selysrivera's reviews
8 reviews

Dissent (The Heretics Saga #2) by C.A. Campbell

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

Powerful and strong. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat and anxious for the third book in the series!
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How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

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challenging emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

I enjoyed this book! It’s sex positive and the characters grew. But it really needed a trigger warning.
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Lulu and Milagro's Search for Clarity by Angela Velez

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A heartwarming story about sisterhood and finding identity as a young adult growing up between Latinx values of family and the American cultural traditions of college and dating. 
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Fifteen Hundred Miles From The Sun by Jonny Garza Villa

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

I know the dedication to this book is to queer brown boys, but this book meant a lot to this queer Latinx girl. I didn’t have books with diverse characters Jk terms of ethnicity and sexuality growing up.

This book has trigger warnings. Don’t get me wrong. But these are all serious realities that still exist in the ultra conservative Latinx world. 

I was impressed with how the book covers nuances related to religion and language. It’s also sex positive, and portrays a healthy romantic relationship along issues of friendship and growing up. 

I’m in love with Jules and Mat. I want to hang out with their friends. And I cannot tell you the amount of times my stomach growled at the different descriptions of food, whether it was Mexican or Vietnamese or American. 

My heart swelled with affection and my eyes watered as I read the sweetest of scenes, the saddest of scenes. I gasped in shock when certain characters acted the way they did. And the only reason I ended the book unsatisfied wasn’t because the ending happened too quickly for me. I wasn’t ready to leave. 

If you can handle the triggers, read this book. You won’t regret it. 
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Single Riders: A YA Novella by Selys Rivera

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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
Editorial Review:

“I truly loved this story and every single one of the characters! I found the portrayal of these relationships and their growing friendship to be extremely heartwarming, realistic and relevant.” - Amanda Rodrigues, Author* 

“It’s heartwarming in general, but the ending particularly so.” - Anthony Woodside, Writer* 

“It felt like being in high school again and re-living an interesting night out with a great group of friends.” - S.C. Muir, Author* 

*Received a copy from the author in the hopes of an honest review. 

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Heresy: A Young Adult Dystopian Romance by C. a. Campbell

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

READ IT!!!! 
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Falling for the Competition by Jen Smith

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

4.0

I really liked this book. Loved it. The main characters are 3D. The setting is cool. Pacing was well done. My only real complaint is that at times the history became almost textbooky. But then again maybe I’m just not as much of a history buff as the MC 😅
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Summer Sky by Jenna Starly

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.0

I love this series already! In general, it’s pretty female positive and does a great job advocating for mental health in a serious way without affecting the overall light fun feel of the book. And I lost track of how many times my jaw dropped! My only real complaint is that I feel like the ending was rushed and escalated quickly. It didn’t match the pacing of the rest of the book as much. I wanted to spend more time in Lake Lyla with everyone! At least I have two more books in the series to look forward to!
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