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m_riaelle's reviews
91 reviews
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
All of you know how I love rating books based on how they made me feel. Like, I don't care if there's a typo, wrong grammar (little), etc. As long as it made me feel something I'd like to feel or an unexpected positive feeling.
Feeling, feeling, feeling.
Yeah. This book made me feel feel. I wasn't liking Joy's way of thinking: copying the movie where the best friend does everything to make an engaged man fall for her. It would've been a bad turning point while reading it because I would hate that. However, the story didn't take that turn, and I loved where it was going. Joy was funny, which made me like her character. I was actually rooting for Joy and Malcolm at first because of Malcolm's actions towards Joy. Like hell, I would also fall for that.
I always had trouble explaining about me being asexual. So, when Joy explained it, it was prominent. It was what I was looking for whenever asked off guard. The precise explanation here was all I needed. Also, Joy as ace is me who wants to understand and have a hard time not because I don't accept me being ace, but deep down, I feel like no one will love and respect that part of me. I need a Fox in my life, thank you.
Moreover, what I didn't expect was that I'll fall for someone else. I turned 360 and said, 'f*ck Malcolm, I change sides.' I want to be seen the way Joy sees Fox and vice versa. Reading this made me remember why I want a romantic relationship, especially since I'm ace like Joy (Yes; The moment I heard this book has asexual characters, I instantly requested it).
I love this! Five stars! I will probably reread for the purpose of a reminder why I would like a romantic relationship. Also, this book was able to explain certain things I had trouble formulating and realizing before.
I'm not sure about Joy and Malcolm's sexuality. They are asexual, but they've dated and or liked someone of the opposite sex from them, so they can also be bisexual?
TW: Anxiety and Mentions of Racism
TW: Anxiety and Mentions of Racism
Safe Skies, Archer (University Series #2) by 4reuminct
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Rating: 4.5
Nagdadalawang isip ako noong sinimulan ko ito dahil hindi ko na-enjoy ang karakter ni Yanna sa unang libro dahil sa kanyang mga kilos at salita.
Ang pumipigil sa akin na hindi ituloy ito ay si Hiro dahil gusto kong malaman kung paano niya haharapin ang isang tulad ni Yanna. Ako ay natuwa dahil tinatrato niya siya nang may paggalang sa kabila ng unang impresyon ng pagiging-straightforward sa kanyang kahalayan. Sinusubukan ko sa aking makakaya na magbasa ng mga libro na walang masyadong sekswal na nilalaman (Nilaktawan ko ang mga iyon kapag sobra na π it's a me thing), meron itong ganyan kaya mag-ingat ka lang kung hindi ka komportable dito bago kunin. Iyon ang eksaktong dahilan kung bakit ako nag-aatubili noong una.
Muli, gaya ng aking naobserbahan, pinatawa ako, napangiti, napabuntong-hininga, napahiya, napahiyaw, at iba pa ako habang binabsa ito. Parang gusto ko ang mga gawa ng author dahil sa maraming beses na akong natatawa sa bawat chapter. The fact na malungkot ang isang chapter tapos biglang naging nakakatawa yung sumunod na scene π Ang tanga ko isipin na magpapatuloy ang lungkot. Namumuo na ang luha ko pero biglang umatras.
--------
I was hesitant when I started this because I do not enjoy Yanna's character in the first book because of her actions and words.
What kept me from not continuing this is Hiro because I want to know how he'll handle someone like Yanna. I'm glad he treated her with respect despite the first impression of being straightforward at her lewdness. I try my best to read books that don't have too much sexual content (I skip those when it's too much π it's a me thing), this has those so just beware if you're uncomfortable with it before picking it up. That's the exact reason why I was reluctant at first.
Again, as I have observed, the author made me laugh, smile, gasp, feel secondhand embarrassment, scream, and more while reading this. I seem to like her works because of the many times I've laughed in each chapter. The fact that one chapter was supposed to be sad then suddenly became funny the next scene π I was a fool to think the sadness would continue. My tears were building up but retreated.
