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tacoboutmari's reviews
94 reviews
What My Bones Know: A Memoir of Healing from Complex Trauma by Stephanie Foo
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
5.0
*I don’t rate memoirs*
I felt so many things reading this.
I felt so many things reading this.
Masters of Death by Olivie Blake
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
Evil Eye by Etaf Rum
emotional
sad
slow-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
5.0
Etaf Rum has a way of writing that makes me want to binge read despite its heavy content.
This story explores grief, unresolved generational trauma in a coming of age sort of way.
I was not as emotionally broken as I thought I would be. Instead the steady rage at the instances where Yara was constantly being pushed into this narrative…. I’m so in love with the character development in this book. Everything was so layered and complex and really captured the struggle of those who are paving the way to emotional stability.
I will think of this book for years to come.
This story explores grief, unresolved generational trauma in a coming of age sort of way.
I was not as emotionally broken as I thought I would be. Instead the steady rage at the instances where Yara was constantly being pushed into this narrative…. I’m so in love with the character development in this book. Everything was so layered and complex and really captured the struggle of those who are paving the way to emotional stability.
I will think of this book for years to come.
Sea Change by Gina Chung
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
If you like sad books like me, then this might be for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
*I do not rate memoirs*
Is it corny to say that my favorite chapter was “Yunus”? I know it was the last chapter but it truly felt like the author was finally at peace with themself and I thought that to be a beautiful ending to a brave and informative memoir.
Is it corny to say that my favorite chapter was “Yunus”? I know it was the last chapter but it truly felt like the author was finally at peace with themself and I thought that to be a beautiful ending to a brave and informative memoir.
Spare by Prince Harry
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Quite literally fell asleep at the military part
Yours, Forever by Leonor Soliz
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Opposites attract / marriage of convenience / small town romance meets bigger than life Latine billionaire / slow burn 🔥
Cozy, sweet, and an easy read! Love Soliz’s work and how her book always makes include a wide array of Latine representation.
Didn’t care much for the third act conflict and pacing was a bit uneven for me but I always recommend Soliz’s cozy romance books with a lil bit of spice at the
Cozy, sweet, and an easy read! Love Soliz’s work and how her book always makes include a wide array of Latine representation.
Didn’t care much for the third act conflict and pacing was a bit uneven for me but I always recommend Soliz’s cozy romance books with a lil bit of spice at the
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Very disappointed in this graphic novel.
I found the characters besides Hector to be flat, selfish, overwhelmingly underdeveloped.
I’m having a hard time wrapping around my head that this book was published as it feels unfinished. There was so many loose ends and scenes that seemed important at the time but had no real meaning in the end.
Meaningless time jumps just confuse the reader. And I as the reader was very confused. It felt as if they were trying to copy Stephanie Meyer in New Moon when Bella was depressed and Edward had left, “September, October, November, December, January”.
The romance is problematic and toxic for me. I understand there are flawed characters but to continue being a flawed character with no character development once so ever and not being held accountable for their actions was disgusting to me. I regret even calling this a romance. There was no chemistry. They had nothing in common. And while I liked Hector’s character, the ending didn’t make sense at all for Hector’s character. Honestly, I’m not sure why there was even an “attraction” to Ari in the first place. Aside from hanging out that one time in a diner, their interactions made no sense to me.Very interesting to me that Hector broke up with his ex boyfriend because his ex was worried Hector was getting cold feet during their plans to move in together (which is reasonable I feel) but then is interested in someone much more depressed and clingy and immature? Like what? Bro got mad at you because you wanted to go home and visit your friends!!!
I disliked this so much it makes me worry for other kids who read this and think Ari’s behavior is acceptable. The family dynamic aside from accepting Ari’s sexuality is troublesome as well. They also never learned their lesson. The sister pressuring Ari to stay for the family, the mom and dad pressuring Ari to work for the bakery and taking away his adult choices, then toto do it all again after the fire burns the bakery? Bruv count your losses. Why rebuild when you spent the whole novel explaining that times were hard and the bakery wasn’t breaking even? By not rebuilding the bakery perhaps your offspring can have more financial freedom to figure what they want to do in life so they aren’t toxic to their loved one by blaming them for burning down the bakery to which Hector was F I R E D?! Unbelievable.
