raindrops333's reviews
1826 reviews

Iyanu: Child of Wonder Volume 1 by Roye Okupe

adventurous emotional informative 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

I know very little of African culture. The display of local traditions and legends in this beautiful work is enlightening. I enjoyed it very much.

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

Problematic. 

Loving Violet by Maria Esther, María Esther

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

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

4.0

I thought this debut book had a good foundation. There was enough back story to follow along. A single mom escaping an abusive relationship meets the hot guy in the small town she landed in. We see how their relationship developes. I felt there were some long wordy episodes repeating information already provided. The twist was not surprising enough. This would've dock 1/4 of a point, but I felt the author made an effort , especially with the kid's storyline and the mental health representation. I rounded up. 

Off the Grid by Madison Diaz

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

First time reading a book by this author. I was impressed with her level of craftsmanship relaying the characters' story. I loved the age gap where she's older and more experienced. The spice is spicing, the scenes were not to be read in public, purely delicious smut. Read this very hot short novella as a palate cleanser after some heavier reads. 

Como agua para chocolate by Laura Esquivel

challenging emotional slow-paced

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

3.75

Riven: An Unchained Story by Everly Claire

challenging dark emotional fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

This is one of those books that takes your heart, scrunches it, and makes you cry for what could be. A dystopian alternative that is not unlike one some people would love to see in our current society. It made me cry because I cannot stop comparing this story to stories of real people who were treated as objects at some time in our history. This is a very short novella that introduces the societal norms found on the first book of The Unchained series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Xenophobia

The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

Whirlwind by Kayla Grosse

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

The audiobook narrators make the book come alive. I highly recommend reading it with your ears.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable Twister fan-fic read. There is enough taboo due to him being her professor and older, but with the chemistry the author wrote for them, there was no way they wouldn't end up together. I feel there is something that happens when people survive disasters. Adrenaline makes people do some silly stuff, but what these two do is 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.
Some of the side characters deserve their own book.

Tropes
Age Gap
Pining, he falls first
Tornadoes Chasing
Found Family
Women in STEM
Body positivity
Witty banter

Make Good Trouble: Discover Movements That Sparked Change by Jamia Wilson

emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

The Friend Situation by Lyra Parish

adventurous emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Lyra  is a very good storyteller of couples who are not necessarily who you think should end up together. This friends to lovers story starts as a fake engagement and ends in lots of spice scenes. The growth we see throughout the book is fantastic. I loved how he cared for her way before she did. It is lighthearted and an easy read.