lizzy30's reviews
12 reviews

Uncultured by Daniella Mestyanek Young

5.0

I've consumed a lot of media about cults and religious extremists: books, documentaries, podcasts, and even episodes of Criminal Minds. Daniella's perspective humanizes the people within the stories and the emotional and physical trauma they endure. It was a hard listen at times because of the heavy subject matter but I feel like you need to take breaks to absorb all the information.The comparisons made between the "Children of God" and the military made me realize that similar systems can be found in many different fields and communities across a variety of spectrums.  I'm happy Daniella made it out, that she's sharing her story, and that she got a new, happy beginning. 

King of Wrath by Ana Huang

3.75

Forced engagement, ceo and enemy’s to lovers. It was good but I liked her twisted series more. It felt every common, kinda like watching another soap opera I might have enjoyed it more if I read it right after the twisted series and not a whole year later.

More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn

3.75

Ya novel about two people head over heels with each other but they haven’t actually met and don’t know how the other feels. Super sweet read lots of music info intermixed. 

The Companion by E.E. Ottoman

4.0

Beautiful imagery throughout, cozy read with a good amount of spice. As someone who in not in the lgbt+ community, I had to put my imagination in overtime during some scenes. I love the building of the relationships. Because there was only three characters during most of the book it didn't feel like a historical fiction most of the time.  I think its a great book if you want to start reading queer stories. 

I loved Kdin Jenzen voice <3

Cape Verdean Blues by Shauna Barbosa

4.25

I've had my copy for many years and every once in a while, I bring her out to view a different perspective in love and life that always reminds me we are more connected than we think. I love all the astrological poems, Leo the most. But i think anyone can find something to connect and heal within these pages. 

Pucking Around by Emily Rath

4.5

When i first started reading, I swore Ive read it before, omg I was so wrong. I did not expect the level of spice, but hot momma it was good. There were times throughout the book where I questioned how that would work - relationship wise - but I had to remind myself its fiction lol.  Most of the plot is internal character work and a loottt of smut. 

P.s. The way I giggled when Caleb admitted to being queer, I was at the gym I'm pretty sure people thought I was crazy. I would read a book just about Caleb and Jake. 

Ride with Me by Kelly PapyRus

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.5

Cute and short listen, Lisa is recovering after her husband cheated and left her, learning to move on and find passion in her life. Story is fast paced and could have used 2 or 3 more chapters. Age gap, cowboys and new beginnings. 

All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata

5.0

I listen to this book in less than 48 hours, I was glued to my headphones unless absolutely necessary and slept 4 hours trying to finish before work. I haven’t done that since high school. One of the BEST romance novels I’ve read in a lonng time, it doesn’t even have a lot of spice but it’s sooo sweet, it made me feel lonely, happy, hopeful and giggly with happiness - if that makes sense. I was a little apprehensive of the 17 hour listen time but it flew by! Nothing about it felt overdone and the characters backgrounds were different and refreshing. A MUST READ!!!!

On Wings of Ash and Dust by Brittany Wang

3.5

YA Fantasy it was sooo much whole building, and while there was action through out the novel the last 10 chapters(last 2 hours) is where the climax is reached. It reminded me of a good Wattpad  read. I don’t know if I’ll read the next one. 

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert

4.5

This is the first book of the Dark Olympus series I’ve read in paperback instead of audiobook, I don’t know if I’ve missed the illustrations and characters map in the other books but it’s pretty cool. Sometimes I find the  plot is a little hurried but I like that it’s intensifying with each book. I appreciate that previous characters make there appearance in all the books but particularly like how Hades and Persephone are portrayed. Second favorite of the series, Eurydice and Orpheus have a complicated relationship that only Charon can help heal and shape into something new. Loved the spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️. Can’t wait for the next one.