courtofsmutandstuff's reviews
1208 reviews

reflective sad

3.0

This book is very brief and poetic, especially in the vein of Rupi Kaur. The artwork coloring style switches for the past and present, and it's a great example of when a little says a lot.
This book was fine for me - I recognize that it was well done, but I think this is a book that will most excel when it's speaking to the right person in the right moment.

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The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

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4.0

This is a very sweet Middle Grade graphic novel (even though there is literally a bloody coup that kills off the only known family for the two protagonists, it still felt very sweet). The protagonists join the Communion of Blue in order to stay safe from their murderous cousin, and Grayce finds herself in the sisterhood, while her brother Hawke chafes under it. It was really lovely to see Grayce find herself and her truth, and have that recognized and supported so simply and easily by those around her.
A very quick read with beautiful visuals. I do wish more of the magic system was explained/explored, but as the novel takes place over only a few days, it does make sense the scope and limitation of what we see.
Also, I'm sure if I should add a CW for deadnaming as this covers Grayce's transition process.

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We Had a Little Real Estate Problem: The Unheralded Story of Native Americans & Comedy by Kliph Nesteroff

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informative

5.0

This was an easy read and the audiobook is enjoyable (though it does jump around from time to time, which was a bit jarring, but I wonder if it's less jarring as a written book rather than audio). I didn't know pretty much anything about Native American comedians, and it provided not only a ton of history around contemporary comedy, but a wider historical backing as well.
Highly recommend for history lovers and comedy lovers.

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

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5.0

He's a man who reformed, went to therapy, and has a gentle dog - what are you still waiting for?

Nineteen Steps by Millie Bobby Brown

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slow-paced

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

3.0

If I DNFed books, I probably would have DNFed this. The most engaging part was right around the halfway mark where the "terrible incident" happens, and it's because I think the book works most well when driven by external conflict. It doesn't thrive as a love story (though the romantic subplot is a significant part of the story), and I think it's because it doesn't operate as a romance novel - there's no "core wound" that the characters face and the only external conflict is the war going on, and then the after effects of the "terrible incident" - even Billy's interest isn't a conflict until spoilers

from the beginning of the book the love triangle is set up, and especially after Ray is shot down, it just felt like he was going to survive - because why else would the love triangle have been set up so much? So when Ray shows up days before the wedding, it feels more like a pay off than a "oh no! conflict!!"

. I did appreciate the sections that focused on administrative life and the inquiry, but the lack of interior depth - beyond life during wartime is hard - made this book hard to resonate with me. I do like when author's read their own work, but that alone wasn't enough to elevate this for me.
If you like historical fiction about London during the Blitz, this is a read for you. If not, I'd say skip (even if you're a fan of Brown's).

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Captivated by Love by Brenda Jackson

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3.5

I read this as a standalone, and I don't think it works as well - I probably would have liked it more if I had that background on the Grangers, but it still worked. I wasn't as gripped by the first half (but I'm also not really a fan of prison set stories or insta-lust), but I did like the connection and deep love between Carson and Sheppard, and I always love when there's no third act breakup. I'm also not usually a fan of one trop (<spoilers> accidental pregnancy </spoilers>) but it really fit and worked for the characters involved.

The Baker & the Bard by Fern Haught

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3.0

Very gentle and very cozy - it's about Juniper and Hadley's friendship, a cozy quest to find some mushrooms, and the friends they meet along the way. It's definitely a book to pick up if you like nice, gentle, cozy, soft-fantasy with a dash of queer.

Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins

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Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

My favorite of the Destiny trilogy (though I read the first 2 years ago), and I adore Pilar. Jenkins really loves her pirate characters, and I feel like Pilar was an epitome of this, and I love Noah's artistic nature. I loved seeing Pilar back at the family ranch, and could have read so many more chapters about her training horses. The 3rd act crisis was good, and I'm glad Noah ultimately resolves his trauma in a healthy way.

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Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood

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5.0

I adore Ali Hazelwood, and her oblivious FMCs, and her Adam Driver MMCs. I devoured it in 24 hours and have no complaints.

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Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins

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Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Beverly Jenkins loves her feisty FMCs and I am here for it. I liked the take of Rhine passing, and then having to cross back over for love, but especially compared to her other books I read recently, this is much more of a romantic subplot than a romance novel (I still really liked it!) I also love her commitment to a 3rd act crisis over a 3rd act breakup.

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courtofsmutandstuff's reviews 1208 reviews

courtofsmutandstuff's reviews
1208 reviews