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averyslibrary's reviews
227 reviews
Hopeless by Elsie Silver
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
super cute. Very low stakes, easy going. The only part I didn’t like was the whole “I don’t need therapy, love can overcome all” thing that was kinda going on lol
Reckless by Elsie Silver
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I love a secret baby trope. Winter & Theo are my favorites so far!! Devoured this in an afternoon.
Powerless by Elsie Silver
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
idk i just didn’t care about their story at all?? It was an effort to keep reading. It had some cute moments, but I would have done better with a novella. If I didn’t think I’d get a little bit more context for the next book by reading this one I probably would have dnf’ed. It doesn’t help that I’m not typically a fan of friends to lovers.
Heartless by Elsie Silver
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cute, but also it was almost impossible to get past the fact that the mmc has both my younger brother’s name and gruff exterior/super sweet interior personality. there were too many similarities lol
Flawless by Elsie Silver
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
that was cute, but also im writing this review only 5 days after finishing and i barely remember anything so it obviously didn’t stick at all lol. just wish that something would have actually happened to creepy doctor man, why did they all sort of brush that off??
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Ada & Weston are also MY sun & moon if you’d believe it. We need more shy FMC’s that seem standoffish but are actually just still warming up.
hate that I loved this, but I don’t know if I’ve ever loved anything more???
hate that I loved this, but I don’t know if I’ve ever loved anything more???
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
That whiskey scene changed my literal genetic make up. Apparently I like cowboys now?? Who knew.
Guy's Girl by Emma Noyes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm finding it hard to fully articulate how I feel about this book, but I devoured it in one sitting so hopefully that helps add credibility lol.
Although this is categorized as a new adult romance book, it feels like more than that. it's almost a coming of age love story about a couple of people in their early/mid twenties, just trying to figure out who they are and what they want. This book deals with themes of love, friendship, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, ptsd, and disordered eating.
This was a painful read because it wasn't one of those stories where the character has a little bit of disordered eating that is mentioned in passing. You have a front row seat on Ginny going through her journey from anorexia to bulimia.
I loved both Ginny and Adrian, they were both incredibly flawed but I loved them nonetheless. I don't think the romance is what made me enjoy this book so much, I honestly wouldn't have super cared if they ended up together in the end or not. I was just so engrossed in Ginny's journey though her eating disorder, and how much she spoke to ME as a character.
This is definitely a triggering read so this is your warning to check your triggers before reading. BUT! usually romance-type novels that have an eating disorder are pretty triggering for me, partially because the man "cures" her, or she's able to get over the urges extremely quick, or maybe its just not seen as that big of a deal? Emma Noyes fully laid out how sick Ginny was and emphasized over and over that this wouldn't be an easy switch. For whatever reason, that made it less triggering, maybe because it wasn't a quick fix for once? Either way, here's your warning.
If I was rating purely on romance or something like that, this wouldn't be 5 stars lol but I really really loved seeing a character that I (unfortunately lol) relate to on some level be told with no uncertainty that she needed help, and watching her finally accept that fact and work towards getting better for herself. idk, this is a book that's 5 stars based off of pure vibes lol
Although this is categorized as a new adult romance book, it feels like more than that. it's almost a coming of age love story about a couple of people in their early/mid twenties, just trying to figure out who they are and what they want. This book deals with themes of love, friendship, trauma, self-esteem, anxiety, ptsd, and disordered eating.
This was a painful read because it wasn't one of those stories where the character has a little bit of disordered eating that is mentioned in passing. You have a front row seat on Ginny going through her journey from anorexia to bulimia.
I loved both Ginny and Adrian, they were both incredibly flawed but I loved them nonetheless. I don't think the romance is what made me enjoy this book so much, I honestly wouldn't have super cared if they ended up together in the end or not. I was just so engrossed in Ginny's journey though her eating disorder, and how much she spoke to ME as a character.
This is definitely a triggering read so this is your warning to check your triggers before reading. BUT! usually romance-type novels that have an eating disorder are pretty triggering for me, partially because the man "cures" her, or she's able to get over the urges extremely quick, or maybe its just not seen as that big of a deal? Emma Noyes fully laid out how sick Ginny was and emphasized over and over that this wouldn't be an easy switch. For whatever reason, that made it less triggering, maybe because it wasn't a quick fix for once? Either way, here's your warning.
If I was rating purely on romance or something like that, this wouldn't be 5 stars lol but I really really loved seeing a character that I (unfortunately lol) relate to on some level be told with no uncertainty that she needed help, and watching her finally accept that fact and work towards getting better for herself. idk, this is a book that's 5 stars based off of pure vibes lol
Jaded by Ela Lee
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
***SPOILERS***
Ceyda, or Jade as she typically goes by, a talented up-and-coming young lawyer born to immigrant parents & in a relationship with her college sweetheart is employed at a prestigious London firm that prides itself on being pro-women/pro-diversity. She seems to have everything going for her until a night of heavy drinking at a work gala leaves her waking up naked with no memory of how she got home.
