thebookssmuggler's reviews
107 reviews

I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective tense fast-paced

4.75

The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester by Maya MacGregor

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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? N/A

5.0

This Coven Won't Break by Isabel Sterling

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? Yes

4.75

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

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

Fire Becomes Her by Rosiee Thor

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

New favorite book unlocked!😍✅ I really enjoy the way Rosiee Thor's books incorporate both fantasy and politics and, just as their debut "Tarnished Are the Stars," this one follows themes of "Eat the Rich" while also exploring identity, familial bonds, relationships and the different kinds of love we can experience, plus a diverse cast of characters that all shine in their own way (main and side) with a ton of aromantic and/or asexual spectrum representation which is just beautiful to read 💚💜. 

Set in a jazz age, fantasy-esque world which just makes the vibes overall to feel more cozy and comfortable to read. Rosiee's writing is just *chef's kiss* 🤌. Absolutely enjoyed!! The beginning is kind of slow so it's hard to get into because of a new worldbuilding and magic rules but after the first 100 pages it's just seat-gripping and entertaining. 10/10 would recommend! 

It's Always Been You by Elin Annalise

emotional funny informative fast-paced

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

2.75

Forward March by Skye Quinlan

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? N/A

4.5

If You Still Recognise Me by Cynthia So

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I don't even know where to start 🥺😭. This book is perfect in all the sense of the word. Absolutely recommend: comforting, cozy and heartwarming. A story about reconnecting with old friendships, dealing with crushes and romance, self-identity and discovery, but also loss and diffuclt family dynamics. If You Still Recognize Me is a delightful and beautiful read, it celebrates LGBTQIA+ identities and queer art and also represents culture, identity and belonging to a place you call home 🤍🥺👏. 

This book tackles eurocentric beauty standards, the fetishisation of Asian women, and wondering if you are ‘enough’ of something ❤. There are so many identities wonderfully represented in this book, and it handles those questions: Am I feminine enough? Am I queer enough? Am I enough? AND I AM HERE FOR IT!! 10/10 WOULD RECOMMEND. 

I loved, with all my heart, the elder queer representation in this book, it was hopeful and inspiring to read about. Also, the side characters stories and the way the author portrayed their own questioning journey, Rikita (whose character I adored!), Felix (with his passion for comics and his aspec journey 💚💜), Joan (unapologetically queer, lesbian and TB) and ofc our MC, Elsie and her confidence in her bisexuality but also the doubts that come from other's expectations of her 🌈. She is the perfect narrator for this book 😭🤍. 
I loved every single character in this book, the found family trope and also the familial relationships who became stronger as the book progressed... cue the tears in 3, 2, 1 😭. 

An epic, evocative queer romance that is also a heartfelt love letter to comics and storytelling.

Never Been Kissed by Timothy Janovsky

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

DEMISEXUAL REP?! IN MY SECOND-CHANCE, FRIENDS-TO-LOVERS, NEW ADULT ROMANCE?? ITS MORE LIKELY THAN YOU THINK 💜

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Suicidal thoughts