kharlan3's reviews
182 reviews

A Gentleman's Gentleman by TJ Alexander

5.0

I loved this book!
Lord Eden is an earl, and his father's qill requires that he get married, and fast. But as a "man of unusual make", how will he find a bride? Enter Harding, his handsome new valet, who is determined to help him find his happy ending. 

This book has it all: a gorgeous cover, lovely prose, achingly lovely pining, and a perfect ending. The twists kept me guessing and the pacing isn't too fast or slow. I found this to be the perfect mix of Cat Sebastian style queer historical joy wtih Alexander's own immaculate wit, humor, and expertise.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, Transphobia, Grief

Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Dysphoria

Minor: Deadnaming, Death of parent

Losing Sight by Tati Richardson

4.0

I enjoyed this book! It's quite a romp. Tanika's vision is going bad, as you might expect for a woman in her 40s, but glasses do not align with either her job (sports reporter) or her vision of herself. When she goes to Gideon's optometry office and gets help finding the perfect glasses from a mysterious woman (Gideon's dead wife?), she gets more than she bargained for. This book is about overcoming the intersectional prejudice of racism, sexism, and ageism, about following your heart to the right love interest (Tanika also considers a rodeo cowboy and a race car driver) and about the power of empowering others. I had a great time. 


I was given an e-ARC by NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Shots You Take by Rachel Reid

emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I loved this book! 

Riley and Adam hooked up regularly when they were best friends and rookies. But, neither being ready to come out or commit, Riley quit hockey and moved to his small Nova Scotia hometown, where he's been for a decade. Adam arrives to attend Riley's father's funeral and decides to stay to try to mend their relationship.

This book was so sweet and lovely. It has the emotional strength of a Cat Sebastian book, plus a hockey background and an extremely strong sense of place in small town Nova Scotia. The characters are lovely and both of their current and past mistakes feel realistic and forgivable. The book is sexy but also tinged with just the perfect amount of sadness. I can't wait for more from Rachel Reid.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Grief

Moderate: Infidelity, Death of parent, Abandonment

Minor: Homophobia, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail

The Scottish Boy by Alex de Campi

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, Sexual content, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, War

Moderate: Torture, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Religious bigotry

Twisted Shadows by Allie Therin

adventurous dark mysterious

5.0

In the first book, empath Reece and emotionless Dead Man Evan must work together to solve a crime against empaths, despite the deleterious impact on Reece of Evan's presence. There's sexual tension, but not extremely. In this book, the perspectives open up, including both leads but also a variety of others. The mystery plot is less cohesive, but it's moving closer and closer to romance, with significantly increasing sexual tension and So. Much. Flirting. I adored it and had such a fabulous time!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Medical trauma

Moderate: Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

4.75

I wasn't 1000% in love with Ne'er Duke Well, but Alexandra Vasti is back to her extremely high standards with Earl Crush! Lydia is the perfect mix of anxious and sassy, and Arthur's brooding earnestness balances her perfectly. When she shows up to propose to him after a long correspondence, she discovers that, contradicting the signatures, he didn't write the letters! They embark on a journey of zebras, disguises, and pretending to be newlyweds to unravel who impersonated him and why. A few prime quotes from my buddy read of this one: "Omg but Bacon is such a good dog name", "Shaving- like removing Clark Kent's glasses or putting on a disguise. Whole new guy.", 'So much “trysting”', and "SHE HAS SO MANY BROTHERS". 

Love and Sportsball by Meka James

3.0

When Kadijah hooks up with a hot woman after meeting at a club, she didn't realize that that woman was Shae, a star player on the Atlanta Cannons, the team Kadijah just started a job with as the athletic trainer, Her personal rules insists that she cannot date at work, it might literally be against policy. But Shae is irresistible and doesn't take rejection lightly. Some of this book was great (side characters, consent) but I struggled with some parts. I wish we'd had more backstory on why Kadijah is the way she is, and I wanted a bit more plot other than the will they-won't they back and forth. I'm interested to read more from Meka James! 

A Jingle Bell Mingle by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I adored this book; Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone have done it again! We finally get to focus on sad boy Isaac, the third member of INK, who has purchased the mansion in Christmas Notch and accidentally on purpose invites Sunny (Bee's best friend) to move in as his roommate after their second one night stand. He needs a muse and she needs somewhere to stay, should be perfect, right? Of course, it's never that simple, no matter how sizzling their bi-for-bi chemistry is. This book is hot, funny and just the campiness we've come to expect, and the characters are endearing, unique, and frustrating, just like real people. Plus, there's a story within a story that develops so beautifully and brought tears to my eyes. I loved it!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Grief

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Cancer, Car accident

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Genocide, Rape, Sexual violence, Torture, Xenophobia, Pregnancy

Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Fatphobia, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Excrement, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Classism

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War

Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Outing, Alcohol, Dysphoria

Minor: Excrement, Vomit