taliyahslibrary's reviews
47 reviews

Say It's Forever by A.L. Jackson

dark emotional funny tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

When Life Gives You Lemons by Noor Sasha

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Give Me a Reason by A.L. Jackson

dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

Fault Line by Ki Stephens

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Rewrite Our Story by Kat Singleton

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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

4.75

Devious Obsession by S. Massery

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Ascend by Swati M.H.

emotional funny inspiring 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

5.0

To me, this book has no flaws. I loved every second of it! I couldn’t not stop giggling & kicking my feel while reading omg. Garrett is the definition of perfection. I love Bella with my whole heart. She deserves the absolute world. 

Runaway Love by Melanie Harlow

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

this book was a lot of fun! it was the prefect pallet cleanser. very lighthearted but also very enjoyable ♡ 

Forever After All by Catharina Maura

emotional funny tense slow-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

4.25

this book was a lot of fun 

it had me at the edge of my seat with all the drama 

Adrift by Swati M.H.

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

Typically, I’m very picking about what determines whether I like a age gap romance. I don’t avoid reading them but it’s very rare that I fall head over heel in love with the couple. I find that when authors write this trope, they lean towards a more lusty story, which is personally not my cup of tea. Reading Adrift made me realize another reason I have a problem with most age gap romances is bc the mmc will fall in “love” with the fmc BECAUSE of her age instead of IN SPITE of it. Darian & Rani fall in love for a multitude of reasons and age is not one of them.

 Rani stumbles upon Darian’s ski & kayaking school during  on a girls trip. When she realizes how much her brother in law - yes I said brother in law- is struggling with the aftermath of loss of his wife, particularly pertaining with his one year old son. Because Rani is a extremely compassionate human being, she volunteers to nanny her nephew for 11 weeks. 

One of the most beautiful aspects of Rani & Darian’s relationship is how natural it takes place. Spending all that time together, they began to fell in love with who each other for who they were at their core. They’re both givers. Darian is someone that carries a lot of pain yet endures for the people he loves most. Rani -despite the reason to be bitter- shows a gentleness & kindness to everyone. 

I loved how possessive but respectful Darian was. It was VERY hot reading his  jealousy scenes. I also loved how he constantly went out of his way to make Rani feel special even when he didn’t know how to put his feelings into words. Rani had a  talent of being able to see past Darian’s walls & see the vulnerability laying behind them. She saw him as a person who had lost more than anyone should & showed compassion accordingly. She made him feel seen. 

Overall, I absolutely loved their story. It was unique -putting a twist to popular tropes. A love story about defying the odds & finding hope at the end of the tunnel. 

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Grief