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nicolinebl's reviews
254 reviews
Melt My Heart by Bethany Rutter
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
2.0
I hate to be writing a somewhat negative review about this book but I just did not enjoy it as much as I wished I had.
I did not like the main character at all. I feel like the author put a lot of herself and her struggles into this (as one often does with writing) so it feels terrible to criticize the character and the story but it just didn't work.
Topics like homophobia, fatphobia, racism etc. were brought up. Very important topics and I fully agree with her point of view on them. It just... Wasn't executed well enough. It felt random how things with these themes were brought up. It felt unnatural, awkward. Like no one would ever have a conversation like they had them. I thought the main character was very annoying because she kept saying that things weren't bothering her and that she liked her body etc. but you could clearly tell that wasn't the case. And it doesn't feel like a done on purpose sort of thing by the author. It just felt badly executed and icky.
The story itself wasn't that interesting either, not much happened besides her I guess "finding herself" moment. I think the idea of this book was great, I love coming out/finding out what your sexuality is stories; standing up for what you think is right; challenging yourself. All themes in this book, yet I still did not like the story.
I will say that I liked the ending. It was quite cute but couldn't save the book for me. Cassie was definitely my favourite character.
I did not like the main character at all. I feel like the author put a lot of herself and her struggles into this (as one often does with writing) so it feels terrible to criticize the character and the story but it just didn't work.
Topics like homophobia, fatphobia, racism etc. were brought up. Very important topics and I fully agree with her point of view on them. It just... Wasn't executed well enough. It felt random how things with these themes were brought up. It felt unnatural, awkward. Like no one would ever have a conversation like they had them. I thought the main character was very annoying because she kept saying that things weren't bothering her and that she liked her body etc. but you could clearly tell that wasn't the case. And it doesn't feel like a done on purpose sort of thing by the author. It just felt badly executed and icky.
The story itself wasn't that interesting either, not much happened besides her I guess "finding herself" moment. I think the idea of this book was great, I love coming out/finding out what your sexuality is stories; standing up for what you think is right; challenging yourself. All themes in this book, yet I still did not like the story.
I will say that I liked the ending. It was quite cute but couldn't save the book for me. Cassie was definitely my favourite character.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Minor: Islamophobia
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
funny
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? Yes
3.5
An easy breezy book, perfect for the summer. Reads quickly, definitely makes you chuckle. I wasn't fully blown away and the ending felt a bit, easy? But I definitely enjoyed reading this story.
I am going to acknowledge that I felt a bit awkward when a character said that she "wished that she had been born a lesbian". Speaking as one, it just felt weird and implies that dating women is so much easier as if we do not deal with homophobia and other struggles all the time.
I am going to acknowledge that I felt a bit awkward when a character said that she "wished that she had been born a lesbian". Speaking as one, it just felt weird and implies that dating women is so much easier as if we do not deal with homophobia and other struggles all the time.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.75
Oh my goodness. I'm on a roll, haven't read a bad book in months. The Love Hypothesis was a joy to read. Enemies to lovers, fake dating, what more could one want. I love having to wait before people get together romantically and this definitely took its sweet time and when it did it immediately was intense lol. If you're asexual like me, just a heads up, it gets intense. Although our main character Olive actually seems to be on the ace spectrum as well! (Demisexuality) But yeah, fun, quick, easy, hilarious, steamy.
I had heard of this book, I mean, impossible not to with how much it was talked about. I honestly didn't expect to like it but I was sucked in from the first second :)
The ending felt a bit rushed, that's my only complaint. And that the book ended lol. Do go read it!
I had heard of this book, I mean, impossible not to with how much it was talked about. I honestly didn't expect to like it but I was sucked in from the first second :)
The ending felt a bit rushed, that's my only complaint. And that the book ended lol. Do go read it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer, Sexism, Death of parent
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much. I'd forgotten how much I like the enemies to lovers trope! Alex and Henry are such great characters, I'm genuinely in love with them as a couple.
There was a lot of hype surrounding this book and I can tell you that it is worth the hype!
If you're asexual, like me, you might like to know upfront that this book has a lottt of sexual scenes. Was not prepared for that to be honest, I'm curious how they're gonna do that with the movie adaptation lol!
There was a lot of hype surrounding this book and I can tell you that it is worth the hype!
If you're asexual, like me, you might like to know upfront that this book has a lottt of sexual scenes. Was not prepared for that to be honest, I'm curious how they're gonna do that with the movie adaptation lol!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Grief, Death of parent, Outing
Minor: Racism, Rape
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book definitely gave me the feels. I'm a bit shaken still, like I just want to curl up and cry for a while. I loved it, I love Tori, I obviously love Nick and Charlie. And I fuckiiing love Michael. Love that guy. The ending felt a bit rushed but besides that, my goodness, great book.
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
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
Literally crying. Also I'm very sad that there's no Nick and Charlie content I haven't read anymore so I'm just going to have to wait for Heartstopper 5 now... :(((
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Homophobia
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Heartstopper is genuinely the best series I've ever read. To deal with topics like these in such a caring way makes me very happy. Charlie is such a relatable character and I'm just as in love with Nick as Charlie lol. Truly want my own golden retriever energy gf/bf.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Homophobia
Escape boek junior by Montse Linde, Iván Tapia
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Although intended for kids from 9 and up, I still thoroughly enjoyed this escape book. Although the story itself was definitely meant for kids, the puzzles were a lot of fun. I did struggle with some that used colours, think I might be a bit colourblind after all. Definitely recommend!
New Erotica for Feminists: Satirical Fantasies of Love, Lust, and Equal Pay by Carrie Wittmer, Brooke Preston, Fiona Taylor, Caitlin Kunkel
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Quite funny. As an asexual Im also glad it wasn't actually erotica.
The Dangers of Smoking in Bed by Mariana Enríquez
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This book checks off about every trigger warning there is, so be warned! There were two stories that left me the most impressed: The Lookout and Kids Who Come Back (there was some transphobia in that sadly enough though). The other ones weren't that great in my opinion. The stories were definitely haunting.