lklitup's reviews
272 reviews

In the Garden of Echo by H.S. Wolfe

dark fast-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? No

4.0

Love me some body horror x romance x fantasy crossover work 🤌🏼

Funny Story by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Now THIS is a contemporary romance from Emily Henry! My faith has been renewed in her; Happy Place nearly made me give up on her works! But Funny Story had it all for me: likable and loveable characters— main and side, individually and as a unit. The character development and growth was grounded and realistic (no magic wand of “oh my god my decades of trauma are solved!”). The storyline was, in fact, funny, but also sweet and hot and comforting. 

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

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

4.5

My first Leigh Bardugo but not my last! I loved the layers and power dynamics. The story was intriguing and historically informative without being too in-the-weeds. Luzia could have been unlikeable for her brashness, but she was ambitious and powerful— she knew her worth, asked for it, and protected herself. I LOVED her character. 

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

5.0

I LOVED this book! Devoured it! The characters, the world building, the plot, the adventure, the emotions!!! No notes and all the exclamation points!!! Dragonfruit has something for everyone and executes it well. I seriously am so thrilled I picked Dragonfruit as my book of the month for April, otherwise I don’t know where else I’d see this book or author. I’m hoping it gets read and shared by many more readers!

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny sad medium-paced

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

3.0

This book is *not* a romance. Oof. Very heavy topics covered that, for me, overshadowed the relationship between Emma and Justin. Additionally, Emma felt very flat; her on-page personality was based on her trauma— explaining it, experiencing it, overcoming it, etc. It was unfortunate treatment for an otherwise strong and likable character! And the one aspect of the ending was rushed and treated as an after thought. Justin and Maddy (in time!) were my shining stars here. 

Worry by Alexandra Tanner

dark sad fast-paced

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

3.0

sad whiny girl vibes— no plot, disastrous characters, couldn’t look away

The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang

adventurous medium-paced

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

2.5

The most polite thing I can say to summarize my experience reading this book is, there’s something for everyone and this wasn’t for me. The character development was non-existent. The plot was fine but extremely rushed and flat-out bananas towards the end.

No-No Boy by John Okada

challenging dark reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

I picked this book up having seen it featured in The Atlantic as a “classic” yet having heard nor seen it before. I’m glad I did. This novel was both a nuanced experience for this one man (and his community) and a general criticism of humanity. 

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

I love Lyla Sage’s Meadowlark. The romance and tension between Ada and Weston was top-tier 🔥  Ada’s tug between her dreams and her future versus her mistakes in her past played well on the page without seeming unfounded or an excuse to keep from Weston. I admired her focus and determination to her goals. I also really loved how she became vulnerable with the other women and with the other family members, after having realized what had held her back previously. 

Bad Girls by Camila Sosa Villada

dark emotional reflective sad fast-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

4.0

Rich, lyrical writing for a sad but full-of-love story about an Argentinian travesti community