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bjaysbooks's reviews
418 reviews
The Neighbor Favor by Kristina Forest
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5/5 starsssss OMG
Edit: Can i also just say this is my first 5/5 since 2023? INSANE
When i tell yall....I absolutely LOVED this. I legit just finished this about 30 seconds ago, and my giggling hasnt stopped. This book was everything I needed and more forreal. I cant even sum up how much i loved this im like struggling to even come up with what to say.
Lily and Nick were so cute together my cheeks hurt fr. Like i cant evennnnnnnn omggggg. I saw myself so much in Lilly, and knowing they were in their late twenties gave me a lot of hope as a 23 year old lol. This entire book i was just giggling, throwing up, kicking my feet, more giggling, gushing (clean version pls not too much on me) and just overall LOVING this read. It took me a second to get through cause i really never wanted it to end forreal. Wow.
I dont even feel the need to make this review long because i mean....i cant even get through this review without smiling pls someone come GET me. Kristina chewed this upppp.
The only slighttttt thing about this book for me is that this was in third person POV. In my opinion third person is never written correctly– and is almost always confusing but Kristina ATE. Not once was i confused or lost or didnt know what the characters were thinking or feeling. Wow. 10s across the board.
If you are looking for a heartwarming, fluffy, giggle swoon worthy book? This is it. This is it 100%. First 5 star read of the yearrrrrrr ahhhhhhh! <3
Edit: Can i also just say this is my first 5/5 since 2023? INSANE
When i tell yall....I absolutely LOVED this. I legit just finished this about 30 seconds ago, and my giggling hasnt stopped. This book was everything I needed and more forreal. I cant even sum up how much i loved this im like struggling to even come up with what to say.
Lily and Nick were so cute together my cheeks hurt fr. Like i cant evennnnnnnn omggggg. I saw myself so much in Lilly, and knowing they were in their late twenties gave me a lot of hope as a 23 year old lol. This entire book i was just giggling, throwing up, kicking my feet, more giggling, gushing (clean version pls not too much on me) and just overall LOVING this read. It took me a second to get through cause i really never wanted it to end forreal. Wow.
I dont even feel the need to make this review long because i mean....i cant even get through this review without smiling pls someone come GET me. Kristina chewed this upppp.
The only slighttttt thing about this book for me is that this was in third person POV. In my opinion third person is never written correctly– and is almost always confusing but Kristina ATE. Not once was i confused or lost or didnt know what the characters were thinking or feeling. Wow. 10s across the board.
If you are looking for a heartwarming, fluffy, giggle swoon worthy book? This is it. This is it 100%. First 5 star read of the yearrrrrrr ahhhhhhh! <3
Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
4/5 stars!
Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC!! After my last review i was hoping to get one 😭 <3 love yall. LOL
Ok. Ok. Hear me out. The more i sit on this book....the more....iffy i kind of get about it. This book was a 5 star until the end, and until i stewed a little unfortunately. I was scared to read this overall because I absolutely despised This Could be Us, so i was a bit nervy to get into this one. HOWEVERRR I absolutely loved Hendrix and Maverick– but there were some things i really got hung up on while reading.
The overall plotline of this story was absolutely so good. I couldnt put this book down and i really loved the Alzheimers representation. It nearly had me in tears everytime. I felt like i was learning so much about the disease and how it affects not only those with the disease, but the people around them. So heartfelt and something i reallllllllly wish had more emphasis in this book.
The Zere vs Hendrix plotline???? MORE GIVE ME MOREEEEEEE!!! I wanted so much more of that omg. I liveeeeee for drama like that and I wish Hendrix wouldve bopped her upside the head for real. I keep reminding myself that they are older and mature, but Zere wouldve gotten ALLLLLLL the smoke from me LOL.
My actual issue with this book comes in with two issues. One with the ending. Its flat. So flat. And it just...ends. As the last book of the series, i just expected so much more for the ending. So much was left open ended and unfinished. What happens to Hendricks mom? What happens with Mav and his goals? Bolt and Skipper? WHAT HAPPENS TO HER BUSINESS???? Like it feels like the end just gives up in a way. And i realllllllly hate saying that. Like they talked about the future so much in this book and what could happen to Hendrix's mom, only for nothing to happen at all. Maybe im morbid but i was expecting to cry is all ill say.
The other problem for me is i was confused the ENTIRE time of where they were located. Oh lemme go back to my mama oh lemme go to atlanta oh lemme go to skyland oh lemme go to Cali oh wait now im in japan– WHAT IS GOING ON??? WHERE THEY AT???? Like it was a little too much for me. I get they had money and could take all these flights and Maverick was a billionaire, but i just couldnt keep up. I STILL dont even know where her mama lived cause the ENTIRE time i thought she was in skyland. I guess not??? Idk yall i genuinely could not figure out where they were half the time. It also seemed like there were time jumps but they were not labeled? They were not....emphasized? It would just be like "OH! We are in Malibu for the week" and then the next chapter would be "I'm so sad to be leaving malibu" ......? Like why we just skipping around 😭 especially if its an important moment for the book/romance?
