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bookishflower's reviews
159 reviews
Reclaiming Kate by Mary Warren
emotional
lighthearted
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? No
2.0
Thank you Mary Warren for an early arc copy.
This is my second Mary Warren book and I think I need to just accept that she isn’t the writer for me.
I wanted so hard to enjoy this. A plus-size hockey romance is definitely my thing, but I found the writing style too ‘tell-not-show-y’ and the instalove made the love story feel like it had no where to go. (However, I am aware that I read an early arc and the trope is soulmates).
This covers important themes of communication, DA recovery, and positive plus-size representation.
This is not a bad book, just not the book for me personally.
This is my second Mary Warren book and I think I need to just accept that she isn’t the writer for me.
I wanted so hard to enjoy this. A plus-size hockey romance is definitely my thing, but I found the writing style too ‘tell-not-show-y’ and the instalove made the love story feel like it had no where to go. (However, I am aware that I read an early arc and the trope is soulmates).
This covers important themes of communication, DA recovery, and positive plus-size representation.
This is not a bad book, just not the book for me personally.
You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
I enjoyed this until the 50% mark, but then it went off the rails a bit. I’d also be curious to know what Jewish readers thought.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If my flatmates could ignore this, please and thank you.
Why bother hiring a male voice actor if he only reads a chapter?
Also, didn’t think I’d live to see traditionally published omegaverse
Why bother hiring a male voice actor if he only reads a chapter?
Also, didn’t think I’d live to see traditionally published omegaverse
Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
3.75
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Inside Job by Alexis Knightly
2.0
Alarm bells rang when there was an evil secret society of financial elites. This also does not pass the ace test.
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Self harm, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, and Alcohol
What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Thank you Hodderscape for providing me with an uncorrected arc.
It will come as no surprise to anyone that I love a historical setting with magic, but make it inspired by ‘The Mummy’, light academia, rivals to lovers, and where everyone has secrets and agendas, I’m instantly in.
I was a little nervous going into this when I saw it advertised as for fans of ‘The Mummy’ with how much I absolutely love the 1999 cult classic, but I had no reason to worry.
Inez is headstrong and loyal, and Whit is evasive and flirtatious. I can see the inspiration from Evie and Rick- albeit younger versions of themselves-while they remain distinctly their own characters in their own right. Their antics were hilarious, ‘the touch her and you die’ and reference to locking Evie in her room were greatly appreciated too ;)
This has such an intriguing magic system where the art of magic is lost but remain in objects of the past, making their archeology and the discussions on colonialism even more fascinating.
The mystery was a fun element running throughout the book, and while I guessed the twist I didn’t mind one bit. That is until the ending twist, that I didn’t see coming for the life of me, which made me want to read it again immediately. Seriously, I need the second book to put me out of my misery!
It will come as no surprise to anyone that I love a historical setting with magic, but make it inspired by ‘The Mummy’, light academia, rivals to lovers, and where everyone has secrets and agendas, I’m instantly in.
I was a little nervous going into this when I saw it advertised as for fans of ‘The Mummy’ with how much I absolutely love the 1999 cult classic, but I had no reason to worry.
Inez is headstrong and loyal, and Whit is evasive and flirtatious. I can see the inspiration from Evie and Rick- albeit younger versions of themselves-while they remain distinctly their own characters in their own right. Their antics were hilarious, ‘the touch her and you die’ and reference to locking Evie in her room were greatly appreciated too ;)
This has such an intriguing magic system where the art of magic is lost but remain in objects of the past, making their archeology and the discussions on colonialism even more fascinating.
The mystery was a fun element running throughout the book, and while I guessed the twist I didn’t mind one bit. That is until the ending twist, that I didn’t see coming for the life of me, which made me want to read it again immediately. Seriously, I need the second book to put me out of my misery!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Colonisation
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Racism, Kidnapping, and Alcohol
Minor: Blood and Injury/Injury detail