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readingwithtemperance's reviews
179 reviews

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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Two Scoops of Hellfire by Kimberly Lemming

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

A fun quick read that really made me want cupcakes 🧁
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What's A Girl Gotta Do To Get On The Naughty List? by Kimberly Lemming

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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

4.0

This was full of fun, giggles, and holiday cheer! I appreciate that our antagonists got their just desserts. I definitely would have liked there to be more plot, but I had fun none the less.
those tongue piercings though 👀
 
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The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert

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

3.0

I see Talia Hibbert, I pick it up. I unfortunately didn't like this as much as her other books, but that's okay! I still had a great time reading this. And you can really tell her writing has evolved!

I felt this was TOO insta lovey. I mean...
getting engaged only after a few months is wild.
I also didn't feel that they had much chemistry at all. Mainly because well they don't really know eachother. The pacing was off and I felt like our characters didn't get a whole lot of mundane scenes together. Which I think definitely would have made their chemistry more convincing! 

I do like the talks about domestic/child abuse though. And im glad everyone got a happy ending. Yay therapy!

Not gonna lie I did cry when
it panned to two years later and they had their daughter. Who they named Freya after his mother ♡. Such a precious moment.  Especially with all of Ruben's feelings surrounding children due to his childhood. It definitelyshowed his growth.
 
 
Overall I did like this and I would recommend it! 

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Minor Detail by Adania Shibli

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dark emotional informative reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This book provides a lot of important information about what is/has been going on in Palestine. It made me sick to my stomach, but it was absolutely a necessary read. This is going to stick with me for a very long time. 
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