Scan barcode
noriboo's reviews
602 reviews
Bouquets & Buckles by Elliott Rose
4.0
Sweet and spicy cowboy romance that's set around the Christmas days without an overly holiday vibe. I rocked with it. Elliott Rose is definitely one of my favourite romance authors. Skyler and Luke were incredibly likeable characters, and despite this being a short novella, I definitely feel like I got to know them as individuals and as a couple.
The perfect palate cleanser to lift your spirits around the holiday season.
The perfect palate cleanser to lift your spirits around the holiday season.
Such A Filthy Girl by Effie Campbell
4.0
This series of novellas is such a delightful, naughty treat.
The author has managed to toe the line between creepy and endearing in a wonderful way. Everyone involved is fully aware of how weird it all is, but they can't help themselves, and the tension between the main characters is chef's kiss.
It's no different between Leo and Estella, a pair that has had a secret relationship as teens due to their parents having been married. I felt for Leo, being stuck in their parental home due to agoraphobia.
Even though they're stepsiblings, I didn't have much trouble with this taboo pairing in this scenario because their parents got together when Leo and Estella were in their late teens.
The story is a little over 100 pages. Despite the size, it definitely felt like I'd read a full-size novel.
The author has managed to toe the line between creepy and endearing in a wonderful way. Everyone involved is fully aware of how weird it all is, but they can't help themselves, and the tension between the main characters is chef's kiss.
It's no different between Leo and Estella, a pair that has had a secret relationship as teens due to their parents having been married. I felt for Leo, being stuck in their parental home due to agoraphobia.
Even though they're stepsiblings, I didn't have much trouble with this taboo pairing in this scenario because their parents got together when Leo and Estella were in their late teens.
The story is a little over 100 pages. Despite the size, it definitely felt like I'd read a full-size novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Stalking, and Alcohol
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I picked this up, expecting it to be a silly holiday rom-com. And while it certainly had lighter moments and banter that made me laugh, this story actually packs a serious message about corporate greed and the commercialisation of Christmas. With a dash of grief and family drama.
Coal and Hex were adorable to me. As someone who loves both Halloween and Christmas, they were the perfect pairing to me. As such, I wouldn't change anything on the romance side of this.
For the political part of the story: it all felt a little too quickly solved in the end. I get it. It's a rom-com, centred around Christmas vibes at that. Without spoiling too much, I just didn't expect things to end on such a mellow note with a Christmas bow on top after all the buildup. It was too easy.
That being said, if you're looking for an enjoyable, queer holiday read, this is one to put on the tbr.
Coal and Hex were adorable to me. As someone who loves both Halloween and Christmas, they were the perfect pairing to me. As such, I wouldn't change anything on the romance side of this.
For the political part of the story: it all felt a little too quickly solved in the end. I get it. It's a rom-com, centred around Christmas vibes at that. Without spoiling too much, I just didn't expect things to end on such a mellow note with a Christmas bow on top after all the buildup. It was too easy.
That being said, if you're looking for an enjoyable, queer holiday read, this is one to put on the tbr.
Shared by the Headmaster by Darcy Fayton
5.0
This book is very dark. Definitely don't proceed without checking the tw if you're not familiar with the authors work.
The second part of Susie and Arken's duology did my head in. They work as a couple. The more we learn about the period of Henrikk's reign, the pain and trauma he put onto other people, how manipulative he is. I'm still shocked, every darn time. The writing is well done: it's painfully immersive, and what I admire is that no matter which couple you choose to read first, there's so many layers to the intrigue that you will probably be kept on your toes every time.
The second part of Susie and Arken's duology did my head in. They work as a couple. The more we learn about the period of Henrikk's reign, the pain and trauma he put onto other people, how manipulative he is. I'm still shocked, every darn time. The writing is well done: it's painfully immersive, and what I admire is that no matter which couple you choose to read first, there's so many layers to the intrigue that you will probably be kept on your toes every time.
Howl You Doin? by Jacklyn Hyde
5.0
Jacklyn Hyde has knocked it out of the park again! Howl you doing? is book 2 in the Monster Bae series, and this time, it centres our favourite grumpy Lycan, Doyle, and the hotel chef Whitley.
