intomybookshelf_'s reviews
145 reviews

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

Nikki Castle is my go-to sports romance author. I've read all her books, multiple times for some and so I literally screamed when I got the ARC for this one.
4th Degree is probably my most anticipated read of the year, and now that I've read it, I need another Nikki book asap to fill in the void!

It's the fifth instalment in The Fight Game series, centering on Skylar and Coach's relationship.
I honestly didn't think we'd get a book about Coach when I started the series and boy am I glad Nikki did it!
I had an incredible time reading this story. Skylar and Coach's banter was everything, but I think I loved the way they take care of each other the most. How they both show up for one another.
The way their love blossomed was incredible, and moving more often than not.

This book felt like the completion of the series somehow. Don't get me wrong, I'm so excited for the next 2 boosk to come out. BUT Coach's story hit different. Him getting his story made me so happy. Seeing his idea behind the gym, the gym that is such an important place in the series that it's almost its own character. And the cameos!!!! We got to see all our faves and I'm so happy. It really showed that Coach and the gym are the center of the series, that everyone is attached to him and to this place; and how they all show up for him.

I'll never not gush about Nikki's books. She deserves it, this book deserves it.
Do yourself a favor and pick it up!

Thank you Nikki Castle for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire by Jehad Abusalim, Jennifer Bing, Mike Merryman-Lotze

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informative reflective sad

5.0

I find it appropriate to start this review with the words of Refaat Alareer, in this chapter : Gaza Asks: When Shall This Pass? :
"Listener, as you peruse these chapters, what can or will you do, knowing that what you do can save lives and can change the course of history? Listener, will you make this matter?"

To be honest, I don't even know what to write here, so I'll just go with my gut and wipe the tears away.

This book is one everyone should read. It's a collection of life stories, poems and essays written by Palestinian authors and centered around the Gazan experience.
It's a read that will shake you to your core at times, will make you reflect on your place in this world and what you can do to leave it better place. It's also a book that will educate you, on the daily lives of Gazans, on their traditions and their culture - their relationship to the land, the olive trees, the agriculture. On how they have to fight for their education. On what it feels like to consistently see drones in the sky. On what it's like to live as a Gazan.

This was a hard read, especially considering the genocide happening right now. But it makes it even more important.

"Knowledge is Israel's worst enemy. Awareness is Israel's most hated and feared foe." - Refaat Alareer
We have a duty to pick a book, to listen to a podcast, to watch a documentary. ANYTHING to educate ourselves and do our part. It's the least we can do.
Refaat Alareer was murdered months ago, but his words and legacy live on.

"Gaza needs life" ~ Basman Alidrawi

Free Palestine. End the occupation.

Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Media and the authors for this audiobook, in exchange for an honest review.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious 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? No

4.5

"Why save the world when you can have tea?"

When Hafsah Faizal started teasing about this book, stating it was "Peaky Blinders meets King Arthur with vampires and a heist", I knew I just had to get my hands on it somehow.
Such a description put the bar very high for me and I'm so happy to say, Faizal ate and left no crumbs.
February/March was really my vampire era because I was also reading An Education in Malice at the same time. And I just love how authors are able to take a mystical creature, add their personal touches and create a whole world around them.
The wordlbuilding here is incredible. You can feel how much research the author did to make sure she created such an authentic and meaningful. Everything is so vivid, especially with the audiobook. The narrator did such an amazing job, transporting me in White Roaring, making me feel all the feels and the vibes just right.

This story is one that shows how a band of misfits can come together and create a wonderful found family. In the words of Arthie, "Family isn't who we live with, but those we would die for." I loved seeing how they all interact with each other, the banter, the fights, how they showed each other love, how they fought for one another.

But most of all, this story is about colonisation and the actual impact it has on people. I feel like it's something that is glossed over in history books. Colonisation is presented as something that happened, a long time ago. Something that we should all get over because it's done, and there is no visible consequence today. Well no, colonisation is still happening everywhere in today's world and it's important to have these conversations.
Here Faizal tackles the issue brilliantly. She's not afraid to actually say the words; and it makes you reflect and ponder about how we deal with colonialism today.

Sidenote : I had read We Hunt The Flame but not We Free The Stars at the time of listening to this book, and I had zero difficulty understanding everything. While both series are set in the same world, they can be read in whichever order you prefer.

Thank you NetGalley, MacMillan UK Audio and the author for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

An Education in Malice by S.T. Gibson

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad slow-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

4.5

"After all, what horror wouldn't I tolerate, if it was meted out by the hand of my beloved?"

I feel very ambivalent about A Dowry of Blood, but I absolutely loved ST Gibson's writing style and so I was still very excited about this one.
This book felt similar to A Dowry of Blood in the atmosphere and the vibes, but very different in other ways and how I felt about it.
It's a book that you have to savour. The contemplative gothic vibes are exquisite, and you have to take the time to appreciate them.
I feel like the school had some Jane Eyre dark academia elements, and with the sapphic element, it was perfection.
The dynamics between the characters were entrancing. How De Lafontaine basked in the love and admiration her students had for her ; how she pitted them against each other ; how she couldn't help reminding them how inconsequential they are to her. You can't help but analyze the characters' relationships to one another and try to understand how deeply they affect their personal growth.
I feel like ultimately, it shows that love can make or break you. How your perception of it and how you act on it can elevate you or bring you down the darkest of path.

I don't think this book is for everyone tbh. If you like fast paced novels then move along. But if you don't mind a slow, character and vibes driven story, then this is for you.

Bonus quote : "Poetry was the only antidote to my temper."

Thank you NetGalley, Little Brown Book Group UK and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced