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lubo_lovestoread's reviews
197 reviews
Superbia by Colette Rhodes
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
I loved this book. The characters are nuanced, strong and vulnerable at the same time, and so relatable that I almost forgot one of them is a supernatural creature. I love a good enemies to lovers story, and this one delivered, the chemistry between Soren and Astrid is off the charts.
Astrid’s relationship with her sister improving was such a sweet touch. And that third act breakup? I don’t think I have ever cried so much over one. I am usually just annoyed by them, but this one broke me. My poor girl Astrid.
The story was great, it moved the overall plot of the series forward while giving us solid character growth. I also love that Colette Rhodes always gives us a sprinkle of what is coming in the next book at the end.
I actually put off reading this because I was afraid I would hate the couple because Astrid and Soren were both so rigid in the first book, and I absolutely adored Ophelia and Allarick together. but they really got me! They are adorable together.
By the way… Ophelia is totally pregnant at the end, right?
Astrid’s relationship with her sister improving was such a sweet touch. And that third act breakup? I don’t think I have ever cried so much over one. I am usually just annoyed by them, but this one broke me. My poor girl Astrid.
The story was great, it moved the overall plot of the series forward while giving us solid character growth. I also love that Colette Rhodes always gives us a sprinkle of what is coming in the next book at the end.
I actually put off reading this because I was afraid I would hate the couple because Astrid and Soren were both so rigid in the first book, and I absolutely adored Ophelia and Allarick together. but they really got me! They are adorable together.
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
3.75
I went into this book expecting something super explicit because of all the BookTok hype, but honestly? It wasn’t that spicy. Maybe two explicit scenes. What really stood out to me was Ana Huang’s writing. She knows how to keep you hooked.
I loved the plot twists. One of them I saw coming, but the other completely caught me off guard, so kudos to her for that. I also didn’t expect to cry, but here we are. The story was sad, touching, and surprisingly hopeful.
Usually, I hate the trope where one MC lies to the other to "protect them," but this time I actually liked it. Ava didn’t let it break her, she empowered herself and realized she had everything she needed to live a happy, fulfilling life. She didn’t need Alex or anyone else to make her feel whole, and that was hands down the best part.
Her friends were okay. We didn’t get to dive deep into them, but that is what the other books are for. That said, Bridget annoyed me when she went to Alex.Why did she tell him she was worried about Ava "not being herself" when she was literally healing and thriving? That felt selfish to me. She could have just said Ava still loved him instead of making it sound like Ava wasn’t okay on her own. That is why I loved the long game of redemption Alex had to go through. Now they are even.
Overall, Twisted Love felt like what Twilight and Fifty Shades wanted to be. The dynamic between Ava and Alex is similar, but Ava actually has a backbone. She wouldn't put up with Alex’s toxicity, and she made him work for her. I enjoyed it way more than I expected.
I loved the plot twists. One of them I saw coming, but the other completely caught me off guard, so kudos to her for that. I also didn’t expect to cry, but here we are. The story was sad, touching, and surprisingly hopeful.
Usually, I hate the trope where one MC lies to the other to "protect them," but this time I actually liked it. Ava didn’t let it break her, she empowered herself and realized she had everything she needed to live a happy, fulfilling life. She didn’t need Alex or anyone else to make her feel whole, and that was hands down the best part.
Her friends were okay. We didn’t get to dive deep into them, but that is what the other books are for. That said, Bridget annoyed me when she went to Alex.
Overall, Twisted Love felt like what Twilight and Fifty Shades wanted to be. The dynamic between Ava and Alex is similar, but Ava actually has a backbone. She wouldn't put up with Alex’s toxicity, and she made him work for her. I enjoyed it way more than I expected.
Six Rooms by Gemma Amor
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I forced myself to get halfway through it but it was tough. The plot moves so slowly, and none of the characters are likeable, or even interesting. Everyone is either sad or just a terrible person. Plus, the book is way too over-descriptive for me. I get that Gemma is trying to set a mood, but it felt more boring than atmospheric. I just kept waiting for something to happen.
Once the past memories started to come up, I got a little intrigued—though only a little, because they’re really, really sad, and Charles is honestly the worst. But Gemma’s writing really pulls you into those scenes. It’s one of those moments where you can’t look away, even though the scene is horrific and his thoughts are disgusting. Around 60% in, things finally started moving a little faster, and I couldn’t put it down. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out why all this was happening, but I was still left clueless in the end.
