242 reviews by:

itsawrapxx

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

It took a second for me to get warmed up to the story. I think I felt a similar sentiment for Seven Days in June, but in this instance, I think I was more than halfway into the story. It was when Ezra relieved his secret that things started to pick up for me. I normally am not a fan of instalove. Ezra and Ricki's relationship was Instaloveish so that could be why I wasn't completely invested in their romance. But I loved all the characters in the story and how their stories all wove together. One of my favorite things about Tia Williams writing is how she incorporates black art and culture spanning the century with the appropriate humor.  The dialogue between characters is always engaging and real, it's another thing I enjoy about her writing.  Overall I had a good time with this Magial Romance. 

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I thoroughly enjoyed this! Pretty early on in the book, it was easy to see how both character's story would cross. It was an engaging story nonetheless,  I couldn't put the book down. 

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I tried, but I wasn't buying into Dani and Jameson's love.  

Family Lore

Elizabeth Acevedo

DID NOT FINISH: 53%

Everytime I set the book down and come back to it I would loose track of all the characters and their plot.  I wasn't invested in the plot either so the story dragged. 
emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I highly recommend the audiobook. I can see this being adapted into a film or series. The question of whether Michael did commit the acts he was being accused of on "the list" kept me locked into the story. But I will say regardless of whether Michael was innocent or guilty, Ola and Michael had bigger fish to fry in their relationship. They had no business getting married. The list was the catalyst to see how the cracks in their relationship had already been forming. I am indifferent about the ending, but this book is a conversation starter.  

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lighthearted 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

this was a cute romance. I wasn't too invested in the love story between Lily and Nick. The story read a little like a YA romance to me, but that might just be me. 

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I love how this book touches on so many themes so seamlessly as Stephen comes into adulthood and navigates his twenties, from first loves to family, and even grief. This book is not too long, but juggles so much so very well. I love this author's writing style. This book had so many good lines. 

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator really brought this story to life. I wish the story hadn't been so heavily driven by their relationship to the male partners in the book. I would have love to see more of the 4 main characters navigating university and there budding friendship. Either way I was still entertained. 

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The Making of Yolanda La Bruja

Lorraine Avila

DID NOT FINISH: 50%

This was one of the releases this year that I highly anticipated but the story dragged for me. So many issues were tackled that it felt overwhelming and the long inner monologue from the main character bogged down the narrative at times.