The whole premise was that Ari would join a band as music was supposedly his passion but there’s only one quick scene of him playing music in the entire book. Hector’s nana died and it’s never mentioned again in the novel but it was enough “pain” for him to quit school for a year?
Make. It. Make. Sense.
2 stars for the art and for my like of Hector. Otherwise this might be the worst book I’ve read if Ana Huang’s “Twisted Love” didn’t exist.
I found the characters besides Hector to be flat, selfish, overwhelmingly underdeveloped.
I’m having a hard time wrapping around my head that this book was published as it feels unfinished. There was so many loose ends and scenes that seemed important at the time but had no real meaning in the end.
Meaningless time jumps just confuse the reader. And I as the reader was very confused. It felt as if they were trying to copy Stephanie Meyer in New Moon when Bella was depressed and Edward had left, “September, October, November, December, January”.
The romance is problematic and toxic for me. I understand there are flawed characters but to continue being a flawed character with no character development once so ever and not being held accountable for their actions was disgusting to me. I regret even calling this a romance. There was no chemistry. They had nothing in common. And while I liked Hector’s character, the ending didn’t make sense at all for Hector’s character. Honestly, I’m not sure why there was even an “attraction” to Ari in the first place. Aside from hanging out that one time in a diner, their interactions made no sense to me.
I disliked this so much it makes me worry for other kids who read this and think Ari’s behavior is acceptable. The family dynamic aside from accepting Ari’s sexuality is troublesome as well. They also never learned their lesson. The sister pressuring Ari to stay for the family, the mom and dad pressuring Ari to work for the bakery and taking away his adult choices, then to
The whole premise was that Ari would join a band as music was supposedly his passion but there’s only one quick scene of him playing music in the entire book. Hector’s nana died and it’s never mentioned again in the novel but it was enough “pain” for him to quit school for a year?
Make. It. Make. Sense.
2 stars for the art and for my like of Hector. Otherwise this might be the worst book I’ve read if Ana Huang’s “Twisted Love” didn’t exist.
Silver Star, Red Dragon by C. A. Chaplin
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
Check TW!
THAT CLIFFY AT THE END — I FEEL AS MURDEROUS AS RAFAEL HIMSELF.
This book caught my eye when the author read some of their editor’s comments on TikTok to promote their upcoming book. The comments made me giggle and I immediately applied for an ARC when it became available. I was pleasantly surprised that I received an ARC as I am not what most would call an “ARC reader” unless it’s a beloved author. Let’s just say this ARC made me a super fan and I now have to add C.A. Chaplin to the beloved author list.
Silver Star, Red Dragon is something I have never read before. I dare say this book is the first of it’s kind. And if it’s not, well…. Then I need more suggestions like this, STAT. I was stunned with how into this book I was. I knew from the snippets it sounded like it would pique my interests. Sigh, if only I could read for a living. Y’all have no IDEA how much I glanced at my kindle while at work. Knowing DAMN well I wouldn’t be able to read. That’s the sort of hold this book had on me.
I loved this dark erotic yet also high fantasy book. Morally grey characters are like heroine to me. And the FMC and one of the MMCs gave me all the morally grey character building sustenance I needed for a year. The author did an incredible job on their characters. For me, this was EXCELLENTLY done and the perfect amount to feel absolutely devastatingly connected to the characters. I believe this is the author’s debut novel but they write as if they are a seasoned author with many books on intricate fantasy world building. I enjoyed the mystery of the past/ present in the first part of the book. It made me eagerly consume the pages as a hungry dragon.
Another thing I loved about this was the dark humor. Perfectly timed and used to ease harsh situations. I adored Cúraniel and her mischievous side especially when she got to court. Also can we talk about how she is a self 👏🏽aware 👏🏽 queen? Gosh, such a refreshing thing to read a character that acted their age. (Cúraniel is an older elf that was self banished from elvish society, living out her cottage core dreams while gardening naked— same girl, same.)
