theboricuabookworm's reviews
428 reviews

Nochebuena: a holiday novella by Stephanie Shea

5.0

the perfect bite sized marriage in minor trouble sapphic romance to have me craving the holidays 

You Make It Feel like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

was not prepared for the internal prayer monologue

Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto

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

4.75

I don't know why I put this book off for so long considering I finished it in two days. This book was absolutely delicious. I will probably reread this as an audiobook at some point as well. I love love loved how they both were vulnerable about very similar things but Julie approached them each very differently. Ngl I was scared another the Kylo aspect of this but aside from his size didn't really see it and having his little cello suites interspersed were the perfect bite sized morsels to make me fall for him. I'm sorry if anyone ever plays me like a cello like that you're going to have to marry me on the spot. I don't make the rules.

Overall an incredibly solid sophomore romance from Julie.

Note: the only reason we knew Mabel was Puerto Rican was her last name and an offhand comment that she was Puerto Rican. Please include us, but give us more descriptors than this *sigh*

Storm of Ink and Blood by Nisha J. Tuli

5.0

Yall this book had my heart racing from start to finish. I would have finished it in a day if I didn't need to sleep but alas. Rabin and Zarya are literally so perfect for each other. Yasen, my sweet baby. I still don't trust Abishek but we'll see. Also I love how the found family expanded in this! I haven't raced through a series like this in so long.

Nisha, may both sides of your pillow always be cold.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail

Dance of Stars and Ashes by Nisha J. Tuli

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

What a PHENOMENAL sequel. Literally on the edge of my freaking seat the entire time. Shoutout to Mommy Nisha for not making me wait three books for these two to fck. But also HOW DARE YOU. And also the {SPOILER} makeup sex is going to be incredible omg. *THIS* is the kind of romantasy I want to be reading. And if yall haven't read any of Nisha's books idk what you're doing. Brb going to start Storm and ignore the rest of my day.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual content, and Violence

Minor: Child abuse and Self harm

Talk Santa to Me by Linda Urban

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

A YA Hallmark Movie

Prince of the Palisades by Julian Winters

fast-paced

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

4.75

Another day, another book I wish I had as a teen. A breath of fresh air. I’m so glad books like this exist for teens today. Incredibly crafted love story with the perfect coming of age backdrop. A little found family sprinkled in and I love how messy Jadon was. Teens do not have it all figured out and they need books like this to remind them of that.

Thank you Penguin Teen for my finished copy!

Heart of Night and Fire by Nisha J. Tuli

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Very solid start to a fantasy series, looking forward to the sequel so much!

To Love a Scandalous Duke by Liana De la Rosa

emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I love them your honor. No notes.

Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Ahhhhh I loved loved loved this. Put me in the perfect holiday/winter mood. Charlotte and Brighton were so messy and so mature in their mess. I deeply appreciated them working on themselves individually before working on their relationship. I do love a second-chance romance so I was primed for this one from the start. Brb looking at snowy small towns to go to this december. 

Thank you Libro.fm for my advanced listening copy.