more books like this.
As an aside, I would only recommend reading this if you are aware that there is explicit sexual content. It is very cozy outside of that though and will cheer you up if you're looking for a wholesome and fun monster romance with lots of spice.
Greid and Beryl are both awkwardly cute and become very good friends that spend a lot of time together. It's a friends to lovers story that introduces the interesting world of demiurgus. Beryl ends up getting a job at a local bar and starts trying to make friends. I really liked that the story explored how strange it is to leave a religious cult and have to adapt back into society. Greid is a misfit as well in other ways. The demiurgus are known for being assertive and specifically sexually dominant and assertive in bed. Greid on the other hand, is a very shy, sexually submissive, and nerdy guy. What is cool is that Beryl and Greid like each other for who they are. Greid's family is also super cool once they get introduced. It's no surprise that Greid is such a sweetheart.
The story is very slice of life and the sexual scenes are very kinky and explicit. Beryl has vaginismus and I think this is the first time I've ever read a story that includes a character with the condition. I loved that it didn't make Beryl and Greid's sex life any less exciting and joyful. There is no penis in vagina intercourse in the entirety of the story but it was still great smut. I hope to find more books with a variety of positive sexual experiences such as this one. It was written in a loving and non-judgmental way that is inclusive. We really need more books like this.
As an aside, I would only recommend reading this if you are aware that there is explicit sexual content. It is very cozy outside of that though and will cheer you up if you're looking for a wholesome and fun monster romance with lots of spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Dream in Color by Rachel Trieu
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.0
This was an uplifiting and hopeful poetry collection. The poet has sadly passed after losing her battle with cancer. The way the poems are written speaks to the newfound relationship the writer seemed to have with mortality. Each poem gives perspective to different romantic relationships with various endings and beginnings. Some also speculate on the idea of maybe never finding the one, and still having a wonderful life to live. I could relate to that perspective a lot as I think society tends to put romantic relationsihps on a pedestal. When time may be limited (such as knowing you have a potentially terminal illness) I think it inclindes people to cling more strongly to the relationships we already have. That may or may not involved a romantic partner. I grieved that we no longer have the honor of having Rachel Trieu with us to write more wonderfully inspiring poems like this. I hope her family continues to find peace in her published work in the way I have by reading it for the first time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
5.0
This was an informative audiobook jam packed with important historical information that is meticulously cited. There was so much work and effort that Michelle Alexander put into this and you can feel it both through her narration of the book and th work itself. Alexander walks through all the various ways in which the prison industrial complex is just one of many remnants of slavery that continue to affect us today.
The language used in the book is reasonably simple and straighforward, but this is still a very dense reading experience. The author intermittently resummarizes and draws connections from one chapter to another. For example, at some point there is deep dive into the War on Drugs and Reagan administration that is then linked to overpolicing of black/brown communities as well as the current disproportionate mass incarceration of black individuals. Alexander expands upon the reasons why racism is baked into our justice system. It really seems that the only way to fix it is to build it from the ground up. This book is an educational experience that makes you strongly consider the current state of affairs as they are. It merits a reread just because there is so much information to unpack here. I do strongly recommend this for anyone that is interested in the history of racial bias within our justice system and the after effects today. Even if this is a topic you are already familiar with, this still stands as an excellent resource.
The language used in the book is reasonably simple and straighforward, but this is still a very dense reading experience. The author intermittently resummarizes and draws connections from one chapter to another. For example, at some point there is deep dive into the War on Drugs and Reagan administration that is then linked to overpolicing of black/brown communities as well as the current disproportionate mass incarceration of black individuals. Alexander expands upon the reasons why racism is baked into our justice system. It really seems that the only way to fix it is to build it from the ground up. This book is an educational experience that makes you strongly consider the current state of affairs as they are. It merits a reread just because there is so much information to unpack here. I do strongly recommend this for anyone that is interested in the history of racial bias within our justice system and the after effects today. Even if this is a topic you are already familiar with, this still stands as an excellent resource.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
Mass incarceration, prison
Love Not Found, Vol. 1 by Gina Biggs
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Such a cool interesting sci-fi romance. I originally supported the creator on Kickstarter and purchased the digital copies volumes 1-3. This year I had the pleasure of being surprised by the presence of the creator at a con and purchased all three physical volumes. The story is set in a technologically advanced future where there are people that live on various different planets. It is both a fascinating and a horrifying utopia. I'll get to why in a moment. There are a lot of technological advances that make many things more efficient, including sex. The romantic relationships in this world are like arranged marriages based on compatibility. Marriages lack physical and emotional intimacy stripping them down to a roommates/friends with benefits relationship. It was very strange to realize that people engage in sexual activity with a machine that is specialized to their physical needs/wants. It's literally two people watching each other get their physical needs met by technology with no physical contact between the two human parties. It's not really much different from voyeuristic masturbation. I think the reason it disturbs me is because you would think the point of sex is to have the ability to connect with another person via physical touch, and not just sexual necessarily.
