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dreamerfromthebooks's reviews
622 reviews
By the Book by Jasmine Guillory
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This rom-com was inspired by Beauty and Beast. It’s set in the publishing world as our main protagonist, Izzy an editorial assistant, travels to the West Coast to help Beau Towers write his long-awaited memoir as he failed to deliver it the publishing house (called A TALE OLD AS TIME 💛).
The prose was beautifully written while also entertaining. It kept me smiling page after page. The love story was swoon worthy. Speaking of the romance I appreciated the way that Izzy and Beau started off not so enemies but didn’t see eye to eye. From there, the relationship developed into a friendship. It was refreshing to see their relationship as it seemed organic to many relationships that happen in the real world. I think it’s something forgotten in some love stories I read today on how the foundation of a friendship can make a love story stand so tall.
By the Book also tackled what it’s like being a woman of color in publishing. Izzy is the only black employee at her publishing house. It was moving to see her journey to get the promotion she’s wanted for so long.
Overall great book! It’s on the shorter side so it can be a quick read. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sarah Hollis. They did an amazing job!
CW: toxic relationships with parent, toxic co-worker to protagonist, gaslighting, death of a parent (mentioned)
The prose was beautifully written while also entertaining. It kept me smiling page after page. The love story was swoon worthy. Speaking of the romance I appreciated the way that Izzy and Beau started off not so enemies but didn’t see eye to eye. From there, the relationship developed into a friendship. It was refreshing to see their relationship as it seemed organic to many relationships that happen in the real world. I think it’s something forgotten in some love stories I read today on how the foundation of a friendship can make a love story stand so tall.
By the Book also tackled what it’s like being a woman of color in publishing. Izzy is the only black employee at her publishing house. It was moving to see her journey to get the promotion she’s wanted for so long.
Overall great book! It’s on the shorter side so it can be a quick read. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Sarah Hollis. They did an amazing job!
CW: toxic relationships with parent, toxic co-worker to protagonist, gaslighting, death of a parent (mentioned)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was the first YA fantasy I’ve read in almost a year. I’ve forgotten how magical and whimsical this genre can be.
I liked the writing and pacing of the story. It kept me on my toes, although it was a little difficult to follow. I didn’t realize the book dealt with time travel. It’s an element I don’t always enjoy, but it really depends on how it’s done. In this case it was well written, but as I was listening to the audiobook I think I ended up missing a few key things here and there.
The love story for me felt unnecessary. If we had found out earlier about Nick’s and Joan’s lives I think I would appreciated their romance more. But the ending felt rushed trying to squeeze very shocking parts in the last 15% of the book.
The book does two things very well — it’s beginning and the characters’ relationships. The beginning had me hooked. I wasn’t expecting time travel let alone a whole massacre within the first 20%. It kept me engaged and wanting to hear what happened next to Joan on her adventure.
The characters’ relationships were developed so well. Aka Aaron and Joan had such great development (listen he gives me Warner vibes 😂). I loved their relationship throughout all of this. Even if they stay friends (questionable since he’ll probably have to kill her if they meet again) I’d be happy about that. But I felt as though their building (possible) romance was far better than Nick’s and Joan’s.
Ruth was so funny and lovable. When she died in the beginning I wasn’t happy because I was just getting to really like her, only to find out that she went back in time and lived!! I’m glad she survived the change to the main timeline and that their family was restored ♥️
Overall I appreciate the talent of this craft, the engaging characters, and what it took to really become the hero of your own story.
CW: major character death, death of family members, death of partners, violence, mild gore
I liked the writing and pacing of the story. It kept me on my toes, although it was a little difficult to follow. I didn’t realize the book dealt with time travel. It’s an element I don’t always enjoy, but it really depends on how it’s done. In this case it was well written, but as I was listening to the audiobook I think I ended up missing a few key things here and there.
The book does two things very well — it’s beginning and the characters’ relationships. The beginning had me hooked. I wasn’t expecting time travel let alone a whole massacre within the first 20%. It kept me engaged and wanting to hear what happened next to Joan on her adventure.
Ruth was so funny and lovable. When she died in the beginning I wasn’t happy because I was just getting to really like her,
Overall I appreciate the talent of this craft, the engaging characters, and what it took to really become the hero of your own story.
CW: major character death, death of family members, death of partners, violence, mild gore
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Violence
Be Still My Heart by Sav R. Miller, Emily McIntire
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual assault
All The Feels by Olivia Dade
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
3/5
It was good. Not bad, but not great. Just good.
