exteenawreads's reviews
363 reviews

Heartsong by TJ Klune

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-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? No

5.0

"We came here sometimes. Just the two of us. And you would pretend to know all the stars. You would make up stories that absolutely weren’t true, and I remember looking at you, thinking how wonderful it was to be by your side. And if we were lucky, there’d be—ah. Look. Again.” His voice was wet and soft, and it cracked me right down the middle.

Fireflies rose around us, pulsing slowly. At first there were only two or three, but then more began to hang heavy in the air. They were yellow-green, and I wondered how this could be real. Here. Now. This moment. How I ever could have forgotten this.

Forgotten him."

THIS BOOK. RIPPED MY HEART OUT. STOMPED ALL OVER IT. THEN LOVINGLY GAVE IT A LITTLE SPA DAY AND PUT IT BACK IN MY CHEST. Then punched me in the face right at the last second because of course, plot set up for the next book. 

This series is absolutely cemented as one of my all time favorites. These characters and their journeys are just so beautiful and tragic and wholesome and I just want to cuddle with them all.

This book was Robbie's story and I think the way it's told was genius and heartbreaking and tense and terrifying and so sweet. I think it may actually be my favorite so far. TJ Klune you emotional sorcerer, you. 

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad medium-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

3.5

YA Queer coming-of-age tale of high school love, angst, and religious trauma (w/ Mormon pastor's closeted son). Really enjoyed the wholesomeness of young love and the sometimes hilarious gay panic, though there were some choices at the end I didn't like - I guess high school kids are going to make some dumb mistakes to learn and grow from, but some of what happened I'd consider too hard to forgive. 

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

(4-4.25 stars? Unsure)
An immediate 4+ star rating because it's Ali Hazelwood and I'm probably biased but I just love her writing, her sense of humor, her characters, the way her characters interact. All of those classic Ali vibes are here and they are great. The only thing holding me back from a 5 star is my other bias - the one that is just so absolutely uninterested in athletes/sports romance. Luckily the athletes were student athletes who took their STEM academics seriously, which is the only reason I took them seriously.

The FMC Scarlett - loved her. The classic Ali Gal. Driven, flawed, smart as heck, thoughtful and caring to a fault. I could easily identify with her anxiety with classwork, with struggling not being "social enough" in college, and trying to balance too many things in life while being a bit of a people pleaser. I didn't love some of her poor communication near the end of the book, but I guess she's only 21 and still has some immaturity to work out. 

The MMC Lukas - also very typical Ali Man. Once he has his sights set, he is unapologetically a simp and never falters, which always works for me. He is honest, sweet, annoyingly good at everything, and has resting asshole face that makes him a bit scary to those who aren't close to him. 

The banter - Scarlett does most of the heavy lifting, and I love her silly sense of humor. I know it's not for everyone, but it's exactly my sense of humor, so it feels very familiar and comfortable. Lukas is a funny springboard for it though, with his more dry European honesty.

The spice - was ...good. I found it a little confusing how there was SO much discussion on their relationship being kink/BDSM, how the things Lukas wanted was "too much" for his ex, and they even fill out a long list of their wants/likes/etc to align and it implies that some of these things are very risqué. But then the spice that is throughout is ...very mild? There's a few "Good girls" and some power dynamics but mostly it's pretty average stuff. The stuff there was done well, it just was much more vanilla than I expected given the build up. 

The sport - Man I just do not at all vibe with the plight of the athlete or like the jock personality type. If these two didn't have the Ali Hazelwood charm I wouldn't have liked them at all. And why is every sports romance about an athlete getting over/suffering an injury? I just don't care. 

Overall, of course I liked it because I'm a sucker for the AH formula. Definitely not my favorite AH though, because I just don't like sports romance - though this is definitely my favorite one I've read, but that is much more to do with the STEM side of the story than the sports side. 

Emma by Jane Austen

emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-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

4.75

Emma is a catty spoiled bitch and honestly I love that for her. Jane Austen's writing is just pure honey to me. I cackled multiple times throughout this and had solidified for me how much I love seeing the world as it once was through Austen's eyes. 

