claranagbabasa's reviews
69 reviews

The Day of the Duchess by Sarah MacLean

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

If you're shock, imagine how I feel.

I, who despise the mere thought of the cheating trope. I, who once said, infamously— no amount of grovelling could excuse cheating. I, who is the younger brother—

Wait, no, different dialogue.

WHAT I MEAN IS— This book promised heady drama of the highest degree. It was no easy read for certain; so many times my chest tightened in that delicious way (in the I'm in the gripes of drama and I can relate in a way, and that is hurting me this better have a good ending or I swear to god, someone is going to have to sedate me way). Times I had to scroll past certain paragraphs to remain sane because the writing was good. The story was lovely. I could not stop even if I wanted to.

But then it wrought fierce characters, comedic twists to sharp inhales of tensions— and the grovelling. Fair enough that when this was recommended for me, I held onto the promise rope of intense grovelling.

And it delivered.

It delivered it so well, I flew through the pages. Plowed through the heartbreak and devoured the writing.

That last chapter definitely tied it up with a pretty bow for me, that I could not refuse to give it the 5 stars it deserved.

For tropes I disliked, it made me love the story.

People might think the epilogue was too on the err of happily ever after— I say fuck it. We deserved that HEA. I still like the male character a little less, but if girlie gets her ever after, I could care less.

When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

It's true, I skipped a few books in this series, only because I wanted to consume the ones I really wanted.

As most Dare books, romantic comedy took centre stage with the bants and chemistry and characters you can't help but adore. What I didn't expect was that revelation that wholeheartedly broke my heart. I took a wild guess and I got it sorta right, but still. Flabbergasted and hurting. I wish we could have had a prolonged storyline with that subplot, because that takes quite the healing.

I can't say this book tops Colin and Min's, but that epilogue was quite the sweet end.

A Week to Be Wicked by Tessa Dare

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

Inarguably, a fetching comparison to WASTAK. Not one to disappoint when it comes to historical romance, Colin and Minerva are so dear to me.

Their chemistry, the bants, the comedy of going on a road trip in the guise of elopement— a wonder. You would think the steamy scenes would have to make way for the plot, but this one tangled it so beautifully.

It gave an interesting and fresh take idea, and Dare definitely delivered in the only way Dare could deliver.

The sincerity of this story was utterly wondrous.

Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-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

4.0

The historical romance girlies did not disappoint with this recommend. Found it hilarious and charming. A few of the pacing choices, as well as subplots, leave much to be desired, romance wise, it was marvellous.

If you are one to despise a more authenticated choice about certain antiquated gibberish from the old century, this might not be your cup of tea.

But I didn't mind & thoroughly enjoyed myself.

One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare

emotional funny hopeful tense fast-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

3.25

As usual, when it comes to steamy historical romance, Tessa Dare doesn't disappoint. Now, is to say, does this book rank higher than When a Scot Ties a Knot— absolutely not.

For one, that book is decidedly S-tier. The urge to reread it once a year as comfort is unavoidable.

Now, I do say I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The banter, the chemistry— even the subplot of the

dead lord

.

On another hand, the flaws of our FMC had me struggling. Near the end, I chalked it up to the simple fact that just because her absolute loyalty annoys me, shouldn't endanger the book's likeability to me. It might simply be because I struggle to correlate/understand myself doesn't me I still shouldn't enjoy it.

But when the 3rd act reveals happen, I can't help the bedraggled sigh. It's still a v good book, but even I admit her stubborness and his ultimatums— though fixed in the end — neatly cleaved off a few stars for me.

As for the build up between them, and her character in general— I thought was quite magnificent.

Heartless by Elsie Silver

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-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? Yes

3.75

Just a really good read, coming in for my second book in the series. A good kick of spice and a sweet read. Nothing too miraculous, but def a good read to blow your yard through😉 

Reckless by Elsie Silver

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.75

*Matthew McConaughey voice* Alright, alright, alright.

This has been in my TBR for a while, so I appreciate finally getting to it and it definitely did not disappoint. In terms of what I was promised.

But I was surprised by how pleasant and emotionally well established were the characters and the things they had to work through. The male lead especially,

leading the charge for once, for well maintained mental and emotional fortitude. Or is that the perks of book boyfriends? You get to feel the crisps and edges of jaded FMC— and boy was Winter trying — and you get the well-rounded book boyfriend to really volley ths torch for you?

The amount of times I've been using book boyfriend is actually insane.

But this book was good for what it was, I enjoyed it thoroughly. It did feel quite fast paced, blowing through most plot points and conflicts in a jiffy, but with my annoyance to certain types of conflicts (and boy did Winter's family made me want to certainly blow past ALL OF IT), I could appreciate the no linger.

Though I can still feel we didn't have enough time to solidly go through Winter's issues with how she grew up, plus the tension that brought on with the Eastons. Her feeling like an outsider with the few times Rhett was being a pow-wow dick, did not sit right with me.

All in all, a solid small town romance read with a well deserved titled book boyfriend, cute babies, and cowboy hats.

Oh, and no one can make me hate you, Winter. 

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

Quintessentially adorable.

Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional informative reflective 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

I don't have any words to give. As an SEAsian who had to acclimate to a lot of Western ideals, who had to prioritise learning English versus my mother tongue, this book violently ripped apart my bones, tore through my organs, and held my being hostage.

Whether or not your country has ever gone through colonialism, but most especially, it remains a defining read.