Nagdadalawang isip ako noong sinimulan ko ito dahil hindi ko na-enjoy ang karakter ni Yanna sa unang libro dahil sa kanyang mga kilos at salita.
Ang pumipigil sa akin na hindi ituloy ito ay si Hiro dahil gusto kong malaman kung paano niya haharapin ang isang tulad ni Yanna. Ako ay natuwa dahil tinatrato niya siya nang may paggalang sa kabila ng unang impresyon ng pagiging-straightforward sa kanyang kahalayan. Sinusubukan ko sa aking makakaya na magbasa ng mga libro na walang masyadong sekswal na nilalaman (Nilaktawan ko ang mga iyon kapag sobra na π it's a me thing), meron itong ganyan kaya mag-ingat ka lang kung hindi ka komportable dito bago kunin. Iyon ang eksaktong dahilan kung bakit ako nag-aatubili noong una.
Muli, gaya ng aking naobserbahan, pinatawa ako, napangiti, napabuntong-hininga, napahiya, napahiyaw, at iba pa ako habang binabsa ito. Parang gusto ko ang mga gawa ng author dahil sa maraming beses na akong natatawa sa bawat chapter. The fact na malungkot ang isang chapter tapos biglang naging nakakatawa yung sumunod na scene π Ang tanga ko isipin na magpapatuloy ang lungkot. Namumuo na ang luha ko pero biglang umatras.
--------
I was hesitant when I started this because I do not enjoy Yanna's character in the first book because of her actions and words.
What kept me from not continuing this is Hiro because I want to know how he'll handle someone like Yanna. I'm glad he treated her with respect despite the first impression of being straightforward at her lewdness. I try my best to read books that don't have too much sexual content (I skip those when it's too much π it's a me thing), this has those so just beware if you're uncomfortable with it before picking it up. That's the exact reason why I was reluctant at first.
Again, as I have observed, the author made me laugh, smile, gasp, feel secondhand embarrassment, scream, and more while reading this. I seem to like her works because of the many times I've laughed in each chapter. The fact that one chapter was supposed to be sad then suddenly became funny the next scene π I was a fool to think the sadness would continue. My tears were building up but retreated.
The Rain in EspaΓ±a by 4reuminct
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
4.5
Ang librong ito ay nagpangiti, nagpatawa, nagparamdam ng kahihiyan, napabuntong hininga, at...umiyak.
Alam ko ang pakiramdam na parang ang oras ang wala sa lugar, hindi ako. Nakita ko ang sarili ko habang binabasa ang tungkol kay Luna na unti-unting nawawala sa sarili dahil sa pagiging hindi makasarili. Ang cramming, gising buong gabi, guilt (na hindi siya dapat makaramdam ng ganoon), nasaktan, galit, at sinusubukang balansehin ang kanyang mga relasyon sa lahat ng mahalaga sa kanya sa kabila ng maraming problemang lumalabas; lahat ng iyon ay nakakapagod para kay Luna. At sa lahat ng mga prosesong iyon, nagsimula ring mawala si Kalix sa sarili.
Hindi ko sinisisi si Luna at Kalix o iniisip na ang paghiwalay nila ay immature dahil iyon ang realidad ng iba't-ibang magkarelasyon, lalo na at ang future career na kanilang pinaghirapan ang nasa linya. Ang kanilang isip ay hindi gumana nang maayos, na nagreresulta sa kanilang mga puso na kumokontrol sa bawat aksyon, desisyon na ginawa, at salita na sinabi.
Ang paraan ng pagpapatawa sa akin ng librong ito ay 10 para sa akin. Ang paraan ng pagpaparamdam nito sa akin sa mga una hanggang gitnang kabanata, hindi ko inaasahan na masasaktan ako, but damn, it hits home.