Maybe I’m just missing something, but I don’t understand why the house was the way it was or why it took people like Ned, Barbara, and Mike. And Don? He sounded like the perfect victim for the house, but nope, total jerk.
Charles’s downfall though? Absolutely perfect.
And even though I didn’t fully get it, Ned and Alice’s little romance was sweet. Amid all the sadness, there’s some love, and that was nice.
It all felt a bit disconnected and unfinished, but maybe that’s the point. By the end I was surprised. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. I really did think it was going to be a DNF.
Once the past memories started to come up, I got a little intrigued—though only a little, because they’re really, really sad, and Charles is honestly the worst. But Gemma’s writing really pulls you into those scenes. It’s one of those moments where you can’t look away, even though the scene is horrific and his thoughts are disgusting. Around 60% in, things finally started moving a little faster, and I couldn’t put it down. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out why all this was happening, but I was still left clueless in the end.
It all felt a bit disconnected and unfinished, but maybe that’s the point. By the end I was surprised. I actually liked it more than I thought I would. I really did think it was going to be a DNF.
The Poetry of Sex by Sophie Hannah
reflective
slow-paced
2.0
Well... I’m not sure if it’s just my luck in picking the wrong poetry books, but I’m really struggling to connect with this one. I want to get it, but it’s just not clicking.
I was expecting romance, sensuality, maybe even some raunchiness or comedy! Instead, I found a lot of confusion and boredom.
There were two poems I actually liked, but the majority of them felt either too long or too abstract for my taste.
Overall, disappointing.
I was expecting romance, sensuality, maybe even some raunchiness or comedy! Instead, I found a lot of confusion and boredom.
There were two poems I actually liked, but the majority of them felt either too long or too abstract for my taste.
Overall, disappointing.
The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 2%.
I'm sure it's a lovely chill story but I really don't like that continuous thought style of writing. I guess I won't read anything by Sophie kinsella. That's too bad.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Silent Patient was… fine. It didn’t really hook me until I was about 60% in, which is a bit late for a thriller. Most of the characters felt flawed in ways that made them hard to connect with, and the psychotherapist? Honestly, he lacked any real charm. His obsession with helping Alicia didn’t fully make sense, even after the plot twist. It just felt off.
Alicia, though, was the most interesting part. Her diary entries were gripping and kept me curious. And that plot twist?The reveal that the story had been jumping between past and present the entire time? That was clever and totally caught me off guard. Easily one of the strongest parts of the book.
But the ending? It left me unsatisfied, especially Alicia’s fate. Some characters didn’t get any closure, and while I get that life isn’t always neat, it felt a little incomplete.
Overall, it’s a decent thriller, but I prefer stories with a bit more action and momentum. If you like slow-burn mysteries with smart twists, this might be for you.
Alicia, though, was the most interesting part. Her diary entries were gripping and kept me curious. And that plot twist?
But the ending? It left me unsatisfied, especially Alicia’s fate. Some characters didn’t get any closure, and while I get that life isn’t always neat, it felt a little incomplete.
Overall, it’s a decent thriller, but I prefer stories with a bit more action and momentum. If you like slow-burn mysteries with smart twists, this might be for you.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Self harm, Car accident, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Offside Play by Lyssa Lemire
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.5
I didn’t like it.
At first, it seemed like the perfect grumpy/sunshine fake-dating romance, but it got boring so fast—I’m honestly so disappointed.
There were zero stakes. Summer’s ex-boyfriend Sean, the whole reason they start faking the relationship (to keep him from trying to win her back), just disappears! No tension, no drama, no close calls where their ruse could be exposed. Then, out of nowhere, Sean reappears, is briefly mean, gets mildly threatened, and vanishes again.
Hudson has a big game—he wins. Summer has a big music contest—she wins. Even when they have a “bad day,” they recover super quickly and forgive each other almost instantly. When Hudson tries to create some distance between them a couple of times, Summer patiently waits for him to process (which is sweet but also painfully boring).
The spicy scenes didn’t do it for me, though I’m not entirely sure why. One thing I do know: I never want to read the phrase “mushroom head” again in my life.
I kept expecting Hudson’s dad to be a real obstacle—maybe threatening Hudson’s finances or delivering an explicitly abusive moment, emotionally or physically—but nope. They resolve everything with a single phrase, and the story wraps up with a Hallmark-style ending.
