bookobsessedmommy's reviews
1120 reviews

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by S.K. Ali, Ibtihaj Muhammad

fast-paced

5.0

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-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

I think this might be Ali Hazelwood's best written book so far. There are still silly things about size and weird little stem jokes, but Scarlett is incredibly well developed. Her fear of failure is palpable and understandable, while also being infuriating. I like that we still have a women in STEM focus with a heavy dose of swimming and diving content. I LOVE that we don't get much around diets or even body shaming, despite the intense focus on being in peak physical condition as an athlete. Lucas is hot in every sense of the word, but also not perfect. He is clearly obsessed with Scarlett, and he's so incredibly attentive. The one thing that stuck in my craw was Pen. I was ready to punch somebody over her foolishness, but I love the resolution. The audiobook is great with a cast of narrators, and I would highly suggest it to get the full impact of Lucas' accent and to hear all the Swedish pronunciations. And of course, there's the kink. Scarlett's monologuing about how their encounters make her feel are so enlightening and while it is definitely hot, it's also really tender. Even if you haven't enjoyed AH's work in the past, I think you should give this one a shot. Well done.

Every Move You Make by Sloan Spencer

adventurous emotional lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

For a why choose, this had more plot and less sex than I expected. Don't get me wrong, there is still a ton of sex, but when you have 3 people, I expect the scenes to be a bit more protracted. Even when It just 2 of them, things can seem a bit rushed. That aside, Dell is definitely my favorite character. The appearance of his kink is sudden, but it totally makes the dynamic. Even though these characters have known each other for a while, I was most invested in in Isaiah and Robyn's relationship. I wish we got to see more development on page between Dell and the other two. Dell feels a bit like a third wheel emotionally, but I'm a fan of the thruple overall. This was a fun read that I didn't want to put down, and I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.

There's Something about Mira by Sonali Dev

challenging emotional funny 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book is for all the people pleasers. The good girls contorting themselves into knots. The ideal kids who do whatever it takes to not rock the boat. The ones who should be happy but look in the mirror and can't figure out who the real them is. Sonali Dev punched me in the chest repeatedly and I am so grateful. This was such a beautiful and Complicated story. It's dual timeline, and I was equally invested in both. Mira is so relatable it hurts and the way she is so attuned to other people's pain and discomfort felt amost mystical. I was honestly ready for this to end one way, and not even mad about it, and that right there is why I needed this book! I'm being vague to avoid spoiling anything, but I'm literally holding back tears this was so good. I'm already trying to figure out how to get my bookclub to read this or another of her books, cause I can feel in my bones they'll be good.

A Basic Binary by D.C. Emerson

emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

One million stars! I absolutely loves this! If you want to write miscommunication, this is how you do it. Have conversations and address that shit! Don't drag it out for no reason. And there are multiple miscommunications in this book, but each time, Penelope and Taylor Riley work through it. When they realize doing it solo isn't working, they get some help. They speak up when the other persons behavior is hurtful or confusing. They ask for what they want! This feels revolutionary to me, both in reality and fiction. And the way that gender dysphoria and sexual exploration are approached felt healing. There are so many ways we come to be uncomfortable in our own skin, and the way Emerson walks us through how they get back in touch with what they like and dislike, what they find pleasurable and painful was so gentle and beautiful. I already want to read it again. 🥲

Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!, Vol. 13 by Yuu Toyota

lighthearted fast-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This probably my least favorite volume so far. I loved Tsugeh and Minato's progression and I wish we got more of it in this volume. The What if AU was a rehashing that I didn't need. I don't know if I'll read the next one or not.

A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander

emotional lighthearted mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Ok so here's the thing. I really enjoyed this book. The set was great, there's intrigue and secrecy, and lot's of Downton abbey type fun. I liked the side characters, especially Etienne, and the bit of action we get in the middle. But ther was just something missing for me. Things moved a little too fast and seemed a little too easy. I think hearin things from James pov might have helped, because some of his behavior seemed so erratic to me. We hop around a lot in the timeline to avoid some more boring bits, bit I feel like I missed a lot of the relationship development. I get that they love each other, but when did that happen and why? Cause Christopher is kind? Cause James is hot and attentive? I wanted more, but I did still enjoy it. 

Thanks to Vintage and Netgalley for this ARC.

Wish You Weren't Here by Erin Baldwin

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

4.0

Juliette grows so much in this story and her back and forth with Priya goes from annoying to understandable. It's basically miscommunication, but the kind that makes sense for teenagers. The camp setting meant there were a ton of characters, but they were decently distinct. The constant interruptions are very 90's sitcom, but I think this is a great ya queer romance written with younger teens in mind.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

What a ride. I had no clue what to expect heading into this one. This Afrofuturistic story incorporates the otjize practices of present day Himba people that makes them distinctive, but imbues it with power not only to stand out, but also to heal. There is a kind of confusing mathematical magic system, though I don't know if magic is the right word, that allow our MC to solve problems that otherwise would seem impossible. And her meditation practice brings her wisdom as a well as restoration. I see overlap with so many of the books I've read recently, but specifically Rest is Resistance. The book is so short I don't want to spoil anything, but it is fascinating. The writing is beautiful, but not overdone. The plot is very focused, and while we know what's happening, we don't fully understand it and neither does the MC. She just keeps putting one foot in front of the other. Action before assurance. I can't wait to read the next one. I can see this being used in schools to teach analytical skills. 

Fate Be Changed by Farrah Rochon

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

This is an AU for Merida from Brave, and I really enjoyed it! We've got a time travel, Back to the Future sort of situation going on where Merida meets her own mom when she was young lady and needs to get her parents to fall in love in this alternate timeline. There's a lot of hurry up and wait in this, but it manged to keep me engaged. I like how organically Merida realizes how complicated being an adult with responsibility is, and also how much more appreciation she gains for the servants in her castle. There was a bit at the end that had me screaming at my phone cause it seemed like it was dragging for no good reason, but the resolution was solid and the characters were well developed. I'm looking forward to reading more from this series, especially the one's by Rochon.