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garbage_mcsmutly's Reviews (1.74k)
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
π This was a cute story! It was a little over the top with some of the stuff that happens later on but overall it was a good read/listen.
π§ I do wish they'd gotten into the religion of it all a bit--MMC seemed to think the church was all knowing/the ultimate authority, and that is never challenged. Mainly because he barely brings it up out loud, but it shows up a lot in his inner monologue. But I get why an author wouldn't want to open that can of worms in a mass market book.
π§ This was dual POV (3rd person) but only one narrator (female). The performance was well done and she really brought out the humor in the words without coming off as goofy.
πΆοΈ 3/5 for a couple explicit encounters, not particularly noteworthy.
π³οΈβπβ Both the MCs are white and seemingly straight. The supporting cast includes a gay man and a few POC. The MMC is from the 1400s but he is surprisingly tolerant when it comes to like, diversity and sexuality. He still has a lot of weird old fashioned ideas, but none of them are intolerant or bigoted.
π§ I do wish they'd gotten into the religion of it all a bit--MMC seemed to think the church was all knowing/the ultimate authority, and that is never challenged. Mainly because he barely brings it up out loud, but it shows up a lot in his inner monologue. But I get why an author wouldn't want to open that can of worms in a mass market book.
π§ This was dual POV (3rd person) but only one narrator (female). The performance was well done and she really brought out the humor in the words without coming off as goofy.
πΆοΈ 3/5 for a couple explicit encounters, not particularly noteworthy.
π³οΈβπβ Both the MCs are white and seemingly straight. The supporting cast includes a gay man and a few POC. The MMC is from the 1400s but he is surprisingly tolerant when it comes to like, diversity and sexuality. He still has a lot of weird old fashioned ideas, but none of them are intolerant or bigoted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Homophobia, Infidelity, Police brutality, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, Pandemic/Epidemic
Toxic relationship and infidelity are in reference to an ex. Both the MCs are faithful.
emotional
hopeful
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
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a cool riff on a mythology I don't know at all, so I have no idea how much was only "inspired by," or actually from, or totally deviates from, the real myths. But it was an engaging and adventurous story. I'd say it could technically be classified as a romance, but it was much more an adventure story than a typical romance. The two MCs are apart from each other for the vast majority of the book, each on her own journey.
π§ Dual 1st person POV with dual (but not duet) narration. Both narrators were compelling.
πΆοΈ 2/5 The one on page sexytimes we get is not very descriptive, and the pairing is not between the two MCs.
π³οΈβπβ Everyone in this story is Finnish, except for a few Swedes who are there to proselytize about Jesus to the finns. The story takes place in an essentially pre-Christian Finland, and it seems like everyone is white. The two main characters are both women, and the WLW doesn't seem to throw anybody off, so I guess the society is accepting in that respect?
π§ Dual 1st person POV with dual (but not duet) narration. Both narrators were compelling.
πΆοΈ 2/5 The one on page sexytimes we get is not very descriptive, and the pairing is not between the two MCs.
π³οΈβπβ Everyone in this story is Finnish, except for a few Swedes who are there to proselytize about Jesus to the finns. The story takes place in an essentially pre-Christian Finland, and it seems like everyone is white. The two main characters are both women, and the WLW doesn't seem to throw anybody off, so I guess the society is accepting in that respect?
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
π This was a good book. I don't feel like it elicited any deep feelings in me personally; it was a very personal story which was not made to resonate with my circumstances, which is fine. I feel like it had a distinct perspective on the trans experience in regency England. Worth the read/listen.
I really appreciated the growing intimacy between the two MCs over time. It was a bit of a torturous slow burn but it was good. And seeing Christopher have a safe space to be himself as he opened up to James was really sweet.
π§ Single POV, 3rd person, single narrator. The performance was very good. The book is told from one MC's perspective, but there's also a lot that isn't revealed to us about him, or is only revealed later on, and so I didn't feel like I really knew the MC for most of the book. (Again, this is not a story tailored to me, I get that, just sharing my experience.)
