lastingliterature's reviews
1001 reviews

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

THIS IS SO CUTE 

This book is all the coziest 90s romcom movies — silly meet cute, banter, city adventures, slow burn, friends to lovers, etc etc etc. 

Both romantic leads were so fun to follow, and if that weren’t enough, the secondary characters were perfection. I need them to adopt me. I genuinely had to slow myself down while reading this so I could enjoy it for longer. That rarely happens!! 

Someone please make this into a movie asap. Bring back the 90s style romances to screen, people!! 

5⭐️

You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty by Akwaeke Emezi

challenging emotional medium-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

I understand this book is more about grief than romance, and I understand grief is complicated, messy, and can make you act in very erratic ways. For me, however, I didn’t see enough of the grief explored. The only emotions I really felt when reading this story was annoyance and anger at Feyi and Alim’s choices. Maybe if the story was in 1st person, we would be able to see more of Feyi’s thinking more clearly or connect more to how painful the loss of Jonah was to her. I also just prefer 1st person POV for character-driven stories. 

Anyway. The writing of the story is beautiful. While I didn’t “like” the plot, I did enjoy Emezi’s way with words. I am curious about their other works and will put them on my tbr. 

3⭐️

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Unpopular opinion coming!!!

This was such a letdown over the endless glowing reviews. It wasn't horrible by any means, but I can't say I liked it much. I'm bumping up to 3 stars because the final ~30% got me more interested (even as it got more ridiculous). I am well aware this is based on Wuthering Heights where you have a couple you kinda hate but also want to root for. The passion, right? Well, in Heath and Katerina's case, you just hate them. I didn't feel any of the connection or passion whatsoever, and that is what bums me out the most. I love to love villainous characters!! And while ice dancing is fascinating (which is why I am also rating it what I am) and the drama is so, so juicy, much of the book felt like a recap of events with no regard to who the characters actually are. As I am typing this, I am realizing 3 stars now seems too nice lol. I have seen a lot of comparisons to TJR, probably because of the interview style. I do think that is a fun storytelling choice, and the audio was done very well. *Snaps* for that! Otherwise, the "story" seemed to go on forever. 

If you're reading this just for ice dancing and drama, I'm sure you'll like it. If you're reading it for any interest in the characters, it's a pass. 

2.75⭐

The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Someone better give me a paper ring right this minute. And by someone, I mean my husband…

I thought this book was adorable. Second chance is usually not my favorite trope, but I did root for Eli and Georgia. I liked seeing Eli take accountability for his problems and seek healthy help. We need more male therapy rep in books!! 

Yes, it was a little long. I could have used like 10-15% less book. But it’s fine. 

4.5⭐️

Next To You by Hannah Bonam-Young

emotional 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

4.5

HBY writes such good romance omg. I think I liked this more than the first in the series! The end of that one felt too unrealistic for me. This one, in comparison, does feel a little lighter. There were still some heavy themes and a good amount of emotional depth, but the romance felt… more joyful? Matt is so adorable. I think I like him so much because he reminds me of my husband. What can I say — I love a golden retriever man. I loved rooting for them. 

4.5⭐️

What Does It Feel Like by Sophie Kinsella

emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

 A beautifully written story about a horrible thing. I praise Kinsella for telling her story in her own way.  

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson

emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I read next to zero MG books, but I was impressed by this! Grief comes at all ages, and Sage’s journey was raw and powerful. A great choice for younger readers!

The Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

"But you have to get up because you’re fifteen and that’s what you do. Put on baggy jeans. Put on baggy T-shirt. Baggy hoodie. Baggy everything because you need to leave room for your pain to grow. Protect yourself. You’ve perfected a mask of powder and black eyeliner and a face for people to look at on the outside and maybe it’s not really who you are on the inside, but who wants to see that? That part is too much and not enough. That part is all hollows and a gray, dying heart. Everyone says it will get better after all this. When you’re older. Like it’s a sentence you have to serve. Like it will toughen you up if you can make it. Like it will all be worthwhile. And maybe that’s true, but it seems a long way away and a long time to carry that weight and the only reason you can get through the day is because you know what you can do at the end of it to make it worthwhile for a little bit before that comforting wave takes you away and drowns everything else out"

Kathleen Glasgow is a new favorite author. Reading her books reminds me of how I felt reading Ellen Hopkins as a teen -- seen. While I have never struggled with substance abuse, I have had my fair share of unhealthy coping mechanisms and have close friends and family members who struggle with alcoholism & addiction. Reading Bella's story was painful -- I have seen so much of what she struggles with firsthand, and it is a rough journey. Hurt people hurt people. And while everyone's path is different, so much resonated and took me back. I had trouble putting the book down, even when it hurt to turn the next page. 

I haven't cried reading a story like that in a long time. Oof. 

Well done, Kathleen. 

(If it isn't abundantly clear, check the content warnings before reading and keep yourself safe)

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King by Harry Trevaldwyn

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Patch is a boy that you will love or hate. He is loud, chaotic, dramatic, & messy, while also being endearing, silly, and filled with so much love. He is very realistically a young shallow theater nerd craving attention and romance. We have all been him or have known him. While I did cringe OFTEN, I still loved following Patch on his adventures at school and in town. The characters are so fun, and I couldn't help but smile or laugh at some of their antics. Also, the author narrated the audio, and it is phenomenally done! I definitely recommended listening to this one to get a feel for "Patch's" tone. It was the perfect book to listen to while driving to and from school. 

4⭐

Crashing Into You by Rocky Callen

emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This story crashed into my heart!! 😉 Leti and Jacob are two sweet little precious babies, and I wanted to give them both a big hug. But Jacob wouldn’t like that. 

This is exactly what I want in a YA — rootable characters, found family, silly moments, emotional depth, and good pacing. And romance is a bonus. 

I’ve had this on my libro.fm shelf for too long, and I’m so glad I was pushed to finally read it. I switched off between kindle reading and listening to the audio and recommend either format! 

(Mostly clean YA with just a couple of mentions of sexual activity) 

4.5⭐️