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simonlorden's reviews
1000 reviews
Dancing with Daddy by Susan Hawke
4.0
Pretty cute story, with some occasional very cringe dialogue, mostly towards the beginning. I loved the concept of a Dad finding out his child isn't biologically his, and tracking down the biological father so that they can share the role in Maddie's life.
But for the record, it is possible for two people with O blood type to have a kid with A blood type, just very rare. In this book it is said to be impossible several times, to the point that Bradley is 100% certain he can't be the father because the blood types don't match, and he's not even corrected by the hospital staff. I feel like this would have deserved a basic google search or something (yes, elementary school biology classes are referenced, but those understandably simplify a lot of things and don't go into the exceptions and mutations)
But for the record, it is possible for two people with O blood type to have a kid with A blood type, just very rare. In this book it is said to be impossible several times, to the point that Bradley is 100% certain he can't be the father because the blood types don't match, and he's not even corrected by the hospital staff. I feel like this would have deserved a basic google search or something (yes, elementary school biology classes are referenced, but those understandably simplify a lot of things and don't go into the exceptions and mutations)
Root and Bone by Jessica Raney
3.5
I received an ARC through NetGalley.
Now listen, I signed up for the gory murders and creepy ghosts, so that's fine. But the domestic abuse and awful barely-consensual marital sex was just... too bleak.
Leona and Jewel are two of many siblings, and they have been learning to be witches since they were children. Leona can see ghosts - most of them only need a kind word, and they come to her for comfort and reassurance. Then a woman gets murdered in a horrific violent way, and Leona and Jewel have to figure out what happened before whatever it is catches up to them.
The murders and the ghost scenes were more than enough to freak me out, and I liked the ongoing theme of light and dark magic and what that means. But I really, really would have been happier without the two violent husbands, and the constant violence being threatened against a little girl.
I liked the side characters (the ones that weren't awful), including a romantic ghost and a shy, kind ghoul who just wants to eat dead people but wouldn't hurt a fly. I felt that Leona and Jewel were a bit too casual about their magic, talking about private things and talking to ghosts in public where anyone could hear, which was a bit strange because that sounds like a good way to get killed in a small town like this.
tldr; The horror was horroristic. The plot was interesting. But it was definitely more than a bit depressing, too. Poor Peggy.
Now listen, I signed up for the gory murders and creepy ghosts, so that's fine. But the domestic abuse and awful barely-consensual marital sex was just... too bleak.
Leona and Jewel are two of many siblings, and they have been learning to be witches since they were children. Leona can see ghosts - most of them only need a kind word, and they come to her for comfort and reassurance. Then a woman gets murdered in a horrific violent way, and Leona and Jewel have to figure out what happened before whatever it is catches up to them.
The murders and the ghost scenes were more than enough to freak me out, and I liked the ongoing theme of light and dark magic and what that means. But I really, really would have been happier without the two violent husbands, and the constant violence being threatened against a little girl.
I liked the side characters (the ones that weren't awful), including a romantic ghost and a shy, kind ghoul who just wants to eat dead people but wouldn't hurt a fly. I felt that Leona and Jewel were a bit too casual about their magic, talking about private things and talking to ghosts in public where anyone could hear, which was a bit strange because that sounds like a good way to get killed in a small town like this.
tldr; The horror was horroristic. The plot was interesting. But it was definitely more than a bit depressing, too. Poor Peggy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Stormy Hearts by Harmony Noble
4.0
I believe that it's possible to write a book and plot in 170 pages that doesn't feel rushed and lazy, but this wasn't really that. It was bizarre how quickly the two main characters confessed their love for each other after Maria's husband disappeared. Also, with all the horrible racist remarks these smalltown Alaskans hurl at her, there is not a single homophobic comment? Not that I particularly wanted any, but it was strange that the fact that it was two women wasn't mentioned by anyone.
But the sea otter was cute.
But the sea otter was cute.
An Indecent Invitation by Laura Trentham
5.0
A romantic, fun and sexy "brother's best friend" historical romance. I liked that there was just the right amount of pining, guilt and "shit, her brother's gonna kill me". I also liked that as the plot got thicker, Lily wasn't always a victim, but an equal partner who could defend herself.
Also, that chapter at Fieldstones was So Hot.
Also, that chapter at Fieldstones was So Hot.
No More Heroes by Michelle Kan
2.0
I'm /this/ close to giving one star tbh, this just really wasn't for me.
Over half the book consists of fight scenes, which I'm sure would have looked really cool in a visual medium, but reading them was kind of repetitive and boring. The cities have such imaginative names such as the City, the Other City, the City Over, etc. (This makes me wonder - do the people living in the Other City call it that, or is it that for them that is the City, and the original city is the Other City...?) But at the same time, one of the guys is Maori (with that word used), so clearly it takes place in our world somewhere.
One of the characters is genderfluid, which is cool, but I feel like it was more "told" than "shown". It's described in a few sentences, but we don't really learn much about what this identity means to her. This same character is also allegedly aromantic asexual (and the book is #ownvoices for that) but this... doesn't come up at all. The book doesn't have romance and focuses on platonic relationships, which is something that resonates with a lot of aromantic readers - but no discussion of romance or sex also means that somebody being aromantic asexual isn't mentioned. I mean, for all I know all of them could be aroace because nobody is shown to be in a romantic or sexual relationship.
Overall I was just really bored, not really connected to any of the characters, and frankly let down since I was expecting the queerness to be more explicit or, you know, discussed.
Over half the book consists of fight scenes, which I'm sure would have looked really cool in a visual medium, but reading them was kind of repetitive and boring. The cities have such imaginative names such as the City, the Other City, the City Over, etc. (This makes me wonder - do the people living in the Other City call it that, or is it that for them that is the City, and the original city is the Other City...?) But at the same time, one of the guys is Maori (with that word used), so clearly it takes place in our world somewhere.
One of the characters is genderfluid, which is cool, but I feel like it was more "told" than "shown". It's described in a few sentences, but we don't really learn much about what this identity means to her. This same character is also allegedly aromantic asexual (and the book is #ownvoices for that) but this... doesn't come up at all. The book doesn't have romance and focuses on platonic relationships, which is something that resonates with a lot of aromantic readers - but no discussion of romance or sex also means that somebody being aromantic asexual isn't mentioned. I mean, for all I know all of them could be aroace because nobody is shown to be in a romantic or sexual relationship.
Overall I was just really bored, not really connected to any of the characters, and frankly let down since I was expecting the queerness to be more explicit or, you know, discussed.
The Charm Offensive – Sármháború by Alison Cochrun
- 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
3.0
Read this on my 6-hour train ride today. Major mixed feelings.
The first part was torture. I cursed everyone (author and certain characters both) who thought it was a good idea to put this touch-repulsed demisexual gay with severe anxiety and OCD into a situation where he has to be on camera all the time, and not only be on camera, but act charming and romantic and touch and kiss women. Of course he kept throwing up and having panic attacks. It wasn't fun to read at all, tbh.
The middle part was nice. Dev and Charlie are genuinely cute, and I enjoyed their scenes that weren't on camera. The extended queer cast and the focus on mental problems (OCD, anxiety and depression) was really neat! There were good things in this book that I enjoyed. Daphne and Angie were really nice.
Then came the obligatory third act breakup, which is in every second romance book I read, and I can't think of a single one that didn't feel kind of forced and annoying. This is usually where a 4-5 star book becomes a 3 for me.
And then the very end, which is a sugary sweet fairytale happy ending. I'm not really /mad/ about it, because a fairytale ending like that kind of fit the vibe of the whole book, but it still felt a little too much for me and my suspension of disbelief.I mean, they re-cut the entire season to focus on Dev AND then make the next season to be about lesbians, AND the showrunner gets fired for discrimination even though Charlie signed a contract saying he'll get engaged to a woman, regardless of his sexuality? Idk, man.
The first part was torture. I cursed everyone (author and certain characters both) who thought it was a good idea to put this touch-repulsed demisexual gay with severe anxiety and OCD into a situation where he has to be on camera all the time, and not only be on camera, but act charming and romantic and touch and kiss women. Of course he kept throwing up and having panic attacks. It wasn't fun to read at all, tbh.
The middle part was nice. Dev and Charlie are genuinely cute, and I enjoyed their scenes that weren't on camera. The extended queer cast and the focus on mental problems (OCD, anxiety and depression) was really neat! There were good things in this book that I enjoyed. Daphne and Angie were really nice.
Then came the obligatory third act breakup, which is in every second romance book I read, and I can't think of a single one that didn't feel kind of forced and annoying. This is usually where a 4-5 star book becomes a 3 for me.
And then the very end, which is a sugary sweet fairytale happy ending. I'm not really /mad/ about it, because a fairytale ending like that kind of fit the vibe of the whole book, but it still felt a little too much for me and my suspension of disbelief.
Amikor még hittünk a sellőkben by Barbara O'Neal
4.0
I have nothing I really dislike about this book, but I still felt like something was missing for me. Nice atmosphere, though - you could really feel the sea and the food.
A szerelem képlete by Ali Hazelwood
4.0
Sweet, funny, cliché and incredibly trope-y - but sometimes that's what you need. Adam and Dai-- I mean sorry, Olive made a good couple, and I could actually feel the attraction between them. It does briefly go into the dark side of academia and sexual harassment, but overall it's a light and romantic read.
Fake relationships are The Best.
Fake relationships are The Best.
Dead Silence by S.A. Barnes
5.0
Absolutely horrifying. And after all of that, it wasn't mental illness or ghosts or aliens, just good old corporate greed and competition.