readingwithtemperance's reviews
181 reviews

Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa

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emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

I am a HUGE Pride & Prejudice fan, specifically the film (The 2005 one with teh Darcy hand flex OBVIOUSLY). And I thought this was such a wonderful adaptation while holding it's own. 

I think the highlight if the story for me was Oliver's father and how supportive he was of his transness. Typically in trans books the parents aren't supportive so it was very refreshing to see especially from a father! 

I also loved that when
his mother found out she completelyc hanged her tune and said that making her son wear dresses was a ridiculous idea.


Darcy had just the perfect amount of angst and I loved that this story led him to self acceptance and PRIDE. 

I also lived when
Oliver became the one who would  inherit his family'  estate!
 

The author's note was also quite beautiful! I loved learning a bit more about queer history. 
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Threads of Fate by Lexi Esme

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

4.0

So this spider man or man spider? Whatever he is he's HOT. 

Listen those extra limbs come in handy and it's pretty cool that he comes with his own rope. His bite being an aphrodisiac is also a nice touch. He's gorgeous AND ferally protective.
Idk its kinda hot that he murdered the man that hurt her the first night they met. AND threatened to give her shitty coworker the same treatment.


I love a man that's all about touch her and you die. I don't care that he
ate his ex wife and murdered her village. Thats on her for starving that man tbh.
I LOVE HIM. 

He's such a goober at times like when he
brandished a spatula at poor Mr. Muffins.
And we love a man that can please in more ways than one! That spaghetti sounded so good oml.

And at the end when
she commanded him to go hunt that terrible man? AHHH I love them.


The spice was soooo good omg. I'll def be combing through this author's backlist. She did insta love SO well. 
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A Bump in Boohail by Kimberly Lemming

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

4.0

A super funny/steamy novella! Kimberly Lemming can do no wrong. I love the Mead Mishap series so much. 
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Witchlings by Claribel A. Ortega

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adventurous funny 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

This book made me so incredibly happy. It was like a mash up of some of my all time favorite shows. So if you like Owl House, Gravity Falls, Star VS the Forces of Evil, or Steven Universe please pick this up!

The way that the Witches are sorted into their covens definitely reminded me of Pixie Hallow a bit which I loved! 

The story was fast paced and full of adventure. And simultaneously touched on things like child abuse and slavery/liberation. 

I didn't see the brilliant coming at all! And tbh I did laugh at who it ended up being because the concept of
toads of all people being evil masterminds was just so silly!


I loved the friendship in this so much. Our Witchlings became so close and I'm very excited to see their next adventure! 

Also shout out to Beefy the baby for being my favorite character! 
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Truly, Madly, Deeply by Alexandria Bellefleur

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The way that Alexandria writes just has me absolutely devouring her words. She has such a flare for the dramatic. 

In this book we follow Truly (a best selling historical romance author) and Colin (divorce lawyer) definitely an unlikely pair for sure. 

The book wastes no time grabbing your attention.
On the first page Truly catches her fiancé cheating on her. And then her parents tell her that they're seperating.
A whirlwind of emotions for sure. 

Then enters Colin who achieves nothing but royally pissing Truly off in the beginning.
I love how he won her over.


Colin was probably the highlight of this book for me. He's so thoughtful and kind.
And not gonna lie I kind of love the way this man begs. My my does he do it WELL.


There were definitely lots of cringe moments though. The whole
parent trap
situation gave me intense secondhand embarrassment. But I'm glad it worked out in the end.

I also really hated Colin's family (aside from his sister of course). They were all just so pretentious, entitled,  and RUDE. I wanted to fist fight them all.
I was so happy when Truly stood up for Colin.


The spice was fantastic, but no surprise there given its Alexandria Bellefleur. Definitely a great book to read with a friend (I did hi Brittany!). 

Overall I really liked it and the ending was sweet.
I loved that her parents renewed their vows.
But I was so dissapointed that we didn't get to see
the engagement. Especially since Truly was the one who proposed in her last relationship.
 



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It's Boba Time for Pearl Li! by Nicole Chen

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emotional hopeful 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

4.0

Pearl Li is a 12 year old trying to save her favorite Boba Shop from closing down. And she is doing this by making and selling her amigurumi she crochets. 

You can't tell me that isn't the most wholesome thing you've ever heard! 

While I was reading, I wanted to curl up with my own boba. Or visit Boba Time to try all of the wonderful sounding flavors. I'd love to talk with Auntie Cha for hours too. 

I particularly loved seeing what all Pearl came up with. I was so excited seeing what she'd create next. Oscar the hot dog is of course my favorite though. 

There were so many lessons in this book such as: 
  • Helping others
  • Being open minded 
  • Knowing when to apologize 
  • Doing your passions for yourself not for others 
  • And even a bit about running your own business!

I loved how real these tween friendships felt. I think we all wildy blew things out of proportion at 12 because  hello we're DEVELOPING. And this was absolutely showed in Boba Time.

Typically I don't like miscommunication in books, but I think it added the right amount of angst in this one. 

It was also healing seeing parents actually stop and listen to their child for once. And I loved the relationship with Pearl and her sister too!

If you're looking for something sweet and summery, this is it.

I need some boba ASAP. 





The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

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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

5.0

If you are a lover of baking competition shows or just yummy desserts this book is for you! 

I had so much fun reading The Dos and Donuts of Love. The competition was done so well I felt like I was actually watching the show.

I thought the author did very well writing Shireen's panic attacks. And I loved that
Chris helped her through them despite them not being on the beat of terms.


I was so disappointed when
Niamh was the one who ruined Shireen's dish. But also so happy it wasn't  Chris!


My heart soared when
Chris and Shireen's parents became friends after feuding for so long. And combined forces to open their own shop!


Another thing I really loved were the punny chapter headers! I loved that they were all dessert themed and a clue of what was to come. I wish authors included them more!

This was absolutely incredible and now I want donuts. 
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Knot My Type by Evie Mitchell

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

3.0

This was a quick fun read. I really loved the relationship between these two and how well they balanced eachother out. 

I love how informative and uplifting  this book was! The podcast was one of my favorite aspects.

"Rainbow" is probably the cutest nickname I've ever heard. 
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Something More by Jackie Khalilieh

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emotional reflective 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

This book fully encapsulated the high school experience. There was so much nostalgia and drama throughout. I love how real these teenagers are. 

I definitely felt for our MC. Friends/relationships and all of the social confusion that comes along with them can be hard to navigate, let alone on top of trying to keep your grades up AND your family happy. 

It made me happy that Jessie found her people in the end though. 

I absolutely saw my younger self in her. And this book really helped heal my inner teen a bit. 

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Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was the first book I've ever read from Ali Hazelwood. Definitely something different than her typical books and I really hope she continues to explore paranormal romance because honestly I was so impressed. 

I didn't expect to love Bride as much as I did. But the Underworld vibes were off the charts with nostalgia and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. 

The whole alpha dynamic has been so poorly done by so many other authors, but I think Ali nailed it! Lowe is a true alpha to his people; protective AND loving. 

 I especially loved his relationship with his sister. There were so many tender moments between them. My favorite being when he
made a poster of Sparkles as godzilla for her.


These two love birds gave me utter bi panic and heart palpitations. THE CHEMISTRY MY GOODNESS.
The blood/marking scenes had me F E R A L oh my godddd.
 

If there isnt a sequel about
Misery's best friend and her OBVIOUS mate
I'll riot.

Also I'  so glad that
Misery's dad got his just desserts because he was AWFUL. This man made my blood absolutely boil.


Bride was a reminder that I truly am just a grown up version of my 12 year old self. I think I need more vampire and werewolf books in my life. 


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