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itsjustkatereading's reviews
1682 reviews
Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Green Gables is my happy place.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Reread March 2025: this is a perfect example of ‘right book, wrong time’ because while I liked this the first time around, I was blown away on the second read. I admittedly still found the world building a little confusing at times (I think my brain is just slow) but other than that? everything I enjoyed about this book on the first read, I enjoyed even more on the second. The complexities and nuance within this story is incredibly admirable and I can’t wait to see what book two has in store.
First read July 2021: An exciting, intricate and unique Arthurian fantasy retelling.
My favourite part of this book was without a doubt the historical/family elements and the exploration of racism both past and present. It was intriguing and heartbreaking and brilliantly written. I also loved the casual LGBTQIA+ representation. However, I did struggle with the world building and found myself lost at times when it came to how the magic/hierarchy/Legendborn world and history worked.
That being said, this was a solid read and one I totally get the hype and would happily recommend. On this occasion, I think this was very much a 'it's not you, it's me' kind of situation when it came to my not loving it as much as I'd hoped.
First read July 2021: An exciting, intricate and unique Arthurian fantasy retelling.
My favourite part of this book was without a doubt the historical/family elements and the exploration of racism both past and present. It was intriguing and heartbreaking and brilliantly written. I also loved the casual LGBTQIA+ representation. However, I did struggle with the world building and found myself lost at times when it came to how the magic/hierarchy/Legendborn world and history worked.
That being said, this was a solid read and one I totally get the hype and would happily recommend. On this occasion, I think this was very much a 'it's not you, it's me' kind of situation when it came to my not loving it as much as I'd hoped.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
A beautifully written and illustrated story of family, love, heartache and grief. I was entirely drawn into Valentina’s story and journey. It felt incredibly real and lacked a punch I wasn’t expecting. This is a graphic novel I’d happily read again.
what to expect:
• first love
• family curses
• complex family dynamics
• vietnamese (fmc), korean and chinese rep
• coming of age
what to expect:
• first love
• family curses
• complex family dynamics
• vietnamese (fmc), korean and chinese rep
• coming of age
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Affirming, raw and innately romantic, Before I Let Go is a love story in its truest form. It's a story of love for your family, partner, friends and yourself. It's a story of letting go and healing, parenthood and self-care and finding a balance between the two. Before I Let Go is also a heart wrenching exploration of loss, grief and mental health. I was enamoured with the nuance, depth and sensitivity Kennedy Ryan lent to these topics. This is the easiest five stars I've given in a while but what else could I give one of my new all time favourite love stories?
What to expect:
- Second chance romance
- Strong female friendships
- Complex family dynamics
- Depression rep (fmc)
- Black romance (fmc and mmc)
What to expect:
- Second chance romance
- Strong female friendships
- Complex family dynamics
- Depression rep (fmc)
- Black romance (fmc and mmc)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts
Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Compulsive, moving and excitingly unique, Where Shadows Meet is one of the most fun and memorable YA fantasy novels I’ve read in a while.
With three strong and distinct POV’s, each with their own compelling stories and motives, world building and lore that’s easily understood but utterly compelling and well developed relationships (familial, platonic and romantic), Patrice Caldwell has created such a vivid and exciting twist on the classic vampire narrative. The only issue I have is that I need book two now please.
What to expect:
• Vampires x gods x humans
• Slow burn sapphic romance
• Complex family dynamics
• Female friendship
• Vengeance
• Deadly quests
• Multiple pov’s
• Chronic pain rep (fmc)
• Black fmc’s
• Only one bed
TW: mention of past self harm
With three strong and distinct POV’s, each with their own compelling stories and motives, world building and lore that’s easily understood but utterly compelling and well developed relationships (familial, platonic and romantic), Patrice Caldwell has created such a vivid and exciting twist on the classic vampire narrative. The only issue I have is that I need book two now please.
What to expect:
• Vampires x gods x humans
• Slow burn sapphic romance
• Complex family dynamics
• Female friendship
• Vengeance
• Deadly quests
• Multiple pov’s
• Chronic pain rep (fmc)
• Black fmc’s
• Only one bed
TW: mention of past self harm
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Reread March 2025 in preparation for The Sunrise in the Reaping: simply superb.
