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sophiejo_'s reviews
273 reviews
God of Malice (Standard Edition) by Rina Kent
1.0
once again I find myself with a book that everyone loves, yet it glorifies sexual assault while simultaneously, and this is new, villainizes the character who committed suicide after apparently years of intense depression. yes, that's exactly the priorities a story should have: romanticizing rape and doing whatever you'd call the reverse of mental health representation.
now I've heard that the traditionally published version of this book reworded a few assault scenes in this book to be more dub-con than non-con (I read the indie version though I used the photo for that trad published, sorry it's confusing.) nevertheless, although I prob would've tolerated the dub-con scenes more and maybe generously brought this to a 1.5/2 ★ rating, the relationship was still incredibly toxic and power imbalanced, the writing was ABSOLUTE SHIT (we were told not shown the entire story because Rina spent too much time writing sex scenes than actually developing plot,) and I see no redeeming qualities in our mmc to make him a "swoonworthy book boyfriend;" cooking her rice for lunch does not make up for raping her multiple times throughout the story. if you think that it does, respectfully you've got some self work to do.
now I've heard that the traditionally published version of this book reworded a few assault scenes in this book to be more dub-con than non-con (I read the indie version though I used the photo for that trad published, sorry it's confusing.) nevertheless, although I prob would've tolerated the dub-con scenes more and maybe generously brought this to a 1.5/2 ★ rating, the relationship was still incredibly toxic and power imbalanced, the writing was ABSOLUTE SHIT (we were told not shown the entire story because Rina spent too much time writing sex scenes than actually developing plot,) and I see no redeeming qualities in our mmc to make him a "swoonworthy book boyfriend;" cooking her rice for lunch does not make up for raping her multiple times throughout the story. if you think that it does, respectfully you've got some self work to do.
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
3.5
3.5 ★ I had high expectations, and i definitely don't want to say this book didn't meet them... but maybe it was a little too long?? idk I wished I felt more for these characters than I did. that being said, it is one of the better holiday books I've read, it is really well paced (I think I want it to be shorter simply bc I'm used to holiday novellas, not full length books,) and it was VERY funny. like laughing out loud funny. i 100% recommend for a Christmassy romance, but it might be a tad forgettable in a year or two.
When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker
5.0
does this book have its flaws? absolutely. there are many issues about pacing and character explanations etc that i can bring up. the glossary is a tad excessive, never really got the full backstory of raeve, im so lost at the ending. that being said … this is a five star. i don’t make the rules ◡̈
My December Darling by Lauren Asher
3.5
3.5 ★ this book un-scrooge-ified me lmaoo. not always a huge fan of hallmark like romcoms but this was genuinely very sweet !!
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
4.0
4 ★ ali hazelwood is incredible; she wrote a perfect second chance romance story in 73 pages. i’m
absolutely obsessed !!
absolutely obsessed !!
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
4.0
was going to give this 3.5 ★ not 4 which is very disappointing to me bc i’ve been so hyped for this one. i know this is a ya book so the very simple writing style can be excused a little, but everything felt a little half baked for me. i wanted more of their anger as enemies, more of their passion as lovers, and i felt like all the backstory and trauma from characters was told not shown. (flashback scenes intermittently would be better imo). that being said, while i guessed the plot twist eventually it was embarrassingly late haha and i thought it was a good twist. and also, i like rune and gideon’s characters a lot (the sewn flowers!?!? STOPPP.) so i rounded up to a 4 ★, and im def curious to see how the story ends in rebel witch. ♡
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
4.5
4.5 ★ !! incredible novella that packs so much story and emotion into only 184 pages. definitely should’ve read this before ashes and the star cursed king (in hindsight i realize this would’ve cleared up a lot for me in that book) but post reading both everything makes so much more sense. i can’t wait to continue the series w mische’s book !!