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justinlife's reviews
850 reviews
I'm So (Not) Over You by Kosoko Jackson
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I like how Kosoko Jackson writes. Part of the fun of reading Jackson's work is how he narrates the character. I'm So Not Over You follows former flames who have to be fake boyfriends for a meeting and a wedding. It gets complicated, and in my opinion, the fake boyfriend trope is the dumbest, but also my favorite in the romance genre.
Kian is an aspiring journalist whose ex, Hudson needs his help to impress his uber wealthy family. Kian is a mess of a character but he's fun to read. The way he's written is part of the fun of reading this.
This felt like the great romantic comedies of the 90s. It had the right amount of wealth porn with just enough reality checks that the world Hudson lives in isn't for everyone. Kian keeps his guard up and doesn't trust people easily, particularly someone who hurt him in the past. When ready romcoms I tend to give passes to some of the plot bc it usually doesn't make sense. This was no exception.
That being said, it was a fun read and I'd recommend it.
Kian is an aspiring journalist whose ex, Hudson needs his help to impress his uber wealthy family. Kian is a mess of a character but he's fun to read. The way he's written is part of the fun of reading this.
This felt like the great romantic comedies of the 90s. It had the right amount of wealth porn with just enough reality checks that the world Hudson lives in isn't for everyone. Kian keeps his guard up and doesn't trust people easily, particularly someone who hurt him in the past. When ready romcoms I tend to give passes to some of the plot bc it usually doesn't make sense. This was no exception.
That being said, it was a fun read and I'd recommend it.
The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book was a lot more fun than I thought it would be. It was recommended to me by a customer service associate at Elliot Bay Bookstore for my choice for the bookclub this round. We did books based in the states and I chose Oregon.
Logan Ortiz-Woodley is the daughter of popular gay ghost hunters. She returns with her dads to their hometown b/c something is up and it's terrorizing the community. They aren't welcome, btw and some believe her dads are the cause of the problem.
The story deals with being different in a small town and the loneliness that can happen when you think everyone is out to get you. It's also a very CW-esque horror/romance story. It didn't feel too serious and perfect for the YA/New Adult crowd. Being that it is YA/New adult, we get so much emo. It's a lot but it's expected for the genre.
Logan Ortiz-Woodley is the daughter of popular gay ghost hunters. She returns with her dads to their hometown b/c something is up and it's terrorizing the community. They aren't welcome, btw and some believe her dads are the cause of the problem.
The story deals with being different in a small town and the loneliness that can happen when you think everyone is out to get you. It's also a very CW-esque horror/romance story. It didn't feel too serious and perfect for the YA/New Adult crowd. Being that it is YA/New adult, we get so much emo. It's a lot but it's expected for the genre.
My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
This was a slam dunk.
We follow Trey, an 18 year old who leaves his wealthy family in Indiana behind for reasons and moves to NYC in the mid 80s. He learns that he doesn't know enough and has to figure it out. As he's getting life lessons, queer NYC is struggling with the AIDS epidemic. Trey eventually finds his place in the community but it comes with some hard battles and major losses.
This book doesn't shy away from gay sex or queer lifestyles which was both refreshing and unnerving. I'm used to the "fade to black" but there was not fading here. We get the deets but not in an erotic way, maybe more a "matter of fact" way.
Newson does an excellent job introducing us to characters that are fictional and real. He shows how this disease tore through the community and how that effected various members in that community. We get a look at how activism and the things we do to save people have consequences and that we have to live with the consequences. Choices, actions, helping, saving are not easy tasks and when you get involved, it's not easy to keep it separate from your life.
Newson does an excellent job showing the youthful naivete of beginning activists and holding the past to the standards of the day. It felt real and fresh. Some of the conversations Trey has have been thoughts I've had.
I both love and hated how it ended. I wanted more. I wanted two more chapters. It ends in a way that's heartbreaking and left me thinking about it for days.
Highly recommend this one. Don't do Audio on this one (it's good, though). The hard copy has footnotes that are fun and add depth to the text.
We follow Trey, an 18 year old who leaves his wealthy family in Indiana behind for reasons and moves to NYC in the mid 80s. He learns that he doesn't know enough and has to figure it out. As he's getting life lessons, queer NYC is struggling with the AIDS epidemic. Trey eventually finds his place in the community but it comes with some hard battles and major losses.
