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garbage_mcsmutly's Reviews (1.74k)
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
π I have really loved the LΓ©onas series, but this one fell flat for me. I liked the book at the beginning and middle, but the pacing was strange, like not a lot happened through most of the middle of the book, and then there was a lot of seemingly OTT action bunched in at the end? And maybe I'm showing my age--I am older than almost all romance MCs at this point on my life--but the FMC's eureka moment felt both long overdue (girl, handle your ish, it ain't that deep!) and kind of forced when it finally arrived (really? that's all it took???).
βοΈπ Okay so one of the things that made this book kind of hard to read, but was really good, was the way it addressed women's reproductive freedom (or lack thereof). However, in the 2025 political climate, it was especially difficult to read about (trigger warning) women being harmed or killed because they are trying to get medical care in a world where it is outlawed, young girls being taken advantage of by older men, those men suffering zero consequences, and the many injustices large and small visited upon women during the Victorian era (and today!). So yeah, tough subject matter, a little hard to cope with, not a very light read even though it is ultimately a somewhat light-hearted romance.
π§ This was a solid narrator, but the POV was dual, and there was only one narrator, so that was a little disappointing as well. (Although the other two books in the series had the same situation, and I liked those more.)
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 Definitely spicy, but not like, spice-forward. There were multiple explicit scenes and they were well done.
π³οΈβπβ This whole series has been great with diversity. The FMCs are Afro-Caribbean/-Latine, and the MMC in this book is Afro-Latine as well. The books all take place in France/mainly Paris, and the social spheres we encounter are diverse and largely feature expats from the Caribbean and Latin America. There are side characters from other countries as well; in this book we encounter two Vietnamese characters, and I want to say there were some African characters in one of the previous books in the series, but it's a little fuzzy now. There's also diversity in sexuality. There are two queer couples in the side characters in this book (one MM Brazilian-Vietnamese pairing, one FF Latina pairing (the leads from book 2)), and queerness is accepted as normal amongst this lot. It's a lovely little community/found family they've created.
βοΈπ Okay so one of the things that made this book kind of hard to read, but was really good, was the way it addressed women's reproductive freedom (or lack thereof). However, in the 2025 political climate, it was especially difficult to read about (trigger warning) women being harmed or killed because they are trying to get medical care in a world where it is outlawed, young girls being taken advantage of by older men, those men suffering zero consequences, and the many injustices large and small visited upon women during the Victorian era (and today!). So yeah, tough subject matter, a little hard to cope with, not a very light read even though it is ultimately a somewhat light-hearted romance.
π§ This was a solid narrator, but the POV was dual, and there was only one narrator, so that was a little disappointing as well. (Although the other two books in the series had the same situation, and I liked those more.)
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 Definitely spicy, but not like, spice-forward. There were multiple explicit scenes and they were well done.
π³οΈβπβ This whole series has been great with diversity. The FMCs are Afro-Caribbean/-Latine, and the MMC in this book is Afro-Latine as well. The books all take place in France/mainly Paris, and the social spheres we encounter are diverse and largely feature expats from the Caribbean and Latin America. There are side characters from other countries as well; in this book we encounter two Vietnamese characters, and I want to say there were some African characters in one of the previous books in the series, but it's a little fuzzy now. There's also diversity in sexuality. There are two queer couples in the side characters in this book (one MM Brazilian-Vietnamese pairing, one FF Latina pairing (the leads from book 2)), and queerness is accepted as normal amongst this lot. It's a lovely little community/found family they've created.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Abortion, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Genocide, Slavery, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Death of parent, Colonisation
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ugh there were many things in this book that I found endearing... but revealing the MMC as pro-cop/cop adjacent 75% through was annoying and turned me off to it for the remainder of the book. (ACAB always, even in fiction, sorry not sorry!) So I can't be objective about the rest of the book.
π§ Story was 3rd person single POV (FMC) and had one female narrator. Her performance was good.
πΆοΈ 2.5/5 One explicit scene.
π³οΈβπβ Most of the book takes place with only the two MCs in the middle of nowhere, but the author included a good amount of racial diversity in the characters. I think the FMC is Latine but it was just a quick mention so I'm not sure I'm remembering right now that it's over. I didn't clock any other types of diversity (neuro, lgbtqia+, disabled, class, etc.) in the book.
π§ Story was 3rd person single POV (FMC) and had one female narrator. Her performance was good.
πΆοΈ 2.5/5 One explicit scene.
π³οΈβπβ Most of the book takes place with only the two MCs in the middle of nowhere, but the author included a good amount of racial diversity in the characters. I think the FMC is Latine but it was just a quick mention so I'm not sure I'm remembering right now that it's over. I didn't clock any other types of diversity (neuro, lgbtqia+, disabled, class, etc.) in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content, Police brutality, Kidnapping
Minor: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment
dark
medium-paced
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This was extremely mid. I bumped up my star rating half a point because of the pro sex worker and sex positive messaging, but the book didn't have a lot else to recommend it. It was fine-not-great most of the way through but then really dropped the ball at the end IMHO.
π§ The narrator (single POV, 1st person FMC) did a good job, I think the material just wasn't great?
πΆοΈ 3/5 honestly kinda minimal sexytimes considering the FMC is a sex worker but yeah it's technically open door
π³οΈβπβ FMC is bisexual. FMC's best friend is a lesbian and also, we find out later,aromantic . I think everyone else was straight? And I'm pretty sure everyone was white.
π§ The narrator (single POV, 1st person FMC) did a good job, I think the material just wasn't great?
