thedailydiva's reviews
810 reviews

Losin Control: Half on a baby or two by Ladii Nesha

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

Losin' Control by Ladii Nesha

dark emotional funny lighthearted sad tense fast-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

Never read such a story. In my new ventures into Black Urban Romance, this might be the most tolerable, writing wise. Some stories go so far into the dialect and culture of this side of Black life that it becomes unreadable for me. This book perfectly walked that line. 

I was a lil worried about Czar, but he had a wonderful character arc; I do love a good wounded hero. The romance between the couple was beautiful and raw and messy. I enjoyed this. 

My only issue, this story was too long. Adding in further elements of ‘messy’! I could have done with one less element. I will read more from this author.

Stone Deep by Tess Oliver, Anna Hart

emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

1.5

Meh. Harder story to get into. Meh. 

Model Home by Rivers Solomon

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

5 stars. Point Blank. Insta-buy Author!

Ummmm, dear Rivers Solomon, please forward a billing address for my next three therapy sessions! Please and thank you!! 

I will read ANYTHING Rivers Solomon deigns to write. I will read the scraps from their writing room floor. I will happily puzzle together the ripped offal from their literary mind! I think I have found my literary spirit person!! 

Ok. After all that praise, I cannot recommend this book. 

It is dark. It made me uncomfortable. It made me cry. It made my stomach churn. It made me ask, ‘Why tf did I read this?’. It made me sit uncomfortably in my non-understanding of gender nonconformity. It made me hurt for any character this broken, and haunted. I have never encountered characters like these and I’m ok for a good long while. They hurt me. I couldn’t handle their trauma. 

This book is one of the best and most chilling haunted house stories I’ve read. It’s giving demonic, ‘the call is coming from inside the house’ vibes. 

I need to read a comedy now…

Heart of Stone by Tess Oliver, Anna Hart

emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced

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

3.75

Stone Cold Bad by Tess Oliver, Anna Hart

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Cute easy palette cleanser…

James by Percival Everett

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? No

4.0

This is the book that ‘Jim’ deserved! 

Before reading what I knew was going to be a book that satisfied me, I needed to revisit Twain’s classic duo; Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. While reading those books I paid close attention to everything Twain gave us about Him, the Slave. And I had SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Immediately after beginning this book, I found myself exclaiming aloud as my questions previously asked were answered neatly and in a row. 

Everett’s work gave a deserved spotlight and an existence we the reader of Twain’s novel could only dream of! I love Everrett’s James! He’d exactly who I thought him to be and more. His intelligence and wit, resilience and commitment to his freedom and that of his family, is exactly how I pictured the unknown story of Twain’s Jim. And it overwhelmed me and filled me with joy!

Everrett threw in some really good twists that I wasn’t expecting and didn’t know I needed! That reveal!!! And Everrett’s side characters live in my heart; George, Norman, and Sweet Sammy! Just a strong and diverse cast of characters. 

So why four stars? I had only one real issue with this story and I found myself having the same issue with Twain’s tale, the pacing! I’m tired after reading this book. I feel as if I’ve been on the journey too, and in this case, that’s not my greatest compliment. The pacing dragged in places. Perhaps I’m just not a grand adventure kinda reader? 🤷🏽‍♀️ But I found myself needed something to happen. And even, when things did begin to happen they kinda came outta left field. It didn’t settle for me. But that didn’t detract from the brilliance of this story too much. 

Thematically, this story covered all I wanted it to. I nodded my head and grinned like the Author and I shared a secret. That was really fulfilling. Then I read the authors final quote from his Author’s Word, and I knew… yea, he knew what he was about! Thank you, Professor Everrett, thank you! ☺️ 

fast by Millie Belizaire

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

OMG!!! 

This book destroyed me! Oprah Cry! Heart bright! Deep breaths! Laughs! Anger! A whole ass roller coaster!! Perfection! Best read of the month! 

MY HEART!!!! 

Rafe by Rebekah Weatherspoon

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

3 stars 

Ok. In defense, three stars isn’t a bad review. It’s a mod review. 

This book has some really cute elements, but in a short story it must be a challenge to get the pacing right. This story’s pacing didn’t work for me. Insta romance and then HEA in a wrap it all up in a bow epilogue! Meh. Not my preferred formula. But again, some heart warming moments. 

I’d read more from this author. 

Take a Chance by Miyeko May

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Adorable and sweet lil short story.