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bookstarbri's reviews
310 reviews
The Long Game by Rachel Reid
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Role Model by Rachel Reid
emotional
funny
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
Tough Guy by Rachel Reid
emotional
funny
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
3.75
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
emotional
funny
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
4.75
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
emotional
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
2.75
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Time and Time Again by Chatham Greenfield
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Every Time You Hear That Song by Jenna Voris
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Wow wow wow. I was lucky enough to win an ARC of this book in a giveaway and I am so happy I did. I went into this thinking it would be a queer, coming of age story set in the South about the perils of fame and how the choices we make define us. And though this book was definitely that, it was also so much more and I wasn't entirely prepared for what I got.
Every Time You Hear That Song is such really two stories in one. One begins with Darren in present day and the other travels through several decades with Decklee Cassel. So in a way, one story is mostly stationary and it's the mystery of it that's moving Darren's POV forward. And then there's Decklee's POV that is jumping through years and we're seeing her go from being a young, fifteen-year-old, to eventually being much older in the present, so her story eventually catches up to Darren's in a way that was really fascinating to read. I loved having this book told in this way and I think it worked perfectly for these stories.
The characters themselves are really brilliant to read. These characters go through a lot and there's a lot of messiness surrounding them, particularly Decklee and Darren. But they felt so authentic and flawed. The ending is bittersweet, but felt right for the characters and the core of who they were. This made it a little sad for me, but it felt very true for how life is and the way it works out. So it's realistic and messy and sad but a really beautiful narrative of being a queer teen in the South and the complicated feelings and experiences this brings up.
This book was such a pleasant surprise and I can't recommend it more!
Every Time You Hear That Song is such really two stories in one. One begins with Darren in present day and the other travels through several decades with Decklee Cassel. So in a way, one story is mostly stationary and it's the mystery of it that's moving Darren's POV forward. And then there's Decklee's POV that is jumping through years and we're seeing her go from being a young, fifteen-year-old, to eventually being much older in the present, so her story eventually catches up to Darren's in a way that was really fascinating to read. I loved having this book told in this way and I think it worked perfectly for these stories.
The characters themselves are really brilliant to read. These characters go through a lot and there's a lot of messiness surrounding them, particularly Decklee and Darren. But they felt so authentic and flawed. The ending is bittersweet, but felt right for the characters and the core of who they were. This made it a little sad for me, but it felt very true for how life is and the way it works out. So it's realistic and messy and sad but a really beautiful narrative of being a queer teen in the South and the complicated feelings and experiences this brings up.
This book was such a pleasant surprise and I can't recommend it more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Minor: Terminal illness
Fence, Vol. 6: Redemption by C.S. Pacat
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Basil and Oregano by Melissa Capriglione
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