nerdysread's reviews
859 reviews

Mother Country by Etaf Rum

challenging emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

5.0

Wow. How is it possible for a story this short to be so powerful

Mighty Millie Novak by Elizabeth Holden

funny lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.75

So, Mighty Millie Novak, is a fun book about friendship, finding your place and yourself when your life is falling apart, and, of course, roller derby. I say of course because of the cover. I really looked at this book. It only took me some time to read it, because I was stuck in a reading slump for more than a month (damn you university). 

In this book, we follow Millie, a homeschooled high-school student, whose parents are divorcing, her brother just left for college, and she feels so alone. But she has a chance to reinvent herself when she enters a derby league. Also, she finds a crush, and she lies, but lying is not always the best idea.

This is a cute and fun story, the characters are mostly realistic, and they have character growth. But, are teenagers really this messy? No, because sometimes I wanted to shake them out of their dumbness. Also, I LOVED Stork and Gablles, the best characters in the whole novel. 

Friendship, love, family, drama, laughter… An emotionally packed story, that I will recommend.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic friendship

Minor: Alcohol

Le Jardin, Paris by Gaëlle Geniller

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-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

5.0

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May Day Flowers by Faeri Sami

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-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? It's complicated

1.75

I was so glad and excited when I had the e-arc. A book about a Non-binary lesbian dryad who falls in love with a human lesbian. And with themes like climate change or body positivity.

But it didn't do it for me. And it's sad because you can feel the author put their heart into this story. But, the story, the romance, felt rushed. The story is clearly a character focus story, and yet, some felt really flat. And I had to push myself through it for the first 30%. 

It's cute, but clearly not for me. The anesthetic is beautiful, at least. 

Have you read it? Do you want to? See you, Rory! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Vies d'ensemble - Au-delà des mots, Tome 01 by Hayashi Fumiya

lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

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

3.75

Intéressant. Envie d'en lire plus. Pas ce a quoi je m'attendais 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal death

Love Me for Who I Am tome 3 by Kata Konayama

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

5.0

Mais mais mais 😭😭😭😭

The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.

Can't focus. I'll try later

The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez

adventurous funny mysterious tense 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

3.5

 Okay, I found it on Tiktok, and just after it was available on Libby. It was a sign, right? And it is a beautiful story, the first volume of a YA fantasy story. The characters felt realistic, but I wished some subjects/parts were more developed. 
Also, I love how warriors are not just women who can fight. And the trans/queer normative story!

You're my Soulmate, Tome 01 by Anashin

lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.0

Djfkdleldlgogit cute

The Avant-Guards, Vol. 1 by Carly Usdin

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0