duckyreads's reviews
160 reviews

The New Recruit Vol.1 by Moscareto

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Church Girl by Naima Simone

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emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Church Girl is the first book I've read by Naima Simone, but it definitely won't be the last! Aaliyah is a runaway bride determined to escape her small town and the weight of her family's dictations on her life. She stumbles on Von, a tattoo artist with serious baggage who only wants to give the best life to his young daughter and is desperately looking for a nanny. 

I absolutely loved everything about this! The writing was captivating and realistic. I really felt like I knew all of the characters in this story. The focus on breaking away from familial pressures, being vulnerable, and trusting in yourself was encouraging.

Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books (Harlequin Romance) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I really enjoyed this one-shot manga! This is a very realistic and cute romance between two adult characters. This is one of the few Covid-19 related stories that doesn't feel completely hopeless, but has a way of comforting the reader. 

Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Farrah Rochon continues to perfect a sweet Black romance with Pardon My Frenchie. We follow Ashanti, a dedicated businesswoman trying to grow her dog boarding business, Barkingham Palace. She runs into trouble after the grandson of one of her favorite customers, Thaddeus, purchases the building that she had her eye on.

Pardon My Frenchie is a tightly written strangers-to-lovers story that heavily centers on cute animals, grief, and the strength of family and friends. Farrah consistently writes a strong female friendship group and it's always refreshing to see friendships given as much care as a romantic relationship. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a relatively low-angst romance that features very cute dogs! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) Carina Adores by Harlequin Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is my first Julie Soto book, but it will not be my last! In Not Another Love Song, we follow Gwen, a self-taught violinist at the cusp of a major career upgrade, and Xander, a cellist and rock star who is used to being in the spotlight. 

After Gwen is offered the role of first chair in the Manhattan Pops, an intense rivalry forms, and the chemistry between them builds. As they become close and begin to compose songs together, it becomes a marketing ploy to keep the Manhattan Pops financially alive. 

As a classical music lover, Julie perfectly captures how intense playing an instrument with someone can be. The amount of focus, time, and dedication that is poured into music is intense, and she somehow described it perfectly. Not Another Love Song is a wonderful workplace romance. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence by Jess Everlee

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  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Jess Everlee is becoming an auto-buy author for me! A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence is the perfect wrap to the Lucky Lovers of London series. Jo Smith is happily in a lavender marriage until an unexpected pregnancy threatens to disturb her pleasant life. In steps Dr. Emily Clarke, an established bluestocking working at a small hospital outside the city. When they work together to give the pregnancy a fair shot, they grow closer along the way.

Jess's characterization of all of the characters is truly a highlight of her writing. All of the characters feel fleshed out and taken care of, even if they are background to the main plot. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a great queer historical romance. 

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Adores by Harlequin Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
A Little Kissing Between Friends by Chencia C. Higgins

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Chencia C. Higgins is an auto-buy author for me! A Little Kissing Between Friends is the perfect friends-to-lovers sapphic romance. Cyn is a successful producer who knows how to get every woman's attention. Her best friend Jucee is a talented dancer at an adult club that dotes on her son and loves on her friends. 

Chencia writes in a way that brings her characters to life and makes them feel familiar. It's also refreshing to see a sweet relationship between a stud and a femme! The love and care that she pours into her characterization is wonderful to read and I recommend this story to everyone! 

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Adores by Harlequin Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee

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medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The 7-10 Split is a thoughtfully sweet sapphic romance. Ava Williams is a teacher who was unpleasantly surprised when her ex-best friend from high school Grace Jones showed up to teach at her school. With the announcement of a new bowling team by the irritating principal, Ava, and Grace have to find a way to work together to balance their growing feelings with the competitive bowling circuit. 

I really enjoyed this Black sapphic romance. Karmen created a perfect mixture of humor and warmth with a nontraditional sports romance. I would recommend this to everyone, especially if you like a slow-burn workplace relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker

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challenging emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Out of Office by A.H. Cunningham

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A.H. Cunningham crafts a beautiful, relaxing, vacation in Out of Office. Genevieve is a stressed overachiever, that puts her work over everything, especially with a major promotion on the way. On a well-deserved two-week vacation, she falls in love with the city of Colón and her former driver, Adrián Nicolas.

Adrián and Gen's relationship was hot from the start, and eventually unraveled with emotional depth, including complex family stories. I really enjoyed watching them reach their happy ending, and I recommend this to anyone who knows they need a break.
Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books by Harlequin for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
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