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goatsrsexy's reviews
517 reviews
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
5.0
This may have been my favourite one yet! I loved learning about exodan culture. I am forever astonished by Becky chambers world building and empathy
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
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
3.75
I really enjoyed The Rom-Commers. At first I had to suspend my disbelief because I found the set up/premise a little bit unbelievable, but once I got into the story I didn't care about that, which is exactly how it should be with this kind of book.
So this is about a talented screenplay writer who's career never took off because she had to be the caregiver for her dad after a bad accident that disabled him. One day her ex boyfriend who is her agent suddenly gets her a job working with her favourite movie writer of all time who is a huge celebrity (you can see why I felt the premise was a bit unrealistic, but as you get more into it some things make more sense).
This is definitely a slow burn but I liked that there wasn't too much angst or miscommunication which I find is overused in romance novels. I always enjoy stories about celebrities and Hollywood etc cus I think it's a fun setting, and I'm a big movie fan as well so reading those details can be interesting. The banter in this book was witty and not over the top, and the chemistry was believable.
This was my first book by this author but I'll definitely be adding her other books to my list!
So this is about a talented screenplay writer who's career never took off because she had to be the caregiver for her dad after a bad accident that disabled him. One day her ex boyfriend who is her agent suddenly gets her a job working with her favourite movie writer of all time who is a huge celebrity (you can see why I felt the premise was a bit unrealistic, but as you get more into it some things make more sense).
This is definitely a slow burn but I liked that there wasn't too much angst or miscommunication which I find is overused in romance novels. I always enjoy stories about celebrities and Hollywood etc cus I think it's a fun setting, and I'm a big movie fan as well so reading those details can be interesting. The banter in this book was witty and not over the top, and the chemistry was believable.
This was my first book by this author but I'll definitely be adding her other books to my list!
Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A really sweet easy read! This book was set in Mumbai which was a nice change compared to a typical rom-com, although I often forgot it wasn't set in the US or something tbh, but I love Bollywood movies so I did enjoy all the Indian references.
Jia is the main character and she works at a magazine but runs a secret blog and dreams of becoming a matchmaker. She's in love with her family friend and he feels the same but neither will admit it until near the end of the book, it's definitely a slow burn but not in a frustrating way like is sometimes the case.
There were a lot of sweet moments and funny banter, I loved the side characters too and would definitely enjoy it if the author decided to write a book for one of them. Either way I'll definitely be looking to see what she does next.
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!
Jia is the main character and she works at a magazine but runs a secret blog and dreams of becoming a matchmaker. She's in love with her family friend and he feels the same but neither will admit it until near the end of the book, it's definitely a slow burn but not in a frustrating way like is sometimes the case.
There were a lot of sweet moments and funny banter, I loved the side characters too and would definitely enjoy it if the author decided to write a book for one of them. Either way I'll definitely be looking to see what she does next.
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I've been meaning to read this book forever since my cousin loves it. I'm glad I finally got to it and buddy read it with my friend, we'll be doing the second book in July which I'm glad there's a gap because wow this book sure was depressing (but very good).
It was kinda surreal to read this in 2024 since it starts in 2024 and I didn't even do that on purpose. The writing was super accessible which I think works really well since the subject matter is so dark it's better to have simple writing. The insights into the future were so interesting to read, and while I'm glad society now isn't at the state it is in this book, it definitely still hits pretty close to home. It's always interesting to read near future books written in the past because you're reading about an imagined future in the actual future.
This story definitely isn't for the faint of heart, the descriptions of violence and poverty were super detailed and vivid, but if you can handle the subject matter, this is a very very good read.
It was kinda surreal to read this in 2024 since it starts in 2024 and I didn't even do that on purpose. The writing was super accessible which I think works really well since the subject matter is so dark it's better to have simple writing. The insights into the future were so interesting to read, and while I'm glad society now isn't at the state it is in this book, it definitely still hits pretty close to home. It's always interesting to read near future books written in the past because you're reading about an imagined future in the actual future.
This story definitely isn't for the faint of heart, the descriptions of violence and poverty were super detailed and vivid, but if you can handle the subject matter, this is a very very good read.
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
dark
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I loved this book! I love seeing representation of the less known Jewish languages so I was thrilled to see Ladino used here, and I also just love a Jewish story like I was always happy that Alex Stern is Jewish (and those books also include some Ladino) but the familiar gives us so much more!
I'm honestly not a big fan of historical fiction or fantasy, but funnily enough I tend to enjoy historical fantasy. I think that urban fantasy works better for me, and then the magical realism elements add enough intrigue to historical fiction to make it more interesting for me, so it just works.
This book takes place during the Spanish Inquisition and it gets very dark in some places, it's a heavy story and definitely takes a bit to get into. I did find myself wishing that there was more focus on character development in the first half, but by the time I actually finished the book I felt satisfied.
I'm definitely a big fan of Leigh Bardugos work, especially her adult books, I'm really excited to see what she does next.
I'm honestly not a big fan of historical fiction or fantasy, but funnily enough I tend to enjoy historical fantasy. I think that urban fantasy works better for me, and then the magical realism elements add enough intrigue to historical fiction to make it more interesting for me, so it just works.
This book takes place during the Spanish Inquisition and it gets very dark in some places, it's a heavy story and definitely takes a bit to get into. I did find myself wishing that there was more focus on character development in the first half, but by the time I actually finished the book I felt satisfied.
I'm definitely a big fan of Leigh Bardugos work, especially her adult books, I'm really excited to see what she does next.
Perfume and Pain by Anna Dorn
adventurous
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I haven't read any of Anna Dorns other books, but if they're anything like Perfume and Pain, I think she's going to be added to my small list of favourite authors. (Alongside Mona Awad, Leigh Bardugo, and Eva Ibbotson she'll be in great company).
Supposedly an ode to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction, my only experience with the genre is from this novel, so far, so I don't really know how it stands up in that regard. But wow I loved this book so much, it really scratched an itch in my brain... I found myself reading super slowly and reading other books in between chapters because I didn't want it to end.
The story is about an LA author who is just a mess. Alcoholic drug addict, keeps getting cancelled online because she has no filter, obsessed with dating and just falling apart in so many ways, but I loved her so much. Its honestly probably a red flag how much I love this kind of 'unlikeable female character'. I wish I had no morals or shame so I could also be an awful mess of a person who just does and says whatever she wants. But luckily for everyone, I'll have to stick to reading about it instead.
The great thing about this book though, is that under the surface it was lot more than just a satirical look at Hollywood and Queer culture and Lesbian Pulp... It had a lot of heart and ultimately was the story of a woman with a lot of problems learning how to get better and to like herself. I loved the chaotic vibe of this book but I also loved the calm, feel-good, and tranquil ending.
If this book sounds up your alley at all based on my review I definitely recommend picking up a copy when it's out May 21, or you can pre-order it like I'm about to,(because I read this digitally but I NEED to own it). Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for the Netgalley arc, without which I may not have read this fantastic book!
Supposedly an ode to 1950s lesbian pulp fiction, my only experience with the genre is from this novel, so far, so I don't really know how it stands up in that regard. But wow I loved this book so much, it really scratched an itch in my brain... I found myself reading super slowly and reading other books in between chapters because I didn't want it to end.
The story is about an LA author who is just a mess. Alcoholic drug addict, keeps getting cancelled online because she has no filter, obsessed with dating and just falling apart in so many ways, but I loved her so much. Its honestly probably a red flag how much I love this kind of 'unlikeable female character'. I wish I had no morals or shame so I could also be an awful mess of a person who just does and says whatever she wants. But luckily for everyone, I'll have to stick to reading about it instead.
The great thing about this book though, is that under the surface it was lot more than just a satirical look at Hollywood and Queer culture and Lesbian Pulp... It had a lot of heart and ultimately was the story of a woman with a lot of problems learning how to get better and to like herself. I loved the chaotic vibe of this book but I also loved the calm, feel-good, and tranquil ending.
If this book sounds up your alley at all based on my review I definitely recommend picking up a copy when it's out May 21, or you can pre-order it like I'm about to,(because I read this digitally but I NEED to own it). Thanks so much to Simon & Schuster Canada for the Netgalley arc, without which I may not have read this fantastic book!