Our main character, Abeille, is an immigrant from another planet that has a lot of curiousity about physical touch. Part of this is also probably informed by how much of an outsider she feels like on this new planet. She has an entry level job that makes her feel quite inadequate and ignored. She also is still learning how to make more friends while learning about the planetary culture. Despite all this, she is very optimistic, kind, and charmingly awkward.
Abeille quickly befriends, Miel, a local, early on in the story. Miel is incredibly friendly and likeable and helps Miel her on endeavor to experience physical intimacy. He volunteers to be her emotional backup on a few dates. This, in a very entertaining and funny turn of events, ends terribly, but not for the reasons one might think at first. There's no social judgement in this world when it comes to engaging in sexual activity as long as it does not actually involve touching another person (this includes kissing/cuddling romantically). It made me think that this must be the norm in this society for quite a while. It sounds like they have boiled down relationships to a science to the point that everyone is emotionally detached and isolated without realizing it.
Miel and Abeille have a lot of chemistry from the moment they meet. The romantic interest between the two is very clear. They are both shy, though, and physical touch is new for both of them as a concept. There are multiple side characters that also have their own secondary storylines besides them that are incredibly engaging and interesting. Aster and Clove are two characters that have some of my favorite character designs. They are also queer characters that serve to expose that this world as openly accepting of all sexualities and gender identities. The world is also racially diverse, which is highly appreciated because there is a lot of sci-fi out there that does not.
The first volume ends on a cliffhanger as Miel and Abeille share their first physical touches. I'm looking forward to them exploring their already very cute relationship. I also want to see how all of the other characters explore their own journeys with romance. There are already some of them that undergo major changes in their relationships. I was very happy that the writer took the time to make each and every characer important and distinct. I have a fondness for all of them and just want to continue to learn more about them.
Our main character, Abeille, is an immigrant from another planet that has a lot of curiousity about physical touch. Part of this is also probably informed by how much of an outsider she feels like on this new planet. She has an entry level job that makes her feel quite inadequate and ignored. She also is still learning how to make more friends while learning about the planetary culture. Despite all this, she is very optimistic, kind, and charmingly awkward.
Abeille quickly befriends, Miel, a local, early on in the story. Miel is incredibly friendly and likeable and helps Miel her on endeavor to experience physical intimacy. He volunteers to be her emotional backup on a few dates. This, in a very entertaining and funny turn of events, ends terribly, but not for the reasons one might think at first. There's no social judgement in this world when it comes to engaging in sexual activity as long as it does not actually involve touching another person (this includes kissing/cuddling romantically). It made me think that this must be the norm in this society for quite a while. It sounds like they have boiled down relationships to a science to the point that everyone is emotionally detached and isolated without realizing it.
Miel and Abeille have a lot of chemistry from the moment they meet. The romantic interest between the two is very clear. They are both shy, though, and physical touch is new for both of them as a concept. There are multiple side characters that also have their own secondary storylines besides them that are incredibly engaging and interesting. Aster and Clove are two characters that have some of my favorite character designs. They are also queer characters that serve to expose that this world as openly accepting of all sexualities and gender identities. The world is also racially diverse, which is highly appreciated because there is a lot of sci-fi out there that does not.
The first volume ends on a cliffhanger as Miel and Abeille share their first physical touches. I'm looking forward to them exploring their already very cute relationship. I also want to see how all of the other characters explore their own journeys with romance. There are already some of them that undergo major changes in their relationships. I was very happy that the writer took the time to make each and every characer important and distinct. I have a fondness for all of them and just want to continue to learn more about them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
The Physics of Star Trek by Lawrence M. Krauss
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
I have a friend who introduced me to Star Trek years ago and I've been a huge Trekkie since. I've watched the entire Original Series as well as the accompanying films (both classic and modern 2009 adaptation). I've watched multiple iterations since including the beginning of The Next Generation, Lower Decks, and most of Star Trek Discovery and its accompanying shorts. This book was written with Trekkies in mind, going into the theoretical physics of the show including beaming and space travel in the star ships. Everything is written in layman's terms, so it is quite easy to get through. It gives enjoyable insight into what technology is Start Trek is theoretically viable, and what is simply impossible science fiction that is treading closer to being more fantasy than reality. You can read this even if you're not a Trekkie, but it's likely that a lot of the references will be lost on you and I don't think you will have the full experience. It was a very fun geeky non-fiction read for any Trekkie sci-fi nerds that I do recommend if you love Star Trek.