And let’s talk about Hudson. He’s not even that grumpy—he’s just shy!
Everything about the book felt underdeveloped and shallow. That could’ve been fine if it were fun or engaging, but it wasn’t. Summer barely had any struggles. Her biggest “obstacle” was Sean (who, again, disappeared almost immediately) and one bad day where she played a wrong note on the violin. ONE. BAD. DAY.
Anyway, I think my journey with this author starts and ends here.
At first, it seemed like the perfect grumpy/sunshine fake-dating romance, but it got boring so fast—I’m honestly so disappointed.
There were zero stakes. Summer’s ex-boyfriend Sean, the whole reason they start faking the relationship (to keep him from trying to win her back), just disappears! No tension, no drama, no close calls where their ruse could be exposed. Then, out of nowhere, Sean reappears, is briefly mean, gets mildly threatened, and vanishes again.
Hudson has a big game—he wins. Summer has a big music contest—she wins. Even when they have a “bad day,” they recover super quickly and forgive each other almost instantly. When Hudson tries to create some distance between them a couple of times, Summer patiently waits for him to process (which is sweet but also painfully boring).
The spicy scenes didn’t do it for me, though I’m not entirely sure why. One thing I do know: I never want to read the phrase “mushroom head” again in my life.
I kept expecting Hudson’s dad to be a real obstacle—maybe threatening Hudson’s finances or delivering an explicitly abusive moment, emotionally or physically—but nope. They resolve everything with a single phrase, and the story wraps up with a Hallmark-style ending.
And let’s talk about Hudson. He’s not even that grumpy—he’s just shy!
Everything about the book felt underdeveloped and shallow. That could’ve been fine if it were fun or engaging, but it wasn’t. Summer barely had any struggles. Her biggest “obstacle” was Sean (who, again, disappeared almost immediately) and one bad day where she played a wrong note on the violin. ONE. BAD. DAY.
Anyway, I think my journey with this author starts and ends here.
That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall
dark
slow-paced
1.0
I finished this book reluctantly, expecting to find the wonder that makes it be recommended in so many places but I never found it.
Maybe if you have a lot of religious trauma it hits the mark and feels transgressive but to me it was the worst. The plot felt so stupid to me and couldn't get into it, it was so boring.
The relationship between Briony and Aero makes no sense to me, there's no moment where I get her Stockholm syndrome, he treats her and talks to her like shit the whole time. And then she's suddenly incredibly empowered thanks to the degrading?
I hate it so much.
Maybe if you have a lot of religious trauma it hits the mark and feels transgressive but to me it was the worst. The plot felt so stupid to me and couldn't get into it, it was so boring.
The relationship between Briony and Aero makes no sense to me, there's no moment where I get her Stockholm syndrome, he treats her and talks to her like shit the whole time. And then she's suddenly incredibly empowered thanks to the degrading?
I hate it so much.
The Gargoyle from General Management by Kate Prior
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
This book is cute, funny and really sweet. Vlad has to be the softest Gargoyle ever, what a teddy bear.
It surprised me with the character development of Gwen considering it's such a short story.
It surprised me with the character development of Gwen considering it's such a short story.
The Devious Husband by Catharina Maura
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
4.0
No gonna lie, I was expecting a bit more sass.
Sierra was exasperating at the beginning with her weird misinterpretations but Xavier really had his moments, the romanticism for a book lover... Damn, I would marry him as many times as he wanted. The ultimate fictional book boyfriend really.
I felt like the spiciness was a bit lacking a times. Too rushed but maybe it made sense for their relationship, specially when they weren't admitting their feelings.
It's ok. Not my favorite of the whole series but it did revive my spark for reading after two months of struggling. It got me all giddy and giggly, Catharina never fails with that.
I can't waits for the Kingston's books!!!
Sierra was exasperating at the beginning with her weird misinterpretations but Xavier really had his moments, the romanticism for a book lover... Damn, I would marry him as many times as he wanted. The ultimate fictional book boyfriend really.
I felt like the spiciness was a bit lacking a times. Too rushed but maybe it made sense for their relationship, specially when they weren't admitting their feelings.
It's ok. Not my favorite of the whole series but it did revive my spark for reading after two months of struggling. It got me all giddy and giggly, Catharina never fails with that.
I can't waits for the Kingston's books!!!