--------------------
This book made me smile, laugh, feel secondhand embarrassment, gasped, and...cry.
I know how it feels like time is the one out of place, not me. I saw myself while reading about Luna slowly losing herself because of selflessness. The cramming, up all night, guilt (when she wasn't even supposed to feel that way), hurt, anger, and trying to balance her relationships with everyone important to her despite the many problems arising; all that got tiring for Luna. And in all those processes, Kalix started losing himself too.
I don't blame Luna and Kalix or think their break-up was immature because it is the reality of various couples, especially when their future career that they worked hard for was on the line. Their mind won't function well, resulting in their hearts taking control of every action, decision made, and word said.
The way this book made me laugh is a 10 for me. The way it made me happy in the first to middle chapters, I didn't expect it to hurt me, but damn, it hits home.
Alam ko ang pakiramdam na parang ang oras ang wala sa lugar, hindi ako. Nakita ko ang sarili ko habang binabasa ang tungkol kay Luna na unti-unting nawawala sa sarili dahil sa pagiging hindi makasarili. Ang cramming, gising buong gabi, guilt (na hindi siya dapat makaramdam ng ganoon), nasaktan, galit, at sinusubukang balansehin ang kanyang mga relasyon sa lahat ng mahalaga sa kanya sa kabila ng maraming problemang lumalabas; lahat ng iyon ay nakakapagod para kay Luna. At sa lahat ng mga prosesong iyon, nagsimula ring mawala si Kalix sa sarili.
Hindi ko sinisisi si Luna at Kalix o iniisip na ang paghiwalay nila ay immature dahil iyon ang realidad ng iba't-ibang magkarelasyon, lalo na at ang future career na kanilang pinaghirapan ang nasa linya. Ang kanilang isip ay hindi gumana nang maayos, na nagreresulta sa kanilang mga puso na kumokontrol sa bawat aksyon, desisyon na ginawa, at salita na sinabi.
Ang paraan ng pagpapatawa sa akin ng librong ito ay 10 para sa akin. Ang paraan ng pagpaparamdam nito sa akin sa mga una hanggang gitnang kabanata, hindi ko inaasahan na masasaktan ako, but damn, it hits home.
--------------------
This book made me smile, laugh, feel secondhand embarrassment, gasped, and...cry.
I know how it feels like time is the one out of place, not me. I saw myself while reading about Luna slowly losing herself because of selflessness. The cramming, up all night, guilt (when she wasn't even supposed to feel that way), hurt, anger, and trying to balance her relationships with everyone important to her despite the many problems arising; all that got tiring for Luna. And in all those processes, Kalix started losing himself too.
I don't blame Luna and Kalix or think their break-up was immature because it is the reality of various couples, especially when their future career that they worked hard for was on the line. Their mind won't function well, resulting in their hearts taking control of every action, decision made, and word said.
The way this book made me laugh is a 10 for me. The way it made me happy in the first to middle chapters, I didn't expect it to hurt me, but damn, it hits home.
A Veil of Gods and Kings by Nicole Bailey
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
"We both seem to have an issue with our hearts wanting something duty demanded we ignore."
When I saw this book on NetGalley, which has captivated me because of the cover, I just had to have it. Then, I saw that it's Greek Mythology fiction; I love Greek Mythology, and it's LGBTQIA+, I instantly hit 'request.' And when I got the email that said request accepted, I got soo excited.
A Veil of Gods and Kings is the first instalment on the Apollo Ascending series, and Nicole Bailey did a great job of introducing the characters. I love how some or almost all of the main characters are BIPOC. How Nicole Bailey described the characters in each point of view is outstanding, I love it! She also stated before why little things modernized in their world, and I absolutely understand because I still enjoyed and got captured in this book.
I love the platonic love Temi and Epiphany have for each other. I won't get disappointed if the author does make them a couple XD But Temi said that she's not interested in romantic relationships. So, she may be aromantic. And I respect that.