πΆοΈ 3/5 honestly kinda minimal sexytimes considering the FMC is a sex worker but yeah it's technically open door
π³οΈβπβ FMC is bisexual. FMC's best friend is a lesbian and also, we find out later,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Stalking, Acephobia/Arophobia, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
π I really liked this one! It started off a bit slow and almost closed door, but things picked up wrt plot and spice as the book progressed. (I mean it's still not spice-forward, but the spice was well done when it was done.)
I really appreciated that FMC was estranged from her family, and that she is able to live her life regardless of that fact. As is said in the book, damaged characters deserve HEAs too, and we don't have to wrap up every single conflict in a character's life in order for them to get a HEA. Tbh I wish more romance books would embrace the idea that you can cut toxic people out of your life even if they happen to be related to you.
π§ Dual POV, 3rd person, two narrators. I'm not too familiar with either narrator, and I thought they both did a great job.
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 There were a few sex scenes with varying degrees of explicitness. The scenes were well choreographed and emotive.
π³οΈβπβ FMC is bisexual. MMC and his family and his best friend are Latine.
I really appreciated that FMC was estranged from her family, and that she is able to live her life regardless of that fact. As is said in the book, damaged characters deserve HEAs too, and we don't have to wrap up every single conflict in a character's life in order for them to get a HEA. Tbh I wish more romance books would embrace the idea that you can cut toxic people out of your life even if they happen to be related to you.
π§ Dual POV, 3rd person, two narrators. I'm not too familiar with either narrator, and I thought they both did a great job.
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 There were a few sex scenes with varying degrees of explicitness. The scenes were well choreographed and emotive.
π³οΈβπβ FMC is bisexual. MMC and his family and his best friend are Latine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Religious bigotry
Just not that interesting? I was reading for a book club but missed the deadline. Also it was an eyeball read and those are always harder for me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
IDK I feel like this book gets hyped a lot but for me it was meh? The MMC is kind of terrible, which I sort of get because of his upbringing, but his sudden character growth near the end felt forced/unrealistic. The FMC was portrayed as a little too close to flawless for my taste (a great beauty, incredibly clever, always right, endless compassion, etc etc).
π§ Only one narrator for this multi POV book. The performance was adequate, but I was underwhelmed by it too.
πΆοΈ 2.5/5 A rating right in the middle. There are some sex scenes but they're kinda forgettable.
π³οΈβπβ No real diversity to speak of. The MMC is judged and bullied for having darker skin but he's still white by our standards.
π§ Only one narrator for this multi POV book. The performance was adequate, but I was underwhelmed by it too.
πΆοΈ 2.5/5 A rating right in the middle. There are some sex scenes but they're kinda forgettable.
π³οΈβπβ No real diversity to speak of. The MMC is judged and bullied for having darker skin but he's still white by our standards.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Gun violence, Sexual content, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Blood, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Deportation
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
This was another cute one! I really liked the accepting and loving environment that the MC's extended family provides. Some of the tropes: enemies to lovers, longtime crush, abusive step-parent, matchmakers, loving family/found family.
π§ Both narrators were good and distinct. They had accents that tracked with the characters (to me, an American). I liked that there were two narrators. Often in historicals we only get one POV, or we get both POVs but only one narrator.
πΆοΈ 3/5 There were just a couple sexy scenes but they were well done.
βπ³οΈβπ There is of course gay and queer representation. Not much variety in race, ethnicity, class, etc.
π§ Both narrators were good and distinct. They had accents that tracked with the characters (to me, an American). I liked that there were two narrators. Often in historicals we only get one POV, or we get both POVs but only one narrator.
πΆοΈ 3/5 There were just a couple sexy scenes but they were well done.
βπ³οΈβπ There is of course gay and queer representation. Not much variety in race, ethnicity, class, etc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Outing, Gaslighting, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence
The CW for Outing is about someone blackmailing them with the concept of outing them. It's hanging over their heads for most of the book but ultimately does not come to pass.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I like Rachel Lynn Solomon's writing and this was another good one!
π§ First person POV, single character/narrator (FMC). I really enjoyed the narrator's acting. My one complaint is that it was sometimes hard to tell whether she was doing an inner monologue or speaking out loud to another character, so I got a bit confused at a couple points.
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 The whole premise is that she's giving him sex lessons, so yes there's sex, there are several explicit scenes. Even though she's teaching him, the scenes still manage to be hot. There is also one scene with the teeniest tiniest bit of kink (impact play).
βπ³οΈβπ Both MCs are white and Jewish. The story is pretty tightly woven around just the two of them so there's not much ethnic diversity to speak of. The MMC's best friend is South Asian and queer though. One thing I really liked, that you don't see nearly as often in books as happens in real life, is that the FMChad an abortion while she was in college. It's casually mentioned and then discussed in a bit more depth but there's no waffling about it, it's just a thing that happened in her life and there's no moralizing or bargaining about it. So, A+ for that.
π§ First person POV, single character/narrator (FMC). I really enjoyed the narrator's acting. My one complaint is that it was sometimes hard to tell whether she was doing an inner monologue or speaking out loud to another character, so I got a bit confused at a couple points.
πΆοΈ 3.5/5 The whole premise is that she's giving him sex lessons, so yes there's sex, there are several explicit scenes. Even though she's teaching him, the scenes still manage to be hot. There is also one scene with the teeniest tiniest bit of kink (impact play).
βπ³οΈβπ Both MCs are white and Jewish. The story is pretty tightly woven around just the two of them so there's not much ethnic diversity to speak of. The MMC's best friend is South Asian and queer though. One thing I really liked, that you don't see nearly as often in books as happens in real life, is that the FMC
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Abortion
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail