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kaisbooknook's reviews
164 reviews
I'll Have What He's Having by Adib Khorram
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed reading I'll Have What He's Having. I loved the flirting and banter between the two MC's, the support and trust they gave one another, and getting a look into their private lives without each other as well.
I felt the pacing was a bit slow, and that the book dragged on a bit at the end, especially during the third act break up.
Speaking of the third act break up, the stubbornness of the two characters annoyed me so much, and the miscommunication could have easily been solved if they sat down and had a conversation like adults.
What I did love though, was their dynamic, full of healing each other's self loathing or stubbornness, and seeing them both realize that they wouldn't get hurt like all the times before. That was really powerful.
I think my favourite part though were the in depth descriptions of food and wine. As a foodie myself, it brought me unexplainable joy.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a spicy gay romance, especially foodies who want a read with detailed descriptions of food.
I felt the pacing was a bit slow, and that the book dragged on a bit at the end, especially during the third act break up.
Speaking of the third act break up, the stubbornness of the two characters annoyed me so much, and the miscommunication could have easily been solved if they sat down and had a conversation like adults.
What I did love though, was their dynamic, full of healing each other's self loathing or stubbornness, and seeing them both realize that they wouldn't get hurt like all the times before. That was really powerful.
I think my favourite part though were the in depth descriptions of food and wine. As a foodie myself, it brought me unexplainable joy.
I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to read a spicy gay romance, especially foodies who want a read with detailed descriptions of food.
D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
The love I have for both D'Vaughn and Kris makes me feel a little crazy, since they're fictional characters and not real, but that's how realistic they're written!!
I loved pretty much everything about D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding. The banter, the chemistry, the communication, the plot, EVERYTHING. And the best part is that there's no third act breakup!!
The reality TV show plotline adds just enough emotional tension to make the reader feel something and root for the characters, but not enough to overtake the amazing romance.
The writing style is witty and emotional and includes slight differences between the two POV's which makes the characters that much more realistic.
I felt the pacing was perfect, and never felt bored or uninterested.
The amount of love that is packed into this book is unreal. This is my first Chencia C. Higgins book, but it definitely won't be the last.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a butch × femme romance with a little spice and a lot of love.
I loved pretty much everything about D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding. The banter, the chemistry, the communication, the plot, EVERYTHING. And the best part is that there's no third act breakup!!
The reality TV show plotline adds just enough emotional tension to make the reader feel something and root for the characters, but not enough to overtake the amazing romance.
The writing style is witty and emotional and includes slight differences between the two POV's which makes the characters that much more realistic.
I felt the pacing was perfect, and never felt bored or uninterested.
The amount of love that is packed into this book is unreal. This is my first Chencia C. Higgins book, but it definitely won't be the last.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a butch × femme romance with a little spice and a lot of love.
The Trial Period by Auburn Morrow
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Lizzie and Parker really grew on me. At the start, the book seemed very juvenile, even for YA, and I wasn't sure how much I would enjoy it, but that changed when I saw the amount of chemistry they had, and how much they loved each other. By the end of the book I was completely rooting for them.
Lizzie and Parker are both such standout teenage characters, that actually act like teens. They're dynamic with each other and friends was so fun to read about.
I have to say though, I really hated the third act breakup. It felt completely unnecessary, and they acted completely venomous and out of character to how they treated each other previously. I would have liked them to have a bit more emotional maturity than that.
On the other hand, I absolutely adored the make-up scene. It was everything a rom-com should be: cheesy in the best way possible. One thing I would have loved to see would be Lizzie coming out to her mom, but that's just a personal preference.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a lighthearted rom-com with loveable characters.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Wattpad Books for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Lizzie and Parker are both such standout teenage characters, that actually act like teens. They're dynamic with each other and friends was so fun to read about.
I have to say though, I really hated the third act breakup. It felt completely unnecessary, and they acted completely venomous and out of character to how they treated each other previously. I would have liked them to have a bit more emotional maturity than that.
On the other hand, I absolutely adored the make-up scene. It was everything a rom-com should be: cheesy in the best way possible. One thing I would have loved to see would be Lizzie coming out to her mom, but that's just a personal preference.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a lighthearted rom-com with loveable characters.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Wattpad Books for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Two Hungers of Prince Fierre by Darcy Ash
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
3.75
The Two Hungers of Prince Fierre is a fantasy with beautiful natural imagery, and 2 childhood best friends who love each other.
Firstly, I loved the rich descriptions of the fantasy world. It helped shape the story, and make it come to life. I also love the unique traditions and culture.