This book doesn't shy away from gay sex or queer lifestyles which was both refreshing and unnerving. I'm used to the "fade to black" but there was not fading here. We get the deets but not in an erotic way, maybe more a "matter of fact" way.
Newson does an excellent job introducing us to characters that are fictional and real. He shows how this disease tore through the community and how that effected various members in that community. We get a look at how activism and the things we do to save people have consequences and that we have to live with the consequences. Choices, actions, helping, saving are not easy tasks and when you get involved, it's not easy to keep it separate from your life.
Newson does an excellent job showing the youthful naivete of beginning activists and holding the past to the standards of the day. It felt real and fresh. Some of the conversations Trey has have been thoughts I've had.
I both love and hated how it ended. I wanted more. I wanted two more chapters. It ends in a way that's heartbreaking and left me thinking about it for days.
Highly recommend this one. Don't do Audio on this one (it's good, though). The hard copy has footnotes that are fun and add depth to the text.
Until We Meet Again by Christina Lee
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
4.25
The second in the series was fun and returning to the world that Lee created was great. In this story, we have Bruce "Bones" and his roommate Emil, a dance and music major who decide to room again the next semester. Emil starts to learn about Bones' past and having to live up to a dead sibling, while Bones starts to understand the various types of sexualities and romanticsms (demisexual, aromantic, etc.).
Overall this was a cute story, I liked the first one better, but it was a good time getting to know these characters. I did appreciate how Lee discusses and created her characters around the sexual identities that other people might not realize. It was great to read and I can see how this could help others.
Overall this was a cute story, I liked the first one better, but it was a good time getting to know these characters. I did appreciate how Lee discusses and created her characters around the sexual identities that other people might not realize. It was great to read and I can see how this could help others.
XOXO by Christina Lee
This was a really enjoyable old friends to lovers story. The story revolves around Lark and Henry, two guys who have a past as children who show end up at the same university. They are both cancer survivors and both deal with the stress of that in different ways.
Lee does a great job of showing the characters anxieties with being queer and also having an illness where the fear of its return is ever present. She also does a great job of showing class differences and creating characters that understand that different struggles doesn't mean one is less than or more than another. The characters have empathy for each other and those around them.
Overall this was what I want from reading a M/M romance novel. Well done!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
5.0
Lee does a great job of showing the characters anxieties with being queer and also having an illness where the fear of its return is ever present. She also does a great job of showing class differences and creating characters that understand that different struggles doesn't mean one is less than or more than another. The characters have empathy for each other and those around them.
Overall this was what I want from reading a M/M romance novel. Well done!
Hopeful Romantic by Daryl Banner
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
This was a cute story just in time for the holidays. I find it funny that Banner uses these hot men covers, leading the reader to think it’s going to be a spicy read, when it’s really just a sweet romance with a little bit of spice.
Banner created this fictional town in TX full of characters that he keeps up through the series. This is one of the best things about his style is how the secondary characters have full lives and don’t live to serve the plot. At times, I think he likes these characters more than his protagonists.
This novel features Malcom, son of a chef, who hasn’t recovered from the date in book three but has to go help his dad with the catering of that dude’s wedding on Christmas Eve Eve. Mayhem ensues and hurt feelings come out. I love that Banner added another character outside the two main protagonists who I hope to see further down the line.
I would rate it higher but there was a scene involving sex and alcohol that I don’t think was handled well.
Overall though a fun light read.
Banner created this fictional town in TX full of characters that he keeps up through the series. This is one of the best things about his style is how the secondary characters have full lives and don’t live to serve the plot. At times, I think he likes these characters more than his protagonists.
This novel features Malcom, son of a chef, who hasn’t recovered from the date in book three but has to go help his dad with the catering of that dude’s wedding on Christmas Eve Eve. Mayhem ensues and hurt feelings come out. I love that Banner added another character outside the two main protagonists who I hope to see further down the line.
I would rate it higher but there was a scene involving sex and alcohol that I don’t think was handled well.
Overall though a fun light read.
Light Up the Lamp by Kit Oliver
emotional
hopeful
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
It's weird to that there are so many hockey stories out there.
This is a solid read and I really enjoyed the story. A lot of the plot devices used to get the story moving seemed so outrageous that they weren't even believable at all. Mainly, the business aspect of major league professional sports in the USA.
