readingwithtemperance's reviews
173 reviews

The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert

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emotional 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

4.5

Jasmine absolutely infuriated me while simultaneously making me want to give her the biggest hug. I loved her though and I can absolutely understand her pain/why she is the way she is. I saw a bit of myself in her. Mommy issue abandonment twinsies and all that. 

I am just so incredibly proud of her for doing the work and taking care of herself. And for TRYING.
And for admitting she needs help and taking that help and applying what she learns in therapy into her every day life. Ngl i do wish we got to sit in for some of those sessions.


Rahul was so kind and patient with Jasmine. It warmed my heart how much he deeply cared for her and wanted her to be happy above all else.
That man WAITED for SEVEN years. Not even waiting for HER to feel the same. But just BEING THERE and being the absolute best friend ever. MY HEART. 


The ending was so so sweet.
I loved the 7 years later/getting to see their son. And to watch them have such a mundane and intimite moment and just still be so head over heels for eachother.
I was sobbing at how beautiful it all was.
What more could you want than to build a life with your best friend?
 

Talia I love you so much. I swear you do no wrong. 
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I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ben and I are so much alike. Both just genderless queers riddled with far too much anxiety. I loved reading about them. 

This was like a big hug for my 16 year old self. I can't wait to read more from Mason!
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Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0

The only bad thing I can say about this book is that I wanted more of it. I love Jude and her family so much. The writing was gorgeous. And the audio was so immersive. 

I cried multiple times reading this.
When Jude put on her hijab for the first time my heart sang for her.
the awful attack on her friend Layla's family's store.
and
the birth of her sister/seeing her brother again even through a screen.
 

The author's note was beautiful and powerful and brought tears to my eyes as well. I am so happy I read this. 
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Sweet Vengeance by Viano Oniomoh

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adventurous dark emotional 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

This book was so satisfying for me. I loved how Joy absolutely haunted and tortured her rapist. There's just something about terrible people getting exactly what they deserve that makes my heart sing. 

Murder aside this book was literally SO sweet. I loved the relationship between Joy and Malachi. Not even just the spicy times (good lord were they impeccable though), but just the ease and safety they had with eachother. I felt they were both so good for eachother and really helped one another heal. 

I'll definitely be reading more from Viano in the future. 
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Evil Eye by Etaf Rum

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challenging emotional reflective 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

Evil Eye's main focus is generational trauma. How it seeps into every nook and cranny of our lives. And how breaking the cycle can be excruciating but so freeing at the same time. 

The therapy sessions/journal entries were so personal. My heart ached for Yara so much. I loved watching her finally be able to begin to heal and find out who she truly is/what she wants out of her life. 

Etaf Rum's writing is so engaging. Every time I stopped reading I just wanted to jump back in. I would love to read more from her in the future! 
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The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

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emotional hopeful reflective 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? N/A

5.0

This was even better than The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholoic School! I love Sonora Reyes' writing so much. 

This book was so healing for me. I was in an abusive relationship for around 5 years. And I was SA'd numerous times throughout. Ari's thoughts and feelings about hers are very similar to my own. 

The Luis Ortega Survival Club was an excellent reminder for me that there was nothing I could have done differently. That what happened was NEVER my fault. 

 This was so empowering. It was nice seeing someone so horrible get exactly what they deserve. 

Books like these are so important. I wish I had this growing up. I'm immensely grateful to the author for bringing this story into the world. 

If you have your own Luis Ortega, I see you. You are not alone. It was never your fault. And I am sending you so much love.
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The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez

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

4.5

This was fantastic. I am so thoroughly impressed by this book. The only reason it isn't 5 stars is because the ending felt rushed. However, I am SO excited to read the sequel. I'll probably be starting it almost immediately. 

Something I loved about this book was that the name bearer has no name. And when she goes through transitions in her life
name bearer to living amongst warrior women and again when she leaves them
she gives herself a new name. The meaning coordinating with the purpose of each new life. There was so much beauty in that. Names truly hold so much power. 

The friendship in this book was probably my favorite aspect. Watching them grow from young girls to women was incredible. 

I thought the concept of this book was utterly fascinating. I hope to learn more about the flowers of prophecy and their origin in the sequel.
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How to Bite Your Neighbor & Win a Wager by D.N. Bryn

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emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

I liked that the author spun a twist on the typical vampire story. Where in this world vampires are known about but ostracized by society. And not the monsters that humans deem them to be at all. Definely darker than I originally anticipated, but still had some sweet moments. I didn't like that the corporation didn't really have any consequences to the atrocities they committed. And it definitely felt the characters were moving a bit too fast at the end. Personally I wanted more rage from Wesley. But this was fast paced, well written, and very enjoyable! I'll probably pick up the sequel. 
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Four Aunties and a Wedding by Jesse Q. Sutanto

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funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I love this family so much. I'm so excited that there will be a third one! The author set the ending up perfectly for the next book. I was laughing SO much at all of this ridiculousness. I can't wait to see what's next! 
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Black Queer Hoe by Britteney Black Rose Kapri

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emotional funny reflective fast-paced

5.0

I knew I wanted a physical copy of this book before I even finished it. I loved how vulnerable and unapologetic this book was. This is a must read for sure.
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