berrybiaful's reviews
69 reviews

Cold Clay by Juneau Black

Go to review page

adventurous emotional mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 5 stars

Cosy murder mystery is definitely the genre for me!!

Loved every second and the plot was so intricate and well though out. I really cannot fault it

Also the way it incorporated clues/events from previous books? Continuity is key x

Excited to get to the next book!! 
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

5 STARS IDC!!!

I LOVED THIS SO MUCH

Fat desi FMC? I feel 100% seen and represented!! Bobbi Kaur you get all my love and kisses x

Bunty is so fucking fine!! Love me a chef. The chemistry was real between these two and everything, the characters, plot and romance was just perfect.

I laughed, cried and swooned...all the emotions man

I literally could not put this down!!

Looking forward to the next book!!!
Crossed by Death by ACF Bookens

Go to review page

emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

3.5 stars

Okay, I did like this book in the end tbh. It started slow and picked up about half way through. And even though it's a short read, I feel like it felt slow-paced for its length.

Plot-wise, I personally didn't pick up on the twist earlier but I feel like the build up wasn't the best. The overall premise was good, though. 

Do i want to the continue the series? Yeah, but I'll have to see if the next book is worth it...
Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Deserted Island Diary Vol. 5 by Kokonasu Rumba

Go to review page

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

4 stars

these mangas are so fun and light-hearted and give me a good giggle when i need it x
Shady Hollow by Juneau Black

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Rtc
The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling

Go to review page

adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5 stars

Okay so I did enjoy the plot of this book without the romance. And the romance was okay but idk the chemistry was missing. I feel like a lot of the lore could have been expanded, but of course it's a romance book first.

And like...why did MMC's dad get mentioned so much just to have a brief encounter in the main events of the book? Unless he's more in the sequel?? Idk the emphasis on eluded to him being more central to the plot

I would have given it a solid 4-stars if it was a fantasy book ngl 
Ithaca by Claire North

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 stars

First of all, fuck Odysseus in every piece of literature lmfao!!! Your wife always waits for your return and you're always fucking something!!! Touch grass!!

I loved that we have Hera as the narrator and how she points out the misogyny throughout the book. She's a real girl's girl...well as much as one as a goddess will get lol. Athena you fucking pick me

The way this tale was portrayed was outstanding, and I loved how Penelope's character was written. You could really feel transported into the story, and while reading about war bores me most of the time, I was still entertained throughout.

I can't wait to read the next book 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
What Start Bad A Mornin' by Carol Mitchell

Go to review page

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

<i>Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.</i>

4 stars!

This was definitely an emotional rollercoaster!

What Start Bad a Mornin' is a story of trauma and how it can affect your whole life. I was so deeply connected with Amaya and had her back throughout the story. I loved how vivid the descriptions were and how easily I was drawn into Amaya's past.

I learned a lot from this book too, such as the vast diversity of the population in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago! It was refreshing to see how accents and dialects were incorporated into the dialogue. 

I just wish it was longer. The shortness of the book meant that the book felt a little rushed, especially the ending. I feel as if we as readers really didn't get any closure, and did Amaya? I would have loved to see at least an epilogue of sorts?

Overall, it was a great read that I could really lose myself in.

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
The Children of Jocasta by Natalie Haynes

Go to review page

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4 stars

I feel as if sometimes, Haynes can stray away from the myth she is reimagining until it feels like a new take completely. But really, in instances like these, I feel it is necessary. She has a real knack for bringing forth side-lined characters (mainly female) to really add more depth to the story.

This story did seem to have a slow pacing, but I think it's because of the dual POV, both of which are set in the past and present. But I enjoyed this narration style and it tied together quite nicely at the end. As always, Haynes explores the forgotten female characters, telling the tale from Jocasta's and her daughter's, Ismene's POV which lends a new perspective.

There was a definite sense of suspense, and I wasn't disappointed by the version of events Haynes chose to write into this novel. I just wish there had been more of the relationship between Jocasta and her children...

I think the audiobook performance was excellent and really helped me remain immersed in this book, but also I'm a sucker from Greek mythology lol

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

3.5 stars

I'm unsure how to word my thoughts on this book.

First off, I did enjoy the found family aspect of this book. While the romance was touching in a way, I think the characters introduced in the latter half of the book were more profound and interesting. 

I really did enjoy the plot, but would find myself bored at times. But that's because I don't care for 1960s America, lol. That being said, the whole TV show thing was quite a nice touch.

Now, I have a lot to say about the feminism in this book and how it will resonate so much with white feminists, but I'm not in the mood for that conversation.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read but I guess I wanted more (or less)?? 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings