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downsophialane's reviews
158 reviews
Fling by Joseph Murray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Big men writing women vibes from this one. A pity, but I don't mind the concept.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility
When August Ends by Penelope Ward
3.25
I quite enjoy a May/December romance and this has a decent set-up, but it never graduated to noteworthy on its own merit for me. An enjoyable enough audiobook read by industry favourites Sebastian York and Andi Arndt. Inoffensive but forgettable.
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Death of parent and Gun violence
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Medical content
Guardian by Emmy Chandler
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
First thing's first: this book will not be for everyone. It feels wrong to call this book "enjoyable" when the world is so dark. It takes place on one of several section of a prison planet, so the novel on the whole feels quite claustrophobic, especially since the hero is apparently the single decent man in the universe. I suspect the world will open up in subsequent books to alleviate this somewhat. For this reason though, this book - while enthralling - is not as enjoyable a read as the other prison planet romance I've read, Hold by Claire Kent.
Fiddler on the Roof: Based on Sholom Aleichem Stories ... by Joseph Stein, Sholem Aleykhem, Sheldon Harnick, Jerry Bock
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
A poignant libretto/show to read/see/perform in the year of our Lord 2024. This show is the epitome of the second act being a sledgehammer of devastation after a fun and lighthearted first act. It's funny and heartfelt for the most part, apart from the frustrating and devastating ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Antisemitism
Moderate: Violence
Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.75
I really wanted to enjoy this book, and I hope it finds its readers. This novel is based on The Taming of the Shrew very loosely, and seems to adopt the characters' contempt for each other without the levity that usual makes this sort of contemporary enemies to lovers set up fun; seriously, some of what Prem says to Kareena's face is actually awful. While the grand gesture at the end is quite charming, the novel fell short in several aspects for me. The dialogue often felt unrealistic (including the cringe-worthy opening gambit by the hero who introduced himself as someone who mended "broken hearts" to avoid saying he was a doctor), and the narration clunky.
Some readers may enjoy this one in as much as it's a mirror of the experience of some children of South Asian immigrants. It's on the steamy side - usual my preference for romance - but my lack of emotional connection with the characters, who felt like caricatures, led to the whole experience feeling arduous. Honestly I think I would have DNFed if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook while driving. I would give another Nisha Sharma book a chance, but I would ultimately recommend Sonali Dev over this one to anyone looking for South East Asian rep in their romances.
Some readers may enjoy this one in as much as it's a mirror of the experience of some children of South Asian immigrants. It's on the steamy side - usual my preference for romance - but my lack of emotional connection with the characters, who felt like caricatures, led to the whole experience feeling arduous. Honestly I think I would have DNFed if I hadn't been listening to the audiobook while driving. I would give another Nisha Sharma book a chance, but I would ultimately recommend Sonali Dev over this one to anyone looking for South East Asian rep in their romances.
Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This is a delightful and well-crafted retelling of Pride and Prejudice. P&P retelling are easy to do in a mediocre way, but Nikki Payne has nailed it, particularly in her navigation of the class differences between the Bennetts and "Dorsey", and the stakes of the crisis as adapted for a contemporary setting. If you're searching for a contemporary Austen retelling or just a fun, steamy and diverse romance featuring a big family, this comes highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Classism
Sanctuary by Claire Kent
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Sanctuary is another immersive installment in Claire Kent's fascinating post-apocalyptic Kindred series. As usual, this is a one-sitting read. This is probably not the book to start with, as the relationship between Aidan and Breanna may feel like instalove without the narrative context of at least the previous book. Do check the trigger warnings as Breanna has essentially particularly in self-inflicted sex work which has resulted in a lot of trauma.
I love revisiting this world and would recommend you give it a go. I'm such a wuss that I never would have imagined that a post-apocalytic romance would become my favourite series, but it truly has.
I love revisiting this world and would recommend you give it a go. I'm such a wuss that I never would have imagined that a post-apocalytic romance would become my favourite series, but it truly has.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Sexual assault, Violence, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Infertility
Minor: Pregnancy and Child death