This is such a brilliant debut novel that explores themes of power, wealth, sexism, racism, misogyny, identity, and familial expectations. We follow Jade as she comes to terms with her experiences with assault, racism, and losing herself in the pursuit of becoming more 'palatable' for everyone in her life, constantly changing to fit the mold she feels they are making for her. Reading about Jade not only realize she is a victim of assault but also adjust to this new reality was devastating to say the least. I finished the book and had to sit in silence for about an hour while I attempted to sort through my feelings. This was not a linear path to healing, rather a realistic example. Her internal struggle of accepting not only what had been done to her but also other's responses to it was so hard.
It was also so difficult to watch her be subjected to all sorts of micro-aggressions due to her mixed heritage. She is straddling so many cultures, Korean, Turkish, British, but never was quite allowed to fit in anywhere. She was always noticed for her "otherness." I was so frustrated because there truly was no way for her to "win." Just ways for her to lose more.
Kit and his goddamn virtue signaling made me want to throw my e-reader across the room. To watch him was to watch a masterclass on gaslighting and how to be seen as the "perfect" partner without ever having to DO anything. Nothing was ever his fault, and I hated him so much more than I have ever hated another character. He was always the cool, calm, and collected man and she was the hysterical woman. He wielded his identity as a straight, white, cis man as a weapon, whether it was to be a crusader and help those with less privilege, or act like HE was the one being attacked because of it. So many of the men in this story were 'good' people, but weren't ever willing to actually put themselves on the line to help the women/poc in their spaces.
Jade was the only one who actively suffered in this story, she was the only one punished, and it made me so mad. My heart aches for her, this was such a beautifully written story. I read in an article somewhere that the author wanted this to feel inescapable and suffocating and lonely. and BOY did she deliver. I think this is the most anxiety inducing book I have ever read, but in a good way? I hate hate HATE how realistic it is that Jade really was the only one to come out of this with lasting negative effects. You're telling me she went thought this horrific experience and yet she's the only one who is getting punished? This is one of those stories that will stick with me for a LONG time.
I will admit that the first half I struggled to get into the story, but I think that's more of a reflection on the difficulty of the content rather than the writing or story as a whole. I was leaning towards 4 star for a majority of the book, but by the time I finished it was definitely a 5 star read.
highly recommend, but check your trigger warnings friends, this is a doozy.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
Ceyda, or Jade as she typically goes by, a talented up-and-coming young lawyer born to immigrant parents & in a relationship with her college sweetheart is employed at a prestigious London firm that prides itself on being pro-women/pro-diversity. She seems to have everything going for her until a night of heavy drinking at a work gala leaves her waking up naked with no memory of how she got home.
This is such a brilliant debut novel that explores themes of power, wealth, sexism, racism, misogyny, identity, and familial expectations. We follow Jade as she comes to terms with her experiences with assault, racism, and losing herself in the pursuit of becoming more 'palatable' for everyone in her life, constantly changing to fit the mold she feels they are making for her. Reading about Jade not only realize she is a victim of assault but also adjust to this new reality was devastating to say the least. I finished the book and had to sit in silence for about an hour while I attempted to sort through my feelings. This was not a linear path to healing, rather a realistic example. Her internal struggle of accepting not only what had been done to her but also other's responses to it was so hard.
It was also so difficult to watch her be subjected to all sorts of micro-aggressions due to her mixed heritage. She is straddling so many cultures, Korean, Turkish, British, but never was quite allowed to fit in anywhere. She was always noticed for her "otherness." I was so frustrated because there truly was no way for her to "win." Just ways for her to lose more.
Kit and his goddamn virtue signaling made me want to throw my e-reader across the room. To watch him was to watch a masterclass on gaslighting and how to be seen as the "perfect" partner without ever having to DO anything. Nothing was ever his fault, and I hated him so much more than I have ever hated another character. He was always the cool, calm, and collected man and she was the hysterical woman. He wielded his identity as a straight, white, cis man as a weapon, whether it was to be a crusader and help those with less privilege, or act like HE was the one being attacked because of it. So many of the men in this story were 'good' people, but weren't ever willing to actually put themselves on the line to help the women/poc in their spaces.
Jade was the only one who actively suffered in this story, she was the only one punished, and it made me so mad. My heart aches for her, this was such a beautifully written story. I read in an article somewhere that the author wanted this to feel inescapable and suffocating and lonely. and BOY did she deliver. I think this is the most anxiety inducing book I have ever read, but in a good way? I hate hate HATE how realistic it is that Jade really was the only one to come out of this with lasting negative effects. You're telling me she went thought this horrific experience and yet she's the only one who is getting punished? This is one of those stories that will stick with me for a LONG time.
I will admit that the first half I struggled to get into the story, but I think that's more of a reflection on the difficulty of the content rather than the writing or story as a whole. I was leaning towards 4 star for a majority of the book, but by the time I finished it was definitely a 5 star read.
highly recommend, but check your trigger warnings friends, this is a doozy.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free copy for review.
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
fake-dating grumpy/sunshine workplace romance but make it paranormal. it feels as if lana ferguson reached directly into my brain and shook it until the exact tropes i was looking for fell out and used those to write this book.
i love them. so much. they're both ridiculous, but its perfect. highly recommend, you will knot regret it.
i love them. so much. they're both ridiculous, but its perfect. highly recommend, you will knot regret it.