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edgybutfemme's reviews
126 reviews
The Duke Makes Me Feel... by Adriana Herrera
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I was absolutely delighted by this little novella. I am so glad I ended up with this in the probably smut special edition novella box because it will definitely end up being one of my favorites of the 12 novellas. Even better, it let me try another book by Adriana Herrera and I will definitely be reading more after this! I think the only other book I read by her (Hellmouth Guardian's Lover) just wasn't the right dynamic for me to get into her writing. Any small issues I had with that novella were not at all an issue here.
The banter and dynamic between Arlo and Marena was absolutely delightful. I was also pleasantly surprised by how grounded and well researched the historical setting was (only surprised because unfortunately the probably smut cover artist did not do a great job conveying the historical setting. I was truly shocked when I opened the first page and saw 1879 London because the clothing and furniture on the cover look unmistakably contemporary).
This novella really hit every note I wanted it to! The relationship felt like it grew organically, they struggled with very realistic obstacles, and both their romantic moments and their smutty scenes were fun and well written! Best of all when looking at a novella, it felt like it had good pacing and left me satisfied at the end even though I would have gladly read more about these two. I am really looking forward to looking into the rest of Adriana Herrera's work!
The banter and dynamic between Arlo and Marena was absolutely delightful. I was also pleasantly surprised by how grounded and well researched the historical setting was (only surprised because unfortunately the probably smut cover artist did not do a great job conveying the historical setting. I was truly shocked when I opened the first page and saw 1879 London because the clothing and furniture on the cover look unmistakably contemporary).
This novella really hit every note I wanted it to! The relationship felt like it grew organically, they struggled with very realistic obstacles, and both their romantic moments and their smutty scenes were fun and well written! Best of all when looking at a novella, it felt like it had good pacing and left me satisfied at the end even though I would have gladly read more about these two. I am really looking forward to looking into the rest of Adriana Herrera's work!
December Midnights by Victoria Wilder
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
This just did not compel me, which is a shame because it should have had several elements that grabed me like the fmc being a witch. I was just...bored. also this author apparently ONLY writes small town romance and i think that just really isn't my vibe.
Treading Water by B. Sobjakken
Did not finish book. Stopped at 67%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 67%.
I was just...bored. Sports romances aren't really my thing and the dynamic wasn't fun enough to finish something I felt meh about.
Novice by Fiona Wolfe
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a solid read! Eden is quite fiesty and her troublemaking was enjoyable to read, even if I found myself frustrated with her at times. This is a book where I would have appreciated the love interest's perspective, especially since it takes Darien so long to be on page and interacting with Eden regularly in a fairly short book. Even once he is there, the man is a mysterious vault who never gives much away. Still, I enjoy their banter and dynamic, so I will likely come back to read the sequel. This author certainly excels in writing a humorous and sarcastic main character, and I found the love interest appealing.
The only other thing that bothered me was the several references to 50 shades of gray in a positive context since that's always a red flag for me as a BDSM practitioner. If I had read the blurb (which calls this 50 shades meets the truman show) instead of getting this in a book box, I probably would never have given it a chance. At several points it did feel like the novel and Pleasure Academy set up payed lipservice to consent without any actual check ins or real desire to walk that walk (which, for the record, I think could have really enhanced the worldbuild and story). I kind of just had to turn my Responsible Dom brain off to enjoy this one, but that probably would bother other people less. Honestly, I think the book would have benefited if it had leaned more in either direction: explicitly having non-con elements or actually doubling down on showing a safety net and check ins (especially considering the main character is a mouthy brat of a sub who does not like another master on the island who regularly punishes her).
I was kind of hoping this couple would wrap things up in one book because, while Eden is funny, there are plenty of side characters I would love read a romance about. Still, the concept of the universe is very fun, the smut is enjoyable, and it was a quick read so I'll probably read the sequel to see where it goes from here!
The only other thing that bothered me was the several references to 50 shades of gray in a positive context since that's always a red flag for me as a BDSM practitioner. If I had read the blurb (which calls this 50 shades meets the truman show) instead of getting this in a book box, I probably would never have given it a chance. At several points it did feel like the novel and Pleasure Academy set up payed lipservice to consent without any actual check ins or real desire to walk that walk (which, for the record, I think could have really enhanced the worldbuild and story). I kind of just had to turn my Responsible Dom brain off to enjoy this one, but that probably would bother other people less. Honestly, I think the book would have benefited if it had leaned more in either direction: explicitly having non-con elements or actually doubling down on showing a safety net and check ins (especially considering the main character is a mouthy brat of a sub who does not like another master on the island who regularly punishes her).
I was kind of hoping this couple would wrap things up in one book because, while Eden is funny, there are plenty of side characters I would love read a romance about. Still, the concept of the universe is very fun, the smut is enjoyable, and it was a quick read so I'll probably read the sequel to see where it goes from here!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Off Limits by Ruby Dixon
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was just...fine. My copy was literally only 67 pages long so I read the whole thing just to see what would happen and because it was literally only like an hour of my time. I could have done better things with that hour. The characters are fairly underdeveloped and the spice is mediocre. It's not devestatingly bad, but it isn't good either. It's just...unremarkable.
