teniamonet's reviews
47 reviews

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I found this book through booktok and it was marketed as a POC, sapphic, adult coming of age romantic story.

This is a uniquely written story about biracial (black and white) Grace Porter who deals with post grad anxiety and what her place in the world is. As someone who’s now three years post grad and still struggling Porter’s anxiety is 100% relatable. There were many aspects to Porter’s story that I could relate to from her perfectionism, parental pressure, being in a predominantly white industry/career path. 

I loved the overall character development of Grace and the way the author approached mental illness, therapy and medication. 

“My battery is low, and it’s getting dark,” Grace says quietly. “Those were the last words of a Mars Rover that was only supposed to survive for ninety days. It followed its plan until it couldn’t anymore.”

In my opinion the marketing did this book a disservice because the romance takes up a minor role in the background and felt underdeveloped compared to everything else happening in this story. I did like the premise though of waking up in Vegas married to a stranger. This is more contemporary fiction with a romantic subplot. It was more about mental health, racism in academia and finding your own voice outside of academic validation. 

I do wish we got a little more about Yuki and her backstory considering the fact that she is the woman that Grace accidentally marries, but like I mentioned above the romantic plot was very underdeveloped. 

The plot sometimes suffers from a lot of telling and not showing. I think I would have been able to be into the story even more if we spent some time in the moment with Grace when she was going through her job interviewing process and even her graduation trip in Vegas. 

There were moments throughout where I just found it hard to stay interested. Honestly I think it took me a while to get into this one because I was expecting it to be romance and wasn’t ready for how heavy this would make me feel emotionally.

“I think lonely creatures ache for each other because who else can understand loneliness if not someone who feels the same dark, black abyss?”

I think this is a good book to read when you’re feeling a little lost, be prepared for the existential dread.

TW(s): intense discussion and portrayal of mental illness/burnout/stress/overwhelm/panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, self harm, emotionally abusive parent, racism, homophobia, anxiety, depression,

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much i enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing. 

level 1 (🌶) = fade to black and vague descriptions

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I have very mixed feelings about this one. I was recommended this book by a friend in August and I read like four pages and put it down and didn’t touch it again until December 2023 and then I put it down again and wasn’t ready to try again until March 2024. The only reason why I kept trying was because I paid for the ebook and I wasn’t going to let my money go to waste by not reading. 

On my first try at reading I couldn’t get through them constantly bringing up how weak Violet was and the first couple of pages were meh i had no drive to want to keep reading. On my second try I think I just wasn’t in the mood to read fantasy because i couldn’t get past the first couple of pages again.

Okay on my third try into getting into the story I decided to pair physically reading it with the audio book. A much better experience and I was able to get into the story. I started my third try on March 26th and finished March 28th. 

I love dragons and people who can wield powers. Personally, I liked where Yarros was going with the world building and since this is a trilogy I’m excited to see where that goes. I liked that a lot of the history was told through either the quotes at the top of each chapter or through dialogue with Violet so learning about this world never felt too heavy.

its fuck Dain forever!!

First of all it’s been a long time since a book has made me cry and no spoilers but there is one moment towards the end of the book that had me crying!

I need to read more fantasy books with characters who are in their twenties and up because that’s just a great vibe. 

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much i enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing. 

3 spice (🌶🌶🌶) = solid love scene, around two - four scenes in a standard length book, the use of vulgar terms to explain *parts*. the desire goes hand in hand with the love and romance between the characters 

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-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

Wow just wow, I absolutely loved this!! As an avid Love Island watcher the fact that this book had a reality TV aspect and was queer is what drew me in. This book had me laughing out loud while listening and even had my eyes watering during certain moments. 

The beating in my chest sped up and I could feel the anxiety creeping in on me again. Was I really going to do this? Was I about to lay myself bare for the entire congregation to see and judge me? Was I going to give my mama, my family, an opportunity to turn their backs on me? 

There was no way my bible thumping, prayer warrior and church mother in training mama would accept that her oldest daughter was a lesbian. Without a doubt this was about to be the last time I likely see my family on a good note and fissures were slowly shooting throughout my being ready to split and separate at the first sign of disgust in their eyes. 

As someone who also grew up in the church and hid their queerness, I see myself in D’Vaughn.

To see her mother actively try to be understanding and willing to change though was something bittersweet but touching.

She trailed off and it felt like the world switched to slow motion as i watched her eyes skirt down my body until she reached mine and Kris’ joined hands. Everything sped up again as her questioning gaze jumped back up to mine. Her lips first parting to ask a question and then snapping shut when she likely realized the answer. 
.
.
.
Instead of then meeting my eyes again mama dropped her gaze, taking with it the sliver of hope that I’d clung to. My heart plummeted into my shoes as mama extended her arm towards the pew.
.
.
.

My breathe hitched and I dropped my head, closing my eyes as I faced my lap. How was it possible that I hurt this much when she hadn’t said one word to me? Wasn’t her silence better than condemnation?
.
.
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I wanted my mama and she wouldn’t even look at me. The doom and gloom returned with a vengeance and I began to wonder how I was supposed to go on with things the way that they were. My mama was such a big part of my life, but if all she saw when she looked at me was a sinner, nothing of our relationship would be the same. 

The author handled the sensitivity of D’Vaughn’s coming out excellently in my opinion and the story was able to continue to be lighthearted. 

On a happier note I loved getting to see the personalities of D’Vaughn and Kris’ friends and families, they added something special to the story. Cinta was so loveable and made me think of my own best friend that I’ve had since 3rd grade. 

“What have I always told you?”

“That I’m the great non romantic love of your life and whoever I marry has to understand that they are obligated to share me.”

The chemistry and the banter between D’Vaughn and Kris was enjoyable and although they were on a short timeline and this is fake dating none of their relationship development felt over the top or cringey.  I do wish we got to see more of the moments of D’Vaughn and Kris hanging out when the cameras weren’t rolling. 

My eyes zeroed in on the entrance. D’Vaughn appeared in the doorway and my bottom lip began to tremble. She was a vision that I would never forget as long as I lived.

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much I enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing.

2 spice (🌶🌶) = less detailed love scenes and the love scenes would probably be very short, there would probably only be like one in like a standard length book. flowery language (or euphemisms) like ""member"", ""cavern"""

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Moderate: Lesbophobia and Religious bigotry

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautifully written, raw, vulnerable and so impactful. I’m writing this review a whole seven days after I’ve finished this novel and I still can’t stop thinking about it. A refreshing perspective on the Black man and the complexities of their emotions!

The desire for connection due to the feeling of isolation while isolating oneself is one that is all to familiar to me. So many moments in this short story that made my heart ache. 

I’m usually not a fan of second person narration, but it was fitting to tell this story. The narration choice made it more personal in a way, like I was there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Human by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-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? No

4.5

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much i enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing.

3 spice (🌶🌶🌶) = solid love scene, around two - four scenes in a standard length book, the use of vulgar terms to explain *parts*. the desire goes hand in hand with the love and romance between the characters 

Two Scoops of Hellfire by Kimberly Lemming

funny lighthearted fast-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

4.0

How is Kimberly Lemming able to write a short erotica that’s equal parts steamy, funny and sweet!? She’s just too good.

This is a standalone and has no connection to the Mead Mishaps series or books

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much i enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing.

5 spice (🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶) = very graphic, very detailed, very high frequency. it's essentially porn with a plot or without a plot. these people don't even have to like each other or know each other very well it's just about desire. 

A Bump in Boohail by Kimberly Lemming

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This was a cute little short, I missed seeing more of Fallon and Cinnamon’s relationship. 

Maybe if I’d given a regular bad boy a chance, I wouldn’t have fallen so hard in love with the first villain that came my way. Now here I was, married to a goddamn goth dragon that got off on scaring the bejesus out of his wife.

This whole series has a firm grip on me.

That Time I Got Drunk And Yeeted A Love Potion At A Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Spice Rating: *reserved for the romance genre or books with an appropriate substantial romance subplot* this rating is meant to categorize the level of spice not how much i enjoyed it. this is a completely subjective thing.

3 spice (🌶🌶🌶) = solid love scene, around two - four scenes in a standard length book, the use of vulgar terms to explain *parts*. the desire goes hand in hand with the love and romance between the characters 

Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0