redlipstickandreading's reviews
427 reviews

PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly

challenging emotional funny reflective sad 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

This book very unexpectedly hit me right in the feels. This book focuses on Maddie processing the death of her brother Josh while completing his last wish of spreading his ashes in the 8 states he never visited alongside Josh's best friend (and Maddie's kind of ex) Dom. Quick personal story, early 2024 my brother (who I'm very close to) had a medical crisis and lost the ability to walk. For some time no one could explain why or if it would get better to continue to progress. Luckily now a little more than a year later, he's walking with assistance and in a much better place (and about to get married!). But this story really tapped into all those feelings of uncertainty and loss and I felt very connected to the characters. It reminded me that one of the many reasons I love reading is seeing your emotions in characters and getting to someone else play them out. 

Not what I was expecting at all when I started this one but  a welcome surprise. 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

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

4.75

I'm only a little late to the party for Onyx Storm. Honestly after seeing all the reviews I was worried going into this one, there seemed to be a lot of negativity. Honestly I loved Onyx Storm and definitely thought it was better than Iron Flame. I thought Onyx Storm brought back a lot of the humor and banter from Fourth Wing while still sticking with a overall more serious tone. I've seen a lot of comments that there was unnecessary world building but I found all the new info both necessary to the story and actually interesting? I loved seeing all the new islands. Also as someone who is terrible at remembering characters I surprisingly had no issues with this one. While I wish the book was shorter (it's a door stop to be sure) it kept a pretty consistent pace, except for the ending. The POV switches were a little disjointed. I think I'm in the minority but I loved it. 

Kills Well with Others by Deanna Raybourn

adventurous fast-paced

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

5.0

This was not a book a I thought would get a sequel but I'm so glad it did! I loved Killers of a Certain Age and it was fun to revisit our sphinxes again. I was a little worried to see how they would introduce another 'we need to get the band back together' storyline but it just worked. I said in my reviews of book one that competent women getting shit done is so satisfying and this one proves it again. Continuing to keep my fingers crossed that this gets adapted into a film. The way Raybourn writes action feels cinematic already and I'd love to see it translated with her amazing characters to the big screen. 

Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.75

Very rarely do I participate in the book trophy thing where I but physical copies just to have. This is the exception. Less than an hour into the audiobook I knew I needed a physical copy as well. While I don't think this book lived up to the premise of being super kinky and smutty I devoured it! As a former overachiever all my self worth is based on external things girlie I liked Scarlett's development. This is the first audiobook I remember listening to that had dual narrators for a single POV book and I need all books to be recorded this way from now on. The narrator for Lukas Blomqvist (he'll forever be a first name last name guy) was GOOD. No idea if the accent is accurate but honestly I don't care. I've seen on other reviews that people thought some of their actions/reactions were immature (Especially Pen) but I think everyone forgets what it's like to be messy in your early 20s so I can forgive that. I also liked the nod to Adam and Olive from Love Hypothesis I thought that was a cute full circle moment. 

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

emotional funny 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 was an impulse purchase when I knew I was going to be recuperating from surgery. It's interesting, this definitely has Hannah Bonam-Young's style from Out on a Limb but I could tell it was an earlier book. It focused heavily on an emotional topic (family relationships and foster care) while still keeping the overall feel cozy. I will say I think the relationship between Chloe and Warren would have benefitted from a little more buildup/time spent falling in love. It was a little too quick from 'I hate my forced roommate' to ' I'm going to love you forever' for me. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse

Minor: Death of parent

Next to You by Hannah Bonam-Young

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? Yes

4.25

Of course I read the interconnected novel with Next of Kin. I was a little unsure about this one, but I really felt the aimlessness that Lane felt watching her friends get married and be settled. I thought the love story and family relationship development was sweet and well written. I would have MUCH preferred if the resolution to the third act conflict was.... different. Spoilers ahead so don't read if you don't want to...I was SO frustrated that it was we dated for a few weeks, broke up, and then they get engaged before they've both said I love you?!?!? WILD. Also I think the epilogue was unnecessary and added to my frustration with the end of the book. I loved everything but the ending 

Black Women Will Save the World: An Anthem by April Ryan

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring slow-paced

4.0

This was a rough listen given the current administration and the ongoing attacks on diversity equity and inclusion. But sometimes you have to sit in the uncomfortable feelings to learn and move forward. This is somewhere between a memoir and an extended opinion piece. Both parts were compelling but the more data based points would have been served better with stronger organization; some parts felt repetitive and unfocused which undermined the very important arguments being made. I would recommend this to anyone starting their  intersectionality journey (remember if it's not intersectional it's not feminism!!!) because it introduces the impacts in clear but non academic terms. 

Slap Shot by Chelsea Curto

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

Chelsea Curto does not miss!!! This book is the third in her DC Stars series of hockey romances and every time I think I can't love the characters as much as the previous story. And every time she proves me wrong. Hudson is the epitome of if he wanted to he would. He literally learns sign language in secret to better communicate with her daughter **swoon**. The slow burn was so good and they had a beautiful relationship/connection built by the time they got to their first kiss. I could go on, I laughed and cried during this book. As of right now the next two books are scheduled to be released this year and I am eagerly waiting for what is sure to continue to be a five star series. 

Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez

adventurous slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

I read and didn't love the first but really wanted to see how this duology ended. Honestly I would have been fine if I hadn't. The plot felt like it dragged a bit and most of the twists and surprise reveals felt way to easy to guess. I mentioned this in my review of What the River Knows but Inez is the most blindly naive and trusting person which is wild in a situation where people are literally trying to kill you. I also found the chemistry between Inez and Whit weirdly lacking in this one after being a better part of the the first book. I love the historical Egyptian setting but it didn't make up for everything else. 

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

So fun fact, I started reading this last summer and just finished it this month 🤦 as I began reading this book I realized I had not retained enough of the first one to remember where the plot was going. So I put it to the side to try again later and then just put it off. But after a quick reread of the first I restarted this one and finished it. This one was just as fun as the first with slightly more world building and plot development (which makes sense to set up the next book). This is definitely more of a book I like on vibes not necessarily because it's super well written but I think sometimes that's what you need in a book. Plus I came back from the first one and will definitely read the next when it comes out so that has to count for something. The one thing that bugged me is the damn prophecy/riddle...like no one is getting it? But still a very fun read especially when I wasn't feeling my best!