I swear, I was adding to my storygraph journal the lines I like and/or love from the book, but I was soo into reading that I wasn't able to do so XD This happens to books I can't get enough of, which means I'll be doing a reread to save the parts or lines that made me laugh, smile, and love.
In conclusion, just know if it's still not obvious, I love A Veil of Gods and Kings, and the second book of the series will come out in May! I can't wait to know more about how their plan will come to fruition and how Temi and Epiphany will wave their flag to show sexism is shit. Apollo Ascending is the second Greek Mythology series that I will be committing to, and not stop hinting this is added to my favourite books.
Head to Nicole Bailey's website to see a bonus chapter, what the characters look like, and the pronunciation of names. There's also a YouTube playlist for this book attached to the author's website! (I instantly stalked her website just for those reasons)
I admire Nicole Bailey for adding to the book that the trigger/content warnings mentioned may be spoilers before proceeding to the story when a particular author refuses to add TW because of that purpose. Though, Nicole Bailey still added it for the well-being of the readers.
TW: Hunting, animal death, animal sacrifice (mentioned), misogyny, a father hitting an adult son, blood, death, sexual assault (mentioned), deaths in fire, strong language and sexual content (These are all mentioned by the author in the book)
"We both seem to have an issue with our hearts wanting something duty demanded we ignore."
When I saw this book on NetGalley, which has captivated me because of the cover, I just had to have it. Then, I saw that it's Greek Mythology fiction; I love Greek Mythology, and it's LGBTQIA+, I instantly hit 'request.' And when I got the email that said request accepted, I got soo excited.
A Veil of Gods and Kings is the first instalment on the Apollo Ascending series, and Nicole Bailey did a great job of introducing the characters. I love how some or almost all of the main characters are BIPOC. How Nicole Bailey described the characters in each point of view is outstanding, I love it! She also stated before why little things modernized in their world, and I absolutely understand because I still enjoyed and got captured in this book.
I love the platonic love Temi and Epiphany have for each other. I won't get disappointed if the author does make them a couple XD But Temi said that she's not interested in romantic relationships. So, she may be aromantic. And I respect that.
I swear, I was adding to my storygraph journal the lines I like and/or love from the book, but I was soo into reading that I wasn't able to do so XD This happens to books I can't get enough of, which means I'll be doing a reread to save the parts or lines that made me laugh, smile, and love.
In conclusion, just know if it's still not obvious, I love A Veil of Gods and Kings, and the second book of the series will come out in May! I can't wait to know more about how their plan will come to fruition and how Temi and Epiphany will wave their flag to show sexism is shit. Apollo Ascending is the second Greek Mythology series that I will be committing to, and not stop hinting this is added to my favourite books.
Head to Nicole Bailey's website to see a bonus chapter, what the characters look like, and the pronunciation of names. There's also a YouTube playlist for this book attached to the author's website! (I instantly stalked her website just for those reasons)
I admire Nicole Bailey for adding to the book that the trigger/content warnings mentioned may be spoilers before proceeding to the story when a particular author refuses to add TW because of that purpose. Though, Nicole Bailey still added it for the well-being of the readers.
TW: Hunting, animal death, animal sacrifice (mentioned), misogyny, a father hitting an adult son, blood, death, sexual assault (mentioned), deaths in fire, strong language and sexual content (These are all mentioned by the author in the book)
Always Human by Ari North
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
"Sometimes, when I'm with her, the silliest things seem to make me happy too." - Always Human by Ari North, Side Story
AAAAAAAAAAA I'm so glad I found this gem!
Sapphic webtoon? Check. Fast-paced? Check. Enchanting art illustrations? Check. Disabled representation? Check. Many LGBTQIA+ representations? Check. Has racial diversity? Check.
I love this! The characters are so lovable. Austen and Sunati make my heart happy to the point of crying T-T I love how they communicated through the problem so that it won't last long. I finally found a favourite sapphic webtoon/graphic novel. I can't wait to read season 2!
To those who want to read Always Human by Ari North, it is free on the webtoon app. It's completed and has two seasons. I highly recommend this sweet and pure story!
AAAAAAAAAAA I'm so glad I found this gem!
Sapphic webtoon? Check. Fast-paced? Check. Enchanting art illustrations? Check. Disabled representation? Check. Many LGBTQIA+ representations? Check. Has racial diversity? Check.
I love this! The characters are so lovable. Austen and Sunati make my heart happy to the point of crying T-T I love how they communicated through the problem so that it won't last long. I finally found a favourite sapphic webtoon/graphic novel. I can't wait to read season 2!
To those who want to read Always Human by Ari North, it is free on the webtoon app. It's completed and has two seasons. I highly recommend this sweet and pure story!
Some Things I Still Can't Tell You: Poems by Misha Collins
3.5
Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I wasn't prepared for these kinds of poems, I'll admit. It's more like short stories compiled in the book than the poems themselves. Though, I enjoyed some of it so I'll give this a generous 3.5 stars. I applaud the author for narrating his own book.
I wasn't prepared for these kinds of poems, I'll admit. It's more like short stories compiled in the book than the poems themselves. Though, I enjoyed some of it so I'll give this a generous 3.5 stars. I applaud the author for narrating his own book.
You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao
challenging
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This book excited me that I pre-ordered it, my first pre-order. If you love this book, look at my star rating before going through my thoughts about it.
Good points:
It has potential. I was going through it negatively until it made me remember Sam and Julie are teens. Co-dependency was a mechanism for peer pressures, especially in school. How lonely it gets when there's no one beside to depend on while it seems like everybody has someone.
Some of the 'Before' had me smiling because I know those things happen when you want to impress someone. And I get why Julie only ever interact with Sam's family and friends as they're living in a small town, and again because they're teens. That's when I realized they don't develop when they're together.
I like Mika, James, and Oliver.
Bad points:
The phone call was supposed to be an unfinished business, the goodbye, but it turns out to be 'call me as if I'm not dead, so you look crazy.' But then, I let this one go because grief is something that could make you go crazy or nothing at all (I've been there). Julie was almost ready to move on, but the phone call happened. I thought it was closure, but it was a path Julie should not have taken because she depended on the phone calls to keep herself together. Yet again, I let this go because grief is a whole new level that people go through differently no matter how you know their story. After all, we're just looking from a third-person point of view.
Moreover, Sam kept answering Julie's calls because somehow he's still 'processing' that he's dead. It seems selfish for Sam to do this to Julie, but Sam abruptly lost his life and can't accept it that easily. And as they always do, they depend on each other. In conclusion, they're both humanely toxic for each other if grief isn't part of the context.
I can't seem to like the main characters.
Then, the reason I kept pacing back and forth, thinking what doesn't sit right while reading this is the execution of the plot itself. I get it. Contemporary with a dash of fantasy. But all this makes Julie look like she needs professional help as this coping mechanism is delusions or something like that. I've read and watched countless books and movies or shows that centre on grief, and mostly, it's illusions and how they asked for help when it's almost ending. But, Julie didn't reach out for help. Until the end, she believed it was Sam. I guess that's what makes me not feel connected to the character because I would've ended the phone call halfway through the story. The fear of going crazy and isolating myself will make me drop the call and wish for someone to help me. Additionally, the story itself, the phone call; just made it slower for Julie to move on. The plot wasn't it for me.
But damn, Sam's will to live hurts me soo much.
I'll be giving this a generous 2.75 stars because it made me smile, and mostly it's because of James, Mika and Oliver. The author has potential, and I will still give his future books a gamble.
TW: Death, Car Accident, Grief, Sexual Harassment (not by any known character), Bullying, and Racism (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
Good points:
It has potential. I was going through it negatively until it made me remember Sam and Julie are teens. Co-dependency was a mechanism for peer pressures, especially in school. How lonely it gets when there's no one beside to depend on while it seems like everybody has someone.
