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bookish_afrolatina's reviews
414 reviews
Straight by Chuck Tingle
dark
funny
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
This was such a fun quick read! Chuck Tingle brought some of his humor from his eroticas into this horror and I’m so glad he did. The plot was wild and I enjoyed the ride but found that some of the MC’s inner monologue became repetitive. Sometimes it felt like the book was written more for straight people because of the whole, “you say you’re an ally but will you be here when the chips are down?!” and “we have each other” vibes. The teaser for Camp Damascus seems like it will also lead to a super entertaining tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Homophobia, Transphobia, Outing, and Injury/Injury detail
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
I couldn't get past Ember's pathological lying. It made me hella uncomfortable.
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
Hotttttt! I know this is cliche but Tastes Like Shakkar was a delicious rivals to lovers romance. Bobbi and Bunty can't stand one another, at first. Bunty thinks that Bobbi is annoying sometimes but mostly sexy as hell. Bobbi thinks Bunty is a handsome asshole because his refusal to cater a wedding made her and her family lose a huge client a few years ago. So when their besties Karina and Prem stick them together to figure out the wedding menu, Bobbi and Bunty have to figure out how to put the past behind them and their sexual tension to the side.
There quite a few racy scenes in here that I will probably never forget. Thank you, Nisha Sharma! I really enjoy the hate to love you trope and this one was so satisfying because the lovebirds are really good at arguing. They were funny and knew how to get under each other's skin.
Once again, Sharma brings the readers into her lead's family lives, too. I felt like I could understand why they felt the way they did about their situations and their issues with one another. They both feel the pressure and expectations.
I'm realllly looking forward to the next book in If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series!
There quite a few racy scenes in here that I will probably never forget. Thank you, Nisha Sharma! I really enjoy the hate to love you trope and this one was so satisfying because the lovebirds are really good at arguing. They were funny and knew how to get under each other's skin.
Once again, Sharma brings the readers into her lead's family lives, too. I felt like I could understand why they felt the way they did about their situations and their issues with one another. They both feel the pressure and expectations.
I'm realllly looking forward to the next book in If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this electronic arc in return for an honest review!
I loved reading this book! Kareena and Prem have great chemistry and are so easy to love. Some of my favorite things about this story are the aunties, Kareena's sweater vests, her passion for taking care of and keeping her mother's house, and Prem's dedication to his dream. Each of the main characters seemed well thought out. Still, I had fun talking back to the characters as if they could hear my advice and comments!
The aunties mentioned this being a classic Bollywood scenario and I must admit that I'd totally watch it! The only thing I wasn't a fan of was how many times Prem used his pet name for Kareena.
I find it so cool that the author set this story (and many others, I think) in Edison, NJ which is known to have a large population of South Asians. It made me feel like I could just step into the lives of these characters or recognize the landmarks mentioned in the story. I can imagine the folx who live there feeling really seen!
Sexiness was about 3 out of 5 so it's a good read for folx who enjoy that spice.
I will be picking up more books by Nisha Sharma!!
I loved reading this book! Kareena and Prem have great chemistry and are so easy to love. Some of my favorite things about this story are the aunties, Kareena's sweater vests, her passion for taking care of and keeping her mother's house, and Prem's dedication to his dream. Each of the main characters seemed well thought out. Still, I had fun talking back to the characters as if they could hear my advice and comments!
The aunties mentioned this being a classic Bollywood scenario and I must admit that I'd totally watch it! The only thing I wasn't a fan of was how many times Prem used his pet name for Kareena.
I find it so cool that the author set this story (and many others, I think) in Edison, NJ which is known to have a large population of South Asians. It made me feel like I could just step into the lives of these characters or recognize the landmarks mentioned in the story. I can imagine the folx who live there feeling really seen!
Sexiness was about 3 out of 5 so it's a good read for folx who enjoy that spice.
I will be picking up more books by Nisha Sharma!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent
Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Nikki Payne’s books put me on an emotional rollercoaster, complete w/ giggles & calls for more. The romantic & sexual tension was palpable. As if this book couldn’t get any better, Payne showed such care w/ how she portrayed Abenaki culture in Maine. Y’all need to add this to your TBR immediately.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Racism
Minor: Chronic illness, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Colonisation
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
3.5
This was definitely a book for folks who enjoy a messy MC! Marcela and Theo worked well together so quickly that I felt annoyed and sometimes pissed off by her communication issues this definitely includes the miscommunication trope. Despite my annoyance with that, I enjoyed each character’s personalities. Marcela’s book nerdiness was relatable, especially since I’m also a librarian. I think Theo was a wonderful person through most of this book, to be honest. It’s a good book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Vern, Custodian of the Universe by Tyrell Waiters
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
This book contemplates life on a level I wasn't expecting from a graphic novel!!! Like, it kinda hurt. I felt so seen by Vern's situation of being pushed to constantly clean up the messes of the Universe without being told where they are coming from and why they keep cropping up.
Amazing story and illustrations!
Amazing story and illustrations!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Lucero by Maya Motayne
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
After two books, "bathtub boy" finally gets his backstory and I was super happy about it, not that his story is one to be happy about. I like how the dynamics between Alfie and Finn didn't conform to the norm of romantic interests in fantasy series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Nocturna by Maya Motayne
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? Yes
4.0
This is a really cool start to a series. I really felt for Alfie and Finn as they tried to navigate this crisis in the kingdom as well as inner demons. The magic system was also pretty unique compared to the other fantasy books I've read this year. I love the inclusion of conversations on class, oppression, grief, and manipulation. I definitely recommend it!
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Oculta by Maya Motayne
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
3.75
Book two of the series is just as action-packed as the first! I'm glad that we get to be with the same group from book 1 and that we get to learn more about Finn's backstory. She's a fascinating character and kind of reminds me of Gamora from Guardians of the Galaxy in her relationship with her "parent." The only thing that marked this book down for me was that I could predict the ending.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting