samanthambucag's reviews
41 reviews

Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

emotional funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

This was my first Kennedy Ryan book and I absolutely loved it. The characters were so complex and had so much depth I thought I was watching a lifetime movie. I loved how Josiah and Yasmen were so imperfectly perfect. 

I loved how Ryan showed how complex grief is and depression and how a lot of people deal with it differently. She shows how easy it is for people to say you feel for those depressed until it affects your life. I loved how well done she handled the describing trauma everyone experienced and how well thought out the trauma healing was done. 

I basically binged the book in two days it kept my attention from start to finish. 

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

adventurous dark funny lighthearted 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

I really enjoyed this book. It was a very easy read and the plot was very straightforward. From the end of the book I can see there will be an over arching plot through the series and I'm excited to see where the author takes it. I love books where the guy falls first which made me love Rowan so much. Despite the plot being very simple the characters were all very lovable and realistic. I was going to rate this book 4 stars but I think I am going to change it to five stars. 

For a romance book this is five stars for me. It was not so insta-love where I felt like the relationship was rushed. Despite immediately falling for Sloan, Rowan understood that she needed time to work through her emotion which I loved. I feel like sometimes the couples in romance book just jump into relationship without working through any of the traumas. This book also had tons lighthearted humor which I loved and took dark themes and had a more comedic touch on it. 

I am excited how the story will play out in the series and how all the books will intersect 

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark 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? No

3.5

Overall I liked the book, a lot less smutty than the first two but still a good book. I loved meeting all the Lords and actually seeing them interact with each other and seeing the secondary characters' personalities come out more. I feel like Nesta was a grump for way too long though. 

But the book felt like it closed up a lot of the plot so I wonder what the next books in the series are gonna be about. But fuck the King. 

Coming Home by Kat Ryan

funny relaxing fast-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

2.25

This book was not bad, j would consider it a good cleanser read. It was a really easy read, the plot was predictable and the characters did not have that much depth to them. The romance was very insta lovey. I just wish the climax had more conflict, but overall it was okay. 

Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

dark emotional funny slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

The book was not bad but I did not enjoy it as much as the first one. I feel like there was so much going on but also nothing happening at the same time. I also hated the random time jumps in the book. But I loved how Addie was able to reclaim her trauma and move past it with the help of Zade. I just hated how she kept pushing him away even though she admitted to herself that she does care of him, it was too hot and cold for me. 

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

challenging dark tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Honestly I was not sure I was going to like this book when people were raving about it. But I honestly ended up loving the book. The pacing was great and I loved how the two plot points interconnected by the end. I ended the book loving Zade and not caring about his murdering tendencies. 

A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous dark emotional funny slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

Overall I enjoyed the book. It did move very slow, in true Sarah J. Maas fashion everything literally happened in the last 100/150 pages. The beginning of the book moved way too slow which is why it took me awhile to get through it. But I am hooked onto this story and will be reading the next book. 

I loved the characters. Rhysand will always have my heart and Tamlin can die for all I care. 

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

4.5

The book was beautifully written and showed the complexities with having an abusive mother. Jennette told us her story in such an honest way that spoke directly to the heart. I loved how personable the book felt, like I was talking to a friend. 

Things We Hide From The Light by Lucy Score
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.

I just could not keep reading. I was getting bored and I told myself I wouldn't finish books I don't enjoy this year. 

Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters

dark emotional informative reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

This is not a typical book that I would read, but I am trying to go outside of my comfort zone which is romance and fantasy. The novel was more of a character analysis book rather than a story. It made you reflect on what it means to be a mother, a woman, and gender roles in society. It touched upon the struggles of being queer and the layers it has depending on whether you're trans or lesbian or gay. 

The characters were not lovable, but at times they were enjoyable. The people in this book are all flawed and trying to figure out their place in society and who they are as a person. Reese is at times selfish and quick to judge others when she feels attacked. Ames struggles with who he is and what he wants in his life. His inner turmoil often leads to his personal relationships to take a hit. 

The ending of this book invites the reader to think about what it means to be a woman and/or a mother and familial structures. I hated how it felt like an open ending, it did not feel like the end. 

It was written well and the characters were well developed as well as the story. It just was not for me. It was too reflective and I felt like nothing was happening at some points. But I had to remember that this book is more character driven.