booksaftercafecito's reviews
190 reviews

Nevermore by Jade Hernandez

adventurous dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Ofelia is a ballerina who absolutely loves dance. She is also the daughter of a very prominent politician, and is expected to uphold a very distinguished appearance as a representative of her family. 

Fabián is one of the sons of the leader of the criminal empire known as the Raven Brothers. He is a perfect soldier for the cause, loyalties strongly tied to his father and this network of drugs and crime. That is, until he lays eyes on Ofelia.

Ofelia can’t help but be drawn to his darkness, and Fabián will do anything to keep her light in his life. This Latinx Romeo and Juliet reimagining will have you feeling all of the lust, love, and angst of a relationship forbidden by enemy families, and questioning the lengths you would go to keep this love, at all costs.

To say I’m obsessed with this novella is an understatement. I was clinging to every word and feeling on every single page.

Can't Get Enough by Kennedy Ryan

emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

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

4.75

Always A Bridesmaid by Laura Lovely, Erin Clark

funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

Skulls and Stitches by N.J. Weeks

dark emotional mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No

3.75

Tank by M. Malone

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

3.75

Knocked Up by the Mob Boss by Nicole Fox

challenging dark funny tense fast-paced

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

3.0

All I've Wanted All I've Needed by A.E. Valdez

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

Love, Under Contract by Nina High

fast-paced

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

3.0

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

The fact that this book so clearly and accurately represents Fibromyalgia made it an automatic 5 star read for me. Seeing my symptoms, inner thoughts, and feelings mirrored back at me through Chloe made me so emotional. Dealing with an invisible chronic illness can be extremely isolating, and having to constantly explain yourself or try to make people believe it’s real is exhausting. This book made me feel seen and validated.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Chloe at first. She was a bit too prissy and stuck up to seem likable. However, she grew on me the more I got to know her. If anything, I related to her even more, because I recognized the defense mechanism of closing yourself off in order to avoid rejection or feeling like a burden and annoyance to others. 

Having her sisters and aunt play such vital roles as immediate family that took her illness seriously and were always aware of her wellbeing also struck an emotional chord, as that is not a support system that is common. 

Then there’s Redford Morgan. The kind of friend-turned-partner a person like me dreams of, even if we are shy or hesitant at first. He truly cared for Chloe. Being such a good son who already enjoyed caring for his mother, his caregiving and selflessness was at full throttle for Chloe. He did not undermine her autonomy, but also knew when it was effective to force help upon her, when she truly needed it but wouldn’t dare ask. I can understand how easy it is to fall in love with him.

There’s so much more to this story, including some spice, so please, READ IT! 💜