Overall, the emotion in this book saved it for me. I love a good emotion, heartstring pulling book. Its my achilles heel. So even though some things i was not a fan of, this still pulls a 4 from me. I just wanted more. It felt like every five seconds emphasis was placed on things only for nothing to end up happening with whatever was made to seem important. Love Kennedy Ryan down, but this series kinda....well. Before I let go was definitely the heavy hitter of this series.
Thank you so much Netgalley for the ARC!! After my last review i was hoping to get one 😭 <3 love yall. LOL
Ok. Ok. Hear me out. The more i sit on this book....the more....iffy i kind of get about it. This book was a 5 star until the end, and until i stewed a little unfortunately. I was scared to read this overall because I absolutely despised This Could be Us, so i was a bit nervy to get into this one. HOWEVERRR I absolutely loved Hendrix and Maverick– but there were some things i really got hung up on while reading.
The overall plotline of this story was absolutely so good. I couldnt put this book down and i really loved the Alzheimers representation. It nearly had me in tears everytime. I felt like i was learning so much about the disease and how it affects not only those with the disease, but the people around them. So heartfelt and something i reallllllllly wish had more emphasis in this book.
The Zere vs Hendrix plotline???? MORE GIVE ME MOREEEEEEE!!! I wanted so much more of that omg. I liveeeeee for drama like that and I wish Hendrix wouldve bopped her upside the head for real. I keep reminding myself that they are older and mature, but Zere wouldve gotten ALLLLLLL the smoke from me LOL.
My actual issue with this book comes in with two issues. One with the ending. Its flat. So flat. And it just...ends. As the last book of the series, i just expected so much more for the ending. So much was left open ended and unfinished. What happens to Hendricks mom? What happens with Mav and his goals? Bolt and Skipper? WHAT HAPPENS TO HER BUSINESS???? Like it feels like the end just gives up in a way. And i realllllllly hate saying that. Like
The other problem for me is i was confused the ENTIRE time of where they were located. Oh lemme go back to my mama oh lemme go to atlanta oh lemme go to skyland oh lemme go to Cali oh wait now im in japan– WHAT IS GOING ON??? WHERE THEY AT???? Like it was a little too much for me. I get they had money and could take all these flights and Maverick was a billionaire, but i just couldnt keep up. I STILL dont even know where her mama lived cause the ENTIRE time i thought she was in skyland. I guess not??? Idk yall i genuinely could not figure out where they were half the time. It also seemed like there were time jumps but they were not labeled? They were not....emphasized? It would just be like "OH! We are in Malibu for the week" and then the next chapter would be "I'm so sad to be leaving malibu" ......? Like why we just skipping around 😭 especially if its an important moment for the book/romance?
Overall, the emotion in this book saved it for me. I love a good emotion, heartstring pulling book. Its my achilles heel. So even though some things i was not a fan of, this still pulls a 4 from me. I just wanted more. It felt like every five seconds emphasis was placed on things only for nothing to end up happening with whatever was made to seem important. Love Kennedy Ryan down, but this series kinda....well. Before I let go was definitely the heavy hitter of this series.
Chasing Ebony by Tessa Stone
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
2.75/5
This had so much potential! I realized it was a novella about halfway through, so im not sure i was supposed to start with the short books first (oopsies!) However, this book had so much going for it!
I loved the initial plot and the idea. Loved it down. Beautiful cover too. However...
The speed at which this book moved? Its a no from me. And listen i get that it was a novella but....two days in? TWO DAYS? and then we get a random week jump and then like a month and then 6 and shes preggie?? Listen i get paranormal moves faster i get it but golly geeeeee. it kinda killed the book for me i won't lie 😭. Like i know fated mates skims the line of insta love because its fate, but this like dove into being insta love which ehhhhhhhhh. Not my favorite personally. Hoping to read the actual series and not the novella one eventually still, so looking forward to that!!!
The writing in this was CHEFS kiss. I really hope this author has some longer books, because if not she needs to get on it quickkkk.
This had so much potential! I realized it was a novella about halfway through, so im not sure i was supposed to start with the short books first (oopsies!) However, this book had so much going for it!
I loved the initial plot and the idea. Loved it down. Beautiful cover too. However...
