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kaceyjoy's reviews
785 reviews
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
Didn't finish before it was returned to the library ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ eagerly waiting to be able to check it back out
Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Baby's first physical ARC! Thank you to Penguin Random House and The Dial Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Sorry I'm about 2 weeks late! Looking For A Sign is available now!
The hook: "A newly single queer woman moves to New Orleans and sets off on a mission to find her most compatible match by going on a date with someone of each astrological sign in this rom-com from the Lambda Literary Award–nominated author of Queerly Beloved."
My thoughts: fun and light-hearted, full of astrology tidbits, which I enjoyed, a nod to #DisneyBounding - even if it actually makes it seem negative... All in all, a fun fluffy summer read. As an Aries sun, like our main character Grey, I felt I easily connected to her. I loved her best friend Cherry, and their story.
Fresh out of her first real relationship, after ten years together, Grey is only 6 weeks from turning 29, when Saturn's Return occurs. Hoping to capitalize on that event, Grey and Cherry come up with a plan for Grey to go on 12 dates in 6 weeks, one date each each astrological sign, in order! Seems ridiculous and stressful honestly, but hilarity and self discovery ensure. A bit of open and closed door romance, and a HEA with an unlikely character. Don't take this one too seriously, just enjoy the ride!
TW: the MC describes herself as a lesbian, but then states she is interested in dating anyone other than cis men. I do wish the author had addressed this differently, as I agree with those who have stated that this others trans men and is harmful. I feel there could have been discussion on the labels we each choose to identify with, and how those may change over time with new experiences.
The hook: "A newly single queer woman moves to New Orleans and sets off on a mission to find her most compatible match by going on a date with someone of each astrological sign in this rom-com from the Lambda Literary Award–nominated author of Queerly Beloved."
My thoughts: fun and light-hearted, full of astrology tidbits, which I enjoyed, a nod to #DisneyBounding - even if it actually makes it seem negative... All in all, a fun fluffy summer read. As an Aries sun, like our main character Grey, I felt I easily connected to her. I loved her best friend Cherry, and their story.
Fresh out of her first real relationship, after ten years together, Grey is only 6 weeks from turning 29, when Saturn's Return occurs. Hoping to capitalize on that event, Grey and Cherry come up with a plan for Grey to go on 12 dates in 6 weeks, one date each each astrological sign, in order! Seems ridiculous and stressful honestly, but hilarity and self discovery ensure. A bit of open and closed door romance, and a HEA with an unlikely character. Don't take this one too seriously, just enjoy the ride!
TW: the MC describes herself as a lesbian, but then states she is interested in dating anyone other than cis men. I do wish the author had addressed this differently, as I agree with those who have stated that this others trans men and is harmful. I feel there could have been discussion on the labels we each choose to identify with, and how those may change over time with new experiences.
Big Girl, Small Town by Michelle Gallen
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Character driven, coming of age story, wonderfully narrated by the amazing Nicola Coughlin!
How to Piss Off Men: 106 Things to Say to Shatter the Male Ego by Kyle Prue
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a quick, witty, sometimes self-deprecating, book of quick responses to men who perhaps are not very self-aware. Love the authors wit and descriptions. Definitely worth the read!
This is a quick, witty, sometimes self-deprecating, book of quick responses to men who perhaps are not very self-aware. Love the authors wit and descriptions. Definitely worth the read!
Once More Upon a Time by Roshani Chokshi
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Super quick and cute!
When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories and Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown by Kenan Thompson
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.5
Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Beautifully written, combination of historical romance, friend to lover, second change, and horror, but I wanted more of the horror. I loved the vampires, but we just didn't get enough of them. Love the question of who is the true monster. Just needed more vampires haha
The 7-10 Split by Karmen Lee
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Thank you to Netgalley and harlequin for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Childhood best friend turned rivals, turned enemies, turned coworkers, turned lovers, second chance romance, lots of pining, plus bowling, asll set in a small town outside Atlanta! Yes, please!
