jay_da_bookworm's reviews
64 reviews

Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, and Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Stalking, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Rape

Minor: Violence, Stalking, and Drug use

This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent and Murder

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-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

4.0

Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.75

Sweet & Bitter Magic was just an all-around good read. This book put all my favorite tropes together and I loved every bit of it. 

Circe by Madeline Miller

adventurous challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexism

Moderate: War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Sexism, and Pregnancy

Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.25

Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Roxy by Jarrod Shusterman, Neal Shusterman

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

3.0

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.75

When I say I will accept no criticism about this book I mean it. This is my second time reading Something To Talk about and I loved it as much as I did when I first read it two years ago. 

My only complaint is that the slow burn was a bit too slow. Did I love the romantic tension between Emma and Jo? I absolutely did, I ate it up like it was a full course meal but I would have loved it even more if the relationship started earlier. 

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism, Racial slurs, and Bullying

Moderate: Stalking, Violence, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting

Minor: Rape, Violence, Death, and Cursing