masonrystyle's reviews
100 reviews

My Funny Demon Valentine by Aurora Ascher

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.5

The book a was lighthearted paranormal romance that didn’t take itself too seriously. 

Tar Baby by Toni Morrison

challenging funny reflective slow-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

4.0

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional hopeful tense fast-paced

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

4.0

All I can say is what the hell?! I’m still reeling from this one. 
I enjoy the world Yarros created and  I hope our characters get everything they deserve in the next book. 

North to Paradise by Ousman Umar

challenging hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.75

An inspiring and eye opening story about Ousman’s journey from Ghana to Barcelona and his dedication to the young people of Ghana.

The Intern by Rebecca Kinkade

funny relaxing 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

Review coming soon

The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy

challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

The Secret History of The Rape Kit was a moving story about the unsung heroine, and inventor, of America’s first rape kit. 

You feel connected to Marty and the countless other people who helped turn the rape kit into reality, and those who sought to improve the system and advocate for survivors. 

This is a must read for folks interested in and focused on social justice. 

I found myself moved to hopeful tears at times while reading. Especially talking about the current state of the rape kit. 

Of note: there are some descriptions (with varying levels of detail) of abuse and sexual assault. This is to be expected given the subject matter at hand, but does need to be called out for readers who may be sensitive to that or could potentially be triggered by those accounts. 

Ghost Radio by Leopoldo Gout

mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.0

The Retreat by Rebecca Kinkade

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

I loved the dynamic between Amelia and Nico. The Retreat really dives into the praise kink niche. Like all of Rebecca Kinkade’s romance novels, prepare for an intelligent and competent FMC and steamy open-door sex scenes that beautifully showcase her characters relationships. 
The Retreat explores an exhibitionist kink that I absolutely ate up. 

Little Liar by Leigh Rivers

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Basted by Abby Hunter

funny fast-paced

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

3.25