takarakeireads's reviews
585 reviews

Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer

funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

The base storyline has some cringe/second-hand embarrassment to it. But I found this to be super funny - I laughed out loud at multiple parts! Really loved the ending and how the threads came together...

If you play trivia that's also a big part of her friend group.

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Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

Yeah this wasn't my fav of Abby's books. I found it awfully heavy/sad, and while there were moments I laughed especially towards the end of the book they were fewer and farther between.

I also don't know how I feel about the ending.

Like idk what I wanted to happen but him just leaving his business to move to California seemed like an easy ending?

Idk it's not my fav when problems in books are just easily resolved and the solution is just why didn't they do that the whole time?

I do think it's still a very important story - caretaking is a good thing to highlight. One of my all time favorite romances is The Heart Principle which has similar themes. But I think the combination of long distance relationship in this on top of everything else made it a tougher read for me.

The juxtaposition of her mother losing her memory against the MCs trying to build new memories together is bittersweet. That concept is so beautiful: the importance of memories, and how it's the little things that build a life. But I am left feeling rather melancholy...

Content Warnings

Iron & Embers by Helen Scheuerer

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3.0

This was alright - I fear I do like a bodyguard romance. The political/world-building def needed more explanation, cause I really didn't get what these rebels or whatever are so up in arms about.

Not sure how I feel about the ending, I might read the sequel to see how it plays out

Content Warnings

The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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emotional medium-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

4.5

I DEVOURED THIS! The audio narration was SO GOOD!! It was like listening to a documentary about real ice skaters (positive).

I didn't realize this author writes thrillers so it got a little whacky at the end. This would make SUCH a good movie!

Content Warnings

Fan Service by Rosie Danan

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funny medium-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

This was just fun, idk I like Rosie's silly plotlines. Like a guy who plays a werewolf on TV suddenly turns into one and his number one fan is the only person who can figure out how to help him? He stands up to her childhood (and honestly adult) bully? AND SHE'S A BISEXUAL VEGAN? Yeah I was sat.

Content Warnings

Ebony Gate by Julia Vee, Ken Bebelle

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2.0

Run away now, this was so bad. The writing was extremely repetitive: like I cannot count how many times I heard about her BuSINEsS ParTNeR tESSa!!??!?! - I'm not dumb I remember you telling me who Tessa was a page ago...

"I loved urban camo"
"To access the records, I had to step into the dragon's mouth. Cute. I rolled my eyes and stepped through."

Honestly it read like YA in the worst ways

Spells For Forgetting by Adrienne Young

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3.5

The mystery definitely kept me reading!

Content Warnings