The speed at which this book moved? Its a no from me. And listen i get that it was a novella but....two days in? TWO DAYS? and then we get a random week jump and then like a month and then 6 and shes preggie?? Listen i get paranormal moves faster i get it but golly geeeeee. it kinda killed the book for me i won't lie 😭. Like i know fated mates skims the line of insta love because its fate, but this like dove into being insta love which ehhhhhhhhh. Not my favorite personally. Hoping to read the actual series and not the novella one eventually still, so looking forward to that!!!
The writing in this was CHEFS kiss. I really hope this author has some longer books, because if not she needs to get on it quickkkk.
Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
DNF. :(. The lingo, the pacing, the constant interruption of the main characters thoughts?? I can't do it.
fast by Millie Belizaire
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
5/5 stars!!!
YALLLLL WE HAVE ANOTHER 5!!!!!! Ahhhh this was TEWWWWWWWW good. Millie Belizaire does it again!!! She got me the first time with The Garden of Eden, and i have no idea why it took me so long to read this one as well. Wow. What a heartbreaking, beautiful second chance romance.
I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!! Check trigger warnings. And i mean check them hoes TWICE. BACKWARDS. FORWARDS. AND THEN AGAIN. This book is heavyyyyyyyy. But so so beautiful. I'm talking I had to take a couple breaks while reading this, and the tears were not far behind. This book starts rough. Kids are involved. Please check trigger warnings.
But wow. I loved Caprice, I loved Shaun, ughhhhhh. The second chance romance portion got my ass so good i was giggling and heheing the entire time. I loved how real this was too. It wasnt just they found each other again and there was no hurt or no irritated expressed. This was very realistic and showcased so many raw emotions. I loved that she was a cry baby too. I feel like books now-a-days give the whole "strong woman" trope which dont get me wrong i love to see and believe at our core thats just who we are as black women, but its nice to see one where she cries. And shit he does too!! UGHHHHHYOHJTGIJERGIJEAGRIJERG. What i would do for a shaun goes insane.
Beautiful beautiful book. Beautifully written, beautifully composed, no notes. Read this!!! <3
YALLLLL WE HAVE ANOTHER 5!!!!!! Ahhhh this was TEWWWWWWWW good. Millie Belizaire does it again!!! She got me the first time with The Garden of Eden, and i have no idea why it took me so long to read this one as well. Wow. What a heartbreaking, beautiful second chance romance.
I CAN NOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH!! Check trigger warnings. And i mean check them hoes TWICE. BACKWARDS. FORWARDS. AND THEN AGAIN. This book is heavyyyyyyyy. But so so beautiful. I'm talking I had to take a couple breaks while reading this, and the tears were not far behind. This book starts rough. Kids are involved. Please check trigger warnings.
But wow. I loved Caprice, I loved Shaun, ughhhhhh. The second chance romance portion got my ass so good i was giggling and heheing the entire time. I loved how real this was too. It wasnt just they found each other again and there was no hurt or no irritated expressed. This was very realistic and showcased so many raw emotions. I loved that she was a cry baby too. I feel like books now-a-days give the whole "strong woman" trope which dont get me wrong i love to see and believe at our core thats just who we are as black women, but its nice to see one where she cries. And shit he does too!! UGHHHHHYOHJTGIJERGIJEAGRIJERG. What i would do for a shaun goes insane.
Beautiful beautiful book. Beautifully written, beautifully composed, no notes. Read this!!! <3
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5/5 stars
Wow. No words. I mean. I sat staring off into space for about 30 minutes after i read this. This was a lot, but in the best way possible. This is one of those books that will have you looking at everyone side ways. Anxiety through the roof, sus of everybody.
I kid you not here in america we are ONE mishap from ending up like this book. The foundation is already there and crumbling. I'm shaking in my boots a lil with this one. If you have read handmaids tale, although about something completely different, the same feeling you get after reading that? Take this one and amplify it by like 200000000 only because this one is set in the 2020s. Insanity. The fact that while yes this was super dystopian, it wasnt far off? YALLLLLLL come get me off the floor 😭 .
Mentally prep yourself for this read. Idk what Octavia was going through in 1993 when she wrote this, but miss girl pulled a raven symone and could see the future TRULY. I read this in two days. Space it out a lil more or be prepared to be shook 😭 . But once this got going? I couldnt put it down. wow. what a read. I want to pick up book two, but i need a breather and some happy endings real quick LMAOOO.
Wow. No words. I mean. I sat staring off into space for about 30 minutes after i read this. This was a lot, but in the best way possible. This is one of those books that will have you looking at everyone side ways. Anxiety through the roof, sus of everybody.
