emmirosereads's reviews
358 reviews

Self-Made Boys by Anna-Marie McLemore

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

4.0

I have never read the original The Great Gatsby so I can't speak on how well of a remix this was but as a story and book on its own, it was beautiful and lovely. The eventual romance between Jay and Nick was so sweet and tender and the underlying messages throughout the novel really hit emotionally. I think my one complaint was that it was a little slow in some areas but that didn't take away too much from the story for me, cause it was really about the characters.  

A Sky Beyond the Storm by Sabaa Tahir

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense 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

4.0

I struggled a lot to get through this book but I don't think it was any fault of the book or the author. I just took too long between reading the other three books and this one. With all that being said I can see objectively how well done and written this book was. So many beautiful passages and likes and despite me being disconnected from the characters, many moments still hit me. I was also really happy with the ending. Despite more loss and pain I felt like everything wrapped up really nicely. 

Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States by Samantha Allen

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I'm not typically a non fiction reader but I absolutely loved this. It was informative and hopeful and so beautifully written. The way Samantha Allen describes her setting and the people she meets is wonderful. 
As a queer person who grew up in the south and loves so much about southern culture this was a really moving and important book for me. 

The Companion by E.E. Ottoman

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

A delightful, cozy, trans, and poly love story! This was a quick read, and while I struggled a little in the beginning, I ended up enjoying this one. It was a tad insta-lovey but once I got past that I enjoyed seeing the development of the characters and their relationship with each other. They were all delightfully different but in the end, meshed so well. Also, I'm so down for the beautiful clear communication throughout this whole book. 

The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free copy of this book for an honest review. 

I finished this book a day ago and I still cannot fully wrap my head around my true feelings for this book, especially with the myth of Eros and Psyche meaning so much to me. I was so excited to see a sapphic retelling. There were some parts that I loved and that moved me. While other parts felt like they dragged on far too long. 

I will say, the author's writing is lyrical and beautiful. There were many moving passages in this book. This book read very much like an original myth. Whether that particular part was a good thing for me or not is hard to tell. Despite being less than 300 pages it felt like it dragged on and could have been shortened. 

The discussion of gender and being nonbinary was also very moving. That first conversation Eros had with Psyche about it struck me and was so beautiful. However, I wish it wasn't halfway through the book with almost zero references to Eros' identity in the first half.

I didn't mind and quite liked the discussion of gender and the fluidity of it for Eros until the part about the deal made with Zeus about having to watch Eros have sex nine times in the male form before she was free to shift however much she wanted. I get this is Greek mythology and weird shit like this is common but in a modern retelling this just felt gross and unneeded. I feel like the story would have just as much impact without it.l 

The differences and creative liberties taken within this retelling, for the most part, felt honest and true to the original myth and the original characters in the myth (besides what was mentioned in spoilers above.).

Even though I'm not a fan of the surprise pregnancy trope, I do think there was good value in adding it to this story. I think it gives Psyche a much more valid reason for betraying Eros that makes sense.

Ultimately, while I did struggle through chunks of this book, I think it's worth the read and I don't regret picking it up. I think it was wrapped up beautifully. 

Exodus 20:3 by Freydís Moon

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? Yes

4.0

I think I have to sit on this one to fully form my thoughts but I enjoyed it! Freydis Moon is an absolutely stunning writer. I think my biggest complaint was that it was a little too short, making it hard to fully get into but regardless I enjoyed. 

Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book was a little slow for me in the beginning but I loved it! The tension between all the characters was so fun to read and it's been awhile since I've been shocked by a plot twist. I love seeing the relationship between Tessa and Corrick develope and the banter between Corrick and the captain was incredible. I'm also so happy to read more about Harristan and get his POV this book. I'm so excited to read the third and final book and see what happens! 

Lesbian Billionaire by Kitty Jones
Did not finish book. Stopped at 12%.

Way too insta lovey right off the bat. Characters felt like there were no distinction between the two. 

Stupid Cupid by Maeve Black

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This was a fun and enjoyable novella! Nothing show-stopping or spectacular but I enjoyed the story and the characters. The spice was well done! I think my biggest gripe with this was the pacing and the time frame it took place in. Everything felt very rushed and quick and some things didn't entirely make sense but also I can't complain too much with this being a novella under 200 pages. I would have probably loved this so much more if it was a full novel. I enjoyed the first book but I enjoyed this one more and would love to read more from Val and Pyro's perspective. I think I was also annoyed by the miscommunication trope, as I always am, but also didn't take away too much of my enjoyment. 

Dear Monster Claus by Maeve Black

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was exactly as I expected it to be, A ridiculous and fun little smutty romance. Sure some parts were a little cringy, and it took place over a week so was a little insta lovey but I'm not complaining. I think the spice was well written, I enjoyed the characters, and the little bit of world-building we got was interesting to read about! It definitely was no literary artwork but it was very fun and enjoyable, even in March.