The Recluse by Jenika Snow
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I don't think I've literally ever DNFed a book so quickly. I don't at all have a problem with stalker romances and quite like billionaire romances, so when I got this in my probably smut novella bundle I really thought it'd be my speed. I absolutely cannot go any further, even just 16 pages I had to drag myself through because it's quite... cringe-y? This is what people think I mean when I say I like smutty books and that is so upsetting. I am totally down for instant chemistry and wanting to fuck immediately, but I cannot handle the writing style. This one is not for me!
Salad Days: 经久 Vol. 1 by Michaela M, 静水边 木更, Jing ShuiBian
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is an incredibly sweet childhood friends to lovers romamce! This first volume is very chaste and sweet and I wouldn't be surprised if it stayed that way since they are young.
This has excellent found family vibes. Jiang Shen is so talented and so wonderful and everyone adores him. Since he is from a small town, I expected there to be some homophobia or toxic masculinity issues around him being a dancer. Instead, everyone is incredibly supportive and wonderful. The whole town really comes together to support him and his dancing career. As each of his friends find out, they sneak him extra portions of the food he needs and buy him ballet shoes. It's an incredibly wholesome narrative.
In terms of the love interest, Bai Jinyi is incredible. He is extremely intensely devoted from very early on. He is also rich and very straightforward in his thinking. It would never occur to him not to do things like buy Jiang Shen a cell phone (so they could talk more) or renovate his home to add a dance studio (he can't let his definitely-just-a-friend practice outside). I adore him!
This is much sweeter than I usually take my romance (especially danmei), and one of the few contemporary danmei that I've read. However, it is very enjoyable and the novel equivalent of a warm hug. Also, at only two volumes, this will be the shortest danmei I've read to date. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
This has excellent found family vibes. Jiang Shen is so talented and so wonderful and everyone adores him. Since he is from a small town, I expected there to be some homophobia or toxic masculinity issues around him being a dancer. Instead, everyone is incredibly supportive and wonderful. The whole town really comes together to support him and his dancing career. As each of his friends find out, they sneak him extra portions of the food he needs and buy him ballet shoes. It's an incredibly wholesome narrative.
In terms of the love interest, Bai Jinyi is incredible. He is extremely intensely devoted from very early on. He is also rich and very straightforward in his thinking. It would never occur to him not to do things like buy Jiang Shen a cell phone (so they could talk more) or renovate his home to add a dance studio (he can't let his definitely-just-a-friend practice outside). I adore him!
This is much sweeter than I usually take my romance (especially danmei), and one of the few contemporary danmei that I've read. However, it is very enjoyable and the novel equivalent of a warm hug. Also, at only two volumes, this will be the shortest danmei I've read to date. I'm looking forward to reading the next one!
Tadek and the Princess by Alexandra Rowland
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is absolutely perfect and not at all what I expected. When picking this up I assumed this was Tadek getting to have a little post canon romance. This is so much better than that! This is a beautiful tie up of Tadek's emotional arc, a brilliant glimpse into who he is and why he makes the decisions he does, and also a delightful opportunity to spend some time with Evemer and Kadou and Tadek after they get to just be all together on Evemer and Kadou's secret honeymoon. This isn't at all about romantic love! Instead, it's a beautiful treatise on fealty and the unique love and bond and oath between a kayha and their lady or lord. Tadek gets to work through his grief and finish his self actualization journey and I am so glad for this. It's exactly the wrap up that I didn't even know I needed, and I'm so glad it exists. Go read this! I loved Tadek already, but even if you weren't fully sold on him you should still try this out. I love him So Much I need to go lie down and feel my feelings about this banger of a sequel novella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Give Me More by Sara Cate
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This delivered exactly what I expected it to: a fun bdsm romp with a polyamorous throuple. I enjoyed the dynamic between the whole group as well as the dynamics between each of them paired off. I always want romances with two men and one women to have the men be actually into each other as well, and this gave me that! Also, the smut was very enjoyable and kinky. If I remember I will add a spice rating later.
I wasn't expecting that this book would have a solid emotional arc with one of the two men coming to terms with his own bisexuality, dealing with his own internalized homophobia, and making sure he can be the partner each of them deserves by taking the time he needs to work on himself. I would absolutely read more by this author. I showed up for the bdsm smut, but I feel like I was also given a book with surprising emotional depth and romance as well. Also, as a polyam person who just kinda accidentally realized years into a "friendship" that I was actually in love with all three of the people I was living with, this book's polyam dynamic was particularly relatable to me.
I wasn't expecting that this book would have a solid emotional arc with one of the two men coming to terms with his own bisexuality, dealing with his own internalized homophobia, and making sure he can be the partner each of them deserves by taking the time he needs to work on himself. I would absolutely read more by this author. I showed up for the bdsm smut, but I feel like I was also given a book with surprising emotional depth and romance as well. Also, as a polyam person who just kinda accidentally realized years into a "friendship" that I was actually in love with all three of the people I was living with, this book's polyam dynamic was particularly relatable to me.
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins: Caleb Widogast by Liam O'Brien, Jody Houser, Matthew Mercer
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Caleb is one of my favorite critical role characters and this hits exactly as hard as it should. Also, I really really appreciate the intentional polyamory inclusion. Astrid, Eadwulf, and Bren are so tragic, but I love them deeply and it was wonderful to see their relationship threaded throughout the entire story. Also, re: the end I am obsessed with the choice to end the novel with him introducing himself for the first time as Caleb Widogast. It's a name that became his because that is the identity he used when he met his new family and it gives me the Big Feelings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death and Torture
Minor: Classism