~
First reread May 2020: The fact that each book in this trilogy still holds its own and doesn’t feel aged after 10 years says so much about the pure genius of it. I loved this book just as much as the others and I am so SO happy I didn’t give into that part of my brain saying ‘there’s not enough time to reread books, there are too many books you haven’t read yet’ because reading this over the past few weeks felt like reading it for the first time.
Having first read the trilogy during a time where I had a weird relationship with reading, this time felt like reading it the first time and it was everything I could have hoped for. It impacted me in ways I hadn’t expected it to, reminded me how amazing reading can make me feel and placed me firmly in team peeta once more (a plot twist I didn’t foresee).
~
First reread May 2020: The fact that each book in this trilogy still holds its own and doesn’t feel aged after 10 years says so much about the pure genius of it. I loved this book just as much as the others and I am so SO happy I didn’t give into that part of my brain saying ‘there’s not enough time to reread books, there are too many books you haven’t read yet’ because reading this over the past few weeks felt like reading it for the first time.
Having first read the trilogy during a time where I had a weird relationship with reading, this time felt like reading it the first time and it was everything I could have hoped for. It impacted me in ways I hadn’t expected it to, reminded me how amazing reading can make me feel and placed me firmly in team peeta once more (a plot twist I didn’t foresee).
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Reread March 2025 in preparation for The Sunrise on the Reaping: everything I said in my initial review still stands. The girl I was who once rated this three stars is truly dead and thank goodness for that because she knew nothing.
~
Apparently I have this book three stars when I first read it. I’ve also always said this was my least favourite in the trilogy. I just... I don’t know who my past self was but I don’t like her.
~
Apparently I have this book three stars when I first read it. I’ve also always said this was my least favourite in the trilogy. I just... I don’t know who my past self was but I don’t like her.
My Kind of Trouble by L.A. Schwartz
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
This was really cute and the premise was a lot of fun, however I struggled a little with the execution.
While I absolutely adored Preston, I just couldn’t get past the amount of time Harmony strung along her con, despite knowing how many people she’d hurt in the end, even if they did get their money back. I also felt the conclusion was far too easy and quick for the lies she’d told. I also wasn’t totally sold on the emotional connection between Preston and Harmony.
That being said, overall this was a fun read and I absolutely adored the multiple facets of diverse representation, especially Lacey and Preston’s varying autistic experiences. Even though I didn’t love this quite as much as I’d hoped, I’d definitely be interested in reading more from L.A. Schwartz in the future.
what to expect:
- plus sized fmc
- autistic mmc and side character
- single guardian
- small town
- opposites attract
- con woman x librarian
While I absolutely adored Preston, I just couldn’t get past the amount of time Harmony strung along her con, despite knowing how many people she’d hurt in the end, even if they did get their money back. I also felt the conclusion was far too easy and quick for the lies she’d told. I also wasn’t totally sold on the emotional connection between Preston and Harmony.
That being said, overall this was a fun read and I absolutely adored the multiple facets of diverse representation, especially Lacey and Preston’s varying autistic experiences. Even though I didn’t love this quite as much as I’d hoped, I’d definitely be interested in reading more from L.A. Schwartz in the future.
what to expect:
- plus sized fmc
- autistic mmc and side character
- single guardian
- small town
- opposites attract
- con woman x librarian
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Biphobia, Transphobia
The line they drew through us by Hiba Noor Khan
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Between this and Safiyyah’s War, Hiba Noor Khan has quickly become one of my favourite middle grade authors. The way she writes about historical events, expertly balancing both honesty and accessibility, is truly something to be admired. The Line They Drew Through Us tells the story of three friends in the lead up to and the fall out during and after Partition. It’s deeply moving and, beautifully told and incredibly impactful. It’s gut wrenching and hopeful, education and memorable and a story I think will enlighten all of its readers, both young and old.
The Earl Meets His Match by TJ Alexander
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
To put it simply, The Earl Meets His Match is an utter delight of a read. Not only is funny, uplifting, adorable and it the slowest of slow burns (a dream for this slow burn romance fan), it’s also got a few exciting plot twists that genuinely took me by surprise (a feat not often achieved). The writing was incredibly engaging and easy to read, so much so I found myself finishing it in a few sittings. Overall, I had such a good time with this sweet and fun read and very much hope T.J. Alexander writes more historical romance in the future.