πΆοΈ 2.5/5 There was one spicy scene near the end.
βπ³οΈββ§οΈ This is an achillean trans love story. There's class difference, one side character is gay, there's not much racial or cultural diversity (everyone seems to be white and at least peripherally of The Ton).
I really appreciated the growing intimacy between the two MCs over time. It was a bit of a torturous slow burn but it was good. And seeing Christopher have a safe space to be himself as he opened up to James was really sweet.
π§ Single POV, 3rd person, single narrator. The performance was very good. The book is told from one MC's perspective, but there's also a lot that isn't revealed to us about him, or is only revealed later on, and so I didn't feel like I really knew the MC for most of the book. (Again, this is not a story tailored to me, I get that, just sharing my experience.)
πΆοΈ 2.5/5 There was one spicy scene near the end.
βπ³οΈββ§οΈ This is an achillean trans love story. There's class difference, one side character is gay, there's not much racial or cultural diversity (everyone seems to be white and at least peripherally of The Ton).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Child death, Death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual content, Transphobia
Minor: Gun violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, Classism
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
π Okay so obviously I love an Austen remix, especially P&P. And this did not disappoint! There were some great tender moments with family members, and between our two MMCs. There was still a medium level of intrigue/drama. And it was overall just really cute. There were a couple scenes that made me cry happy tears.
π§ 3rd person singular POV of our Bennet hero, Oliver. One male narrator. I thought the performer did a pretty good job with most of the book, although there were one or two scenes when multiple side characters were in the same scene together, where the voices weren't super distinct from each other.
πΆοΈ 1/5 This is a cute lil YA read, with nothing sexual. There are a couple of kisses and that's all. No pants feelings are even mentioned, only heart feelings.
π³οΈβπβπ³οΈββ§οΈπ The protagonist is a trans boy, and he, his love interest, and his best friend and her partner, are all queer. The Bennets are well off enough to have servants but not like rich. Darcy and Bingley are varying degrees of rich-rich. There wasn't any racial or ethnic diversity that I noted, which is maybe a little weird since this takes place in London, but we really don't meet very many characters outside of the Bennets, the love interests, and the villains.
π§ 3rd person singular POV of our Bennet hero, Oliver. One male narrator. I thought the performer did a pretty good job with most of the book, although there were one or two scenes when multiple side characters were in the same scene together, where the voices weren't super distinct from each other.
πΆοΈ 1/5 This is a cute lil YA read, with nothing sexual. There are a couple of kisses and that's all. No pants feelings are even mentioned, only heart feelings.
π³οΈβπβπ³οΈββ§οΈπ The protagonist is a trans boy, and he, his love interest, and his best friend and her partner, are all queer. The Bennets are well off enough to have servants but not like rich. Darcy and Bingley are varying degrees of rich-rich. There wasn't any racial or ethnic diversity that I noted, which is maybe a little weird since this takes place in London, but we really don't meet very many characters outside of the Bennets, the love interests, and the villains.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Sexism, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
π I liked this one! The plot and sub plots were engaging, I cared about the MMC's and FMC's individual struggles/self improvement, the love story was sweet. The FMC was especially great. The MMC has some big time Strugglesβ’οΈ to work through which made him not super appealing as a partner until pretty far into the book.
π§ Dual POV (3rd person) but just one female narrator. There were a few times where it switched POV and I didn't realize until a couple sentences in. But she did a great job with the acting and voices.
πΆοΈ 3/5 There were a few love scenes, nothing terribly steamy. Honestly I sort of tuned out through some of them.
π³οΈβπβ Not much racial or queer diversity to speak of. I read the last book in this universe before this one, which is the first. So I know lgbtqia+ spoilers about a couple of the side characters that the reader doesn't learn until later in the series. But it's only slightly hinted at in this book.
π§ Dual POV (3rd person) but just one female narrator. There were a few times where it switched POV and I didn't realize until a couple sentences in. But she did a great job with the acting and voices.
πΆοΈ 3/5 There were a few love scenes, nothing terribly steamy. Honestly I sort of tuned out through some of them.
π³οΈβπβ Not much racial or queer diversity to speak of. I read the last book in this universe before this one, which is the first. So I know lgbtqia+ spoilers about a couple of the side characters that the reader doesn't learn until later in the series. But it's only slightly hinted at in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Confinement, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Dementia, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Islamophobia, Death of parent, Colonisation
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
π This book! It was perfect. There was comedy, there was intrigue, there was yearning, there was action, there was spice, there were chases, there were zebras. What more could you want???
π The romance was lovely. The two MCs had great chemistry, they were both super into each other, there was yearning aplenty. They both had their own insecurities to overcome in order to get together. And the sexual tension was ππ€
π This rom-com made me smile and laugh a bunch. The main characters were quirky in their ways and I think the side characters really shine too. They feel like complete, complex characters but also are good for some comic relief. And Vasti is just really funny and has a great sense of humor IMHO, there are so many good asides/little thoughts or actions.
π§ Dual POV, 3rd person, single narrator (female). I believe Mhairi Morrison has done all of Vasti's books so far, and she continues to do them really well. I often get disappointed when it's dual POV with only one narrator, but Morrison did a great job and I didn't feel like I was "missing" a male narrator.
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 It's not a spice-forward book, but there are multiple explicit scenes and tons of tension and good chemistry.
π³οΈβπβ There are a MM couple and an unwed mother who the MMC is close to. One man in the MM pair is Black. There's definitely an inclusive/accepting attitude throughout the book, but we do spend most of the pages with the MMC and FMC alone, or not with many other people, so the side characters don't get highlighted that much.
π The romance was lovely. The two MCs had great chemistry, they were both super into each other, there was yearning aplenty. They both had their own insecurities to overcome in order to get together. And the sexual tension was ππ€
π This rom-com made me smile and laugh a bunch. The main characters were quirky in their ways and I think the side characters really shine too. They feel like complete, complex characters but also are good for some comic relief. And Vasti is just really funny and has a great sense of humor IMHO, there are so many good asides/little thoughts or actions.
π§ Dual POV, 3rd person, single narrator (female). I believe Mhairi Morrison has done all of Vasti's books so far, and she continues to do them really well. I often get disappointed when it's dual POV with only one narrator, but Morrison did a great job and I didn't feel like I was "missing" a male narrator.
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 It's not a spice-forward book, but there are multiple explicit scenes and tons of tension and good chemistry.
π³οΈβπβ There are a MM couple and an unwed mother who the MMC is close to. One man in the MM pair is Black. There's definitely an inclusive/accepting attitude throughout the book, but we do spend most of the pages with the MMC and FMC alone, or not with many other people, so the side characters don't get highlighted that much.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
π So this is book 1 in a series that's not finished yet, just as an fyi, so the ending is a little bit cliffhanger-y. But it still manages to wrap up a bunch of the book's plot lines by the end of this book. It was an enjoyable action-adventure story set in a fantasy world.
π§ 1st person POV, multiple (6) perspectives/narrators. I really enjoyed everyone's performances.
πΆοΈ 1.5/5 There are a few vague references to sexual things having happened behind closed doors but there's nothing on page.
π³οΈβπβ The world of the book appears to be queer normative. 2 of the MMCs are together. The other MCs couple off m/f. The fantasy world is based in East Asian culture.
π§ 1st person POV, multiple (6) perspectives/narrators. I really enjoyed everyone's performances.
πΆοΈ 1.5/5 There are a few vague references to sexual things having happened behind closed doors but there's nothing on page.
π³οΈβπβ The world of the book appears to be queer normative. 2 of the MMCs are together. The other MCs couple off m/f. The fantasy world is based in East Asian culture.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment