claranagbabasa's reviews
70 reviews

Ghosted by J.M. Darhower

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse and Physical abuse

Moderate: Drug abuse and Alcoholism

To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters

challenging emotional lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.25

I knew what I was signing up when I read the premise, but I also did not know what I was signing up when I read the premise.

Definitely not an easily digestible historical romance (again, knew that from the premise), both characters were able to grate on my nerves, but toward the end, I really struggled to finish. The writing was pretty, and the way the characters set up was nice, I adored a lot of the side characters especially the spitfire nature of most of the women, ugh, wonderful— some of the pranks were even funny (see the one with Violet's mom), and their friends' reactions to their stubbornness and inability to communicate (I mean, five years is a long time lol), but by a bit of the point, I just wanted the book to be over. Still, managed not to DNF.

Do with that what you will.

In a Jam by Kate Canterbary

adventurous 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? Yes

5.0

Ok, I am setting this up with the fact that I had high expectations for this book.

(I really shouldn't do that to myself, but here we are).


For one, I got recommendations for this, and all of them were very inclined to the positives, with the added bonus of containing a lot of my already favourite tropes (marriage of convenience, one of them, hello). And oh, it did not disappoint. I devoured this book from tip to top. I laughed, giggled, felt so profoundly emotional, and understood when character character-ed (because let's be honest, sometimes some authors can't character their character enough to justify some actions). It was sweet, it was funny, it was a fanfare of jams, goats, and wonderfully kooky earrings.


Didn't realise it was going to get pretty spicy though, but it was still tasteful (at times lol, Noah Barden out here wilding folks AHAHAH), so if you're into that, definitely a solid 4/5 on the spice. Both in rating and in spice level, hello.

For me, it was the banter, the dancing around each other, the faking it for the crowd

oops, I'm not actually faking it lol.

When Noah was ready to pelt Shay's ex with jam jars and Shay accurately thinking he would do this, I howled.

Because of this book, I didn't realise how much I enjoyed a dual POV. Safe to say, I really enjoy dual POV.

Definitely a lighthearted read with splashes of heavy material, our main characters, especially our baby Gennie, have been through a lot. But it's good. It's wonderful. How it's written, the characterisations, the character themselves are utterly wonderful. Shay's entire group of teacher friends from Boston (from Jaime), was so beautiful for me to read. Definitely enjoyed the scenes that included them, and slightly wish we had more.


Definitely add to Books to Read on a Rainy Day pile.

Random side note, if you're into it— Noah is a growly male lead. Do with that what you will. Lol

The Captain's Midwinter Bride by Liana De la Rosa

lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

Found myself laughing out loud several times, as well as feet-kicking the air. Do with that what you will.
 
The steamy scenes were also quite... steamy. Tasteful but so very, very hot.

But not as hot as the couple talking to each other as best as they could, dealing things maturely (and sweetly), definitely a balm to my heart that has been wounded by too often miscommunication trope slapped-and-dashed across decent plots. 

The Invitation by Vi Keeland

funny 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? Yes

3.25

End feels a bit abrupt and rushed, would've liked it if we explored more

about her own heartbreak. Cos I tell you if my fiance cheated on me with MY sister and MY parents knew it for months, and I'm slowly going crazy while he's gaslighting the shit out of me, there would've been no communication until deathbeds. At that point, either I have found it in my own authority to be a better person, or I would whisper,  "Hope you enjoy the conga line when Satan leads it." Cos by god.
Also the Lexi x Jack thing, i feel so bad for Alana. Rating definitely wouldve gone higher if we explored all of this. The timeskip feels so abrupt, alongside that ending.

Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Plot twist was wild, but that

boat trying-to-drown-you sex scene kinda made my stomach curdle. And yes, I understand that it is a dark romance but still.

.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

4.75

Alex is the very definition of a Emily Henry boy. Aka,

is actually desperate for the female lead but is hiding it in gusto, and the devastation of finding out he got a vasectomy for Poppy had me lying down for a bit.

A very cute story of friends to lovers, tangled with near misses, almosts, and hopeless hopes.

Feel really bad for Sarah though. Poppy owes her a bit, because if I was the girlfriend, Poppy was the near definition of that girl best friend of your boyfriend that made your eye twitch.

Still. A very cute story. Had me wishing for my own Alex Nilsen several times (8, by my last count).

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

3.25

There were a lot of threads for me that did not really fall through, or understood what happened to them. On some threads, it felt rushed and abrupt. Both rushed to finish through with this plot line, as well as abruptly going at it in this way (if that makes a lick of sense). Still rated higher though I edited it a bit, shh, because it was a sweet read. Was it cliche and a bit predictable? Sure. Were there parts that were a touch bit ridiculous? Sure. Still enjoyed it nevertheless.

Will never forgive this town for just ignoring a traumatised boy. I am petty like that. Also, just didn't like how Bree's PTSD was handled.

The Dark One by Nikki St. Crowe

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

3.25