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courtofsmutandstuff's reviews
1339 reviews
The Anxious Generation: How The Great Rewiring of Childhood is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt
5.0
I really liked this - it is very readable, but packed with research, and written in a clear and engaging way. I definitely see why it was on best book of the year lists.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
5.0
Absolutely loved this. Loved the paranormal aspect and lore (and could dive into it so much more) but I especially loved both Ricki and Breeze, and of course Miss Della and Tuesday. Highly highly recommend, especially if haven't read a good urban fantasy in a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Totally Folked by Penny Reid
5.0
Definitely go read the prequel first!
I love Penny, and I love Green Valley, and I love everything she writes. This is another celebrity romance, but it doesn't feel like a repeat of Siena and Jethro (but I do love seeing them in this book!!) I just absolutely love Penny, and while you could read this without reading any of her other stuff, it definitely is so much better if you've already read the Winston Brothers (and therefore also Knitting in the City) too.
I love Penny, and I love Green Valley, and I love everything she writes. This is another celebrity romance, but it doesn't feel like a repeat of Siena and Jethro (but I do love seeing them in this book!!) I just absolutely love Penny, and while you could read this without reading any of her other stuff, it definitely is so much better if you've already read the Winston Brothers (and therefore also Knitting in the City) too.
Content Warnings
Minor: Stalking
Just Folking Around by Penny Reid
4.0
Very cute prequel (that I didn't realize existed until I had already started reading the first book, so definitely read this first!). I just adore everything about Penny Reid.
Isabel and the Rogue by Liana De la Rosa
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
I absolutely love this series and highly recommend it, especially if you love historical romances. De la Rosa is great at building rich characters, but she's especially good at showing how those characters fall in love. I can't wait for book 3!
Why Won't You Apologize?: Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts by Harriet Lerner
4.0
Quick and easy to understand, this gives a relative overview of apologies, how they function, how to give them, and how to deal with not getting them.
Ana María and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa
5.0
I ADORED THIS BOOK!
I love historical romance (even though I haven't read many lately) and this book reminded me of why I love historical romance, but also that it doesn't have to be WHITE. While I know a lot about the American Civil War, it's just a minor aspect here, and instead the main focus is Ana María and her sisters who flee the French occupation of Mexico, and take refuge with their uncle (the Mexican ambassador) in Victorian England. Also - it's dual POV!! I honestly don't even want to tell you too much about the book, because I went in blind (my habit with books) and I was so so SO pleased by it. And the audiobook was SO well done - I really loved the narrator. I'm ecstatic this is going to be a series - De la Rosa did a fantastic job introducing us to the other sisters (and their presumed love interests) without pulling focus from Ana María and Gideon, but enough so that I am hungry for their books! Seriously, why haven't you already added "Want to Read" or better yet - "Add to Cart"???
Still need some convincing? Ana María has BIG Eldest Sister Energy and their father's actions have made the sisters feel more like competitors than sisters, but that starts to change in this book. There's Marriage of Connivence, and also - my absolute favorite - powerful white men getting called out for their bullshit!! And I didn't even mention Gideon Fox, our MMC who is a quarter Black, up and coming member of Parliament, who is working tirelessly to abolish the Slave Trade. Everything is historical and totally fits in, but it's so delightful to see a completely new type of story being told. Yes, we have had economically star-crossed lovers before, and even political themed books, but it's a completely new-to-me historical period and characters being centered, and I ate it up, and can't wait for more. I got this book from the library and will be buying a physical copy the next time I'm at a book store.
However, Prince Albert dies in 1861, and I thought the book said it took place in 1862 but honestly if that is the "worst" historical inaccuracy is Albert is alive one year longer it is negligible.
I love historical romance (even though I haven't read many lately) and this book reminded me of why I love historical romance, but also that it doesn't have to be WHITE. While I know a lot about the American Civil War, it's just a minor aspect here, and instead the main focus is Ana María and her sisters who flee the French occupation of Mexico, and take refuge with their uncle (the Mexican ambassador) in Victorian England. Also - it's dual POV!! I honestly don't even want to tell you too much about the book, because I went in blind (my habit with books) and I was so so SO pleased by it. And the audiobook was SO well done - I really loved the narrator. I'm ecstatic this is going to be a series - De la Rosa did a fantastic job introducing us to the other sisters (and their presumed love interests) without pulling focus from Ana María and Gideon, but enough so that I am hungry for their books! Seriously, why haven't you already added "Want to Read" or better yet - "Add to Cart"???
Still need some convincing? Ana María has BIG Eldest Sister Energy and their father's actions have made the sisters feel more like competitors than sisters, but that starts to change in this book. There's Marriage of Connivence, and also - my absolute favorite - powerful white men getting called out for their bullshit!! And I didn't even mention Gideon Fox, our MMC who is a quarter Black, up and coming member of Parliament, who is working tirelessly to abolish the Slave Trade. Everything is historical and totally fits in, but it's so delightful to see a completely new type of story being told. Yes, we have had economically star-crossed lovers before, and even political themed books, but it's a completely new-to-me historical period and characters being centered, and I ate it up, and can't wait for more. I got this book from the library and will be buying a physical copy the next time I'm at a book store.
However, Prince Albert dies in 1861, and I thought the book said it took place in 1862 but honestly if that is the "worst" historical inaccuracy is Albert is alive one year longer it is negligible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
5.0
Classic Percy - funny, good pacing, and relatively short. Also it’s nice to read a Percy book where there’s no trauma for him for the most part! (One wrestling match aside).
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
5.0
Love it and especially love we finally got a dual POV Ali book!!! And even better, in the audiobook they narrate their own dialogue in the other's POV!!! It's so perfect. And spicy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
5.0
I really enjoyed the magic system and Shai as a main character. As a novella it's also a tight, quick story, and incredibly short for a Sanderson read, so it felt good to take down one of his books so quickly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence