bookish_nu's reviews
83 reviews

The Only Black Girl in the Room by Alex Travis

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5.0

Oh to be the only black girl in the room
Grip by Kennedy Ryan

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4.0

I was initially hesitant to read this book due to the book blurb. It didn't feel right to me that the focus was on the struggles of interracial dating when let's be real... but I shouldn't have doubted Kennedy Ryan. She understands the complexities of the issue and executed the plot excellently.
In My Mother's Shadow: A Memoir by Kwamiesha Whitfield

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4.0

This book was so short and left me wanted more! Despite its brevity, I am grateful to the author for sharing her story. Although there were some details missing, I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for her to recount her experiences. It's heartbreaking to think that those who were supposed to keep her safe repeatedly took advantage of her. Nevertheless, I am relieved to hear that she is on the path to healing. I appreciated the shadow work prompts at the end.
On Us by Nina.

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

The Ending!

The Porter brothers are a bunch of messy people, but they're hilarious. Although I wasn't a big fan of the main plot, the book was still quite entertaining and easy to read and understand. However, the ending caught me off guard and I'm now hooked to read the next book in the series!
Missing White Woman by Kellye Garrett

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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? N/A

4.5

The Good Ones are Taken by Taj McCoy

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hopeful 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

4.0

Release Date: April 23, 2024

I had the pleasure of reading the ARC of "The Good Ones Are Taken" by Taj McCoy, and I really enjoyed it. The book is a heartwarming romance that tells the story of Maggy, who is struggling to find love after a recent break-up. Her two girlfriends are getting married, while her best friend, Garrett (who happens to be male) is still single. They spend a lot of time together while their other friends are in pre-marital bliss.

One of the things I appreciated about the book was how the author explored the complexities of the dating scene these days. Taj does an excellent job of capturing the ups and downs of dating, especially at the age where everyone has already found love and starting their own families.

In the story, Maggie starts to use online apps to help find her new love interest, and with the help of Garrett swiping left (and right), she goes out on a few dates. It was hilarious reading about the failed dates and Garrett being there as the "911" in case she needed to end the date quickly.

The story flowed seamlessly and was really easy to get lost in. If you are familiar with the Friends-to-Lovers trope, this book begins similarly to a lot of other books within the trope. You know how it will end, based on the feelings expressed, but with this one, you didn't know how the author would get there, and I appreciated that.

Overall, "The Good Ones Are Taken" is a delightful and lighthearted romance that I definitely recommend!
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

It’s a yes for me!
Snow King Catches His Snowflake: A Three Kings Novel by A.E. Valdez

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Out of Body by Nia Davenport

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adventurous tense fast-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Megan is having a tough time figuring out who she really is in high school until she meets LC at her favorite coffee shop one day. They seem to hit it off and Megan finally feels like she's found her person but things take a strange turn when Megan wakes up in LC's body and realizes that LC has taken over her life. Now, Megan must find a way back to her own body and her own life. 

This YA thriller had me hooked from the very first page. The fast-paced story kept me engaged throughout with so many unexpected twists. Just when I thought I had it figured out, I indeed did not. It's been a while since I found a book that allowed me to lose myself in its pages, letting my imagination run wild, but this one did just that. If you're a fan of Young Adult literature with a thrilling twist, then you’ll enjoy this one.

Release Date: February 6, 2024

*Review based on Advance Reader Copy*