It's a classic, what makes can I say. Some favorite quotes:

"The real evils, indeed, of Emma's situation were the power of having rather too much her own way, and a disposition to think a little too well of herself; these were the disadvantages which threatened alloy to her many enjoyments."

"Vanity working on a weak head, produces every sort of mischief."

""My being charming, Harriet, is not quite enough to induce me to marry; I must find other people charming— one other person at least."

"Emma must submit to stand second to Mrs. Elton, though she had always considered the ball as peculiarly for her. It was almost enough to make her think of marrying."

"Did not you misunderstand him?— You were both talking of other things; of business, shows of cattle, or new drills— and might not you, in the confusion of so many subjects, mistake him?— It was not Harriet's hand that he was certain of— it was the dimensions of some famous ox.""

Ravensong by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

This may become one of my all time series ever. Vibes: immaculate. World: rich and deep and intriguing. Characters: so beautifully flawed and wholesome. 

This story just hits me right where it hurts the most. The found family, the tragedy, the love of friends and family and mates despite it all. It all works so well.

It does such an excellent job of building upon the world and increasing the struggles and seriousness of the first book, wrapping up the plot of this book beautifully, and setting up for an even more intense journey in the next. Can't wait to go on the the next book, but will be probably depressed when it is over. 

Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Roll For Romance by Lenora Woods

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.5

Am I biased to liking this so much because it's about one of my favorite hobbies (DND)? Maybe. But I absolutely loved this and how it's basically two cute romance stories for the price of one. The story jumps between the IRL characters in classic romcom structure, and the story they are playing out in DND told in the tone of a fantasy novel. It's so fun and seamless and unique, I loved seeing where the DND story was headed and how when the players changed and grew IRL, so did their characters in game.

It also explored two of my personal fantasies: 1. DMing a game all the players are super invested (cries a single tear) and 2. Developing a Romance in-game that then transfers to IRL feelings (swoon). 

Our FMC Sadie has moved in with her bff after getting extremely burnt out and leaving her job at a big marketing firm in NYC. Spending the summer in a smaller town without the pressures she's put on herself all her life, she hopes to discover her next steps. Her bff/now-roommate convinces her to join a new DND group, and through her character she learns to find the bravery and confidence she's been lacking to pursue her passions. She also begins flirting with another player in-game, and that chemistry leads them together. 

Highly recommend for lovers of nerdy love!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Elphie: A Wicked Childhood by Gregory Maguire

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

(thank you to Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!)

I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood for this, but it didn't work for me at all. This is a prequel to Wicked (the book, not the musical - there's definitely a difference in tone), and I was looking forward to learning more about the world that shaped the most famous witch we know and love...but I found this just frustratingly boring. This tells the story of Elphie growing up, following along her dad as he does some culturally insensitive traveling ministering. It really manages to tell no story at all, there is really no development of any characters, and nothing interesting happens. The writing seems almost childish, like it's written in the cadence of a fairytale, but uses unnecessarily big and flowery language. I really struggled to finish but was curious if there was anything that happens but ..nope. Definitely a bit of a bummer!

Hello Stranger by Katherine Center

emotional funny 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

4.0

This was a lovely silly romcom about a portrait artist who suddenly gets face blindness and has to struggle not just with her job but her ability to recognize any people around her. The FMC is a bit of a hot mess, and the MMC is a misunderstood cinnamon roll (previously thought to be a bit of an f boy). Excellent banter, unique premise, and meaningful character development.

Paper Doll: Notes from a Late Bloomer by Dylan Mulvaney

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

I remember back when I first heard of Dylan - her video about having tampons in her purse just in case someone needed one in the ladies room was going viral made it on to my algorithm, and I was instantly amazed with who she was and what she represented. Her first instinct is always to be kind and thoughtful despite so much hate and negativity thrown at her. Especially where we are now in the US, voices like Dylan's are so important. Trans people exist, and they are just people trying to live their lives, and it's so insane how obsessed people are with hating something that has no effect on them.

The audiobook with Dylan herself narrating is great - she is so charismatic and entertaining, and it feels extra special to hear her story from her own voice. Hearing about her journey and struggles and all the highs and lows from behind the scenes was funny, inspiring, and powerful. I wish her so much happiness and success in years to come, and I am sure this memoir will help many of the struggling trans folks find confidence and hope. 

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!