There were things I loved when reading — the first half of the novel is a lot better than the second half. I loved the bickering and build of the slow burn.
There are very few times I relate to a main character but Lauren was different. Having weight issues in a fatphobia society is unbelievable hard. Lauren had been through so much but still kept her chin up. I admired that of her character.
The fandom culture tied into the story was enjoyable. As someone who reads on AO3 it was fun to see fanfics in the book.
Overall the second half of the romance was fine, but I wasn’t in love with it. I wasn’t swooning or hurting from the light angst. I liked Alex, but I wasn’t entirely in love with him. He was really funny and his background was complex creating a contrast.
Tw: fatphobia (comments to fmc made by family members and strangers, airplanes), domestic abuse survivor (mentioned/mmc’s mother), sexual harassment, explicit sexual scenes, mental health in a hospital setting, violence
It was good. Not bad, but not great. Just good.
There were things I loved when reading — the first half of the novel is a lot better than the second half. I loved the bickering and build of the slow burn.
There are very few times I relate to a main character but Lauren was different. Having weight issues in a fatphobia society is unbelievable hard. Lauren had been through so much but still kept her chin up. I admired that of her character.
The fandom culture tied into the story was enjoyable. As someone who reads on AO3 it was fun to see fanfics in the book.
Overall the second half of the romance was fine, but I wasn’t in love with it. I wasn’t swooning or hurting from the light angst. I liked Alex, but I wasn’t entirely in love with him. He was really funny and his background was complex creating a contrast.
Tw: fatphobia (comments to fmc made by family members and strangers, airplanes), domestic abuse survivor (mentioned/mmc’s mother), sexual harassment, explicit sexual scenes, mental health in a hospital setting, violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Violence
Minor: Domestic abuse
Titan by Jillian Graves
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
Short, sweet, steamy, and unforgettable 🔥 This was such a fun read!!
The characters were fun! The world building was interesting. Although it was on the lighter side, I still appreciated it. Jules and Titan were so hot, I don’t think I’ve blushed so hard while reading smut.
Another monster smut book that I love 🥰🥰🥰
The characters were fun! The world building was interesting. Although it was on the lighter side, I still appreciated it. Jules and Titan were so hot, I don’t think I’ve blushed so hard while reading smut.
Another monster smut book that I love 🥰🥰🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Toxic relationship is with fmc’s mother.
Kill Order by Tate James
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5-5 (still debating)
It was the epic conclusion we’ve been waiting for. The Guild has been a wild ride with twists, turns, and Tate classic filthy smut.
Overall I really loved this story, but what really killed me was one of the final plot twists towards the end. It was a twist I didn’t see coming and I didn’t want to believe it, but here we are.
It goes to show that every character in this particular series is not 100% good. Every one of them has a dark side, even if I didn’t expect them too.
I loved the growth of the throuple — Danny, Kai, and Leon. Their smut was fantastic, but I enjoyed more of their softer moments together. I would honestly read a whole novella of the three being domestic.
The final chapters came full circle (…pun might be intended 👀). It was a satisfying ending, but I am going to miss these three a lot. I know they’ll make cameos here and there, but i loved getting to know them over the past year.
The Guild and Hades are tied as my favorite series by Tate. But I’m so excited to see what Tate has next in store for the Shadowgrove Universe ♥️
It was the epic conclusion we’ve been waiting for. The Guild has been a wild ride with twists, turns, and Tate classic filthy smut.
Overall I really loved this story, but what really killed me was one of the final plot twists towards the end. It was a twist I didn’t see coming and I didn’t want to believe it, but here we are.
It goes to show that every character in this particular series is not 100% good. Every one of them has a dark side, even if I didn’t expect them too.
I loved the growth of the throuple — Danny, Kai, and Leon. Their smut was fantastic, but I enjoyed more of their softer moments together. I would honestly read a whole novella of the three being domestic.
The final chapters came full circle (…pun might be intended 👀). It was a satisfying ending, but I am going to miss these three a lot. I know they’ll make cameos here and there, but i loved getting to know them over the past year.
The Guild and Hades are tied as my favorite series by Tate. But I’m so excited to see what Tate has next in store for the Shadowgrove Universe ♥️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gore, Death, and Torture
Minor: Child death
The Midnight Heir by Sarah Rees Brennan, Cassandra Clare
5.0
This was my favorite story so far out of TBC. i cannot wait until TLH comes out in the upcoming years.