Sometimes too much spice in spicy books is just the same thing over again- WELL THATS NOT THE CASE HERE. Every scene with Rafael had me swooning… and made me question myself a lot HAHAHA... I understand that Demi-sexual May not be an identity that all creatures in the fantasy world are aware of, but there was definitely representation of it in Rafael’s character. I just loved how it was done, especially with Raf’s trauma and how everything was handled. Gods, it was perfection.
This was my first time reading about two love interests at the same time. I haven’t explored much into polyamorous territory so please forgive me if that is not the correct term to use…I thoroughly enjoyed how the FMC had two different types of relationships with both MMCs. Cel was more emotionally mature and accepting of the two soulmate situation, where as Rafael was exactly what I imagine a possessive dragon would be like. I know it’s fantasy but I found it to be very realistic.
The action that was in the book had me reading this as if a movie was playing in my head. Great ferocious beasts fighting alongside elfs and brave Cel fighting off the enemies, it was so entertaining and left me wanting more (which is unusual lol).
Anyways please read this book if this sounds interesting to you as it did to me. Lastly, CA CHAPLIN HOW DARE YOU DO US WITH THAT ENDING. I EAGERLY AWAIT THE SEQUEL.
THAT CLIFFY AT THE END — I FEEL AS MURDEROUS AS RAFAEL HIMSELF.
This book caught my eye when the author read some of their editor’s comments on TikTok to promote their upcoming book. The comments made me giggle and I immediately applied for an ARC when it became available. I was pleasantly surprised that I received an ARC as I am not what most would call an “ARC reader” unless it’s a beloved author. Let’s just say this ARC made me a super fan and I now have to add C.A. Chaplin to the beloved author list.
Silver Star, Red Dragon is something I have never read before. I dare say this book is the first of it’s kind. And if it’s not, well…. Then I need more suggestions like this, STAT. I was stunned with how into this book I was. I knew from the snippets it sounded like it would pique my interests. Sigh, if only I could read for a living. Y’all have no IDEA how much I glanced at my kindle while at work. Knowing DAMN well I wouldn’t be able to read. That’s the sort of hold this book had on me.
I loved this dark erotic yet also high fantasy book. Morally grey characters are like heroine to me. And the FMC and one of the MMCs gave me all the morally grey character building sustenance I needed for a year. The author did an incredible job on their characters. For me, this was EXCELLENTLY done and the perfect amount to feel absolutely devastatingly connected to the characters. I believe this is the author’s debut novel but they write as if they are a seasoned author with many books on intricate fantasy world building. I enjoyed the mystery of the past/ present in the first part of the book. It made me eagerly consume the pages as a hungry dragon.
Another thing I loved about this was the dark humor. Perfectly timed and used to ease harsh situations. I adored Cúraniel and her mischievous side especially when she got to court. Also can we talk about how she is a self 👏🏽aware 👏🏽 queen? Gosh, such a refreshing thing to read a character that acted their age. (Cúraniel is an older elf that was self banished from elvish society, living out her cottage core dreams while gardening naked— same girl, same.)
Sometimes too much spice in spicy books is just the same thing over again- WELL THATS NOT THE CASE HERE. Every scene with Rafael had me swooning… and made me question myself a lot HAHAHA... I understand that Demi-sexual May not be an identity that all creatures in the fantasy world are aware of, but there was definitely representation of it in Rafael’s character. I just loved how it was done, especially with Raf’s trauma and how everything was handled. Gods, it was perfection.
This was my first time reading about two love interests at the same time. I haven’t explored much into polyamorous territory so please forgive me if that is not the correct term to use…I thoroughly enjoyed how the FMC had two different types of relationships with both MMCs. Cel was more emotionally mature and accepting of the two soulmate situation, where as Rafael was exactly what I imagine a possessive dragon would be like. I know it’s fantasy but I found it to be very realistic.
The action that was in the book had me reading this as if a movie was playing in my head. Great ferocious beasts fighting alongside elfs and brave Cel fighting off the enemies, it was so entertaining and left me wanting more (which is unusual lol).
Anyways please read this book if this sounds interesting to you as it did to me. Lastly, CA CHAPLIN HOW DARE YOU DO US WITH THAT ENDING. I EAGERLY AWAIT THE SEQUEL.