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modernmatilda's reviews
102 reviews
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: Rape and Sexual assault
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: Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Transphobia, Grief, Outing, and Toxic friendship
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
Small Town, Big Magic by Hazel Beck
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I adored this small-town romance set in my real-life small town! Inspired by Main Street St. Charles, this book mentions Main Street Books, the Christmas and Halloween festivals, and the rivers; it truly captured the magic of that special place.
If you're looking for a light-hearted cozy Halloween/Fall read, this is an excellent choice.
If you're looking for a light-hearted cozy Halloween/Fall read, this is an excellent choice.
Heroine by Mindy McGinnis
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Please check content warnings on Storygraph for this title before reading (especially drug abuse, addiction, infertility, death, car accident).
This book is heavy but impactful. Handled with the care and consideration such a topic needs, Mindy McGinnis did a brilliant job bringing a personal voice to the opioid epidemic, the realities of addiction, and the complicated nuances of the fallout. Mickey's voice felt authentic and readers were able to follow her (twisted) logic as she dug a deeper and deeper hole. I REALLY appreciated that the ending did not feel preachy or happily-ever-after, but that it showed consequences and lost relationships.
10/10 would recommend, especially as a book discussion book.
This book is heavy but impactful. Handled with the care and consideration such a topic needs, Mindy McGinnis did a brilliant job bringing a personal voice to the opioid epidemic, the realities of addiction, and the complicated nuances of the fallout. Mickey's voice felt authentic and readers were able to follow her (twisted) logic as she dug a deeper and deeper hole. I REALLY appreciated that the ending did not feel preachy or happily-ever-after, but that it showed consequences and lost relationships.
10/10 would recommend, especially as a book discussion book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Death, Infertility, Vomit, Medical content, and Toxic friendship