bookobsessedmommy's reviews
1074 reviews

Fall Into You by Georgina Kiersten

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

This is a sweet and spicy little sapphic novella with a bit if Fall magic. 

Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

emotional lighthearted sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

If you want to improve any story, make it queer. Not as an after thought or to meet a quota, but center and integrate queer characters and plot lines in a well thought out way. Most Ardently definitely accomplished this in Spades. The pining and character development, the tension and anxiety are woven together exquisitely to honor the source material while crafting a new narrative that allows more people to see themselves in regency romance and get the happy ending everyone deserves. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming and Transphobia

Grand Slam Romance by Ollie Hicks, Emma Oosterhous

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was a silly good time.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

emotional funny lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Ari and Josh cannot stand each other when they first meet, but they find solace together after life tosses them about. While Josh wants more, Ari is terrified more will end in disaster. Let the chase begin. Ari is so damaged, and I get her avoidant behavior to a certain extent, but I wish it was explored a bit more. Josh is a hapless romantic with some neurospicy tendencies, and a habit of losing himself in relationships. These people are a mess, and while that is relatable, some of their choices are so ridiculous. There's one scene where Ari isn't being honest with Josh about how she's feeling, and Josh isn't paying attention, and I was so uncomfortable. I know he can't read her mind, but it gave less than enthusiastic consent since we're in both their heads. The 'promiscuous bisexual' narrative was pushed to the edge for me as well. The discussion about marrying the person you want to be with when everything is shit resonates, but get you someone who can share the joy too. I'm torn on this one, because I enjoyed the writing style but some of the content is just annoying. I know this is based on When Harry Met Sally, so maybe if I read something that's all her own creation I'll get on with it better.

A Grim Reaper's Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

Kathy has a great character arc, going from resigned and scared to brave and hopeful. The way her dad's pronouncement follows her for decades and causes her to sabotage her life out of fear was so sad and relatable. The relationship she developed with Connor was so sweet, and Simon is so corny and adorable. I loved the foreshadowing that's woven throughout the book, and when we get the big reveal all those little moments came back to me. The ending felt a little rushed, and I wanted more from Jo in the final scenes. This reminds me of Finlay Donovan with the suspense and humor, and I'm excited to see what else comes out in this series. 

Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

I wasn't sure what to expect heading into this one, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a funny MC in a crappy situation who keeps finding ways to make things work. The discourse on how capitalism isn't set up to support women, the classism in health care, and the general disdain people have for sex work was poignant and thought provoking in a lot of ways. The switching between 1st and 3rd person narration didn't bother me via audio, but it could be distracting for some readers. There are some parts of the book about writing and characters that are very meta, and while it was tempting to get sucked into the inception of it all, I decided to take the story at face value and just enjoy the ride.

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

That last bit hit me right in the feels. 🥹 Warren and Chloe are both young and trying to take care of their siblings, when their case workers suggests they cam help each other out by teaming up. The premise is utterly ridiculous, but they are so sweet and earnest and caring. Some parts made me roll my eyes, but if you're looking for a hopeful story about triumph after tragedy, this one just might be for you. 

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

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? No

4.0

Clayton is heartbroken in the wake of his adoptive mother Pippa's death, but also desperate to find out more about his birth parents. Instead of just giving him the answer, she send him on a quest filled with puzzles to discover his roots and nurture his future. The beginning of this is a bit slow, but once Clayton begins his quest everything starts to fall into place. Pippa is such a character, and I love how she cobbled together this quirky little family. I love how they support each other and how committed they are to their creative and intellectual pursuits. I was worried about the interactive puzzle aspect in audio format, and I was still able to participate in solving some of the clues, I would reccomend people have a physical copy to see the puzzles. There's a little romance, a little mystery, and a lot of love.

Sky Full Of Elephants by Cebo Campbell

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad slow-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

In a future world where all the white people walk into the sea and drown, black and brown people are left to find a new path forward. This is one of those books that I feel like you could dissect in a class for weeks and still not find all the deeper meanings. The prose lean into preachy often, but I was fascinated with the story. The complicated emotions, longing for "the way things were", fear of what they could be, assumptions about our own capabilities, and the reality of all Black people have suffered and continue to suffer made me yearn for community and healing in way I never have before. This feels like a paradigm to be investigated more than a story to be consumed. I'm giving it a 5 because I am compelled read it again. 

Nothing Like The Movies by Lynn Painter

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

I want to write a more in depth review of this, but it was just...fine. It was a fun time, but very repetitive. I wanted more of the silliness we got in the first book, and more depth from the side characters. Wes is so intense with his love that it felt like a little much. His reasons for the break up were understandable, but still straight garbage, and I don't feel like they really deal with those issues. They just kind of sweep them under the rug and slip back into the honeymoon period. I wanted more. Sigh