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businesswife's reviews
238 reviews
The Guy She Was Interested in Wasn't a Guy at All, Vol. 1 by Sumiko Arai
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? Yes
5.0
A short and super cute read. The art style of this manga are everything it was hyped up to be. The strong lime green and black are sooo cute I have never seen a style like it before and I loved it. The references and vibes throughout to 90s-2000s rock were amazing. The styles of the characters clothing and hair are so fun. Also to have such a shy but cool character and a anxious and outgoing, they are so cute! I loved them both. And Mitsuki is everything. I am gender queer and her vibes are so good! I love her style and attitude. Anyway! Obsessed with this!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Grief, Toxic friendship
Guardian: Zhen Hun (Novel) Vol. 1 by priest
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Supernatural creatures working for a detective unit in the police force? Hell yea. This is so fun. Zhao Yunlan is in charge of a special division Ministry of Public Security that deals with paranormal and strange incidents that happen that the police aren't equipped for. And, he's a bit of a lady killer but for hot guys. So, while on a case when he runs into very attractive but cold professor Shen Wei he wants him bad. This is a great investigations story with a fun splash of romance that I enjoyed a lot and I look forward to continuing soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore
Moderate: Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault, Slavery
The Merciless Ones by Namina Forna
dark
emotional
inspiring
tense
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? No
5.0
This series is so good. Deka is a badass FMC who is coming into her power in book two. She is uncovering so much about the world she is living in, the Gods, and about herself. This is such a spectacular look at faith and what it can do to people. I also love how it allows these young women to be angry and messy. There is such a diverse set of experiences in this from backgrounds, families, and sexuality. Also just when you think you know whats going on, you don't which I love in a book series. The world that is laid out is also so rich and beautiful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual violence, Transphobia, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Homophobia, Pregnancy
The Dragon's Betrothed, Vol. 1 by Meguru Hinohara
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
4.75
This is a super cute series! I love Meguru Hinohara's art and stories (see also Therapy Game and Secret XXX). This one also has a dragon boy and some fairy tale vibes where the local legend is very real and our main character is now involved.
Our main character, Chiharu is a writer who has pretty bad self esteem and depression and is getting away from the big city and returning to where he grew up when he meets Rin, a super cute, and bumbling boy who doesn't seem to know how to be normal. Rin also doesn't know quite how to take a hint when Chiharu tells him he's not interested in men. When Rin tells him they are betrothed things only get more complicated.
I love this series. There is only 2 out so far and I am not sure if she will continue it but I hope she does because I love it!
Our main character, Chiharu is a writer who has pretty bad self esteem and depression and is getting away from the big city and returning to where he grew up when he meets Rin, a super cute, and bumbling boy who doesn't seem to know how to be normal. Rin also doesn't know quite how to take a hint when Chiharu tells him he's not interested in men. When Rin tells him they are betrothed things only get more complicated.
I love this series. There is only 2 out so far and I am not sure if she will continue it but I hope she does because I love it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Blood, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Death
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 2 by Yuji Kaku
adventurous
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
See review for book 1 of the series, these are all going to be pretty high star reviews, I love this series, and the anime
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder
Neon is the Colour of Vengeance by Elanor Miller
dark
emotional
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
4.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3 / 5
The smut in this novel uses explicit language and a decent amount of detail. There is a good balance of plot and romance. There are several spicy scenes throughout the book, at least two or three, but potentially even more.
TLDR: I liked this book more than I thought I would. I liked Hugo and Evan a lot, I read this very fast because I always wanted to know what was coming next. And as a lover of Boardwalk Empire I loved the vibes!
World: The vibes on a futuristic 1920s is so cool. I love the vibe of the world in this a lot. I enjoyed the city, the atmosphere that was built every time Hugo went anywhere new and showed us a new club, neighborhood, or something new. The world was so rich and gorgeous it was very immersive.
Characters: I love Hugo. Hes a perfect example of he had no chance. His backstory really explained him. I felt like he tried so hard despite everything. He was complicated, layered, and also just hot. Evan was a great foil for Hugo, a romantic undoing and showed kindness to everyone of Hugo's hard spots. Th rest of the main cast, the Conti family was also very fun and messed up in their own unique ways which is a great representation of how trauma doesn't effect us all in the same way. My only negative for characters in this is you know immediately when you meet someone in this if they are important or not based on how much they are described. Also I want to scream from a roof about how horrible their 'father' is omgggg. I am still reeling about everything these children have gone through and how they are not really responsible for anything they have become.
Plot: The plot of this is very good, I liked where it went and I think it made a lot of sense with where they were and the life that Hugo and family all lived. This is not a happily ever after and I think it would have made less sense if it was. Did I wish it was when I was in the happy section? Yes, but I did like what happened. I do wish there was some good that took place post the ending but I also know that this is a prequel that sets up the world the way the author wants and this is important.
Review by Nic @polycraftory on Instagram, Tumblr, and Tiktok, where I do book reviews and crafts with my polycule. If you are curious about my thoughts on more books, you can find me @businesswife on Storygraph.
I was given a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review!
The smut in this novel uses explicit language and a decent amount of detail. There is a good balance of plot and romance. There are several spicy scenes throughout the book, at least two or three, but potentially even more.
TLDR: I liked this book more than I thought I would. I liked Hugo and Evan a lot, I read this very fast because I always wanted to know what was coming next. And as a lover of Boardwalk Empire I loved the vibes!
World: The vibes on a futuristic 1920s is so cool. I love the vibe of the world in this a lot. I enjoyed the city, the atmosphere that was built every time Hugo went anywhere new and showed us a new club, neighborhood, or something new. The world was so rich and gorgeous it was very immersive.
