Scan barcode
modernmatilda's reviews
94 reviews
Kiss Her Once For Me by Alison Cochrun
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
An absolutely incredible, warm, magic romance that will leave you believing in the magic of snow days.
Ellie spent last Christmas falling head over heels for a woman in the bookstore. They spent an incredible day together in the snow. But when morning came, everything fell apart. This Christmas, desperate for money, hope, and an escape, she agrees to be fake engaged to her coffee shop's landlord, Andrew, in order for him to inherit family money (and share a portion of the funds with her). But when she arrives at the cabin to spend Christmas with Andrew's family, she meets his sister... the woman from last Christmas.
Seeing characters in romance novels struggle and grow through their mental health challenges is MY FAVORITE!!!!!!
Ellie spent last Christmas falling head over heels for a woman in the bookstore. They spent an incredible day together in the snow. But when morning came, everything fell apart. This Christmas, desperate for money, hope, and an escape, she agrees to be fake engaged to her coffee shop's landlord, Andrew, in order for him to inherit family money (and share a portion of the funds with her). But when she arrives at the cabin to spend Christmas with Andrew's family, she meets his sister... the woman from last Christmas.
Seeing characters in romance novels struggle and grow through their mental health challenges is MY FAVORITE!!!!!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: Biphobia
Season of Love by Helena Greer
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Seasons of Love is a LOVELY winter romance that I highly recommend. Miriam Blum's incredibly cool and eccentric aunt Cass has passed away, leaving her Christmas tree farm to Mirum, her cousin Hannah, her childhood friend Levi, and the super hot (but grumpy) butch tree farmer, Noelle. The farm - a center for MANY peoples Christmas traditions, though it is ironically run by a Jewish family - is at risk of going under - Miriam and Noelle have to save their favorite place in the universe and survive each other in the process (and try not falling in love ooooooo).
The dialog of this book was amazing and the GROWTH of all the characters- even the side characters people! - was so good, I cried. I came for the pink cover, stayed for the realistic love story of two people dealing with their baggage (with a super cute ice skating scene).
Honestly, this turned out to be a memorable romance I would definitely reread! Make the Yultide Gay!
The dialog of this book was amazing and the GROWTH of all the characters- even the side characters people! - was so good, I cried. I came for the pink cover, stayed for the realistic love story of two people dealing with their baggage (with a super cute ice skating scene).
Honestly, this turned out to be a memorable romance I would definitely reread! Make the Yultide Gay!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Forced institutionalization, Addiction, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
I've been dreaming of reading this forever (an older queer romance centered around bingo?!?!) and I'm so glad I finally picked it up. It's a gorgeous story, but I wanted more; more details, more fleshing out, more explanations. I would have read 300+ more pages of this love story, but I'm just happy this exists. Go gay grandmas!
Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
The way Hades sees and treats Persephone like a whole human even though she is young and short is 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship
Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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? No
5.0
The way Hades sees and treats Persephone like a whole human even though she is young and short is 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Rape
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? No
5.0
The way Hades sees and treats Persephone like a whole human even though she is young and short is 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
The Honeys by Ryan La Sala
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Absolutely WILD ride, made me gasp, beautiful author note at the end about grief 💜
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Outing, Deadnaming, Transphobia, Grief, and Bullying
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
LOVED the mental health rep, the "kiss already!" moments, the asexual conversations, and the friendships, but felt like a flat ending. Still absolutely loved it, favorites shelf for sure!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia and Mental illness
A Duel with the Vampire Lord by Elise Kova
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
[Normally I hate being mean to books because I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so I will only be posting this review here. Just because I wasn't a fan doesn't mean it's a bad book, just wasn't for me! I don't really intend this review to change anyone's mind about picking up the book or not, but more as a cathartic release after having wasted time reading it...]
Cackle is what you get if you order Coraline by Neil Gaiman on Wish.com....
The best part of this book was that it made for EXCELLENT discussion with our book club group; what is the line between control and liberation, what are the boundaries between toxic friendships and empowering ones, what does feminism look like throughout the ages.
But the story itself left much to be desired. Loose ends, a "flat line" story arc, repetitive "I ate this for lunch, then I took a nap, then I did this" writing style, a dense protagonist, and an ending that didn't mean anything? Just wasn't an enjoyable read at all for us.
Would have possibly liked this more if Sophie and Annie were a weird couple, but the sensual "dress me in silky pajamas and kiss me goodnight like my mom used to" was VERY weird for me.
Wouldn't put it on your list of "Witchy reads".
Cackle is what you get if you order Coraline by Neil Gaiman on Wish.com....
The best part of this book was that it made for EXCELLENT discussion with our book club group; what is the line between control and liberation, what are the boundaries between toxic friendships and empowering ones, what does feminism look like throughout the ages.
But the story itself left much to be desired. Loose ends, a "flat line" story arc, repetitive "I ate this for lunch, then I took a nap, then I did this" writing style, a dense protagonist, and an ending that didn't mean anything? Just wasn't an enjoyable read at all for us.
Would have possibly liked this more if Sophie and Annie were a weird couple, but the sensual "dress me in silky pajamas and kiss me goodnight like my mom used to" was VERY weird for me.
Wouldn't put it on your list of "Witchy reads".
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship