jacobina's reviews
248 reviews

The One Who Wrote Away by Joanna Alonzo

emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

I loved the journey that this book took me on. It read like a testimony and I loved the fact that we were given historical context to the characters and the impact that the past can have on a relationship. The characters for me felt flat however and if it wasn't for the fact that it was Christian, I don't know if I would've liked it. The writing at the beginning for me felt forced and sometimes the dialogue wasn't believable. I often found myself thinking that people don't talk like that.

Other than that, it was a quick read that was wholesome even with the darker themes in the background. It was enjoyable even with it's flaws.

15 Minutes Before We Really Date, Vol. 1 by Perico

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

This was so wholesome and cute. I love how innocent the entire relationship was and the display of how young love can also be a process especially when you've been friends first. There was no adultification of it. Just pure wholesome love.

Banned Book Club by Ryan Estrada, Kim Hyun Sook

adventurous challenging informative inspiring tense fast-paced

4.5

I love the exploration of the power of books. This is a realistic representation of the power of books and the impact that students or knowing more can help further change the future. 

It took me a while to adjust to the art style but I loved that it was in black and white and not colour as it landed to enhancing the gravity of the things they went through. The colour tone definitely impacted the tone of the graphic novel and solidified the seriousness of the story.

This is definitely a must read.

A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley

lighthearted fast-paced

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

2.5

It's cute. This was a perfect comfort read. What I love most though is the display of a healthy relationship. 

I Survived the Destruction of Pompeii, AD 79 by Lauren Tarshis

adventurous informative inspiring fast-paced

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

3.0

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

emotional lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

Tia Williams honestly had me hooked from the beginning. The storytelling was as vibrant as the FMC and not once did I feel like my attention was wavering. I love the ode to Harlem Renaissance that was sprinkled throughout the book. It felt like a time capsule for things forgotten. This book had everything from the yearning to beautiful prose. My jaw is dropped from being in awe.

Rather: The Therapist by Grey Huffington

emotional 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

3.0

The prolonged was too long for me and it took me a while to realize I wasn't reading Rather's POV. Overall this story was God, the chemistry between Rather and Priest was showed well. I wanted to see more of Rather as a therapist or her passion behind it. One thing I hate though is the fact that everything Chem taught Rather and his sisters seemed to fly out of her head as soon as she was with Priest. It's almost as though as she forgot that she was a strong woman.

Beyond Measures by Kimberly Brown

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

2.5

Chemistry: The Chemist by Grey Huffington

challenging emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

It was a bit repetitive at the beginning which really annoyed me. I don't like the fact that we'd get the same incident from both perspectives but after getting through a quarter of the book this stopped.

I loved Chem so much. Eden was amazing and reading her inner turmoil build her up as a character to me. There was a natural progression to it and it wasn't somethings that was thrown in just for the sake of adding something.Everything about this book was enjoyable. 

The only criticism I have is that they should have featured more accounts of him engaging with his sisters. There wasn't enough of them. Also there wasn't enough of Eden engaging with the outside world outside of Chem and that left a portion of her character lacking but not to the point that you didn't enjoy reading her side of things. It would've just amplified her character more.The ending was a bit anticlimactic but it did not take away from the story at all.

Write Your Name by Courtney Irving

inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

I honestly love a messy love story, where everything is not always so black and white. Sunny and Wisdom's chemistry was amazing as well as how their relationship developed.  Wisdom's character development was such a great journey to go on as well as his character depth. 

I enjoyed this book so much although there where times I found the prose to be overexplaining some things. There were certain chapters where the pacing was off but overall it didn't deter me from finishing the book. The plot and chemistry between Sunny and Wisdom had me hooked from chapter to chapter.

The dialogue for me was the best part of the book as it flowed naturally and it was realistic to how people talk. Another thing that stands out was that at times the POV's felt as natural someone's thoughts and not a piece of writing.

Overall it was a comfort read for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship