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the_queer_bibliophile's reviews
90 reviews
Go Luck Yourself by Sara Raasch
emotional
funny
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
I received a physical ARC of this book in a trade.
I ate up the first book in this series, and the author did not disappoint with this one either. I can relate to Kris and his insecurities on such a deep level. The author does such an amazing job at showing Kris's struggles, but also how he pushes through them and tries to better himself. There is so much growth with him throughout the book, and honestly with Loch as well. Their passion from the beginning was undeniable, and the slow burn was so worth it. I think this is the last book in the series, but what I wouldn't do to have one last book with Iris and her HEA. Regardless, I HIGHLY recommend this book and the series overall.
I ate up the first book in this series, and the author did not disappoint with this one either. I can relate to Kris and his insecurities on such a deep level. The author does such an amazing job at showing Kris's struggles, but also how he pushes through them and tries to better himself. There is so much growth with him throughout the book, and honestly with Loch as well. Their passion from the beginning was undeniable, and the slow burn was so worth it. I think this is the last book in the series, but what I wouldn't do to have one last book with Iris and her HEA. Regardless, I HIGHLY recommend this book and the series overall.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Medical content
Minor: Blood
Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, I'mma be real with y'all. I requested this book on NetGalley because I saw the hype it was getting and I didn't think I would actually get approved. Low and behold I did, and honestly, I'm so happy I did end up requesting this book. You can tell the author was inspired by the Hunger Games, but she still made the story uniquely hers. Honestly this book is very relevant today to what's happening in the US as well.
I love a good enemies to lovers, and boy did this book bring that. The world building was also developed well, and there were points where my friends literally had to snap me out of the book because they were talking to me and I literally could not hear them over how invested I was in this book. This book might have convinced me to try Ava Reid's other books as well. Also, I highly recommend reading the authors note in the beginning of the book (if it's in the final version), because it really gives insight into what Reid was thinking while writing this, and it only elevates the story more.
Okay, I'mma be real with y'all. I requested this book on NetGalley because I saw the hype it was getting and I didn't think I would actually get approved. Low and behold I did, and honestly, I'm so happy I did end up requesting this book. You can tell the author was inspired by the Hunger Games, but she still made the story uniquely hers. Honestly this book is very relevant today to what's happening in the US as well.
I love a good enemies to lovers, and boy did this book bring that. The world building was also developed well, and there were points where my friends literally had to snap me out of the book because they were talking to me and I literally could not hear them over how invested I was in this book. This book might have convinced me to try Ava Reid's other books as well. Also, I highly recommend reading the authors note in the beginning of the book (if it's in the final version), because it really gives insight into what Reid was thinking while writing this, and it only elevates the story more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism and Body shaming
Say A Little Prayer by Jenna Voris
adventurous
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
4.5
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Teen for access to this e-ARC in return for an honest review.
In case you needed any convincing to read this book, I stayed up until 2am to finish it. I started the night around 50% and literally just couldn't stop. I didn't realize what time it was until I finished, but honestly, totally worth it. This book was everything I was hoping it to be. I love how the focus was more about questioning the all or nothing thinking of Christianity. Riley isn't trying to say Christianity is evil - though she does have her own buses she faces regarding her religious trauma - she's just trying to prove that not everything has to be so rigid. And that there is literally nothing wrong with being different from others. As someone who started questioning their religion around the same age, I totally understand what Riley is going through. I'm happy at her age she has people to show her that not all people who practice Christianity feel the same way her pastor does, I wish I had had that part as well. I'm so glad this book exists for other teens adults to find and hopefully find solace in it like I did.
In case you needed any convincing to read this book, I stayed up until 2am to finish it. I started the night around 50% and literally just couldn't stop. I didn't realize what time it was until I finished, but honestly, totally worth it. This book was everything I was hoping it to be. I love how the focus was more about questioning the all or nothing thinking of Christianity. Riley isn't trying to say Christianity is evil - though she does have her own buses she faces regarding her religious trauma - she's just trying to prove that not everything has to be so rigid. And that there is literally nothing wrong with being different from others. As someone who started questioning their religion around the same age, I totally understand what Riley is going through. I'm happy at her age she has people to show her that not all people who practice Christianity feel the same way her pastor does, I wish I had had that part as well. I'm so glad this book exists for other teens adults to find and hopefully find solace in it like I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Homophobia
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Transphobia and Abortion
On Her Terms by Amy Spalding
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I don't know why it took me so long to read one of this author's books, but now I must go back and read the other books in the series (interconnected standalones). The found family had me in my feels from the very beginning. I also loved how the author brought up how things like how friendships can be viewed differently between LGBTQ+ and cisgender straight people. Usually I find fake dating tropes hard to believe, but honestly, the author addressing it with the main characters acknowledgement of it from the beginning helped a lot. This book was light and fluffy, but had some steam as well. Overall I really enjoyed this book and recommend it!
I don't know why it took me so long to read one of this author's books, but now I must go back and read the other books in the series (interconnected standalones). The found family had me in my feels from the very beginning. I also loved how the author brought up how things like how friendships can be viewed differently between LGBTQ+ and cisgender straight people. Usually I find fake dating tropes hard to believe, but honestly, the author addressing it with the main characters acknowledgement of it from the beginning helped a lot. This book was light and fluffy, but had some steam as well. Overall I really enjoyed this book and recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia and Homophobia
Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
I can't believe the series is over, but I'm so happy I finished it. This book was a tough one to read, though I still finished it in about 3 days. I just adore Fionn and Rose. I love their meet-cute (questionable to call it that I know but I'm sticking with it), and I loved getting to know more about them and their relationship, since we only got glances of it in the first two books. The found family the Kane Brothers have made just absolutely melts my heart. I loved that we got to meet characters like the Suture Sisters, while also still getting a decent amount of Rowan, Lochlan, Sloane, and Lark without it becoming their book. I wish we could get more of these characters, but I'm excited to see where Brynne Weaver takes her next series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Excrement, Vomit, Stalking, Death of parent, and Alcohol
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Rating: 4/5 Stars
This book is so cute! I really enjoyed this quick-paaced spicy read. I really enjoyed Vini as a character, as well as some of the side characters like Aiden. This book had it's spicy moments, but also it's sweet ones as well. Even though the pace is quick, we do get to see Vini and Jessica's relationship blossom (pun intended) throughout the book. Their relationship had my heart swelling, and the book has plenty of humor and some serious moments as well. Overall I do recommend this sapphic romance!
This book is so cute! I really enjoyed this quick-paaced spicy read. I really enjoyed Vini as a character, as well as some of the side characters like Aiden. This book had it's spicy moments, but also it's sweet ones as well. Even though the pace is quick, we do get to see Vini and Jessica's relationship blossom (pun intended) throughout the book. Their relationship had my heart swelling, and the book has plenty of humor and some serious moments as well. Overall I do recommend this sapphic romance!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Death of parent
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This contains (minimal) spoilers.
I gotta say, I was a little disappointed with this book. It's my first Tessa Bailey book and it might be my last. First off - and I don't know if all of her books are written this way or not - but its dual POV, which I normally love, but this gives no warning besides a new paragraph before switching to a different POV. It's a little aggravating. Then, there's the timeline, which is very jumpy in the first like 35% of the book. It's very random and based on this specifically being a future step-sibling relationship, I would have preferred things resolving sooner than they did. How it resolved was believable, but I don't like the events that led to it. I don't really like third act breakups, and this one was no different, especially because of the way it happened (with their parents eloping). I also really don't like how abusive Chloe's mom is, and how Chloe just brushed it off as her mom being protective. I'm glad she set boundaries, but like that just was a little too toxic for my taste, and I felt like Chloe enabled her to do it at times. I also feel like there was the stereotypical Diversity Inclusions ™ (1 LGBTQ+ person and 1 BIPOC person) and that just really made me roll my eyes. I really feel like this could have been written better, but maybe that's just me. Anywho, it wasn't my cup of tea personally, but decide if anything I said above is a turn off for you and go from there.
I gotta say, I was a little disappointed with this book. It's my first Tessa Bailey book and it might be my last. First off - and I don't know if all of her books are written this way or not - but its dual POV, which I normally love, but this gives no warning besides a new paragraph before switching to a different POV. It's a little aggravating. Then, there's the timeline, which is very jumpy in the first like 35% of the book. It's very random and based on this specifically being a future step-sibling relationship, I would have preferred things resolving sooner than they did. How it resolved was believable, but I don't like the events that led to it. I don't really like third act breakups, and this one was no different, especially because of the way it happened (with their parents eloping). I also really don't like how abusive Chloe's mom is, and how Chloe just brushed it off as her mom being protective. I'm glad she set boundaries, but like that just was a little too toxic for my taste, and I felt like Chloe enabled her to do it at times. I also feel like there was the stereotypical Diversity Inclusions ™ (1 LGBTQ+ person and 1 BIPOC person) and that just really made me roll my eyes. I really feel like this could have been written better, but maybe that's just me. Anywho, it wasn't my cup of tea personally, but decide if anything I said above is a turn off for you and go from there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Emotional abuse
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing for access to this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first book by Klune, and I can safely say it won't be my last. Those who know me know I LOVE a good found family trope. And BOY, did Klune deliver. I didn't know it was possible for a heart to both break and heal simultaneously, but that's what happened to me while reading this book. I have to admit, I didn't even like Nate at first. But he grew on me slowly, and by the end I was just hoping for a happy ending for him. For all of them, for that matter. I like how Klune wrapped things up very neatly, though the end left me craving more. If you love a good old queer sci-fi book with a dash of romance, this is definitely for you.
This is my first book by Klune, and I can safely say it won't be my last. Those who know me know I LOVE a good found family trope. And BOY, did Klune deliver. I didn't know it was possible for a heart to both break and heal simultaneously, but that's what happened to me while reading this book. I have to admit, I didn't even like Nate at first. But he grew on me slowly, and by the end I was just hoping for a happy ending for him. For all of them, for that matter. I like how Klune wrapped things up very neatly, though the end left me craving more. If you love a good old queer sci-fi book with a dash of romance, this is definitely for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Medical content, Grief, and Car accident
Minor: Sexual content
Lover Birds by Leanne Egan
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Scholastic for an e-ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
This book stole my heart and squeezed it, and I mean this in literally the best possible way. I mean it. The angsty teenage pinning, the awkward longing that teenagers seem to just all inherit. Their little found family that had me cackling, screaming, and crying within the same breath at times. I honestly would love to see the story continue with the side characters in this book. But gosh I relate so much to Eloise so much. As someone who was diagnosed later in life with ADHD (20), i totally understand the frustration of not understanding why you can't do things that seem so simple for everyone else to do. And I can also understand not wanting to have to take meds to function, especially as a teenager. And I'm so happy we got to see so much growth with both Eloise and Isabel. Even the background characters grew throughout the book. I truly love this book so much and highly recommend it if you want to swoon for days.
This book stole my heart and squeezed it, and I mean this in literally the best possible way. I mean it. The angsty teenage pinning, the awkward longing that teenagers seem to just all inherit. Their little found family that had me cackling, screaming, and crying within the same breath at times. I honestly would love to see the story continue with the side characters in this book. But gosh I relate so much to Eloise so much. As someone who was diagnosed later in life with ADHD (20), i totally understand the frustration of not understanding why you can't do things that seem so simple for everyone else to do. And I can also understand not wanting to have to take meds to function, especially as a teenager. And I'm so happy we got to see so much growth with both Eloise and Isabel. Even the background characters grew throughout the book. I truly love this book so much and highly recommend it if you want to swoon for days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Cursing, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Zoe Brennan, First Crush by Laura Piper Lee
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
4.5
Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh. My. Gosh. This audiobook gave me LIFE. I was not prepared for this book and I'm honestly still trying to soak it all in. First off I really recommend the audiobook, the narrator is perfect for this book and I can picture her as the voice of Zoe perfectly. I understood and felt for Zoe and her personal struggles relating to worth and feeling loved so much, as well as the struggle with realizing your sexuality in your 20's. And I absolutely adore her and Lane's love story. I loved how they both were able to struggle with their own things and deal with them both on their own and with each other. The little found family they have at Blue Ridge also gives me life and melts my heart simultaneously. I look forward to their hopefully being more books for this series so we can continue to see this found family grow.
Oh. My. Gosh. This audiobook gave me LIFE. I was not prepared for this book and I'm honestly still trying to soak it all in. First off I really recommend the audiobook, the narrator is perfect for this book and I can picture her as the voice of Zoe perfectly. I understood and felt for Zoe and her personal struggles relating to worth and feeling loved so much, as well as the struggle with realizing your sexuality in your 20's. And I absolutely adore her and Lane's love story. I loved how they both were able to struggle with their own things and deal with them both on their own and with each other. The little found family they have at Blue Ridge also gives me life and melts my heart simultaneously. I look forward to their hopefully being more books for this series so we can continue to see this found family grow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Terminal illness
Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail