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bookobsessedmommy's reviews
1072 reviews
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
This was sweet. I thought the MCs had some pretty good chemistry and the mechanic aspect was a fun twist. Ava got on my last fucking nerve, and I'm still not completely sure what her problem was and why she wouldn't just use her words. I'm a little confused on why Jessica is incredibly loaded, cause I wouldn't think voice acting alone could get you set in Italy. Maybe her mom? And the fact that kept that debacle hidden seemed silly to me. Why not just tell Vivi when she could just Google it? Anyway, I enjoyed this and I think the author's writing is improving. If you're looking for sapphic small town romance, with a handful of steamy scenes and some sibling drama, you should che k this one out.
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Abby has a skill for making you fall in love with characters almost instantly. Seth and Charlotte are sweet and funny, and have a little edge to them. Hell, I even fell in love with Izzy and Gabe! The emphasis on community care and making the best of whatever situation you're in really struck a chord. The premise is ridiculous, and the resolution is swift, but I laughed out loud multiple times so it's a win in my book.
One True Loves by Elise Bryant
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
Lenore seems like the most confident and outgoing person, but on the inside she's terrified of not being good enough for her perfect family. The romance is sweet and the parents are embarrassing, but the conversations about figuring out your life and settling really struck a chord. Lenore's perfectionist tendencies are so relatable, and so is Alex's pragmatism, and Wally's secrecy. I've seen all these responses to being the children of exceptional black parents, or even the first generation to graduate from college, and I honestly wish I could see this crew in 5 or 10 years.
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Got bored. Maybe if I knew more about the wat I could settle into the story, but I was lost.
Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Oh Tessa. I just wanted to give that girl a big hug and a little smack. Her obsession with romance, her fear of being seen and judged, her confusion over who she is and what she wants. It's all so real and relatable. I love the mom too, and how complex she is instead of just being a caricature of a human. I was not ready for it too end, and I'm excited for the next one.
Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
Man this hit me in my chest. Ellie wakes up with unexpected super powers, and it turns her whole world upside down. And as if that isn't enough, she's also harboring a secret crush on her best friend, Abby. I can see so many parallels to real life issues in this fantasy, and I feel like this is written in a way that kids can just enjoy the story as is or find encouragement if they dig a little deeper. It slows down a little at the end, but I really enjoyed it overall. Seeing Ellie come into her own and stand up for herself made me proud. Never underestimate middle grade.
We Are Not Like Them by Jo Piazza, Christine Pride
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I don't know how to review this exactly. It's told in dual POV, and I was more interested and invested in Riley's story than Jenny. I just wanted to figure Riley out. So many of her decisions seemed ridiculous until I realized she was running. Running from her emotions and hard conversations, and burying herself in work. I'm glad the romantic element didn't take over and change the tone of the book, but I'm also a little confused by why the LI even reached out. She ghosted you for a year and you still gave it a shot? It seems sweet and hopeful, but also feels a little icky. I don't know. It ended as well as it could have, but that epilogue made me angry all over again. I think I need a break from the despair.
We Refuse: A Forceful History of Black Resistance by Kellie Carter Jackson
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Yet another book I need to reread. Black Resistance takes on so many varied and important forms, and each chapter in this book (including the introduction and post script) stoked the fire in my belly. Like so many books that highlight black pain and perseverance, the stories included make me weep with despair and rejoice in triumph. Our history in the US may seem sad and hopeless, but we have always used whatever means we could to fight for justice. We will continues to resist with protection, force, flight, and joy. While America may want to go back, I refuse.
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
Ah young love. 🥰 The angst, the intense emotions and avoidance of said emotions, the mystery and self-discovery. Kacen never fails to get me all in my feelings. I loved all of these characters (minus they who shall not be named), and how complicated they were. How raw the conversations were and how honest they were even when they weren't being completely honest. That love declaration scene is straight out of when Harry met Sally, but done in such a sweet way. I can see myself reading this again for sure. There is something powerful about looking at ourselves and seeing the real us in every situation. The strength and weakness. The courage and fear. The longing for love and the embodiment of worthiness. All existing at once in a beautiful tapestry of humanness.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Transphobia, and Abandonment
Moderate: Deadnaming and Homophobia