Some of the 'Before' had me smiling because I know those things happen when you want to impress someone. And I get why Julie only ever interact with Sam's family and friends as they're living in a small town, and again because they're teens. That's when I realized they don't develop when they're together.
I like Mika, James, and Oliver.
Bad points:
The phone call was supposed to be an unfinished business, the goodbye, but it turns out to be 'call me as if I'm not dead, so you look crazy.' But then, I let this one go because grief is something that could make you go crazy or nothing at all (I've been there). Julie was almost ready to move on, but the phone call happened. I thought it was closure, but it was a path Julie should not have taken because she depended on the phone calls to keep herself together. Yet again, I let this go because grief is a whole new level that people go through differently no matter how you know their story. After all, we're just looking from a third-person point of view.
Moreover, Sam kept answering Julie's calls because somehow he's still 'processing' that he's dead. It seems selfish for Sam to do this to Julie, but Sam abruptly lost his life and can't accept it that easily. And as they always do, they depend on each other. In conclusion, they're both humanely toxic for each other if grief isn't part of the context.
I can't seem to like the main characters.
Then, the reason I kept pacing back and forth, thinking what doesn't sit right while reading this is the execution of the plot itself. I get it. Contemporary with a dash of fantasy. But all this makes Julie look like she needs professional help as this coping mechanism is delusions or something like that. I've read and watched countless books and movies or shows that centre on grief, and mostly, it's illusions and how they asked for help when it's almost ending. But, Julie didn't reach out for help. Until the end, she believed it was Sam. I guess that's what makes me not feel connected to the character because I would've ended the phone call halfway through the story. The fear of going crazy and isolating myself will make me drop the call and wish for someone to help me. Additionally, the story itself, the phone call; just made it slower for Julie to move on. The plot wasn't it for me.
But damn, Sam's will to live hurts me soo much.
I'll be giving this a generous 2.75 stars because it made me smile, and mostly it's because of James, Mika and Oliver. The author has potential, and I will still give his future books a gamble.
TW: Death, Car Accident, Grief, Sexual Harassment (not by any known character), Bullying, and Racism (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Car accident
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual harassment
Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My expressions while listening to this were hilarious. Did I smile repeatedly? Yes. Did I laugh? Yes. Did I gasp? Yes. Did I gasp and laugh altogether? Yes. Did I feel secondhand embarrassment? Also yes. Did I bump my knees so hard on my mini table that it has scraped? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes, worth as 'tights.' Did I just find myself another favourite Achillean book? Yes. Was it sad? There are parts it is, especially when you relate to it. Do I recommend this? 100%
I can't help but see Luca as Alex from Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. The difference is Alex would have said those flirty, sexual 'passion' that's going on in Luca's mind that had me laughing and gasping altogether without any hesitance and shame. XD
I was waiting for Luca's ex-friends to have character development, but there are really some friends you have to let go of and aren't worth it. I wasn't disappointed that it's not shown or what happened. I'm satisfied that only one of them can grow and be ready to show that to Luca and be friends with him and Amina because she was the only one who really cared from the bottom of her heart.
I love how transferring to another school made Luca at least has a distraction from a single miss-step that happened. It didn't end there because every choice made has consequences. It seems as though he kept falling and never got back on his feet until he took action to do so.
The narrator's way of voicing out the story is outstanding. The way it's narrated made me more entertained, which I'm looking for in audiobooks, and Anything But Fine is done right! I commend Matthew Backer!