Fight Right: How Successful Couples Turn Conflict into Connection by John Gottman, Julie Schwartz Gottman
informative
reflective
5.0
The target audience for this book is individuals in romantic relationships that wish to improve their communication. However, I think it serves to give advice about healthy communication in general. The Gottman's pull examples from their own marriage as well as general examples from their clients to exemplify what unhealthy aspects of conflict between a couple look like. It makes a lot of the content presented relatable and easy to digest.
I appreciate that the Gottman's break down the spectrum of what conflict can look like. From there, they elaborate on how mistakes can be made during conflict. It's really an exercise in understanding how to argue before you are smack in the middle of it. The Gottman's introduce the concept of repair, which I think is super helpful. I feel like a lot of self-help books focus on prevention, but don't necessarily provide tools for when mistakes are made and how to fix them. The concept of repair is essentially finding ways to emotionally connect again with a partner after saying something that may be hurtful or tactless during an argument. It involves the recognition of the mistake and other times just an acknowledgement of the other person's feelings.
There are parts of the books that also explore forms of neglect and emotional immaturity during conflict. This includes giving the silent treatment or avoiding difficult conversations with a partner to avoid conflict. Really all this does often times is wedge couples farther apart from each other. There is also decades of research that the Gottman's have done to back up their advice and claims. They have done some of the longest studies, lasting years, pertaining to predictors of divorce in married couples.
They have a website dedicated to their craft that is quite interesting:
https://www.gottman.com/about/research/
I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this, and I think the advice given can be implemented in both romantic and platonic relationships. I listened to the audiobook copy and I do recommend it as well as it is quite good.
I appreciate that the Gottman's break down the spectrum of what conflict can look like. From there, they elaborate on how mistakes can be made during conflict. It's really an exercise in understanding how to argue before you are smack in the middle of it. The Gottman's introduce the concept of repair, which I think is super helpful. I feel like a lot of self-help books focus on prevention, but don't necessarily provide tools for when mistakes are made and how to fix them. The concept of repair is essentially finding ways to emotionally connect again with a partner after saying something that may be hurtful or tactless during an argument. It involves the recognition of the mistake and other times just an acknowledgement of the other person's feelings.
There are parts of the books that also explore forms of neglect and emotional immaturity during conflict. This includes giving the silent treatment or avoiding difficult conversations with a partner to avoid conflict. Really all this does often times is wedge couples farther apart from each other. There is also decades of research that the Gottman's have done to back up their advice and claims. They have done some of the longest studies, lasting years, pertaining to predictors of divorce in married couples.
They have a website dedicated to their craft that is quite interesting:
https://www.gottman.com/about/research/
I'm glad I had the opportunity to read this, and I think the advice given can be implemented in both romantic and platonic relationships. I listened to the audiobook copy and I do recommend it as well as it is quite good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship
The Vagina Bible: The Vulva and the Vagina-Separating the Myth from the Medicine by Jen Gunter
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Everyone needs a copy of this book on their shelves, regardless of gender. It is a narrative encyclopedia of anything and everything you need to know about women's health and vaginas. if you are someone who does not identify as a woman this is still something that may serve you as a way of gaining insight into the struggle that is women's health. I listened to it in audiobook format and I still feel like I need to own a physical copy. The audiobook narration by the author is phenomenal and engaging, but there is just so much interesting information that it merits a physical read.
This book prompts a discussion about how women's pain is often dismissed. Scientific studies until very recently omitted women all together (which is mentioned in the text). Harmful marketing towards women is also addressed. The book elaborates heavily on how there are extensive societal expectations of odor and appearance of female genitalia. There are entire chapters dedicated to other topics such as birthing children, safe sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, and the list goes on. It's quite refreshing as these topics are usually not approached openly and in layman's terms. I think any individual with female genitalia will relate and feel seen while reading this. Definitely one of the best books of the year for me and one I can universally recommend.
This book prompts a discussion about how women's pain is often dismissed. Scientific studies until very recently omitted women all together (which is mentioned in the text). Harmful marketing towards women is also addressed. The book elaborates heavily on how there are extensive societal expectations of odor and appearance of female genitalia. There are entire chapters dedicated to other topics such as birthing children, safe sexual activity, sexually transmitted infections, and the list goes on. It's quite refreshing as these topics are usually not approached openly and in layman's terms. I think any individual with female genitalia will relate and feel seen while reading this. Definitely one of the best books of the year for me and one I can universally recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Miscarriage
Birth, sexual education, detailed descriptions of genital anatomy (in an educational context)