Started off slow, but picked up about 35% in, but then it all finished way too fast. I was halfway through the last chapter and felt there should have been at least another couple chapters it at the very least an epilogue.
I'll definitely read the next book in the series. The Williams sisters seen pretty great!
Childhood best friend turned rivals, turned enemies, turned coworkers, turned lovers, second chance romance, lots of pining, plus bowling, asll set in a small town outside Atlanta! Yes, please!
Started off slow, but picked up about 35% in, but then it all finished way too fast. I was halfway through the last chapter and felt there should have been at least another couple chapters it at the very least an epilogue.
I'll definitely read the next book in the series. The Williams sisters seen pretty great!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Classism
Switched by Sarah Ready
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review, sorry I didn't read it until 3 months after it was released!
Freaky Friday but between two colleagues who had a one night stand over a year ago, set in Geneva, Switzerland at CERN. Chock full of physics and Star Trek references. One caught feelings, and the other didn't - or so we think...
Henry, a stuffy British man who loves physics and can't wait to find the perfect woman to be his wife.
Serena, a care free California women who also loves physics, but had no need for love.
But the universe has other plans! One late night at CERN, a paradox occurs and somehow Henry and Serena wake up in each other's bodies! I love both MCs, and I loved all the truly nerdy tidbits this book has to offer! Definitely check this one out if you like Freaky Friday, Star Trek, a little steam, and a lot of heart!
Freaky Friday but between two colleagues who had a one night stand over a year ago, set in Geneva, Switzerland at CERN. Chock full of physics and Star Trek references. One caught feelings, and the other didn't - or so we think...
Henry, a stuffy British man who loves physics and can't wait to find the perfect woman to be his wife.
Serena, a care free California women who also loves physics, but had no need for love.
But the universe has other plans! One late night at CERN, a paradox occurs and somehow Henry and Serena wake up in each other's bodies! I love both MCs, and I loved all the truly nerdy tidbits this book has to offer! Definitely check this one out if you like Freaky Friday, Star Trek, a little steam, and a lot of heart!
Out by Natsuo Kirino
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Definitely read all the trigger warnings.
I enjoyed a lot of this book, especially the first half, though it does start out slow. I read about 70% of the book in only a couple days, but it took a week to slog through the first section.
The ending really didn't fulfill my expectations though. And in a way that not only ruins the book for me, but also will keep me from seeking it this author again. Honestly, it might just be the last 30 or so pages that ruin the entire book for me. There's a bit of ick throughout, but not enough that I'd DNF.
Fatness as a sign of weakness/lack of character
Graphic descriptions of multiple tapes
Rape apologist
Multiple POV, with many scenes repeated nearly verbatim from the multiple POVs - including a rape
While this book does show how poorly women were treated in Japan, and there were a lot of compelling parts with a lot of promise, overall it did not deliver for me. If you'd told me this was written by a man, I'd believe you.
I enjoyed a lot of this book, especially the first half, though it does start out slow. I read about 70% of the book in only a couple days, but it took a week to slog through the first section.
The ending really didn't fulfill my expectations though. And in a way that not only ruins the book for me, but also will keep me from seeking it this author again. Honestly, it might just be the last 30 or so pages that ruin the entire book for me. There's a bit of ick throughout, but not enough that I'd DNF.
Fatness as a sign of weakness/lack of character
Graphic descriptions of multiple tapes
Rape apologist
Multiple POV, with many scenes repeated nearly verbatim from the multiple POVs - including a rape
While this book does show how poorly women were treated in Japan, and there were a lot of compelling parts with a lot of promise, overall it did not deliver for me. If you'd told me this was written by a man, I'd believe you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny, Fatphobia, Sexism, Sexual violence, Torture, Stalking, Domestic abuse, Murder, and Pedophilia
Minor: Blood and Body shaming