frannook's reviews
92 reviews

Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

I feel terrible because I was so *so* interested in the premise and the themes tackled in this romance but I just couldn't for the life of me really connect with any of the characters, I didn't *see* why the two MCs were so close and could possibly end up falling in love and I was struggling way too much with all this to enjoy this romance.

Content Warnings

Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair by Lucy Knisley

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emotional funny sad fast-paced

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

4.0

Lucy Knisley did it again and made me care deeply about a spoiled, snob, beloved cat I have never met and never will meet.
She made Linney speak like a Lord from the Middle Ages and I chuckled, outright laughted and shed tears of grief.

If you know/love Lucy Knisley, if you love animals and if you love/own a cat... you'll *get it*.

Content Warnings

Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher

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adventurous funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

As soon as I started reading, I was reminded immediately of why I love Lex Croucher's books so much.

The characters are incredible and, like clockwork, steal your heart away in one way or another.
You get just the right amount of drama, a perfect balance of tension and funny banter, action and hilarious predicaments.
The writing style is absolutely delectable, it's like an all you can eat buffet that is actually delicious and keeps you coming back for more until there is nothing left and you can just sit and digest, blissful and fully satisfied.

While Gwen and Art is still and probably will always be my favorite, this YA retelling did not disappoint and I cannot wait to read their next book!

Content Warnings

For Such a Time as This by Shani Akilah

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dark emotional hopeful slow-paced

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

3.75

So Not My Type by Dana Hawkins

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Did not finish book.

It hurts my heart to say this but I just had to DNF.
The privilege was too much to empathize in any way with Ella and her *situation* (??!)
I get it girl, you want your space and you want to be independent and switch living in your family manor with a driver, house-cleaning, and huge bedroom for a studio apartment the size of a closet. Okay, sure. But you don't ask daddy to give you a job you are not qualified to do for 3 months so you can save money and leave your parents' house.
Well, yes you can, but that's also privilege and you are helluva lucky and no, I won't feel sorry for you nor your situation.

Moreover, now that I am also (alas!) working AND trying to find a more stable job that fulfills me AND be fully economically independent, it is painfully aware to me how unfair any working environment can be and how hard it is to feel like you have made it.

Sophie is a strong woman who has literally given up on sleep, friends and self-care to get her promotion and be successfull.
And if you have worked your butt off for 6 years - let me assure you - you WILL NOT be attracted to your boss's daughter who has no working experience and yet gets to do the job you earned after working your butt off for 6 years, let alone fall in love with her. No way.

So. I wasn't sold on one of the two MCs, didn't buy the romance and at 35% in there was no romance yet to speak of, apart from the lusting thoughts and staring at heart-shaped faces and freckled shoulders and full lips.
I want so much more from my sapphic romances and this, this wasn't it.

The Christmas Murder Game by Alexandra Benedict

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mysterious tense medium-paced