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karissabubble's reviews
64 reviews
The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson
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? Yes
2.5
I was honestly not convinced with the romance between Cassie and Reid. There really isn't a huge build up for emotional feeling, and of course the lack of understanding when it comes to Cassie's experience as a Black woman in the industry. Reid ignores Cassie who openly explains her struggles multiple times, and all I got from it what white man in this relationship has privileges and gets what he wants regardless.
Reid's character is pretty flat, besides his family issues and detachment (which is interesting) but besides that the first chapter really reels you away from connecting with him and I just wanted better for Cassie. Reid knows he benefits from the system but dosen't want to fight for what he truly wants, or for Cassie. He is also shady when it comes to work and sexual relationships with higher management.
I liked Dana and Riki way more as a couple of interest, but I also didn't like how Dana wasn't more insistent about how important Cassie was over Reid and put her in a position she didn't want to be in career wise, which minimizes her goals.
Reid's character is pretty flat, besides his family issues and detachment (which is interesting) but besides that the first chapter really reels you away from connecting with him and I just wanted better for Cassie. Reid knows he benefits from the system but dosen't want to fight for what he truly wants, or for Cassie. He is also shady when it comes to work and sexual relationships with higher management.
I liked Dana and Riki way more as a couple of interest, but I also didn't like how Dana wasn't more insistent about how important Cassie was over Reid and put her in a position she didn't want to be in career wise, which minimizes her goals.
Athena's Child by Hannah Lynn
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
🚀💗✨️ This was such a great read, with fake dating, funny astronomy puns, and a very sweet romance with reasonable doubts.
The romance between Amerie and Vincent was very sweet, and often funny too.
I absolutely loved the complexities of family relationships, loss, and fear.
For those who are wondering if it has 🌶....yes a little.
Although it was a bit rushed towards the last few chapters, I really did love it and wished for more!
The romance between Amerie and Vincent was very sweet, and often funny too.
I absolutely loved the complexities of family relationships, loss, and fear.
For those who are wondering if it has 🌶....yes a little.
Although it was a bit rushed towards the last few chapters, I really did love it and wished for more!
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief
The Knowing by Carolyn Mitchell Boykin
SPOILER!!!!!
So, I had a different interpretation of what this book would be about, and if I knew it involved crazy extremist Christianity and the whole deformity=evil trope, I wouldn't have picked it up personally.
The writing is well done of course for a debut novel, powerful even, but I think adding the concept of deformity was unnecessary. It drags out the first 9 chapters, with constantly calling this character ugly, deformed, a monkey...We could have still made him have evil aspects without it being tied to his "deformities" being a result of his conception (via cheating and SA).
I didn't really want Cora to succeed after the whole wanting to unalive the baby with an umbilical cord at birth. I felt like if she could unalive Clyde with or without justification, than Clyde also had that right considering the fact that the whole town is out to get him, and he essentially wouldn't have been liked by anyone regardless of it he was nice. They basically gave him mental health issues on top of an already possessive darkness that could have been harnessed better under supportive conditions...which is not present in a healthy way in this book.
I was also expecting to know more about The Knowing and the search for balance between light and dark. Based off the synopsis, I was expecting Cora, the healer, to help Clyde balance his darkness...not just seek to unalive him. She's more of a hunter at that point. Instead, the whole balance concept is ignored, the "healer" thinks unaliving an infant is justified-so she isn't any "lighter" than anybody else. The whole town is actually horrendous, so I couldn't love any of the characters.
What I got from this book, is that the environment people are raised in matters and without reforming that, nobody develops or gets to achieve balance.
I do think the author has amazing writing, the scenes were very strong, I also liked the overall vibe matching the time period. I'd like to see what they come out with next, but this was just not for me.
dark
tense
slow-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
3.0
SPOILER!!!!!
So, I had a different interpretation of what this book would be about, and if I knew it involved crazy extremist Christianity and the whole deformity=evil trope, I wouldn't have picked it up personally.
The writing is well done of course for a debut novel, powerful even, but I think adding the concept of deformity was unnecessary. It drags out the first 9 chapters, with constantly calling this character ugly, deformed, a monkey...We could have still made him have evil aspects without it being tied to his "deformities" being a result of his conception (via cheating and SA).
I didn't really want Cora to succeed after the whole wanting to unalive the baby with an umbilical cord at birth. I felt like if she could unalive Clyde with or without justification, than Clyde also had that right considering the fact that the whole town is out to get him, and he essentially wouldn't have been liked by anyone regardless of it he was nice. They basically gave him mental health issues on top of an already possessive darkness that could have been harnessed better under supportive conditions...which is not present in a healthy way in this book.
