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literaryintersections's reviews
221 reviews
Role Playing by Cathy Yardley
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this - the 45+ main characters, the queer rep (ace and bi), the gaming and nerd culture, the way that Maggie and Aiden fell for each other. It was so sweet and perfect. What I did not love was the really toxic families, how long that dragged on, and hthe horrible things they said. I know it’s realistic but it’s also super traumatic and I wish there was less of it.
Overall a great read.
Overall a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia and Biphobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Abandonment
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
challenging
dark
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
Read Annie Bot if you like a book that:
- is unputdownable (is that a word?)
- is under 250 pages
- will challenge your idea of what it means to be human
- will make your blood boil (fucking Doug!)
I got an arc of this from @marinerbooks because I was so intrigued but then never actually started it until @mackinstyle was like - Jess watch this review from @tellthebeees on TT and then read this book. And it was the best choice. This book was WILD, horrifying, at times really disturbing, and riveting. I blew through it because I needed to know what happens to Annie.
Annie is a robot made to give sexual pleasure to her owner. There are different kinds of bots (for cleaning, for caregiving, and for sex) and Annie was created for and is owned by Doug (🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️). But then Annie becomes autodidactic, meaning she starts learning and and teaching herself, she has her own thoughts, and her ideas of the world, who she is, and what her purpose is start to become more intricate and complex. It asks the question “what does it mean to be human?”
What I loved about this book is how it made me think. Throughout this book Annie is dehumanized, because in the eyes of many of the characters Annie is a robot, she’s not human. But for me as a reader, she is 100% human. She has humanity. So everything done to her can be excused in the book because she’s a “machine”. But when you think of her as human??? Everything done to her is violent, horrifying, disgusting. Reducing someone or a group of people to “animals” or “less than human” means we as a society are better able to dismiss or disregard horrible atrocities done to them (think Chain-Gang All Stars). When reading this book you will be forced to think about what humanity means to you. And even if Annie is just a “machine”, does it make it any less horrible what is done to her?
There is also some interesting pieces about race and gender that I need more time to think about, and know, I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
- is unputdownable (is that a word?)
- is under 250 pages
- will challenge your idea of what it means to be human
- will make your blood boil (fucking Doug!)
I got an arc of this from @marinerbooks because I was so intrigued but then never actually started it until @mackinstyle was like - Jess watch this review from @tellthebeees on TT and then read this book. And it was the best choice. This book was WILD, horrifying, at times really disturbing, and riveting. I blew through it because I needed to know what happens to Annie.
Annie is a robot made to give sexual pleasure to her owner. There are different kinds of bots (for cleaning, for caregiving, and for sex) and Annie was created for and is owned by Doug (🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️). But then Annie becomes autodidactic, meaning she starts learning and and teaching herself, she has her own thoughts, and her ideas of the world, who she is, and what her purpose is start to become more intricate and complex. It asks the question “what does it mean to be human?”
What I loved about this book is how it made me think. Throughout this book Annie is dehumanized, because in the eyes of many of the characters Annie is a robot, she’s not human. But for me as a reader, she is 100% human. She has humanity. So everything done to her can be excused in the book because she’s a “machine”. But when you think of her as human??? Everything done to her is violent, horrifying, disgusting. Reducing someone or a group of people to “animals” or “less than human” means we as a society are better able to dismiss or disregard horrible atrocities done to them (think Chain-Gang All Stars). When reading this book you will be forced to think about what humanity means to you. And even if Annie is just a “machine”, does it make it any less horrible what is done to her?
There is also some interesting pieces about race and gender that I need more time to think about, and know, I will be thinking about this book for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Sexual assault
Moderate: Racism and Torture
Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
The GA of these are so freaking good omg
Wild Pitch by Cat Giraldo
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
Wow I loved this omg. It was hot and fun and sweet. I loved Sierra and Mateo.
The Letters We Keep by Nisha Sharma
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book is adorable and I wish I had it when I was in my late teens/early 20s. Jessie and Ravi felt like realistic college students - it’s a true NA book when sometimes NA books just feel like 19 year olds who talk, act, and have sex like 30 year olds.
I think the best parts of this book were the letters and finding more about the star crossed lovers who disappeared in the tower fire, and the parallels between their love story and Jessie and Ravi. My only wish is that the side characters added more to the story - like I loved the convo between Ravi and his brother. I wish Tanvi had more to do, more resolution with Ravi and his parents.
I also absolutely loved Nisha’s authors not and dedication - you can tell the care that she put into this story.
This is a quick read perfect for new adult readers.
I think the best parts of this book were the letters and finding more about the star crossed lovers who disappeared in the tower fire, and the parallels between their love story and Jessie and Ravi. My only wish is that the side characters added more to the story - like I loved the convo between Ravi and his brother. I wish Tanvi had more to do, more resolution with Ravi and his parents.
I also absolutely loved Nisha’s authors not and dedication - you can tell the care that she put into this story.
This is a quick read perfect for new adult readers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Thirsty: A Novel by Jas Hammonds
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
I am convinced Jas Hammonds can only write amazing books. I love We Deserve Monuments but Thirsty????? The complexities of underage drinking, trying to fit in, peer pressure, and trying to find yourself while being constantly surrounded by the need to keep up with others around you. Add in the underlying thread of the main characters trying to make it into a society meant to support and uplift women of color and this book is a HIT. Like I want everyone to be talking about this book over the summer.
What I love about Jas is that every piece of their books feels realistic - the characters are having real life issues and concerns, they are struggling with things that many of us work through every day. Add on the elements of teenage life and race and this book, and Jas' work, is extremely relatable.
My favorite parts of this book were Blake and Netta. Ella made me want to scream but again, she is what happens when race, wealth, and privilege are tied up together: not inherently bad but often reproducing white supremacy and classism. Netta was a true friend and Blake, although so frustrating, you understand what has led her down this road. And you want her to come out the other side safe, and unscathed as possible. The scenes with her parents, and about her parents, really made me so emotional as a biracial person with a white mother. The ways that Blake feels untethered because of minor statements her mom made felt so relatable.
I just loved this book.
What I love about Jas is that every piece of their books feels realistic - the characters are having real life issues and concerns, they are struggling with things that many of us work through every day. Add on the elements of teenage life and race and this book, and Jas' work, is extremely relatable.
My favorite parts of this book were Blake and Netta. Ella made me want to scream but again, she is what happens when race, wealth, and privilege are tied up together: not inherently bad but often reproducing white supremacy and classism. Netta was a true friend and Blake, although so frustrating, you understand what has led her down this road. And you want her to come out the other side safe, and unscathed as possible. The scenes with her parents, and about her parents, really made me so emotional as a biracial person with a white mother. The ways that Blake feels untethered because of minor statements her mom made felt so relatable.
I just loved this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Alcoholism, and Racism
Moderate: Racial slurs
I Had a Miscarriage: A Memoir, a Movement by Jessica Zucker
medium-paced
Great read for post pregnancy loss.
Night for Day by Roselle Lim
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
It just didn't vibe with me unfortunately. The pacing was too slow and the two characters weren't interesting.
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
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
5.0
How am I supposed to review Only and Forever and a series that is ending, that means so much to me? I found the Bergman brothers randomly in 2020 - deep in the pandemic when I was desperate for human connection. And Willa and Ryder and this wild, fun, Bergman family who has no boundaries but absurd amounts of love just burrowed into my soul and wouldn’t let go.
I remember messaging Chloe like - hey, I’m quite frankly obsessed with these books (😂) - and next thing you know I’m getting early copies, sensitivity reading for Oliver and Gavin’s book, multiple hours on IG lived with Chloe, and tears when I finally met her in person at Steamy Lit Con.
I was nervous to start Only and Forever because it’s the end of the series and Viggo has been this overarching thread throughout all of the prior books: a meddlesome, romance-loving, brother who can’t stop trying to help other people fall in love. How do you create a love story for a person who loves love? Who has set standards for his future relationships by the historical romance he reads, wants the swooning, the chest tightening, the butterflies. He wants it all. Viggo on page in his own book is perfect: his internal vulnerability, his fears of failure, all the messy internal stress hidden behind a facade of smiles and meddling in the earlier books. You want him to find his HEA, find his match, someone who will never let him dim his light, who is so fiercely protective of his body and his heart. Tallulah had a lot to live up to for the Bergman lovers who’ve been waiting for Viggo and her prickly exterior hiding sadness and fear is the perfect shell for Viggo to slowly crack with his sweetness, his joy, and his humanity.
I can’t even handle how much I love this series and this book. Chloe gave us everything: a series of books with real people, with disabilities and messy lives, with fat bodies and queer love, and through it all this immense, loving, beautiful family. The hugs, the small moments, the tickle fights, the sibling spats. We know the Bergman’s. We love the Bergman’s. And we will sorely miss them.
I remember messaging Chloe like - hey, I’m quite frankly obsessed with these books (😂) - and next thing you know I’m getting early copies, sensitivity reading for Oliver and Gavin’s book, multiple hours on IG lived with Chloe, and tears when I finally met her in person at Steamy Lit Con.
I was nervous to start Only and Forever because it’s the end of the series and Viggo has been this overarching thread throughout all of the prior books: a meddlesome, romance-loving, brother who can’t stop trying to help other people fall in love. How do you create a love story for a person who loves love? Who has set standards for his future relationships by the historical romance he reads, wants the swooning, the chest tightening, the butterflies. He wants it all. Viggo on page in his own book is perfect: his internal vulnerability, his fears of failure, all the messy internal stress hidden behind a facade of smiles and meddling in the earlier books. You want him to find his HEA, find his match, someone who will never let him dim his light, who is so fiercely protective of his body and his heart. Tallulah had a lot to live up to for the Bergman lovers who’ve been waiting for Viggo and her prickly exterior hiding sadness and fear is the perfect shell for Viggo to slowly crack with his sweetness, his joy, and his humanity.
I can’t even handle how much I love this series and this book. Chloe gave us everything: a series of books with real people, with disabilities and messy lives, with fat bodies and queer love, and through it all this immense, loving, beautiful family. The hugs, the small moments, the tickle fights, the sibling spats. We know the Bergman’s. We love the Bergman’s. And we will sorely miss them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Grief
Kiss an Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Yall this book is BATSHIT and I’m obsessed. Yes there is a lot of problematic 90s stuff (birth control, abortion, fatphobia, misogyny). But, the overall story is so fun, daisy is absolutely adorable, Alex is grumpy and swoony and hot. I absolutely loved this.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism and Misogyny
Minor: Abortion