It felt like Oliver was trying to go for something akin to the movie "Major League" which is fine, but it didn't feel real. It bothered me b/c the story of the characters of Gilbert and Sebastian was really cute. You get two characters who've grown apart, had issues, have to work through them and find their way back to each other. There's a lot for each of them to get through, but Oliver does a great job showing how their past scars and actions affect their decisions.
The story was lovely. The setting could've used some work.
This is a solid read and I really enjoyed the story. A lot of the plot devices used to get the story moving seemed so outrageous that they weren't even believable at all. Mainly, the business aspect of major league professional sports in the USA.
It felt like Oliver was trying to go for something akin to the movie "Major League" which is fine, but it didn't feel real. It bothered me b/c the story of the characters of Gilbert and Sebastian was really cute. You get two characters who've grown apart, had issues, have to work through them and find their way back to each other. There's a lot for each of them to get through, but Oliver does a great job showing how their past scars and actions affect their decisions.
The story was lovely. The setting could've used some work.
The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was fine. I blame myself more than the book. I think if I were in highschool, I'd love it. A queer historical fiction in the vein of The Count of Monte Cristo that's a swashbuckling adventure? Yeah, sign me up. I think I didn't realize the characters were so young when I went in and because of that, I was annoyed. I was also annoyed with the narrator and how he's just a rake. Like why would anyone want to hang out with him, he sounds exhausting.
Overall though, it's a well written queer adventure novel and we don't have too many of those.
Overall though, it's a well written queer adventure novel and we don't have too many of those.
The Extraordinaries by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
T.J. Klune is a fun writer. He's all over the place and I love that about him.
This novel takes place in a world where some people have extraordinary abilities. It follows Nick whose dad is a cop and mother was killed by some robbers. He's got ADHD and wants more than anything to be a superhero, but also a superhero dating one of the other superheros.
Nick got on my nerves through the book. He's self centered and unfocused and, well, he's a teenager, so yeah, it makes sense. The writing was fun and his relationship with his dad was a great one to read. Klune writes dialogue that's believable and fun. There were many times through this book that I laughed out loud. There were also so many times where I was like "Nick, buddy, come on, read the room and the signs." He's completely oblivious to his best friend who's into him and that maybe another friend might be a superhero.
Overall though, I liked it and would read more. The reviews about it being cop propaganda are... well, justified. You can see where they are coming from. In the framework fo the character, you can see it, but at the same time, it's a bit frustrating.
This novel takes place in a world where some people have extraordinary abilities. It follows Nick whose dad is a cop and mother was killed by some robbers. He's got ADHD and wants more than anything to be a superhero, but also a superhero dating one of the other superheros.
Nick got on my nerves through the book. He's self centered and unfocused and, well, he's a teenager, so yeah, it makes sense. The writing was fun and his relationship with his dad was a great one to read. Klune writes dialogue that's believable and fun. There were many times through this book that I laughed out loud. There were also so many times where I was like "Nick, buddy, come on, read the room and the signs." He's completely oblivious to his best friend who's into him and that maybe another friend might be a superhero.
Overall though, I liked it and would read more. The reviews about it being cop propaganda are... well, justified. You can see where they are coming from. In the framework fo the character, you can see it, but at the same time, it's a bit frustrating.
History of White People by Nell Irvin Painter
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
This book is a lot. Like a lot a lot. It's dense and contains a narrative of how whiteness came to be and the major players that contributed to it.
I was expecting something far more violent, but it was really tracing the history of whiteness and how that has affected the culture. You get to see the philosophers, artists, and anthropologists over the centuries try to justify its existence and how they came to their conclusions.
It's a great book to read, but I'd recommend a chapter at a time. The audiobook was also very helpful. This was well researched and you can see the course that was being plotted. What's interesting about it is that so many people who are considered white today wouldn't have fit that classification a century or two ago. The power dynamics and how that affected everyone involved.
I was expecting something far more violent, but it was really tracing the history of whiteness and how that has affected the culture. You get to see the philosophers, artists, and anthropologists over the centuries try to justify its existence and how they came to their conclusions.
It's a great book to read, but I'd recommend a chapter at a time. The audiobook was also very helpful. This was well researched and you can see the course that was being plotted. What's interesting about it is that so many people who are considered white today wouldn't have fit that classification a century or two ago. The power dynamics and how that affected everyone involved.