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thanmayi's reviews
114 reviews
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
My only issue with this book however was the entire cheating plot
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book isn't written for the comfort of cis women and that's something that a lot of people in these reviews seem to be missing.
This book is so beautifully written and is unapologetically trans, it looks at the darkest parts of being a trans woman, transitioning and detransitioning. I don't think I will ever be able to do this book justice when I talk about it. What I will say is that this is an important book, one that everyone needs to read at least once in their life.
I will emphasize going through the content warnings because this book has a lot of heavy content.
This book is so beautifully written and is unapologetically trans, it looks at the darkest parts of being a trans woman, transitioning and detransitioning. I don't think I will ever be able to do this book justice when I talk about it. What I will say is that this is an important book, one that everyone needs to read at least once in their life.
I will emphasize going through the content warnings because this book has a lot of heavy content.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Outing
Moderate: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Designing His Duchess by Gabrielle Carr, G.S. Carr
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I'd like to thank the publisher for sending me an arc of this book through NetGalley
Designing his duchess is a historical second chance romance novel that somehow severely lacked in the romance department. I got into this book excited to read a romance novel after bouncing around a few YA books for a bit and this was disappointing, to say the least.
The main issue with the book was that there was no real tension between the characters and I just couldn't believe the fact that this seemingly strong woman who in the first chapter would rather live in the French countryside than marry a man is so quick to forgive Colin for what he did and marries his without reservations. Don't even get me started on the sex scene.
Overall I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone and did not enjoy this in the least.
Designing his duchess is a historical second chance romance novel that somehow severely lacked in the romance department. I got into this book excited to read a romance novel after bouncing around a few YA books for a bit and this was disappointing, to say the least.
The main issue with the book was that there was no real tension between the characters and I just couldn't believe the fact that this seemingly strong woman who in the first chapter would rather live in the French countryside than marry a man is so quick to forgive Colin for what he did and marries his without reservations. Don't even get me started on the sex scene.
Overall I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone and did not enjoy this in the least.
Ophelia After All by Racquel Marie
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
I'd like to thank the publisher for sending me a copy of this book through NetGalley!
I don't think I've ever loved anything as much as I loved this book. I loved every single aspect of it and I refuse to hear anything but positive things about this book. If you don't like it you are wrong.
The book follows a girl named Ophelia as she navigates through the end of her high school years, friendships and sexuality.
I loved how raw this book was, how human the characters felt and how well written the representation was. It's filled with representation of people of various sexualities and races which fills my heart with joy.
Given that me and Ophelia aren't that far off in age I could really see myself in her character and feel the pain and confusion she was going through.
The side characters were all multilayered and I finished the book feeling I had met and made a bunch of really really awesome friends. Seriously you all need to read this RIGHT NOW!
I don't think I've ever loved anything as much as I loved this book. I loved every single aspect of it and I refuse to hear anything but positive things about this book. If you don't like it you are wrong.
The book follows a girl named Ophelia as she navigates through the end of her high school years, friendships and sexuality.
I loved how raw this book was, how human the characters felt and how well written the representation was. It's filled with representation of people of various sexualities and races which fills my heart with joy.
Given that me and Ophelia aren't that far off in age I could really see myself in her character and feel the pain and confusion she was going through.
The side characters were all multilayered and I finished the book feeling I had met and made a bunch of really really awesome friends. Seriously you all need to read this RIGHT NOW!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Every Variable of Us by Charles A. Bush
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
3.5
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending me an ARC of the book through NetGalley!
Every Variable of us is a stunning and gripping novel that follows Lex, A black teenager that comes from an abusive home as she tries to find herself after getting shot and losing her chances of getting a basketball scholarship both academically and sexually.
I absolutely loved this book, and it's shocking to see that it's Bush's debut. The book while being a perfect YA Sapphic romance also tackles several other issues including stereotypes, Islamophobia, homophobia, etc.
It's pretty rare to see queer Indian representation, so it was great to see people like me represented in a book for the first time. I actually liked the way the love interest was portrayed and her parent's reaction to her coming out is similar to those of several parents in the Indian community. I didn't see any overplayed stereotype in the rep and I absolutely loved it.
All that being said, I did feel like the book could've been like 100 pages shorter because some parts of it just felt extensively dragged. I also didn't like the excessive Hollywood/Star Wars/ pop-culture references but that's more of a 'me' thing.
This book feels somewhat like hearing a story from a friend about the craziest year of their life and I was 100% here for it.
Every Variable of us is a stunning and gripping novel that follows Lex, A black teenager that comes from an abusive home as she tries to find herself after getting shot and losing her chances of getting a basketball scholarship both academically and sexually.
I absolutely loved this book, and it's shocking to see that it's Bush's debut. The book while being a perfect YA Sapphic romance also tackles several other issues including stereotypes, Islamophobia, homophobia, etc.
It's pretty rare to see queer Indian representation, so it was great to see people like me represented in a book for the first time. I actually liked the way the love interest was portrayed and her parent's reaction to her coming out is similar to those of several parents in the Indian community. I didn't see any overplayed stereotype in the rep and I absolutely loved it.
All that being said, I did feel like the book could've been like 100 pages shorter because some parts of it just felt extensively dragged. I also didn't like the excessive Hollywood/Star Wars/ pop-culture references but that's more of a 'me' thing.
This book feels somewhat like hearing a story from a friend about the craziest year of their life and I was 100% here for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Islamophobia
Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby
dark
emotional
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Consider this my official review for the entire series.
When I saw the hype on booktok for this series I wasn't exactly sure I would like it, the trope of forbidden lovers sounds interesting as hell don't get me wrong but as someone who usually stays away from gore and horror but damn me I enjoyed the hell out of it.
The story follows Lana who is a serial killer avenging herself and her brother for what happened about 10 years ago and while doing so she ends up falling in love with the FBI agent assigned to her case.
While this book was majorly marketed as a romance it's much much more than that. The book is about standing up for yourself and righting the wrongs being done when the world is against you. To be honest the romance plot interested me far lesser than the murder and revenge.
THE SIDE CHARACTERS WERE SO AMAZING! I cannot express enough how much I love Hadley and Jake and how well-written their characters were!
I am genuinely at a loss for words at how good the entire series was and how much I loved it. This was one of the few times that booktok was right and had good taste. 10/10 recommend read this right now!!
When I saw the hype on booktok for this series I wasn't exactly sure I would like it, the trope of forbidden lovers sounds interesting as hell don't get me wrong but as someone who usually stays away from gore and horror but damn me I enjoyed the hell out of it.
The story follows Lana who is a serial killer avenging herself and her brother for what happened about 10 years ago and while doing so she ends up falling in love with the FBI agent assigned to her case.
While this book was majorly marketed as a romance it's much much more than that. The book is about standing up for yourself and righting the wrongs being done when the world is against you. To be honest the romance plot interested me far lesser than the murder and revenge.
THE SIDE CHARACTERS WERE SO AMAZING! I cannot express enough how much I love Hadley and Jake and how well-written their characters were!
I am genuinely at a loss for words at how good the entire series was and how much I loved it. This was one of the few times that booktok was right and had good taste. 10/10 recommend read this right now!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide
All the Lies by S.T. Abby
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Wow, this book had me physically shaking and worried for her sanity. If I could give this more than 5 stars I would.
I don't know what crack cocaine S.T Abby but in her books but dear god I can't stop reading!! Onto the next one I go!
I don't know what crack cocaine S.T Abby but in her books but dear god I can't stop reading!! Onto the next one I go!
Sidetracked by S.T. Abby
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I slept at 2 reading this on a school night, I like the plot line so far and the fact that the murders are well planned and seem realistic enough for it to be believable.
Onto the next book instantly!
Onto the next book instantly!
Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Fucking hell it keeps getting better and I can't seem to stop myself from going on with this.
The Risk by S.T. Abby
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What a great start to a series! If this ever becomes a show I definitely NEED Victoria Pedretti playing her!
Anyways as for the plot, I loved the whole prey turned predator plot but the romance gave me a weird ick...especially the flirting!
The end has me wanting to skip sleeping and read the next book immediately!
Anyways as for the plot, I loved the whole prey turned predator plot but the romance gave me a weird ick...especially the flirting!
The end has me wanting to skip sleeping and read the next book immediately!
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This book is painstakingly average.
Things I liked
Surprisingly enough the teacher-student plot didn't bother me because it was made very clear that they weren't working in the same field and the entire trope seemed well done
I loved Malcolm and Holden, though both of them seemed to have more of a character than the MCs.
ACE REP and BIPOC Women in STEM REP (On the fence about this one because both of these also felt a tiny bit tokenized and made me wish that it was spoken about more than just spoken about in a few lines)
Things I didn't like
The Main Characters
I didn't care for the main characters mainly because both of them felt very one-dimensional for most of the book and their entire personality felt very bland.
The Romance
The entire way this relationship starts off is very bizarre but even putting that aside, the stakes weren't really high enough.
I don't get how she falls for him really because him being totally crazy about her isn't really shown till like the second half of the book by when she had already fallen for him, and him falling for a random girl crying in his restroom wearing expired contacts also wasn't like the most character aligning thing for someone who is supposed to be a scientific superstar.
In the end, I did find myself rooting for them only because it felt like I had to rather than that I wanted to. (Though I can confidently say that this is the sort of couple that will end up staying together till their old and grey cause their THAT cliche couple)
The Constant Mention Of The Height Difference
This is more of a personal ick but the emphasis of his height every time they were intimate was borderline frustrating and made me want to throw the book across the room.
Conclusion
The saving grace for this entire book was probably the last 50 pages that made me sort of love the book. I liked Adam more there because he was finally given some depth and personality.
Overall I liked this book, it was cute and a nice read but I will probably never recommend it to anyone or read it again.
Things I liked
Surprisingly enough the teacher-student plot didn't bother me because it was made very clear that they weren't working in the same field and the entire trope seemed well done
I loved Malcolm and Holden, though both of them seemed to have more of a character than the MCs.
ACE REP and BIPOC Women in STEM REP (On the fence about this one because both of these also felt a tiny bit tokenized and made me wish that it was spoken about more than just spoken about in a few lines)
Things I didn't like
The Main Characters
I didn't care for the main characters mainly because both of them felt very one-dimensional for most of the book and their entire personality felt very bland.
The Romance
The entire way this relationship starts off is very bizarre but even putting that aside, the stakes weren't really high enough.
I don't get how she falls for him really because him being totally crazy about her isn't really shown till like the second half of the book by when she had already fallen for him, and him falling for a random girl crying in his restroom wearing expired contacts also wasn't like the most character aligning thing for someone who is supposed to be a scientific superstar.
In the end, I did find myself rooting for them only because it felt like I had to rather than that I wanted to. (Though I can confidently say that this is the sort of couple that will end up staying together till their old and grey cause their THAT cliche couple)
The Constant Mention Of The Height Difference
This is more of a personal ick but the emphasis of his height every time they were intimate was borderline frustrating and made me want to throw the book across the room.
Conclusion
The saving grace for this entire book was probably the last 50 pages that made me sort of love the book. I liked Adam more there because he was finally given some depth and personality.
Overall I liked this book, it was cute and a nice read but I will probably never recommend it to anyone or read it again.