blondechaibooks's reviews
8 reviews

Throttled by Lauren Asher

funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

let me preface my review with this simple statement:
WHAT DOES LAUREN ASHER PUT IN HER BOOKS??
This has to be my favorite read of the year thus far. Who knew that a romance about an F1 racer would be so fun, steamy, and intriguing? I read this book in two days, choosing it over television or the other books I’m currently reading. This novel caused me to fall in love with the luxurious lifestyles and lives of these racers as well as the amazing stars of the show, Maya and Noah. 
Let me tell you, as a first time reader of Lauren Asher, this woman can write men. I rarely find myself swooning over fictional guys, but Noah Slade had me in a chokehold. I am BEYOND excited to continue the series.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse

Minor: Alcoholism

If Tomorrow Doesn't Come by Jen St. Jude

dark emotional inspiring sad 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

Jen st. Jude’s storytelling in this novel is positively lethal. She wrote both an inspiring story about two girls falling in love, but also made it so beautiful and heart wrenching simultaneously. 

I was so impressed with this novel, as I went into it with lower expectations than in deserved. I have found throughout my reading experience that sapphic stories often are either happy sappy romantic comedies, or dark tales about death. In other genres and heterosexual romances, there are typically more storylines, so I was putting off starting this book. 

In short, I was very pleasantly surprised. “Tomorrow doesn’t come” does a magnificent job of exploring sadness but also having a wonderful twist of romance whilst it does so. 

This book was recommended to me, and I plan to recommend it myself. Everyone I know needs to read this book.

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted 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

3.5

Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun

challenging hopeful relaxing medium-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? Yes

3.75

The Shadow Queen by C.J. Redwine

adventurous tense fast-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and War

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is my third Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, and this book has only proven that I will never stop idolizing this wonderful author. 
At first, I had my trepidations due to the fact that this was more plain story oriented rather than interview styled like the other two books of hers I have read, but I was just as engrossed and excited reading this one. 
In Malibu Rising, TJR comes at us with a wonderful and compelling cast of characters, and a sibling story that will make you just as sad as it will happy throughout the pages. 
Halfway through the book, I had stopped counting how many times I had to close the book and share the crazy plot twist I had just gotten to with everyone in my life. 
This book only made me more interested in “Carrie Soto Is Back” so I am totally looking forward to reading TJRs other novels and releases 

In the end, I definitely recommend Malibu Rising. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit and Drug use

Moderate: Abandonment

Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings

funny tense fast-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

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0