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bahyreads's reviews
56 reviews
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This book is an absolute delight to read. Cat Sebastian is one of the only authors that I have enjoyed their historical romances consistently. Both the main characters are loveable and their separate points of view were equally as well done.
I loved the use of the grumpy and sunshine trope especially because Marian was the cynical grump. I don't often get the grumpy character in an m/f romance as the woman. The relationship was developed in a fun way. I loved that the characters both started falling right off the bat. The letters at the start added to the story and jumped you into it without too much exposition.
I haven't had the chance to read the first book in the series but I still didn't feel like I was missing context. The sexual content was great, especially in its exploration of consent. Overall the book was a breath of fresh air that I absolutely recommend.
Marian is a woman trapped in a bad marriage who shoots her husband and Rob is the man that was blackmailing her. The beginning of the book starts with the letters between Marianne and Rob and they are absolutely fantastic. The letters jump you into the story. They get through the exposition while also remaining interesting and fun to read and giving a very good understanding of the two main characters and their future relationship.
Cat Sebastian is undeniably my queen of historical romance.
I loved the use of the grumpy and sunshine trope especially because Marian was the cynical grump. I don't often get the grumpy character in an m/f romance as the woman. The relationship was developed in a fun way. I loved that the characters both started falling right off the bat. The letters at the start added to the story and jumped you into it without too much exposition.
I haven't had the chance to read the first book in the series but I still didn't feel like I was missing context. The sexual content was great, especially in its exploration of consent. Overall the book was a breath of fresh air that I absolutely recommend.
Marian is a woman trapped in a bad marriage who shoots her husband and Rob is the man that was blackmailing her. The beginning of the book starts with the letters between Marianne and Rob and they are absolutely fantastic. The letters jump you into the story. They get through the exposition while also remaining interesting and fun to read and giving a very good understanding of the two main characters and their future relationship.
Cat Sebastian is undeniably my queen of historical romance.
In The Trap by Jessica Cranberry
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was definitely a fun read. I liked both Hazel and Maeve, Their characters were not perfect and I love that. Flawed characters are my absolute favorite thing to read about. The characters were easy to relate to, I am also a major introvert and love reading from that perspective especially when it is not used to not like other girls the character. The setting being in the early 2000s was a great choice as well.
I did find the progression of the plot a bit slow but I didn't stall out on reading simply because I enjoyed the main characters. I also think that the book could be better classified as YA instead of New Adult.
I did find the progression of the plot a bit slow but I didn't stall out on reading simply because I enjoyed the main characters. I also think that the book could be better classified as YA instead of New Adult.
Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Self harm, Racism, Police brutality, Outing, Murder, Homophobia, Gun violence, Gore, Drug abuse, Cursing, Vomit, Torture, Blood, Cannibalism, Suicide, Sexual violence, Body horror, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Drug use
Witch 13 by Patrick R. Delaney
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
The book had an interesting concept that I did really enjoy but I struggled with some of the Lore. The main character sterling was an interesting perspective to read from. But I found myself not liking her about halfway through.
At the end of the day I don’t really think this was a book meant for me. I found myself waiting for it to be over about a third of the way in. I know this is something that other people will enjoy if they like a slower build but I enjoy something a little faster than the plot of this novel. It did have beautiful illustrations that really added to the text and were very atmospheric.
At the end of the day I don’t really think this was a book meant for me. I found myself waiting for it to be over about a third of the way in. I know this is something that other people will enjoy if they like a slower build but I enjoy something a little faster than the plot of this novel. It did have beautiful illustrations that really added to the text and were very atmospheric.
Book of Night by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Girl Friends: The Complete Collection 1 by Milk Morinaga
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was an absolute delight to read. If I wasn't well versed in ridiculous reality tv I might think that the show in the book would be too out there but I could see Netflix getting ideas if they read the book. Maya and Skye were both sympathetic and fun. The book had lots of funny moments that stuck with me. I don't always love the use of miscommunication in books but it was well-done and not overly frustrating. Jordy was a fairly realistic portrayal of a manipulative man who thinks he's entitled to anything he wants while also having a victim complex a mile wide.
My only issue with the book is it felt like the characters should have been older and the story should have been adjusted for New Adult. The concept was great and executed fairly well but the idea that a 20-year-old man would have this many exes invested enough to want to compete on a reality show is just not plausible. When I was reminded of the ages it took me out of the story.
My only issue with the book is it felt like the characters should have been older and the story should have been adjusted for New Adult. The concept was great and executed fairly well but the idea that a 20-year-old man would have this many exes invested enough to want to compete on a reality show is just not plausible. When I was reminded of the ages it took me out of the story.
Whenever Our Eyes Meet...: A Women's Love Anthology by kanarashi, Haru Harukawa, Satsumaage, Mikan Uji, Saya Fuyume, Tamotsu Kuwabara, Yukiko Yuki, ASCII Media Works, Mizuasou, Seta Seta, Suzuki-senpai, Kurukuru-hime, Tamamushi Oku, esuesu, Leighann Harvey, irua
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.25
Mistakes were made was a nearly perfect read for me. The characters, even beyond Erin and Cassie, were consistently written and easy to love. The writing itself was great, the use of dual pov gives insight to both characters in regards to how they are feeling in the moment, their background, and the progression of their feelings. The spice scenes were also incredible and avoided the pitfalls that scenes of that nature can fall into. This book genuinely made me laugh aloud. The premise was fantastic and I really enjoyed both the story and the characters. The taboo aspect of the story, being the age difference, was written in a way that wasn't uncomfortable. An issue I often have with a large age difference is the emphasis on the power imbalance. Mistakes were made does not have this problem. Erin does not wield her age or perceived maturity against Cassie at any point and is not overwhelming dominant in sexual situations. The evenness of the power dynamic despite the age difference made this far more enjoyable than other books that use the trope. Now for the criticism. The pacing for the first and second half was a little mismatched, with the first half moving far faster than the second half. I did not particularly mind this but it could throw off some readers. There were a couple of lines in the book regarding race that made me pause. The review I saw from Amivi on TikTok and Goodreads talked about the specific lines and the chapters they occurred in. I have seen the response from the author on TikTok regarding fixing this but I felt the need to at least mention this and not brush over the lines. Overall this was a fantastic read and I can not wait to get a physical copy in October
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The story is almost as gorgeous as the cover. It did make me ache knowing that I’ll never know a bond like that with my siblings even if the relationships in this book were dark and twisted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, Suicide, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment