bittersweetcritiques's reviews
331 reviews

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

• 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

4.25

A devastating story of grief and the nonlinear path to healing & reclaiming joy. Messy, very messy, but underneath the chaos, a love story of the purest kind where two souls cry out for each other. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, Car accident, and Abandonment

Strange Blood by Azalea Crowley

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective tense 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

Even better than the first! 

Strange Blood felt faster paced, picking up right after the events of the last book, but was just as satisfying as Odd Blood and I am loving Josephine's character development.  

The tender moments with Eadwulf gave me butterflies while the paranormal occurrences turned me into a bundle of nerves. This cozy horror just hits right with its perfect balance of emotions. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Violence, and Blood

End of Story by Kylie Scott

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-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

4.25

Thank you for the arc! 

When this book took an unexpected supernatural turn, I was puzzled and intrigued. I found myself completely won over by the chemistry between the main characters, the dry humor, & the friendship to lovers trope paired with their excellent communication skills. The open-ended conclusion to the supernatural aspect left me with plenty of theories, but was also satisfying. The universe worked its magic to bring two unlikely people together and we're left with a sweet and unusual romance, End of Story.

Mistlefoe: A Mead Realm Tale by Kimberly Lemming

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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? No

4.25

That Time I Got Drunk And Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

I love this series an infinite amount! It is silly, spicy, & a good time, just like Felix.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

fast-paced

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

5.0

Lady of Istok by Isabelle Olmo

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

Isabelle Olmo has created another masterpiece! If you enjoy rich world building, found family, slow burn, & enemies to lovers, plus insidious villains and daring plot twists, this is the book series for you.

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

adventurous emotional 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

4.5

Breathing Life Into Art by Ruthie Bowles

adventurous dark mysterious sad fast-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

4.25

The Karma Map by Nisha Sharma

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

5.0

The Karma Map is a perfect book to snuggle up with on a rainy day. A sweet and understated romance filled with the promise of beautiful moments to come and a need to keep those people who truly matter and make you believe close to your heart. 💖

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia