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thaliareads's reviews
143 reviews
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I love me some Ali Hazelwood. This hit especially hard as a woman looking to take her PHD towards academia and teaching. This book did a great job of highlighting some of the issues in the current system. I love the whole forbidden romance of it all, and nothing is better than a good mistaken identity situation. Another hit in my book and one I will obsoletely re-read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness and Gaslighting
I'll admit, I'm behind on reviews, so I might have missed some of the content warnings.
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was far from my first read through of the Heroes of Olympus series, and I have to say it never lets me down. I always get a kick out of starting the book and going "who's this Jason dude, what happened to Percy?"
I always get a hoot out of Leo, he's probably one of my favorites of the new crew. However, I always love how Piper grows in learning to accept her godly parent and learning what she can actually do with the skills it provides.
Overall, a great continuation and expansion on the original series.
I always get a hoot out of Leo, he's probably one of my favorites of the new crew. However, I always love how Piper grows in learning to accept her godly parent and learning what she can actually do with the skills it provides.
Overall, a great continuation and expansion on the original series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and War
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Keeping in mind that this book is completely age appropriate for middle grade audiences, regardless of the content warnings.
Court of the Vampire Queen by Katee Robert
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
I'm a sucker for vampires, haha, and this book didn't disappoint. Also, as someone who read the deal with a demon series first, I loved seeing some crossovers. I love how much the guys want to protect and care for Mina in their own ways, and how she uses their knowledge to grow her own strength and abilities.
When I realized there was a pregnancy trope I was a little concerned as I normally don't enjoy it, but I shouldn't have doubted that Katee would do it well.
If you want a good enemies to lovers/reunited lovers trope and you love reverse harem then I'd absolutely give this book a read. Heads up that, as should be expected, it is very spicy.
When I realized there was a pregnancy trope I was a little concerned as I normally don't enjoy it, but I shouldn't have doubted that Katee would do it well.
If you want a good enemies to lovers/reunited lovers trope and you love reverse harem then I'd absolutely give this book a read. Heads up that, as should be expected, it is very spicy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Blood, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Torture and Violence
I'll admit I got behind on reviews and probably missed some content warnings.
Love to Hate You by Camilla Isley
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.5
Thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the chance to read this as an ARC! Even though I’m late getting to the review, the good news is that it’s out now, so you don’t have to wait to check it out for yourself!
Samantha is pretty sure her life is over when her boss tells her she needs to personally supervise filming for the movie she’s producing, which means moving to the desolate countryside for months. As if that wasn’t enough, the small town mayor seems to be delighting in his ability to slow the production to a halt. Will Samantha find that there’s more to love about country life than she first thought? Will she also see how much lies beneath the surface of the stubborn mayor that she may not actually hate?
This was such a delightful romp from start to finish. After the earlier books in the series, I expected to have dual POV. In this case, the single POV worked really well for Samantha’s story. I love a good small town romance, so this was going to be a no-brainer for me regardless, and I’m so glad that it really delivered on all of the angst and pining that I could have wanted. I also appreciated how balanced Samantha and Travis were as a couple and that they didn’t rush into any big decisions based on such a new relationship. It felt like a really well paced progression of the romance. Also, shoutout to my man Mark for saving yet another relationship from the airport bar.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content
brief medical content related to a short illness experienced by one of the characters.
Peaches and Cream by Georgia Beers
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the chance to read this ARC!
All Adley ever wanted was to successfully run her grandfather’s ice cream shop, but unfortunately business is anything but booming. Sabrina wants another successful opening for the next branch of the ice cream chain Sweet Heaven. When the two meet at a bar and want to keep work off limits as a topic, they never could have imagined what a significant impact this would have on their lives. How will their budding relationship fare when their professional lives threaten to cross paths?
This was a tough one for me because I loved the characters and I loved the story, but something about the pacing really threw me off. I felt like there were some areas where too much time was spent on some unnecessary descriptions or that certain events or conversations dragged on too long. This could just be a function of the differences from what I’ve been reading a lot of lately stylistically. Overall, it’s one I’d absolutely read again at some point, but not one I’d feel compelled to immediately reread. If you want a fun sapphic rom-com with the absolute cutest dog and mouthwatering ice cream descriptions then you should give this a try!
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity and Alcohol
characters get drunk, but no struggles with addiction or alcohol abuse.
Infidelity in reference to a side character.
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
This was probably my favorite fairytale inspired story since the Lunar Chronicles. It was a dark and bleak environment where the main character still managed to hold out hope. Not to mention the adorably wholesome sapphic romance that develops as the story unfolds. I thought it was very inventive and it held my attention the entire time. I wish I had the time to read it in one sitting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, and Blood
In this story the entire society has become sexist and misogynistic.
Additionally, there is one pretty graphic scene involving wolves attacking a horse, and the remains of the horse are later described.
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
This was a fun read. It had slow burn, it had instant love, it was giving "You've got Mail" vibes, and it had a strong FMC.
Personally, in most cases I'm not a big fan of miscommunication or in the case of this book the intentional sabotaging of a (potential) relationship over having a hard conversation. I also got a bit thrown off when the setting shifted to the pandemic. It turned out to be a great setting for the majority of the story, but it was a bit out of left field.
Personally, in most cases I'm not a big fan of miscommunication or in the case of this book the intentional sabotaging of a (potential) relationship over having a hard conversation. I also got a bit thrown off when the setting shifted to the pandemic. It turned out to be a great setting for the majority of the story, but it was a bit out of left field.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Death, and Alcohol
alcohol addiction is in reference to a character who is living with addiction, but is healthy and happy and alcohol free at the point the book takes place.
Book of Night by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.0
I have to start by saying that I really like Holly Black, and I really liked the ending of this book.
However, I had an incredibly hard time with the first half of the book. I was confused about the magic system, and I couldn't keep track of the characters. I think part of the issue is that with working while I listened to the audiobook I didn't always catch the transitions between the current and past event chapters. To be honest it didn't hook me either in the beginning, so if I hadn't listened to the audiobook so fast I might have missed out on the second half that I really enjoyed because based on the beginning I would have DNF'd it.
However, I had an incredibly hard time with the first half of the book. I was confused about the magic system, and I couldn't keep track of the characters. I think part of the issue is that with working while I listened to the audiobook I didn't always catch the transitions between the current and past event chapters. To be honest it didn't hook me either in the beginning, so if I hadn't listened to the audiobook so fast I might have missed out on the second half that I really enjoyed because based on the beginning I would have DNF'd it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Gun violence, Vomit, and Alcohol
This was a dark urban fantasy, so guns, violence, death, and gore are all very present.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
I don't read a lot of nonfiction, so this was a departure from the usual for me. I have to say that I was so glad I read it, and in particular that I listened to the audiobook. This wasn't a happy book, but it was incredibly interesting. I think it was worth the thought it provokes about how we view actors and the assumptions we may make about their lives.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cancer, Child abuse, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Medical content
Avoid this if you will have trouble reading about disordered eating or heavy alcohol use.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
This is a no-brainer for me. This was my second, and far from last, readthrough of this book. This is 1) an incredibly cute rom-com, 2) very steamy, and 3) a very poignant coming of age story.
I feel like Henry and Alex fit so well together, and we are always here for a bi realization.
The only thing I go back and forth on is the ending. It feels like the book could end when Alex and Henry finally figure things out, but I do feel that ending on election night brings things "full circle". I don't think it takes away from the story at all, but it does stand out to me.
I feel like Henry and Alex fit so well together, and we are always here for a bi realization.
The only thing I go back and forth on is the ending. It feels like the book could end when Alex and Henry finally figure things out, but I do feel that ending on election night brings things "full circle". I don't think it takes away from the story at all, but it does stand out to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Drug abuse and Sexual harassment
Homophobia in relation to the expectations of the English monarchy.