ourxstorybegins's reviews
609 reviews

The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

challenging fast-paced

4.0

• So this was a lot and very much not what I expected
• Very intimate info about author’s life and, as a result, her partner and child and BOYYYYY do we just dive into that intimacy!
• The “autotheory” format instead of memoir was really interesting — utilizing personal anecdote reflections to discuss theory instead of just being straightforward theory
• Discussions on motherhood/pregnancy and queerness, gender, identity, and sexuality (in an orientation way and also just the concept of sexuality, especially the sexual mother)

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

• An interesting read when you’re in the middle of a career transition
• Plot? Who needs it? Especially when Sibling Dex is there to put themself through plenty of turmoil on their own lmaooo (relatable)
• Cozy sci fi is absolutely my cup of tea (get it?)
• It just felt like a warm hug the whole time
• Loved the audiobook narrator; their voice for Mosscap (the robot) was so fun

Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti

funny 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? Yes

4.0

• Peter’s whole storyline gave me FEELINGS — the idea of him struggling with seeing healthy family dynamics because of how awful his dad was, but also wanting to give his siblings something better was so real and so sweet
• Was a little annoyed at the “we got caught together and now we have to get married” thing, except they were also open about the fact that they were into each other which made it so much better
• Peter’s siblings are adorable actually
• Loved the narrator, but her Louisiana accent was…interesting 😂

The Rat-Catcher's Daughter by KJ Charles

emotional hopeful 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

4.0

• I haven't read anything else from this series, but this felt like a great set-up for me to jump into book one
• Surprise ace rep from a main character?! In a romance?! Okay yes let's goooo
• A lot of story was fit into such a short novelette -- something exciting was always happening and I loved it
• Christiana and Stan are the CUTEST and I wish them all the happiness in the world

Oh! You Pretty Things: A Glam Rock Romance by Jane Hadley

challenging inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

• THIS WAS SO GOOD ACTUALLY
• Arthur thinks he is basically in love with Eve, only to realize later that he probably just wanted to look like her omgggggg
• The whole situation with the band is so toxic and experiencing it as a complete newcomer who doesn't realize WHY it's so messy makes for a really interesting story, even if you can tell what (who) the main issue is
• The romance is so so sweet once it finally happens, but there was no point where I felt like it was taking too long since just following the dynamics of the band was interesting enough on its own.

ADHD for Smart Ass Women: How to Fall in Love with Your Neurodivergent Brain by Tracy Otsuka

informative inspiring medium-paced

2.0

• Look, at the beginning of the book she gave the reader permission to skip around to chapters they found interesting and I tried to read the whole thing but I definitely did skip the nutrition chapter because I just KNEW it would be triggering after reading the exercise chapter and looking her up online
• She clearly has some weird vibes about medication. She doesn't outright say not to take it, but she doesn't and multiple times how if you do x you probably won't need medication!!! So.
• Super ADHD girlboss "your disability is your superpower" garbage
• Got a couple of useful things from this and was really into it for the first few chapters! Which is why I did not DNF or give it one star

We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian

emotional funny medium-paced

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

5.0

• I was hesitant to read this one since it was my first non-1800s Cat Sebastian, but it was still perfect for me
• Also the audiobook was one of my preferred Joel Leslie performances? More subtle than usual?
• SOMEONE GET ANDY AN ADHD DIAGNOSIS, STAT.
• It's a friends to lovers queer awakening story and it was so so stinkin good and I loved the workplace setting
• Side characters, as always, were very fun and quirky. I like that even though Emily dumped Andy that we still got to keep her involved in the story in a positive way instead of her simply being the evil woman who left him heartbroken or something like I feel like a lot of stories like this would do.

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

adventurous dark medium-paced

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

4.5

• So I'm not usually into Young Adult but this one ABSOLUTELYYYYYYY sucked me in
• World so perfect that nobody dies anymore, so they have to designate and train up Scythes who will select and kill a certain number of people every year to prevent overpopulation
• Dealing with some old guard vs new order vibes (and the new order people are ICKYYYYYY)
• There's a lot of ring kissing which was weird but you know, such is life
• I will absolutely be reading the other books in the series at some point because I finished and was like WHAT?!? THAT'S IT?!

Yours, Insatiably by Aveda Vice

emotional 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

• Avirin dealt with a LOTTT of shame with her identity as a succubus, which was an interesting approach
• Hot nonbinary fae introduces self-loathing succubus coworker to sexy monster world
• Also took WAYYYYYY too long for me to realize Pye (previously mentioned hot nonbinary fae) is a MOTHMAN CREATURE? I've simply read more mothman books than I ever thought I would

Backwards to Oregon by Jae
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.

• Turns out following white people on the Oregon Trail is not my preferred form of romance, even if they are gay
• Also Luke (a woman who lives as a man but doesn’t think of herself as one??? Idk some potential trans rep here) is so holier than thou actually
• Don’t love the depiction of indigenous people
• The language feels too modern! I just refuse to believe this is how they would’ve spoken in the 1800s!
• Also the
  surprise pregnancy
  isn’t doing this book any favors for me

Anywho no MAJORRRRR sins, all just things that irked me, but this book is way too long to finish it when I’m constantly annoyed by it 🤷🏼‍♀️