I was also expecting to know more about The Knowing and the search for balance between light and dark. Based off the synopsis, I was expecting Cora, the healer, to help Clyde balance his darkness...not just seek to unalive him. She's more of a hunter at that point. Instead, the whole balance concept is ignored, the "healer" thinks unaliving an infant is justified-so she isn't any "lighter" than anybody else. The whole town is actually horrendous, so I couldn't love any of the characters.
What I got from this book, is that the environment people are raised in matters and without reforming that, nobody develops or gets to achieve balance.
I do think the author has amazing writing, the scenes were very strong, I also liked the overall vibe matching the time period. I'd like to see what they come out with next, but this was just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Religious bigotry, Murder, and Pregnancy
The Loyal Wife by B. Love
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The Loyal Wife was truly a different experience for me. It had a lot of twists and turns, along with many secrets that slowly get revealed to us.
Sade is definitely a "ride or die" character with more up her sleeve.
Overall, I think this would make a great TV show or movie, as it definitely has that drama with the many flashbacks and questions. You are constantly questioning who is good or bad.
I do wish we focused a bit more on Dante, as the book feels more about Sade and her desire to protect and keep Dante in her life.
Sade is definitely a "ride or die" character with more up her sleeve.
Overall, I think this would make a great TV show or movie, as it definitely has that drama with the many flashbacks and questions. You are constantly questioning who is good or bad.
I do wish we focused a bit more on Dante, as the book feels more about Sade and her desire to protect and keep Dante in her life.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
I really enjoyed this story! I especially loved how Sophia fights for what she wants, even though it isn't easy.
I will say that I did not find her childhood friend and first love interest to be enjoyable as she seems envious of Sophia for fighting for what she wants and not falling for the misogynistic status quo.
In terms of Sophia "moving on too fast," I do not think she moves on too fast...afterall, she is young and still experiencing new things and fighting for what she wants. Rather, she actually feels constant guilt for having to leave Erin behind and falling in love with Constance. Erin was pushing her away from the beginning, and Sophia just found someone more compatible and accepting of her.
Ultimately, you can't help those who don't want to be helped and don't believe in you or a better path. Sophia didn't rebel just because of her first love for Erin. It was because of all the other misogynistic rules in the Kingdom and encouragement from her grandmother. She wanted to be with a princess instead of a prince, but that does not mean that it had to only be Erin, her first love, and the only person she knew before she met Constance.
Overall, I loved how this was a thought piece on misogyny and how it is upheld by men and women...as well as some readers even. It's also an interesting take on parents/communities who fight for their children and those who are too afraid to.
I do wish we got to see what happens to Erin at the end of the book, as I am sympathetic towards her... and I would love to see what happens with Luke. However, I do like how the ending is left because resistance and reform are constant endeavors.
It would have been even better if this was made into two books, but I see this singular book as a thought piece.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this story! I especially loved how Sophia fights for what she wants, even though it isn't easy.
I will say that I did not find her childhood friend and first love interest to be enjoyable as she seems envious of Sophia for fighting for what she wants and not falling for the misogynistic status quo.
In terms of Sophia "moving on too fast," I do not think she moves on too fast...afterall, she is young and still experiencing new things and fighting for what she wants. Rather, she actually feels constant guilt for having to leave Erin behind and falling in love with Constance. Erin was pushing her away from the beginning, and Sophia just found someone more compatible and accepting of her.
Ultimately, you can't help those who don't want to be helped and don't believe in you or a better path. Sophia didn't rebel just because of her first love for Erin. It was because of all the other misogynistic rules in the Kingdom and encouragement from her grandmother. She wanted to be with a princess instead of a prince, but that does not mean that it had to only be Erin, her first love, and the only person she knew before she met Constance.
Overall, I loved how this was a thought piece on misogyny and how it is upheld by men and women...as well as some readers even. It's also an interesting take on parents/communities who fight for their children and those who are too afraid to.
I do wish we got to see what happens to Erin at the end of the book, as I am sympathetic towards her... and I would love to see what happens with Luke. However, I do like how the ending is left because resistance and reform are constant endeavors.
It would have been even better if this was made into two books, but I see this singular book as a thought piece.
A Sign of Affection, Volume 2 by suu Morishita
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I really love how gentle Itsuomi is when it comes to how he communicates with Yuki! Overall I think the pace of this story and the romance is very nice.
A Sign of Affection, Volume 1 by suu Morishita
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
This is already so cute and sweet!