bookishlybouv's reviews
462 reviews

Too Wrong to Be Right by Melonie Johnson

funny hopeful lighthearted

After being dumped unceremoniously by her boyfriend of 6 months (after agreeing to take care of his hedgehog), Kat is even farther away from her goals than ever. She keeps dating assholes(and seriously, who would give up JoJo, the sweet spiky ball of love that she is??) and she’s no closer to starting her own flower shop. So when she literally bumps into Mick while pinning a boutonnière to a dead man’s suit(talk about meet disaster), the friendship and zing of attraction that follows is too good to be true. Her heart has a knack for picking the wrong guys - and it’s time to find Mr. Right once and for all.

This was adorable! I loved the settings of this book - not often is a funeral home depicted with so much life in it! The family dynamic of the O’Sullivans was a great contrast for Kat’s lack of connection to her own(besides Babcia), and I loved the way that older adults were depicted and valued in this story. As a seniors activity centre director, meaningful relationships with older adult characters are always especially great to see in a romance novel! 

The chemistry between Kat and Mick was great, and I liked the respect each had for the friendship despite growing attraction and feelings.

The idea of JoJo the hedgehog in tiny outfits was so cute, and I also loved Seamus the cockatoo’s potty mouth. Unique pets were a fun addition!

I didn’t love that Kat was going against attraction while thinking Mick’s brother, Joe, was her Mr. Right, but it did make sense for her mindset. 

The ending was so cute, and I genuinely loved the epilogue (thank you for leaving marriage and babies out of it without ruling out the possibility!)

 This book is another win for Melonie Johnson, and I’m looking forward to more stories from her!

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

adventurous fast-paced

I love Margaret Rogerson’s ability to spin a full fantasy tale that fits into an audiobook less than 9 hours. Honestly, bless her for not stringing us along with trilogies!

Seeing as this is her earlier work, I think this one shows her development as a writer as she crafted stronger stories in the years after this. This one was still a fun journey and worth the read, but can you blame me for thinking Verspertine blows this one out of the water?

I really liked how human emotion was both feared, misunderstood, and coveted by the fae in this world. Also, the description of Isobel’s paintings make me want to bust out my brushes and make something that surely won’t compare.

This made for a great Sunday.

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

informative reflective

I loved this one - so many interesting account from former cult followers, and a cool perspective on how language is used to empower and isolate!

Behind the Scenes by Karelia Stetz-Waters

emotional funny

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 When hot shot business consultant, Rose, gets a prospective client message begging her to take on their project, she’s have never guessed that it would lead her to Ash - aka, the gorgeous woman who saw her collecting one of her pugs from the literal trash. While consulting on a film isn’t her expertise, she takes it on pro bono; it has nothing to do with the film’s director making her believe she might not die alone and get eaten by her pigs - right?

This book had me from the first page. Rose and her sisters are at a Pug Crawl, and I want to be there, covered in pugs, surrounded by the soundtrack of heavy breathing and snorts. Cupcake and Muffin are everything, and I laughed out loud each time we are given an insight into their thoughts on the situation. I would do anything for them, because of course I would.

We all need more love stories like Rose and Ash. Their relationship development was beautiful and realistic, and I loved that it didn’t shy away from the heavier side of getting to know a person. I especially appreciated that sexual dysfunction is explored, because most romances have the leads meshing seamlessly, as if they already know each other’s bodies, wants and needs. The intimacy that talking about and working through the sexual dysfunction made me fall for these characters even harder - vulnerability is sexy!

The writing was fantastic - it had a really great flow, and I didn’t want to stop reading(the fact that I had to go to work in the middle of reading this felt like a personal attack). I can’t wait to revisit this as an audiobook (and I’m desperately hoping that the ASMR bits make my brain tingle, because I have never experienced that before) and I would highly recommend this stunning sapphic romance to everyone and their dog(because picturing pugs in Gucci will never get old).

Two Wrongs Make a Right by Chloe Liese

emotional funny relaxing medium-paced

A neurodivergent artist and an anxious paediatrician getting set up and trying to teach their friends they shouldn’t meddle by fake dating? Hilarious. This is one of those stories where you see the ending coming from reading the synopsis, but you just need to know how they’ll get there. And I was HOOKED.

I’m convinced that Chloe Liese could put anything on a page and I would eat it up. With consistent representation of a diversity of disabilities, I will continue to let Chloe hold my heart. 

Please excuse me while I wait impatiently for Kate’s book because I LONG FOR CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS 

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

All I can say is that the men of this series need to find some chill.

I can deal with the “you’re mine” energy from Rhys because it’s not nearly as creepy to me? Alex from book one was fully too toxic, but I felt that Rhys and Brigette at least had time to get to know each other and let their relationship grow over years - and his literal job is to protect her? So that reads as less obsessive in general to me. But he has his moments where he veers into too toxic.

Also, I thought Rhys’s CPTSD really helped with his character development. I can’t speak to the quality of this representation, but I’m glad that therapy was a part of his journey to get to this point!

Overall, I still enjoyed this(I love a bodyguard romance) and am intrigued by the next instalments in this series. We’ll see if the toxicity makes me bail!

The Inadequate Heir by Danielle L. Jensen
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.

I just wasn’t invested enough in new characters to continue the series

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

When two top NHL draft prospects play for the same team, it’s cause for some interesting dynamics. They battle for that number one spot while having to work together, but the most interesting development is the heat radiating between them off the ice.

I love hockey, so fiction about hockey is amazing. Top it off with a romance between players, depression rep and you get a masterpiece! I loved watching Jaysen and Mickey fall for each other, and Mickey finding himself belonging on a team, not just because he is a third generation NHL prospect. There was also a really great family aspect to this novel, and discussion of how to be yourself when you’re standing in the shadow of what people want you to become.

The mental health rep felt realistic, in that it’s hard to reach out for help when you feel like you don’t know who you are anymore. Depression always feels insurmountable until you start to climb out of the darkness.

I want to see more of these characters as they navigate their future, but I think it was still the perfect ending. My heart is so full.

I really enjoyed the narrator, and would definitely recommend the audiobook! 

Hardcore Anxiety: A Graphic Guide to Punk Rock and Mental Health by Reid Chancellor

emotional hopeful medium-paced

I never give memoirs a star rating, but I just wanted to say how interesting and open Reid’s story is. I mostly read fiction, but while looking for books that my husband might enjoy in my library’s ebook collection, the title of this book really struck a chord with me. I am always drawn to stories of mental health - it’s something I’m incredibly passionate about, and I hope more people share their own journeys to help break the stigma that surrounds being mentally unwell. 

I am not big in the punk scene, but I saw some bands I recognized and was really glad to have an intro to others and how they set the stage for talking about mental health.

I appreciated the trigger warnings included - and the sentiment that while punk can open the door to seeking help, it’s you who has to walk through. Overall, I had a great time with this one.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This was one of the most fun books I’ve read in such a long time! The complete hilarity of the situation paired with the love of family was so beautiful 🤌

I laughed out loud reading this. SO GOOD