bookobsessedmommy's reviews
1074 reviews

Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0

The explorations of gender, sexuality, grief, and community are so insightful. The illustrations are beautiful, and I got drawn completely into the world. This futuristic brown and queer normative society that resembles current day Indonesia brought me so much joy, especially when the real world seems inundated with nastiness. 
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Incredible work in such a short story. We got some character development, a bit of miscommunication (but not the super annoying kind), and a HEA. Definitely reccomend this one if your looking for a quick and cozy holiday read.
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I was ready to quit this one, but then things slowed down and I was able to finish. Still not a favorite, but decent.
Seas and Greetings by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

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emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-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

Looook! Julie and Sierra know how to write a romance that will have you squirming in your seat and needing to change underwear. No notes!
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur

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fast-paced

2.0

I didn't like this at all. I would have dnf'd if it wasn't so short. Moved way too fast
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

All by My Elf by Olivia Dade

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

Short and sweet.
You Should Be So Lucky by Cat Sebastian

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emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

I love me some secret dating, but when you add GrumpyxSunshine and make it queer, I am in my happy place. Eddie is so sweet and I loved how he tried to balance being cautious and trusting. Mark pretends to be a meany, but he's really a teddy bear. Watching them slowly orbit each other and share small pieces of their lives was swoon worthy. This is you you write a slow burn people! πŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸΎπŸ‘πŸΎ The explorations of grief, isolation, and anxiety were absolutely beautiful. I can't wait to read more from Cat Sebastian. 
The Wedding People by Alison Espach

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

4.5

When Phoebe books her dream hotel for one night, she doesn't plan on leaving alive, but then she runs in to the wedding people and things start to change. Though meandering at times, I loved the writing in this! This book explores depression, infertility, loneliness, and suicide with a thoughtful and humorous lens. Phoebe's plan to end her life leads her to a type of radical honestly that casts a new light on what's possible when you stop letting life just happen to you by default and are intentional about figuring out who you really are. Lila made me want to spit nails sometimes, but I love that Phoebe challenged her to be honest as well. I was about ready to throw the book at the wall when we get a little 3rd act twist, but I'm so glad all Phoebe's development wasn't thrown to the side. I also liked the peek we got into the other side characters lives, exploring how easy it is to judge people's behavior without giving any thought to how they got there. (Or bothering to ask them outright.)  
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The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill

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lighthearted fast-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

4.0

Very sweet. This feels like commentary on our self-reliance culture and maybe a bit about depression too. I love the reminder that many hands make light work, and the more things we can do in community the more successful and fulfilled we'll be.