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kays_reading_journal's reviews
345 reviews
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
5.0
On the fence of giving this five stars so that may change. I LOVED this so much. It was such a rollercoaster in the best way possible. Perfect comedic timing. Such strong characters. And oh my god I loved the flashbacks/ multiple timeline that was going on. And the epilogue ✨
The only thing that was a bit confusing at times was the pov. It’s third person omniscient but like- switching between characters in the middle of a chapter. (I’m used to reading books where each chapter is dedicated to a characters thoughts). It was a fun style choice tho and I liked it once I got used to it.
The only thing that was a bit confusing at times was the pov. It’s third person omniscient but like- switching between characters in the middle of a chapter. (I’m used to reading books where each chapter is dedicated to a characters thoughts). It was a fun style choice tho and I liked it once I got used to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death
Minor: Ableism, Gun violence, Car accident
Café Con Lychee by Emery Lee
3.0
I couldn’t stand most of the characters- and LISTEN DONT LEAVE- this is not just a case of an adult finding teens in a teen book annoying. Theo is so hateful in the book, especially towards Gabi, that I never wanted them to get together. Gabi had a crush on Theo despite him straight up bullying him.
When they eventually got together, there was no chemistry. This book just really tried to push enemies to lovers and it’s my personal opinion that it can’t be done in a realistic world (besides academic rivals)
When they eventually got together, there was no chemistry. This book just really tried to push enemies to lovers and it’s my personal opinion that it can’t be done in a realistic world (besides academic rivals)
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
4.25
Official content warnings: Bullying, Rape (aftermath, not on-page), Sexual assault (a slap on the butt), sexual harassment
It says aftermath not on page, but I felt like the memories were pretty graphic. I’d also add PTSD.
I really did enjoy this book. I loved the main character and the found family and all.
It just felt a bit too short despite being a pretty average length. I wish that we had gotten to spend a bit more time with Ari’s parents, and some of the ending felt a bit rushed.
(I still really enjoyed this book! It’s just easier to write about negatives than positives)
It says aftermath not on page, but I felt like the memories were pretty graphic. I’d also add PTSD.
I really did enjoy this book. I loved the main character and the found family and all.
It just felt a bit too short despite being a pretty average length. I wish that we had gotten to spend a bit more time with Ari’s parents, and some of the ending felt a bit rushed.
(I still really enjoyed this book! It’s just easier to write about negatives than positives)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship
Minor: Infidelity
Our Women on the Ground: Essays by Arab Women Reporting from the Arab World by Zahra Hankir
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
I’ve checked it out two separate times from the library but haven’t been able to finish it before I’ve needed to return it.
I just couldn’t get back into it the second time with it being more than a month since I had started it. I might try again in the future when it has less holds on it.
I just couldn’t get back into it the second time with it being more than a month since I had started it. I might try again in the future when it has less holds on it.
The Pretty One: On Life, Pop Culture, Disability, and Other Reasons to Fall in Love With Me by Keah Brown
4.5
I really enjoyed this.
I listened to it while doing chores so I wasn’t really able to take down notes, but I think this book can be incredible and even life saving for some young girls.
I related so hard to the essays about love, both romantic, familial, and platonic.
I read some other reviews that found it repetitive, but I personally thought those repetitive aspects worked nicely to tie all the essays together, while they still could have been read on their own.
The biggest thing I enjoyed was Brown’s humor. Listen I am not a humor girlie, I usually can’t stand it in books. But I was snort laughing quite a bit during this- I think she just has perfect comedic timing. And it was a great balance of funny and series.
It felt like a podcast at times, but that’s something I enjoy when listening to audiobooks. I think this casual, rambling style is where other readers were lost, but I enjoyed it so if you’re on the fence, I’d definitely give it a try.
I listened to it while doing chores so I wasn’t really able to take down notes, but I think this book can be incredible and even life saving for some young girls.
I related so hard to the essays about love, both romantic, familial, and platonic.
I read some other reviews that found it repetitive, but I personally thought those repetitive aspects worked nicely to tie all the essays together, while they still could have been read on their own.
The biggest thing I enjoyed was Brown’s humor. Listen I am not a humor girlie, I usually can’t stand it in books. But I was snort laughing quite a bit during this- I think she just has perfect comedic timing. And it was a great balance of funny and series.
It felt like a podcast at times, but that’s something I enjoy when listening to audiobooks. I think this casual, rambling style is where other readers were lost, but I enjoyed it so if you’re on the fence, I’d definitely give it a try.
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Couldn’t get into it at all, couldn’t stand the MC/ the writing style. I skimmed through the book and confirmed that I didn’t feel like wasting my time on it.
I had thought pretty much the entire book would take place at the wedding in Spain, but Lina doesn’t even board the flight there until over 40% in.
I had thought pretty much the entire book would take place at the wedding in Spain, but Lina doesn’t even board the flight there until over 40% in.
Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop
5.0
This was so hot and so cute! The narrators were incredible as well.
I wish I had been physically reading it so I could’ve highlighted quotes cuz there were so many beautiful ones. Even the last sentence was so good.
I wish I had been physically reading it so I could’ve highlighted quotes cuz there were so many beautiful ones. Even the last sentence was so good.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Don’t have much to say. It was mid. Follows a lot of tropes that get a lot of readers. Might read the sequel might not.
Sweet & Bitter Magic by Adrienne Tooley
3.0
The only note I took is that I don’t think men were mentioned in the Within until page 249, I honestly thought it was a land of just women lmao.
Nothing super memorable from this. Didn’t really feel the chemistry between the characters. The “final boss scene” was kind cool but also like difficult to follow/ unrealistic. Will be donating this.
Nothing super memorable from this. Didn’t really feel the chemistry between the characters. The “final boss scene” was kind cool but also like difficult to follow/ unrealistic. Will be donating this.
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
2.75
My original review for this was “how can something suck so much and still hold my attention”
I read up to volume five in this series, and might read the rest on webtoon. I honestly think it’s just that the plot drags on so much that I’m just like “come on tell me what happens already!!”
The art style is very… comical(?) at times and it’s not my style at all, I find it cringey (it’s like drawing weird faces on the characters)
I read up to volume five in this series, and might read the rest on webtoon. I honestly think it’s just that the plot drags on so much that I’m just like “come on tell me what happens already!!”
The art style is very… comical(?) at times and it’s not my style at all, I find it cringey (it’s like drawing weird faces on the characters)