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itsjustkatereading's reviews
1628 reviews
Educated by Tara Westover
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.5
People saying ‘it read like fiction’ when talking about non fiction is usually a slight pet peeve of mine but, as much as I hate to say it, reading Educated felt like reading a work of fiction. Not only was it accessible and easy to read, it was also incredibly enthralling and difficult to put down. I think Tara did such a beautiful job of telling her story. This was a dark, emotional, heavy, painful and utterly fascinating read and one I’d highly recommend.
TW: domestic abuse, domestic violence, racial slurs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Racial slurs, and Violence
Not for the Faint of Heart by Lex Croucher
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
From its loveable, ragtag group of characters to the top notch banter to the incredibly fun plot, I adored everything about this book. This is the second of Lex Croucher’s books I’ve read and I can’t get enough of their sense of humour and the way it shines through in their writing. As a life long Disney Robin Hood fan, this was such an enjoyable reading experience.
what to expect:
- slow burn
- grumpy x sunshine
- sapphic romance
- found family
- 10/10 humour
- merry men hijinks
what to expect:
- slow burn
- grumpy x sunshine
- sapphic romance
- found family
- 10/10 humour
- merry men hijinks
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I’m not sure whether this was a romance based on shared grief, car crashes, trauma bonding or an emotional mix of all three but whatever it was, I very much enjoyed it.
what to expect:
- forbidden romance
- office romance
- found family
- second chance (kind of)
- hate to love (kind of/one sided)
- grief
- complex family dynamics
- discussions of diaspora and being the child of immigrants
what to expect:
- forbidden romance
- office romance
- found family
- second chance (kind of)
- hate to love (kind of/one sided)
- grief
- complex family dynamics
- discussions of diaspora and being the child of immigrants
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Car accident
Moderate: Grief
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Cute, chaotic and merrily messy.
I wasn't sure what to expect from a second chance romance where one had left the other at the alter but I ended up really enjoying it. Brighton and Charlotte were nuanced, complex, messy humans and I loved that Ashley Herring Blake allowed them to grow both separately and together. I also really enjoyed the celebration of friendship and opening yourself up to others.
With cozy, hallmark movie vibes and a whole lot of angst, this was a fun and emotional holiday read and one I'd happily recommend.
What to expect:
-second chance romance
- childhood friends to lovers
- music
- found family
- forced proximity
- sapphic romance
- snowed in
- festive vibes
I wasn't sure what to expect from a second chance romance where one had left the other at the alter but I ended up really enjoying it. Brighton and Charlotte were nuanced, complex, messy humans and I loved that Ashley Herring Blake allowed them to grow both separately and together. I also really enjoyed the celebration of friendship and opening yourself up to others.
With cozy, hallmark movie vibes and a whole lot of angst, this was a fun and emotional holiday read and one I'd happily recommend.
What to expect:
-second chance romance
- childhood friends to lovers
- music
- found family
- forced proximity
- sapphic romance
- snowed in
- festive vibes
Til Death Do Us Bard by Rose Black
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Til Dead Do Us Bard feels like reading a book where the author thought 'why do kids get all the fun adventure and quest stories?' and decided to write one for adults instead. Managing to be both gently paced and action packed, this is a brilliantly fun and cosy fantasy with a lively ragtag cast of characters who left no room for a dull moment. It's safe to say I'm already looking forward to Rose's next book.
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
At this point I’m convinced it would be impossible for Catherine Doyle to write a book I don’t enjoy. There’s something about the wit and theatre Catherine adds to her books that just really works for me and, although not my favourite of her work, The Dagger and the Flame was no exception. With vibes of These Violent Delights and Catherine’s contemporary ‘Blood for Blood’ series, this was an action packed and surprisingly dark read and a story I’m looking forward to continue to follow in book two!
(side note; I’m slightly confused about who this book is targeted for this because it’s marketed as YA but then I hit the 80%ish mark and nope… suddenly not YA anymore.)
what to expect:
- enemies to lovers
- rival gangs
- monsters
- revenge
- forbidden romance
- found family
- magic
- stabby girls
- assassins and thieves
- a very good three legged dog
(side note; I’m slightly confused about who this book is targeted for this because it’s marketed as YA but then I hit the 80%ish mark and nope… suddenly not YA anymore.)
what to expect:
- enemies to lovers
- rival gangs
- monsters
- revenge
- forbidden romance
- found family
- magic
- stabby girls
- assassins and thieves
- a very good three legged dog
The Enemy by Sarah Adams
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I'm slightly conflicted on my feelings for this one.