Their interactions were hilarious. Both Whitley and Doyle are quickwitted and sharp. Even when they moved into more romantic parts of the relationship, I was happy to note that part of their interactions didn't change. The smut: it's more of a slowburn compared to book one. However, I liked the built up of the tension. And once they k̶n̶o̶t̶t̶e̶d̶ popped, they didn't stop. I know that knotting isn't everyone's cup of tea, but as someone who grew up on fanfiction, I can't get enough of it in my paranormal romance 🤭
Their interactions were hilarious. Both Whitley and Doyle are quickwitted and sharp. Even when they moved into more romantic parts of the relationship, I was happy to note that part of their interactions didn't change. The smut: it's more of a slowburn compared to book one. However, I liked the built up of the tension. And once they k̶n̶o̶t̶t̶e̶d̶ popped, they didn't stop. I know that knotting isn't everyone's cup of tea, but as someone who grew up on fanfiction, I can't get enough of it in my paranormal romance 🤭
Broergeheim by Emiel de Wild
5.0
Wat een ongelooflijk verhaal.
We lezen het verhaal vanuit het perspectief van Joeri, middels de brieven die hij aan zijn broer stuurt. Hij weet namelijk niet waar zijn broer is en niemand wil hem daar antwoordt op geven. Dit levert hem verwarring en frustratie op.
Ik vond het schrijnend om te lezen. De onbesproken situatie rondom broer hangt als een heet hangijzer boven het gezin. Joeri gaat samen met een klasgenootje op zoek naar antwoorden, maar hoe dichterbij hij bij de waarheid lijkt te komen, des te meer de twijfel toeslaat.
De schrijver is er zeer knap in geslaagd om voelbaar te maken wat een geheim met een gezin kan doen en hoeveel het kapot kan maken. Hoe langer de stilte van ouders duurde, hoe pijnlijker ik de situatie vond worden. In dit verhaal zijn er geen winnaars.
We lezen het verhaal vanuit het perspectief van Joeri, middels de brieven die hij aan zijn broer stuurt. Hij weet namelijk niet waar zijn broer is en niemand wil hem daar antwoordt op geven. Dit levert hem verwarring en frustratie op.
Ik vond het schrijnend om te lezen. De onbesproken situatie rondom broer hangt als een heet hangijzer boven het gezin. Joeri gaat samen met een klasgenootje op zoek naar antwoorden, maar hoe dichterbij hij bij de waarheid lijkt te komen, des te meer de twijfel toeslaat.
De schrijver is er zeer knap in geslaagd om voelbaar te maken wat een geheim met een gezin kan doen en hoeveel het kapot kan maken. Hoe langer de stilte van ouders duurde, hoe pijnlijker ik de situatie vond worden. In dit verhaal zijn er geen winnaars.
The Broken Court by Belle Manuel
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The sequel to the Faerie Throne is a thrilling political faerie romance.
In this part of the story, we see Liserli shed her naive worldview when it comes to fairy politics after the rough awakening she had at the end of book 1. She becomes more outspoken and leans more into following her heart. It was good to see her take the opinions of the people she loves into consideration, but ultimately making her own decisions. We also get to see a softer side of Cadoc, which I didn't expect and was a great redemption after his prior shenanigans. The political intrigues kept me on my toes, and I'm constantly side eyeing everyone. To be honest, everyone seems to have an agenda, and here's Liserli just wanting to study, see the world, and fall in love 😂
In all seriousness; in the Shyal series, the author has done a great job in balancing the serious political ongoings in the story with a lighter romance subplot. I'm looking forward to where the next book will take us.
In this part of the story, we see Liserli shed her naive worldview when it comes to fairy politics after the rough awakening she had at the end of book 1. She becomes more outspoken and leans more into following her heart. It was good to see her take the opinions of the people she loves into consideration, but ultimately making her own decisions. We also get to see a softer side of Cadoc, which I didn't expect and was a great redemption after his prior shenanigans. The political intrigues kept me on my toes, and I'm constantly side eyeing everyone. To be honest, everyone seems to have an agenda, and here's Liserli just wanting to study, see the world, and fall in love 😂
In all seriousness; in the Shyal series, the author has done a great job in balancing the serious political ongoings in the story with a lighter romance subplot. I'm looking forward to where the next book will take us.
Buurtsupermens by Sayaka Murata
5.0
Het is een ongelooflijk interessant verhaal.
