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spicycronereads's reviews
225 reviews
Structural Damage by Sloan Spencer
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
More spice than plot until quite late in the book and then it ends on a cliffhanger.
One character is Korean-American. A tertiary character is non-binary. The men in the MMF are bi.
The spice is interesting. A why choose with strong power exchange and other kink elements. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall I think it could have been one book. There were times I was bored with the spice. There could
have been more backstory earlier to move the plot along and finish in one book. ⭐️⭐️✨ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
One character is Korean-American. A tertiary character is non-binary. The men in the MMF are bi.
The spice is interesting. A why choose with strong power exchange and other kink elements. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Overall I think it could have been one book. There were times I was bored with the spice. There could
have been more backstory earlier to move the plot along and finish in one book. ⭐️⭐️✨ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child abuse and Miscarriage
Minor: Death of parent
SCAR Blood Oath: A dark mafia arranged marriage blood oath romance by Iris T Cannon
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Entertaining but didn’t blow me away. The author tells a lot more than shows so you don’t really feel all the emotions and tension. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Pregnancy
The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Cute little romcom centered on indigenous main characters. He’s an IT guy and she’s an accounting assistant who lied to get her job. Ember is a bit frustrating as she makes bad decision after bad decision but overall it is a cute story. Danuwoa is a little one-dimensional but he had many swoony moments that make the story fun.
The spice is decent. 🌶️🌶️
With a full cast of indigenous characters there is a lot of diverse racial representation. There is also a bit of disability representation with Walela, Daniela’s sister who has Down’s Syndrome.
Overall, it was a cute read with fun spice. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️
The spice is decent. 🌶️🌶️
With a full cast of indigenous characters there is a lot of diverse racial representation. There is also a bit of disability representation with Walela, Daniela’s sister who has Down’s Syndrome.
Overall, it was a cute read with fun spice. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️
Slaying the Shifter Prince by Clare Sager
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun read. True enemies to lovers. Lots of spice involving power exchange and fae versions of k1nk practices - a definite dom / brat dynamic. The amount of humiliation is not really my thing but ymmv. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was surprised by a few plot points which doesn’t happen often, so that was fun.
No diverse representation to speak of.
Overall it was engaging. I laughed. I gasped. I blushed while reading in public. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was surprised by a few plot points which doesn’t happen often, so that was fun.
No diverse representation to speak of.
Overall it was engaging. I laughed. I gasped. I blushed while reading in public. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Because I Want You by Claire Contreras
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Blew through this in a day while sick in bed. Dominic and Rosie’s story has all the hallmarks of mafia romance - dark, possessive, morally grey MMC. Sharply independent FMC who can’t help but fall for him. But he falls first. It was an entertaining read. ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Lots of great Claire Contreras spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dominican American FMC and jet family add some diverse representation to the book.
Lots of great Claire Contreras spice. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Dominican American FMC and jet family add some diverse representation to the book.
Siren Queen by Nghi Vo
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is a historical low fantasy about a young Chinese American girl in the Hollywood studio system of the early 20th century.
I really enjoyed the world that Vo created in this book. The setting of magic and fantastic creatures in early Hollywood film production made an interesting backdrop against which to tell the FMC’s story. (I was going back through the book to see if we ever know her actual name and even in the first few pages there are little snippets that would make a second read through enjoyable).
There are a couple of spicy scenes that are really character-driven. 🌶️
In terms of diverse representation, the main character and her family are Chinese. There are occasional other women of color but mostly tertiary characters. There is a Jewish secondary character. And there are multiple queer characters, including the main character.
There are a few loose ends or plot lines that don’t seem to go anywhere, that could have been tightened up with a developmental editor. But overall it was a richly enjoyable read that uses allegory as a fresh way to convey the exploitation of the early film industry. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ / 🌶️
I really enjoyed the world that Vo created in this book. The setting of magic and fantastic creatures in early Hollywood film production made an interesting backdrop against which to tell the FMC’s story. (I was going back through the book to see if we ever know her actual name and even in the first few pages there are little snippets that would make a second read through enjoyable).
There are a couple of spicy scenes that are really character-driven. 🌶️
In terms of diverse representation, the main character and her family are Chinese. There are occasional other women of color but mostly tertiary characters. There is a Jewish secondary character. And there are multiple queer characters, including the main character.
There are a few loose ends or plot lines that don’t seem to go anywhere, that could have been tightened up with a developmental editor. But overall it was a richly enjoyable read that uses allegory as a fresh way to convey the exploitation of the early film industry. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ / 🌶️
Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A rare new adult book where the character actually acts like a teenager. Malik’s story is engaging though the twists were predictable. I look forward to seeing how his and Taye’s stories develop (there has to be more to Taye’s story, right?)
It was refreshing to read a fantasy novel centered on a young Black man as the main character. His voice took some getting used to but that was a me problem and not a writing issue.
At the beginning, we get a lot of detailed descriptions of student culture at the university and that definitely read like a love letter to young Black folks. A lot of that falls away once the setting is established, except for musical references.
The magic system was occasionally confusing. Other than colors it wasn’t clear what differentiated one person’s magic from another’s, nor what made Malik’s so special.
There is a love story though it remains fairly superficial. I give it 1/2 sparkly heart. 💖
There are queer and nonbinary students among the secondary characters and I hope we see them further developed in future books.
Overall it was an entertaining read. I will likely read the sequel. 3.5 ⭐️ / .5 💖
It was refreshing to read a fantasy novel centered on a young Black man as the main character. His voice took some getting used to but that was a me problem and not a writing issue.
At the beginning, we get a lot of detailed descriptions of student culture at the university and that definitely read like a love letter to young Black folks. A lot of that falls away once the setting is established, except for musical references.
The magic system was occasionally confusing. Other than colors it wasn’t clear what differentiated one person’s magic from another’s, nor what made Malik’s so special.
There is a love story though it remains fairly superficial. I give it 1/2 sparkly heart. 💖
There are queer and nonbinary students among the secondary characters and I hope we see them further developed in future books.
Overall it was an entertaining read. I will likely read the sequel. 3.5 ⭐️ / .5 💖
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
The Other Brother by Tierney Page
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It was fine. I like a bit more angst and character development and a bit less insta love. Weird cat poop plot line was distracting…
The friendship between the girls was my favorite part. 💕 I think I would read Gemma’s book.
🌶️🌶️ The spicy scenes were plentiful and well-written (aside from one sketchy back door scene).
No diversity to speak of.
Overall a bit too much telling rather than showing, but it kept me engaged and I read it really quickly while feeling poorly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️
The friendship between the girls was my favorite part. 💕 I think I would read Gemma’s book.
🌶️🌶️ The spicy scenes were plentiful and well-written (aside from one sketchy back door scene).
No diversity to speak of.
Overall a bit too much telling rather than showing, but it kept me engaged and I read it really quickly while feeling poorly. ⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Bumped my review up to 4 ⭐️ given the amount of time I have spent thinking about this book.
But seriously the pacing of the first half… and somehow Violet becomes less observant and less smart with each book. So not a five star for me…
But seriously the pacing of the first half… and somehow Violet becomes less observant and less smart with each book. So not a five star for me…
The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Cute. Clever. Cats. What more do you want?