I kid you not here in america we are ONE mishap from ending up like this book. The foundation is already there and crumbling. I'm shaking in my boots a lil with this one. If you have read handmaids tale, although about something completely different, the same feeling you get after reading that? Take this one and amplify it by like 200000000 only because this one is set in the 2020s. Insanity. The fact that while yes this was super dystopian, it wasnt far off? YALLLLLLL come get me off the floor 😭 .
Mentally prep yourself for this read. Idk what Octavia was going through in 1993 when she wrote this, but miss girl pulled a raven symone and could see the future TRULY. I read this in two days. Space it out a lil more or be prepared to be shook 😭 . But once this got going? I couldnt put it down. wow. what a read. I want to pick up book two, but i need a breather and some happy endings real quick LMAOOO.
Aisle Be Yours: A Valentine's Novella by Nina High
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.5
4.5/5 stars!!
This was such a cute and well written novella 😭 . It made my heart happy truly. If you need just a quick read and a quick pick me up I highly recommend!! For reference this was my first read after i finished Parable of the Sower, and it definitely got my spirits back up LOL. (That book was amazing too, just heavy!)
This was such a cute and well written novella 😭 . It made my heart happy truly. If you need just a quick read and a quick pick me up I highly recommend!! For reference this was my first read after i finished Parable of the Sower, and it definitely got my spirits back up LOL. (That book was amazing too, just heavy!)
One Night Only by Elle Kayson
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
2.75/5
This book was so jumbled in not even sure what to say 😭. I'm left with one word and it's "what?" LMAOOO. The getting spicy while having flashbacks and trying to explain important information ruined this for me personally. Zuri had every right to be mad, but she decided to be weak and just say "it's fine!" After one time??? Pain of ten years??? Yeahhhhh this wasn't it I'm sorry. The random back and forth time jumps also- idk this should've been longer I feel like it would've made more sense 😭. Also the beginning? Was that their first time meeting? What happened between then and the time he told her off? Like idk this was really all over the place unfortunately. I'm personally left with too many questions for this to be an 80 page novella lol.
Also respectfully, I need her to get to work on demons dream part 2 LMAOOOO
This book was so jumbled in not even sure what to say 😭. I'm left with one word and it's "what?" LMAOOO. The getting spicy while having flashbacks and trying to explain important information ruined this for me personally. Zuri had every right to be mad, but she decided to be weak and just say "it's fine!" After one time??? Pain of ten years??? Yeahhhhh this wasn't it I'm sorry. The random back and forth time jumps also- idk this should've been longer I feel like it would've made more sense 😭. Also the beginning? Was that their first time meeting? What happened between then and the time he told her off? Like idk this was really all over the place unfortunately. I'm personally left with too many questions for this to be an 80 page novella lol.
Also respectfully, I need her to get to work on demons dream part 2 LMAOOOO
Losing Sight by Tati Richardson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.5
4.5/5 stars!!
Yall I loved this book. It was so cute and fun, and yall know i live for magical realism!!! The storyline was also really unique to me, as I've never read a book focused around glasses. As a glasses wearing girlie i feel SO seen (pun intended).
Tanika was almost like looking in the mirror for me, and I loved her growth in freedom throughout the book. I liked Gideon as well, and I am trying not to judge him too harshly on how he was processing his grief in this book. Though the whole 6 month trip thing REALLLLLLLLY fried me initially. Like baby pls get over yourself lol.
As my first Tati Richardson book i will tell yall this will not be my last!!! I loved how this was written and how it flowed, the small detail of how although told in third person the way each chapter started with his or her glasses to tell you who the chapter was focused on- I LIVEEEEE for small details like that. Everyone in this book was so fun too.
Colin, McQueen, and Ross can die slow though respectfully. I really hope we get Jackie's book in the future....I aint gone hold you a rivals to lovers is NEEDED!!!!
If you need a feel good, funny, spicy book pick this up!!! <3
Yall I loved this book. It was so cute and fun, and yall know i live for magical realism!!! The storyline was also really unique to me, as I've never read a book focused around glasses. As a glasses wearing girlie i feel SO seen (pun intended).
Tanika was almost like looking in the mirror for me, and I loved her growth in freedom throughout the book. I liked Gideon as well, and I am trying not to judge him too harshly on how he was processing his grief in this book. Though the whole 6 month trip thing REALLLLLLLLY fried me initially. Like baby pls get over yourself lol.
As my first Tati Richardson book i will tell yall this will not be my last!!! I loved how this was written and how it flowed, the small detail of how although told in third person the way each chapter started with his or her glasses to tell you who the chapter was focused on- I LIVEEEEE for small details like that. Everyone in this book was so fun too.
Colin, McQueen, and Ross can die slow though respectfully. I really hope we get Jackie's book in the future....I aint gone hold you a rivals to lovers is NEEDED!!!!
If you need a feel good, funny, spicy book pick this up!!! <3