Characters: I love Hugo. Hes a perfect example of he had no chance. His backstory really explained him. I felt like he tried so hard despite everything. He was complicated, layered, and also just hot. Evan was a great foil for Hugo, a romantic undoing and showed kindness to everyone of Hugo's hard spots. Th rest of the main cast, the Conti family was also very fun and messed up in their own unique ways which is a great representation of how trauma doesn't effect us all in the same way. My only negative for characters in this is you know immediately when you meet someone in this if they are important or not based on how much they are described. Also
Plot: The plot of this is very good, I liked where it went and I think it made a lot of sense with where they were and the life that Hugo and family all lived. This is not a happily ever after and I think it would have made less sense if it was. Did I wish it was when I was in the happy section? Yes, but I did like what happened. I do wish there was some good that took place post the ending but I also know that this is a prequel that sets up the world the way the author wants and this is important.
Review by Nic @polycraftory on Instagram, Tumblr, and Tiktok, where I do book reviews and crafts with my polycule. If you are curious about my thoughts on more books, you can find me @businesswife on Storygraph.
I was given a copy of this book in order to provide an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Alcohol
There is a very messed up relationship between their "adoptive dad" and Alice in this that is very much a grooming relationship.
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 3 by Yuji Kaku
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I love this series. There is more info about it in my review for the first one in the series. This is a wild, fast, gore heavy and around amazing series. Major spoiler for this one: There is an adorable relationship that starts in this issue one of the characters in that relationship does die. It is very sad but also so good and alternatively amazing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Blood
Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
This book is very fine. I just don't feel very strongly positive or negatively about it and honestly their is a lot more books I'm excited to read at the moment and I just don't care to finish this atm.
Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 1 by Yuji Kaku
adventurous
dark
tense
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? Yes
5.0
I do have a tendency to rate manga 5 stars - not sorry. This one is so fun though. Gabimaru the hollow, known to be one of the most deadly ninjas and killers has been caught and taken in for his execution. Before his execution he is given the option to travel to 'paradise' and find the elixir of life for the Shogun. If he comes back with it alive he can go home to his wife and the charges will be dropped.
World: The world building for this slaps. I also recommend the anime. They have managed to match the art so well so going back and forth so I can read ahead has been a no brainier. Paradise in this series is terrifying, full of giant terrifying beings, poisonous insects, and flowers that grow from the dead who have come before searching for the elixir. And, on top of the island being insane Gabimaru is not the only prisoner sent, so there are a bunch of insane prisoners competing for the chance at their freedom.
Characters: I AM OBSESSED with Gabi and his executioner. They are both amazing and their dynamics is wild from the jump. The other prisoners are all terrifying as well and all have their own vibes. Also Gabi being a wife guy SO GOOD.
All and all I love this series and I'm reading it whenever I have an hour or 2 to spare.
World: The world building for this slaps. I also recommend the anime. They have managed to match the art so well so going back and forth so I can read ahead has been a no brainier. Paradise in this series is terrifying, full of giant terrifying beings, poisonous insects, and flowers that grow from the dead who have come before searching for the elixir. And, on top of the island being insane Gabimaru is not the only prisoner sent, so there are a bunch of insane prisoners competing for the chance at their freedom.
Characters: I AM OBSESSED with Gabi and his executioner. They are both amazing and their dynamics is wild from the jump. The other prisoners are all terrifying as well and all have their own vibes. Also Gabi being a wife guy SO GOOD.
All and all I love this series and I'm reading it whenever I have an hour or 2 to spare.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Physical abuse
All The Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
This is a great nonfiction book. If you are not a nonfiction reader but want to try one this would be a great one to give a chance to. Especially if you could go to or have been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). I live in New York and this book made me want to visit the museum and look for everything Patrick talked about throughout the book, it is so beautiful. He also narrated the audio book which I really enjoyed.
Plot: for a nonfiction the plot it actually amazing, this follows Patrick's life as he deals with the grief of losing his brother to illness. While he learns to continue living he gets what he thinks will be a very just a job job and finds that he falls in love with art and history while learning to live his life outside of his work. This is a gorgeous look at the museum and the history it holds, day to day boredom of being a guard at the Met but also things you would never see or consider as a visitor. You also see intimate glimpses of him and his wife falling in love and having children.
People: Instead of characters the people in this book are very real and maybe even more colorful then some fiction book characters. They are from all around the world an their stories are diverse and amazing. I learned about other countries and also about more places from Patrick learning about where the guards in the Met are from originally.
In short this book is phenomenal and made me feel a lot about art and life. Its about a lot grief, living a bit slower sometimes, and finding beauty in your everyday life. I highly recommend this in either form. I tend to consume nonfiction in the audio book and this one was great and available through the library.
Plot: for a nonfiction the plot it actually amazing, this follows Patrick's life as he deals with the grief of losing his brother to illness. While he learns to continue living he gets what he thinks will be a very just a job job and finds that he falls in love with art and history while learning to live his life outside of his work. This is a gorgeous look at the museum and the history it holds, day to day boredom of being a guard at the Met but also things you would never see or consider as a visitor. You also see intimate glimpses of him and his wife falling in love and having children.
People: Instead of characters the people in this book are very real and maybe even more colorful then some fiction book characters. They are from all around the world an their stories are diverse and amazing. I learned about other countries and also about more places from Patrick learning about where the guards in the Met are from originally.
In short this book is phenomenal and made me feel a lot about art and life. Its about a lot grief, living a bit slower sometimes, and finding beauty in your everyday life. I highly recommend this in either form. I tend to consume nonfiction in the audio book and this one was great and available through the library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief