Scan barcode
shanaetheflyest's reviews
831 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Pros: The story is engaging and easy to follow. In the world of urban fiction, you can never downplay how significant that is.
Cons: There were too many twists and turns in the story that were largely unexplained.
This will be my last read from Jade Jones, her books have wayyyy too much drama for me - there were fight scenes and everything! That's too much for my romance-loving heart. I do recommend When A Gangsta Wants You for any diehard urban lit readers.
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Medical content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Infertility, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
- 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
4.75
I really enjoyed Nina High's book Love, Under Contract. The book wasn't perfect but the story was engaging enough that I was eager to read book 2, Love, From Scratch. Nina High did even better with Book 2 of the Martin Brothers Series. If you're looking for a feel good romance story with the perfect MMC and an engaging storyline, I highly recommend Love, From Scratch - it is the perfect summer read.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
- 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
4.0
In Love, Under Contract, we meet Charisse a struggling school teacher Charisse and Dru, a workaholic whose mother has promised him the family business if he settles down. A mutual attraction and shared needs, leads Dru to propose a marriage of convenience to Charisse - she'll no longer struggle because he'll pay her to be his wife - and he'll get the family business because he'll get the wife he needs.
The FMC, Charisse, is relatable and down-to-earth...just what you want in a female lead in a marriage of convenience romance. While the MMC, Dru, is sexy, smart, rich, and generous...everyone's dream. My favorite interaction between Charisse and Dru happens when flies Charisse to her dream vacation in Puerto Rico, then surprises her by flying out her two best friends Porsche and Lily:
"You didn't have to do this." I tell Dru when we're alone.
"I know," he tells me. "But I wanted to. And I can. So I did."
I want to hear a man say that to me right now.
Though the pacing and storytelling felt a bit off at times for me, the book grabbed my attention right from the first page and it's pretty fast paced. I couldn't put it down, so I finished in about 2 days. 🤭
With Love, Under Contract we get a dual POV book about mother-daughter relationships; finding balance in life and relationships; and found family.
The characters are lovable and the story is very engaging for the most part. And I am really excited to read the other 2 books in the series. If you're looking for a lighthearted marriage of convenience romance and you enjoy the found family trope, you'll really enjoy Love, Under Contract.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Alcohol
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Dementia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The story is entertaining for a quick read. Author Monique Fisher kept me engaged from the very first page. And even got some chuckles out of me...some parts of She a Baddie were really funny. Chris is the perfect MMC, smart, rich, and supportive - I'm looking for my Chris Rossmore right now! Isobel is a great FMC, too, she's smart, quick witted, self-confident, and fashionable, just an all around great female character.
I've only read one other book by Monique Fisher, Hot for Teacher, and it was so good that I decided to read her other books whenever I could: enter She a Baddie. I was expecting a full length novel, but I think this is more of a novelette at just 129 pages. It was an enjoyable quick read and I will read more of Monique Fisher's books for sure!
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Abandonment
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Courtesy of Duval County is mostly engaging with likable characters. The book is relaxing, occasionally funny, and it offers an escape. I recommend this short story to established fans of Tacarra.
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
- 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
5.0
In Jamaal The IT Guy, we meet Winnie and Jamaal. Winnie is a creative extrovert who comes from a family of tumblers and contortionists. Winnie is in California, looking to establish roots for herself after separating from her family's way of life - looking for something more stable, something that doesn't require travel, living out of an RV, and performing. She's climbing her way to the top at Codeability, the startup everyone's talking about, looking to pursue her passions in communications and marketing, but until then she spends her days as a gofer/assistant to the assistant of the guy who runs the Codeability and pining after Jamaal - the IT guy. Jamaal is smart, funny, and fine as hell! He's grappling with confidence issues, he's risk adverse, and he wants Winnie just as bad as she wants him.
When the two finally get on the same page, the sparks fly and readers get to experience a beautiful, relaxing love story about two diverse characters navigating love of self and setting boundaries; intimacy and vulnerability in relationships; family issues; and achieving goals.
One of my favorite romantic quotes comes from Jamaal The IT Guy, below where Jamaal expounds upon his love for Winnie:
Happiness hides in your smile. In the way you look at me. In our heated debates...in the freckles that dot your nose. In the feel ofyour hand in mine...Happiness is the text messages laced with emojis and GIFs that perfectly encapsulate our conversations. It's the way you say my name after we kiss...it's softer, richer, and filled with so much meaning. You are happiness. Being with you and the life we're creating is my happiness.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Violence, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
- 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
5.0
We meet Pasha, an unhappily married stay-at-home-wife struggling to overcome mental health trials after experiencing multiple losses, on the same day that her husband, Raymond, decides to request a divorce, put her out of their home, and move on with his new pregnant mistress. Brown pulls you in right away with the drama and gives you all the feels. Forced out of her home, Pasha uses a ride-sharing app to call for a car. The driver, who just so happens to be the wealthy owner Callum, becomes her 'Knight In Shining Armor,' saving her from the mean words of her husband and further embarrassment.
While Pasha works on rebuilding her life and finding herself, her situation takes ahold of Callum and he just can't stop thinking about her. After a few chance encounters, the two agree to be friends and grow in love together.
With this very passionate and thoughtful love story, Kimberly Brown weaves a tale of strength and perseverance that is empowering and inspiring for romance readers.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Note: There is not exactly an adult/minor relationship in Courage to Love Again, but there is a serious age gap with a male character who uses that age gap to take advantage of the FMC.
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Fatphobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Medical content, and Car accident
- 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
In Out of Office we meet overworked but determined Genevieve who's climbing the corporate ladder to realize her dreams...or her mother's dreams. In this quest for "success," Genevieve meets Adrian, a reformed workaholic, who manages to capture her heart and challenge her relationship with her career, her mother, and herself.
Cunningham writes the most tender and beautiful love story between Genevieve and Adrian that defies time, distance, and logic.
I found myself immediately falling in love with Adrian and his family. But more than that, I love the way he helped Genevieve identify her true desires from her whole life...isn't that what a relationship is supposed to be about? Thank you to A. H. Cunningham for always revealing to readers what they should aspire to have in every interpersonal journey with her writing.
I annotated quite a bit in Out of Office, but one of my favorite quotes, I have to share below:
Whatever lay between us, we navigated it better when our skins touched, and we chatted about any topic.
*sigh* Just beautiful.
Add Out of Office to your TBR -- it's a must-read for the summer. Though I enjoyed it on my balcony every evening after work for about a week, I think it's best read on the beach.
Note: There is some mention of homophobia and biphobia in the book, however, the characters do not directly experience it in Out of Office.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, and Classism
- 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
In Jump Ball we meet troubled boss babe Sariah Thornton working through familial drama after her estranged father dies and leaves her a substantial part of his wealth and Justus Chappel, basketball player turned NBA coach eager focused on two things: a championship and his twin daughters.
Jelly Bean, create the life you want and you'll never be unhappy a day in your life.
Though this is the advice that Sariah reflects on her first day at the Las Vegas Ramblers executive offices, it sets the tone for the entire story. We find two people trying their hardest leaning on one another and working together to create a happy life on their own terms. Along the way, we get an attempted corporate takeover, a sibling reconciliation, and a spicy HFN.
This is my fifth 5 star review for Kasha Thompson's books. I cannot say enough about how good her writing and storytelling is. You're in for an entertaining story with lovable characters every single time.
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵🥵
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
Minor: Child death and Death of parent