Het is verdeeld in drie delen. Alles wordt verteld vanuit het perspectief van Keiko Furukura. In deel I volgen we Keiko terwijl ze terugkijkt op incidenten in haar vroege jeugd die haar deden beseffen dat ze de wereld niet lijkt te zien zoals andere mensen dat doen. Ze komt veel in de problemen vanwege misverstanden door de manier waarop zij de betekenis van uitspraken interpreteert . Terwijl ze probeert de wereld om haar heen te begrijpen, valt na jaren alles eindelijk op zijn plaats wanneer Keiko wordt aangenomen als parttimer in een buurtsupermarkt. Ze vertellen haar precies wat ze van haar verwachten en wat ze moet doen, tot op de minuut, en ze heeft eindelijk het gevoel nut te hebben nu zij begrijpt wat er van haar wordt verwacht.
In het tweede deel worstelt ze met het perspectief van buitenstaanders op haar levenstraject, en in het derde deel komt ze echt tot haar recht als eigen persoon.
Ik hou ervan dat dit verhaal Keiko niet veroordeelt. Wij nemen slechts waar. Ze krijgt geen diagnose en ze wil ook niet gediagnosticeerd worden. Wat Keiko wil is leven op haar voorwaarden en geaccepteerd worden zoals ze is. De auteur slaagt erin om prachtig te beschrijven hoe maatschappelijke verwachtingen een druk kunnen leggen op mensen die, om welke reden dan ook, niet kunnen leven zoals de meerderheid. En hoe proberen te voldoen aan die verwachtingen eigenlijk meer kwaad kan veroorzaken dan mensen laten zijn wie ze zijn. Ik geloof dat de auteur geweldig werk heeft geleverd door de algehele toon licht en zelfs gezellig te houden, terwijl zij sociaal commentaar geeft.
Het is verdeeld in drie delen. Alles wordt verteld vanuit het perspectief van Keiko Furukura. In deel I volgen we Keiko terwijl ze terugkijkt op incidenten in haar vroege jeugd die haar deden beseffen dat ze de wereld niet lijkt te zien zoals andere mensen dat doen. Ze komt veel in de problemen vanwege misverstanden door de manier waarop zij de betekenis van uitspraken interpreteert . Terwijl ze probeert de wereld om haar heen te begrijpen, valt na jaren alles eindelijk op zijn plaats wanneer Keiko wordt aangenomen als parttimer in een buurtsupermarkt. Ze vertellen haar precies wat ze van haar verwachten en wat ze moet doen, tot op de minuut, en ze heeft eindelijk het gevoel nut te hebben nu zij begrijpt wat er van haar wordt verwacht.
In het tweede deel worstelt ze met het perspectief van buitenstaanders op haar levenstraject, en in het derde deel komt ze echt tot haar recht als eigen persoon.
Ik hou ervan dat dit verhaal Keiko niet veroordeelt. Wij nemen slechts waar. Ze krijgt geen diagnose en ze wil ook niet gediagnosticeerd worden. Wat Keiko wil is leven op haar voorwaarden en geaccepteerd worden zoals ze is. De auteur slaagt erin om prachtig te beschrijven hoe maatschappelijke verwachtingen een druk kunnen leggen op mensen die, om welke reden dan ook, niet kunnen leven zoals de meerderheid. En hoe proberen te voldoen aan die verwachtingen eigenlijk meer kwaad kan veroorzaken dan mensen laten zijn wie ze zijn. Ik geloof dat de auteur geweldig werk heeft geleverd door de algehele toon licht en zelfs gezellig te houden, terwijl zij sociaal commentaar geeft.
Rescue Me: An MMF Betaverse Novel by N. Slater
4.0
I'm really enjoying this series that centres Beta's finding their pack.
Reid was such a sweetheart. From the first chapter, all I wanted to do was reach through my ereader, give him a big hug, and protect him. Good thing that Zana and Ethan swooped in to do that in my stead. This story could've easily been incredibly dark. However, due to Zana and Ethan's banter and Ethans bubbly personality, the story felt surprisingly light!
Reid was such a sweetheart. From the first chapter, all I wanted to do was reach through my ereader, give him a big hug, and protect him. Good thing that Zana and Ethan swooped in to do that in my stead. This story could've easily been incredibly dark. However, due to Zana and Ethan's banter and Ethans bubbly personality, the story felt surprisingly light!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail