icarusfallstan's reviews
167 reviews

Burly by Jessa Kane

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.0

Just something fun and entertaining to read. I cant put this series down 

Bulky by Jessa Kane

adventurous challenging fast-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? Yes

3.0

I like how the mmc has different body types on the thicker side. It makes the story feel more refreshing. Though,  teenage talk kinda weirded me out idk and the ending didn’t make sense to me whatsoever, it was very random. But the overall plot and miscommunication made sense. This book was entertaining like I think I’m addicted 

Meant to Be by Tiffany Patterson

dark funny medium-paced

3.5

This book was soo entertaining. The third book in the series and I’m obsessed. I will admit though, the first half of the book was a bit boring. Some scenes felt like filler pages and had me skim reading some pages. Though, it picked up well into the second half I couldn’t put the book down. The romance between Kayla and Josh was so cliche but I still couldn’t help myself swoon and giggle at some of their scenes. Though some scenes felt abrupt where there wasn’t enough chemistry and tension to convince me that josh had this yearning to protect Kayla 

Reading their story and this series in general is my guilty pleasure it’s like I’m vicariously living through these characters and their chaotic story. The pacing wasn’t the best at times and some dialogue felt very random but the book was enjoyable enough to overlook past these things. Definitely my favourite couple in this series 

Be mindful, this has trigger warnings such as: date rape, mention of police brutality, police intimidation 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Police brutality, Pregnancy

Mine Would Be You by K. Jamila

emotional hopeful medium-paced

4.5

This book is such a breath of fresh air in comparison to all the other romance books you read full of conflict and drama. Mine Would Be You is a beautiful and mature love story between two people that least expected to fall madly in love after one night at a bar. 

Nina, going to therapy to deal with the mishaps of her previous relationship and how it’s affects her current outlook on life, has an almost one night stand with a charming, playful man named Jackson. Their connection to each other is undeniable and something so wholesome and beautiful you can’t help but swoon and giggle at Jackson’s 
attempts to compliment her, especially when he calls her ‘sunshine’ something her personality is far from.  

His persistence to break down Nina’s walls leads us through healthy conflict, and communication between the two as they attempt to navigate their own feelings and find support through one another. This was the best part of the book, seeing these characters openly discuss their emotions and become brave through their vulnerability made this book something special. Their natural dynamic possibly could become a critique for some to label as ‘boring’ but this book has a refreshing take on what happens when couples just communicate. 

Aaron's Patience by Tiffany Patterson

adventurous dark lighthearted fast-paced

3.75

This was such a fun read like no thoughts just vibes. 

Pizza Girl by Jean Kyoung Frazier

emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Every now and then you read a story where it personally speaks to you. Pizza girl was that book for me. The characters and the story was raw, crazy and melancholy. It speaks to the mundanity we sometimes experience in different parts of our lives where we often feel lost with ourselves and confused on how we lost sight of the bigger picture. With many characters you either love or hate them, but these were human and they felt real. I understood how each character felt and why some acted the way they did. It taught me how feeling lost is okay and that sometimes, you just need to take it one day at a time. 

I really needed this book, after finishing it now I feel like everything is gonna be okay 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Mental illness

Nothing Can Hurt You by Nicola Maye Goldberg

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I went into this book blind and it wasn’t what I expected at all. The tone felt mundane but was interesting to read everyone’s different perspectives and how the death of Sara affect everyone one way or another. Reading this book allowed me to to just reflect and think. It reminded me of how connected everything can be. 

This was a different reading experience considering all the different povs, looking back this was something I enjoyed. 

The book was book. Nothing more and nothing less. 

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i still don’t know how I feel about the book but I love it 

Confessions on the 7:45: A Novel by Lisa Unger

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

White people are crazy 

this was my first mystery book that got me out of a month long reading slump. Even thought I kinda predicted majority of the plot twists, I still was gasping and on the edge of my seat. There was this state of numbness and enigma abt the story and the characters dynamics especially when trying to dissect their intent. The ending felt like everything and nothing was answered and I love that tone from the book. 

Definitely going to be reading more of the authors work. 

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

adventurous emotional slow-paced

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

3.0

I read this book for the sole purpose to get joshjules and christianstella content and the way I giggled and squealed for them more than I ever did for Rhys and Bridget. 

This story took quite a while for it to build up and the pacing really threw me off. It made the moments between them feel so random because of the fragmented time jumps. This made it difficult for me to be truly invested in the story itself where the first 50% of the book felt boring and stagnant though, Ana Huang never fails to integrate a plot twist somewhere along the storyline and I knew it was coming - which is why I stuck around. 

To be honest, this couple wasn't my favourite and felt like some of the dialogue and dirty talk were cringe at times but that doesn't mean there weren't any scenes that made my heart swoon. I understand the appeal of Rhys but his characterisation wasn't the best. Bridget was fun but also ignorant at times but I felt bad for her, imagine a man telling you he cant be with you and also saying you cant be with anyone else like my girl hasn't been dicked down in two years she needs something?!?!?11

I will be continuing the series because twisted love really made me fall in love with the romance genre and Ana has potential (I know she will do joshjules and stellachristian justice, and give them what they deserve, nothing but the best)