TW: De*th of Parent, Grief, H*moph*bia, H*moph*bic Slurs, Anxiety, Racism, Racial Slurs, Islam*ph*bia, Outing, T*xic Friendship, H*te Crime, and Sexu*l Content (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
I can't help but see Luca as Alex from Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. The difference is Alex would have said those flirty, sexual 'passion' that's going on in Luca's mind that had me laughing and gasping altogether without any hesitance and shame. XD
I was waiting for Luca's ex-friends to have character development, but there are really some friends you have to let go of and aren't worth it. I wasn't disappointed that it's not shown or what happened. I'm satisfied that only one of them can grow and be ready to show that to Luca and be friends with him and Amina because she was the only one who really cared from the bottom of her heart.
I love how transferring to another school made Luca at least has a distraction from a single miss-step that happened. It didn't end there because every choice made has consequences. It seems as though he kept falling and never got back on his feet until he took action to do so.
The narrator's way of voicing out the story is outstanding. The way it's narrated made me more entertained, which I'm looking for in audiobooks, and Anything But Fine is done right! I commend Matthew Backer!
TW: De*th of Parent, Grief, H*moph*bia, H*moph*bic Slurs, Anxiety, Racism, Racial Slurs, Islam*ph*bia, Outing, T*xic Friendship, H*te Crime, and Sexu*l Content (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Outing, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Islamophobia and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Grief
Yagi the Bookshop Goat by Fumi Furukawa
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
If you're looking for a cute and funny and cute (I've said it twice because it's really cute. Now I said it thrice.) manga, this is one of those! I really enjoyed reading this! If you're like me, who also look for a deeper meaning to these kinds of manga, I swear, you can expect to see that here.
Yagi is someone who has been doubting himself but is also headstrong. He didn't give up on wanting to be a bookstore clerk, but the self-doubt of being a goat is looming behind the curtains because goats aren't allowed in bookstores as they eat paper or the book itself. In this fast-paced manga, I'm glad I get to see Yagi accepting and the process of loving himself. Yagi the Bookshop Goat by Fumi Furukawai s a great read!
TW: Sexually Explicit Scene (Two scenes), Death of Parents, Grief, Anxiety, and Depression (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
If you're looking for a cute and funny and cute (I've said it twice because it's really cute. Now I said it thrice.) manga, this is one of those! I really enjoyed reading this! If you're like me, who also look for a deeper meaning to these kinds of manga, I swear, you can expect to see that here.
Yagi is someone who has been doubting himself but is also headstrong. He didn't give up on wanting to be a bookstore clerk, but the self-doubt of being a goat is looming behind the curtains because goats aren't allowed in bookstores as they eat paper or the book itself. In this fast-paced manga, I'm glad I get to see Yagi accepting and the process of loving himself. Yagi the Bookshop Goat by Fumi Furukawai s a great read!
TW: Sexually Explicit Scene (Two scenes), Death of Parents, Grief, Anxiety, and Depression (search it up for more specifics or correct TW as mine is what I thought is TW while I read it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Sexual content
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
unlock your storybook heart by Amanda Lovelace
fast-paced
1.75
Got an eArc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This didn't connect to me as much as Shine your Icy Crown. Again, relating to my review of the first book of the series, this is more like a post from social media instead of a poem that has depth. The second book has the same element but I enjoyed and related to it which is why I let go of that reason. But in this 3rd book, I can't seem to enjoy the writing of the author. I'm giving this 1.75 stars because the author never fails to know the importance of trigger warnings and the narration of her own book is great.
TW: Eating Disorders, Mental Illness, Self-harm, Sexism, Queerphobia, Death, Grief, Trauma and more.
This didn't connect to me as much as Shine your Icy Crown. Again, relating to my review of the first book of the series, this is more like a post from social media instead of a poem that has depth. The second book has the same element but I enjoyed and related to it which is why I let go of that reason. But in this 3rd book, I can't seem to enjoy the writing of the author. I'm giving this 1.75 stars because the author never fails to know the importance of trigger warnings and the narration of her own book is great.
TW: Eating Disorders, Mental Illness, Self-harm, Sexism, Queerphobia, Death, Grief, Trauma and more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, and Grief