On the one hand, June was a little irritating at times (although somewhat understandably) and Ryan seriously needed to learn the meaning of boundaries (just because you have a key to someone's house, doesn't mean you get to let yourself in whenever you like and chill on their couch!)
On the other hand, it was cute and fun and while they weren't perfect, I enjoyed reading from both June's and Ryan's POV. Also Junes family were fabulous.
It might not be my favourite of Sarah's books but I had a good time with it nonetheless.
What to expect:
- (faux) high school enemies-to-lovers
- foodie romance
- cute family dynamics
- closed door
On the one hand, June was a little irritating at times (although somewhat understandably) and Ryan seriously needed to learn the meaning of boundaries (just because you have a key to someone's house, doesn't mean you get to let yourself in whenever you like and chill on their couch!)
On the other hand, it was cute and fun and while they weren't perfect, I enjoyed reading from both June's and Ryan's POV. Also Junes family were fabulous.
It might not be my favourite of Sarah's books but I had a good time with it nonetheless.
What to expect:
- (faux) high school enemies-to-lovers
- foodie romance
- cute family dynamics
- closed door
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
The Rose Bargain by Sasha Peyton Smith
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.0
With a classic dark fairytale vibe meets Bridgerton and a touch of The Bachelor, The Rose Bargain was an immersive and enthralling read.
Easy to read and immensely addictive from the first page, The Rose Bargain had an elevated 2000's classic fantasy YA nostalgia to it. With a simple yet incredibly enjoyable writing style and familiar tropes, this didn't necessarily feel like anything entirely new but it stands out nonetheless.
For me, the relationships, specifically the romance, were somewhat lacking chemistry and I would have like to have seen a little more depth. That being said, the plot was so fast moving and fun, I didn't really feel like I was missing out until I finished and realised I wanted a bit more, as I came to really enjoy each character. I did, however, love the addition of the occasional POV from the other girls vying for Bram's hand and hope we get to see more from them in the next book.
All in all, this was a fabulous read and I'm both gutted I now have to wait a year for book two but also very excited I get to have more from this story!
Easy to read and immensely addictive from the first page, The Rose Bargain had an elevated 2000's classic fantasy YA nostalgia to it. With a simple yet incredibly enjoyable writing style and familiar tropes, this didn't necessarily feel like anything entirely new but it stands out nonetheless.
For me, the relationships, specifically the romance, were somewhat lacking chemistry and I would have like to have seen a little more depth. That being said, the plot was so fast moving and fun, I didn't really feel like I was missing out until I finished and realised I wanted a bit more, as I came to really enjoy each character. I did, however, love the addition of the occasional POV from the other girls vying for Bram's hand and hope we get to see more from them in the next book.
All in all, this was a fabulous read and I'm both gutted I now have to wait a year for book two but also very excited I get to have more from this story!
The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
tis very cute and entirely what you’d expect and that’s why I keep reading this cheesy little series.
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Talk about family drama... This was pure chaos and I loved every minute of it.
This was a sweet, fun and festive second chance romance, with a cast of characters who were complex and messy and utterly endearing. I loved the discussions surrounding Ellie's anxiety, burnout and demisexuality, as well as those about Jack's adhd. Despite not being overly Christmassy, this had a warm, wintery vibe that was made to be read under a blanket, with a mug of hot chocolate. All in all, this was a perfect holiday read and has very much solidified Alison Cochrun as a new go-to author for me!
What to expect:
- love trapezoid (kinda)
- fauxmance
- fake engagement
- only one bed
- found family
- family drama
- anxiety, bi and demisexual rep (fmc)
- lesbian and adhd rep (love interest)
This was a sweet, fun and festive second chance romance, with a cast of characters who were complex and messy and utterly endearing. I loved the discussions surrounding Ellie's anxiety, burnout and demisexuality, as well as those about Jack's adhd. Despite not being overly Christmassy, this had a warm, wintery vibe that was made to be read under a blanket, with a mug of hot chocolate. All in all, this was a perfect holiday read and has very much solidified Alison Cochrun as a new go-to author for me!
What to expect:
- love trapezoid (kinda)
- fauxmance
- fake engagement
- only one bed
- found family
- family drama
- anxiety, bi and demisexual rep (fmc)
- lesbian and adhd rep (love interest)