I also adored the love that Aiven and Fierre held for each other, not even in their physical chemistry (which was amazing) but their care and support for one another.
My only critique would be that the characters didn't completely feel like real people. Perhaps they could have been more dynamic, but to me they felt a bit one-dimensional.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a romantasy with slight political intrigue, set in a luscious world.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Solaris Nova for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Firstly, I loved the rich descriptions of the fantasy world. It helped shape the story, and make it come to life. I also love the unique traditions and culture.
I also adored the love that Aiven and Fierre held for each other, not even in their physical chemistry (which was amazing) but their care and support for one another.
My only critique would be that the characters didn't completely feel like real people. Perhaps they could have been more dynamic, but to me they felt a bit one-dimensional.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to read a romantasy with slight political intrigue, set in a luscious world.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Solaris Nova for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
Murder in the Dressing Room is exactly what you would expect from a drag queen murder mystery: campy and mysterious.
I love the inside look at how the drags interact and work with one another. I just would have liked for the other drags to have more fleshed out characters, rather than them being represented by how they performed.
The pacing was a bit slow for me, particularly in the first 40%. After that the story really picks up, and i would have loved to see that same pacing for the entirety of the book.
I honestly loved that Misty Divine was so determined to find out who the real killer was, and to give everyone that closure, including Lady Lady. I especially liked the rawness of the police's reaction to the murder and drag in general, because it shows the reality that so many queer folks face with police.
I really enjoyed the writing style, as the tone of voice is very unique. I absolutely loved the way Misty compartmentalized herself between her drag persona and her everyday self, Joe. It was super interesting to learn, and I loved following along with it.
I would personally prefer that a bit more editing would have been done, especially on the day to day descriptions of Misty's life, since the level of detail put into them wasn't extremely necessary, but again, this is not the fully edited version.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a campy murder mystery, with queer relationships and drama woven throughout.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I love the inside look at how the drags interact and work with one another. I just would have liked for the other drags to have more fleshed out characters, rather than them being represented by how they performed.
The pacing was a bit slow for me, particularly in the first 40%. After that the story really picks up, and i would have loved to see that same pacing for the entirety of the book.
I honestly loved that Misty Divine was so determined to find out who the real killer was, and to give everyone that closure, including Lady Lady. I especially liked the rawness of the police's reaction to the murder and drag in general, because it shows the reality that so many queer folks face with police.
I really enjoyed the writing style, as the tone of voice is very unique. I absolutely loved the way Misty compartmentalized herself between her drag persona and her everyday self, Joe. It was super interesting to learn, and I loved following along with it.
I would personally prefer that a bit more editing would have been done, especially on the day to day descriptions of Misty's life, since the level of detail put into them wasn't extremely necessary, but again, this is not the fully edited version.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants a campy murder mystery, with queer relationships and drama woven throughout.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for giving me access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
The Three Lives of Cate Kay is the epitome of the human experience. It has so much nuance, and is filled with humour, love, loss, and pain.
All the characters jumped off the page, no matter how minor they were. They felt so realistic and flawed, with their own views of the world and their own lives.
This book feels like an ode to hope, and how it's never too late to have hope, no matter the circumstances.
The book also has an incredibly unique format, and is written in such an intriguing way, that I couldn't stop reading. The tone of voice is so profound and sincere, it feels like the author truly wrote from her heart.
I especially loved the disability representation, and Amanda's view on feeling like you're constantly taking from people. As a disabled person, I have never read something so true and hard-hitting as that profound guilt. Truly one of the best characters I've had the honour of reading.
I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough, to any and all readers.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All the characters jumped off the page, no matter how minor they were. They felt so realistic and flawed, with their own views of the world and their own lives.
This book feels like an ode to hope, and how it's never too late to have hope, no matter the circumstances.
The book also has an incredibly unique format, and is written in such an intriguing way, that I couldn't stop reading. The tone of voice is so profound and sincere, it feels like the author truly wrote from her heart.
I especially loved the disability representation, and Amanda's view on feeling like you're constantly taking from people. As a disabled person, I have never read something so true and hard-hitting as that profound guilt. Truly one of the best characters I've had the honour of reading.
I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough, to any and all readers.
A huge thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Kindred by Alechia Dow
adventurous
hopeful
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
The Full Moon Problem by Kay Claire
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
An Appreciation Of Cats: A Devonshire Clinic Novella by Des DeVivo
emotional
informative
lighthearted
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