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raereadssmut's reviews
72 reviews
Shallow River by H.D. Carlton
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Was it deranged and out of pocket? Maybe…. But was it real as fuck? ABSOLUTELY”
Literally HD Carlton has a way with writing about TOUGH TO STOMACH subjects. The things she writes about are so real and I think that’s why a lot of people can’t stomach it. This shit was absolutely hard to read but real as fuck nonetheless.
At times I couldn’t get passed how submissive River was being with Ryan. You were dealt the shit stick since birth but are blind to your boyfriend doing the same thing to you??? But I had to remind myself….. if you put a frog in boiling water it’ll immediately jump out, if you put it in room temp water and slowly let the water boil it’ll end up dying in the boiling water. Same goes for DV.
READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!! No one else is responsible for what YOU get triggered by!
Literally HD Carlton has a way with writing about TOUGH TO STOMACH subjects. The things she writes about are so real and I think that’s why a lot of people can’t stomach it. This shit was absolutely hard to read but real as fuck nonetheless.
At times I couldn’t get passed how submissive River was being with Ryan. You were dealt the shit stick since birth but are blind to your boyfriend doing the same thing to you??? But I had to remind myself….. if you put a frog in boiling water it’ll immediately jump out, if you put it in room temp water and slowly let the water boil it’ll end up dying in the boiling water. Same goes for DV.
READ YOUR TRIGGER WARNINGS!!!! No one else is responsible for what YOU get triggered by!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest, Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, and Toxic relationship
How to Make Friends with the Dark by Kathleen Glasgow
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This book took me forever to finish. It was very repetitive and I found myself bored half the time while reading it. A lot of it I skimmed through because UGHHH
This book is very YA. Maybe YA just isn’t for me.
This book is very YA. Maybe YA just isn’t for me.
Forced To Be Here by MGV Sumerall
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I almost DNF’d……. Almost.
The story itself I think is very good. I just didn’t like how it was written. I know this is the authors debut, so hopefully if he writes another book there’ll be more editing.
There was an extreme overuse of exclamation points. Maybe it’s just me being picky, but I think exclamation points should be stuck to the quotes, not every single sentence throughout the book.
I gave 3 stars though because I really love the idea of this book. If you need help, seek help.
If you or someone you know need assistance due to mental health concerns, please dial 988.
The story itself I think is very good. I just didn’t like how it was written. I know this is the authors debut, so hopefully if he writes another book there’ll be more editing.
There was an extreme overuse of exclamation points. Maybe it’s just me being picky, but I think exclamation points should be stuck to the quotes, not every single sentence throughout the book.
I gave 3 stars though because I really love the idea of this book. If you need help, seek help.
If you or someone you know need assistance due to mental health concerns, please dial 988.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide attempt
Beasts of 42nd Street by Preston Fassel
challenging
dark
tense
fast-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
4.0
I hated every single character.
However, I absolutely love Grindhouse movies and I feel like this book had a Grindhouse vibe to it… if that makes sense.
This book was nasty, and that’s the point. The author did a really good job with how everything is written and described!
However, I absolutely love Grindhouse movies and I feel like this book had a Grindhouse vibe to it… if that makes sense.
This book was nasty, and that’s the point. The author did a really good job with how everything is written and described!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Addiction
Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I enjoyed this book, I really did!
However, I found Wren to be a very flat character. I wish she had more to her, more…. Personality? A lot of how Wren feels about things are a matter of misperception. I don’t want spoiler anything specifically though, so I’ll keep it at that.
While I did like Anders’ character, I wish he had more of a backbone.
This book was a slooowwwwwwwwwwww burn. Like literally, not even a kiss happened between the two MC’s until 75ish pages before the end of the book. Literally. Like when I say SLOW BURN….. I mean SLOWWWW.
Also- the epilogue could’ve been cut in half. It did NOT need to be dragged out on so many pages.
All in all, I did enjoy it tho. It was cute and kind of heartbreaking, but I didn’t cry about anything that was happening. So it wasn’t like soul-shattering. But it was good!
However, I found Wren to be a very flat character. I wish she had more to her, more…. Personality? A lot of how Wren feels about things are a matter of misperception. I don’t want spoiler anything specifically though, so I’ll keep it at that.
While I did like Anders’ character, I wish he had more of a backbone.
This book was a slooowwwwwwwwwwww burn. Like literally, not even a kiss happened between the two MC’s until 75ish pages before the end of the book. Literally. Like when I say SLOW BURN….. I mean SLOWWWW.
Also- the epilogue could’ve been cut in half. It did NOT need to be dragged out on so many pages.
All in all, I did enjoy it tho. It was cute and kind of heartbreaking, but I didn’t cry about anything that was happening. So it wasn’t like soul-shattering. But it was good!
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Alcohol, and Grief
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
"It Happened One Summer" by Tessa Bailey is a contemporary romance novel that unfortunately falls short of expectations for me.
One of the major drawbacks of this novel is the cringy spicy scenes. While romance novels often include steamy moments, the execution in this book feels forced and uncomfortable.
Brendan’s tip is referred to as a “velvet helmet” during one scene. Can you NOT call it that?? Ew
The kitchen scene- I don’t understand??? Was Brendan purple nurpling Piper’s coochie??
Recharging station- I think we can all agree that this term was heavily overused. It became so ANNOYING!
Another issue with this book is I felt was very slow paced. The story takes a long time to develop, and the plot feels stagnant for a significant portion of the book.
Overall, this was a disappointing read for me.
Diary of an Oxygen Thief by Anonymous
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
This book is only like 150 pages and I only got to around page 34. It was incredibly boring and slow paced. The male MC also had a nasty view on women, like they were his toys. I couldn’t read far enough to find out if he becomes redeemable or not and at this point I don’t care. It was just straight up boring 🤷🏻♀️
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan is a beautifully written novel that will leave you feeling emotionally fulfilled, after you’ve cried your eyes out. The story is set in a small town called Pelion, where Archer Hale, a reclusive man with a tragic past, lives in solitude. Bree Prescott, a young woman who is trying to escape her own painful past, moves to Pelion and is immediately drawn to Archer.
The characters in this novel are well-developed that you will feel like you know them personally. Archer is a complex character who has been through so much in his life, and Bree is a strong and determined woman who is trying to find her place in the world. The romance that starts between Archer and Bree is heartwarming and will make you believe in true love and fated mates.
Mia Sheridan's writing is so captivating that you won't be able to put this book down. The way she describes the emotions and thoughts of the characters is so vivid that you will feel like you are right there with them. I absolutely loved the dual POV so that we’re able to better understand both sides of the same situation.
Overall, Archer's Voice is an absolutely stunning novel that I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a wholesome romance novel. Mia Sheridan's writing is truly exceptional, and this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to be swept away by a truly beautiful love story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gun violence, and Grief
Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
The Cat and Mouse Duet? Perfection.
Zaddy Zade? Perfection.
Anal with a marriage proposal afterwards? Legendary.
I will dream about this ending, thank yew. That’s all I have to say.
Zaddy Zade? Perfection.
Anal with a marriage proposal afterwards? Legendary.
I will dream about this ending, thank yew. That’s all I have to say.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Trafficking, Torture, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Blood, Slavery, Pedophilia, and Rape
The Inmate by Freida McFadden
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book had me HOOKED like a fish is to bait! 🐟🐟
I couldn’t put it down! Just when I thought I’d figured out the twist BAM I was wrong!! This was my first Freida McFadden book and everyone was right! The twists she adds into her books you will NOT see coming! This was crazy from beginning to end!
And I loved the back and forth from past and present!
I couldn’t put it down! Just when I thought I’d figured out the twist BAM I was wrong!! This was my first Freida McFadden book and everyone was right! The twists she adds into her books you will NOT see coming! This was crazy from beginning to end!
And I loved the back and forth from past and present!