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thepaperbackplanner's reviews
335 reviews
How You Get The Girl by Anita Kelly
4.0
Thanks to Forever and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Anita Kelly does it again! Maybe I'm a little bit biased because I'll devour anything they write, but I loved this final entry in the set of novels featuring these characters. I loved following our main characters, Julie and Elle, on their journey to each other and the careers that fulfill them. The complicated family situation the story centers on is really beautiful, I think Kelly handled it really well. I feel compelled to write that the romance came together quickly, but I think that's just because I read it all in a day. If anything, it could've used a bit more spice, but I still loved it and can't wait for whatever is next from AK!
Anita Kelly does it again! Maybe I'm a little bit biased because I'll devour anything they write, but I loved this final entry in the set of novels featuring these characters. I loved following our main characters, Julie and Elle, on their journey to each other and the careers that fulfill them. The complicated family situation the story centers on is really beautiful, I think Kelly handled it really well. I feel compelled to write that the romance came together quickly, but I think that's just because I read it all in a day. If anything, it could've used a bit more spice, but I still loved it and can't wait for whatever is next from AK!
The World Cannot Give by Tara Isabella Burton
4.0
Thanks to Simon Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! #SimonBooksBuddy
If you're looking for some wintery dark academia to add to your TBR, THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE might be just the thing. It's got a cultish choir, a very Traditional boarding school, and some terrible teens. While I felt this novel tended toward YA in its style, I thought the author nailed the obsessiveness and malleability that are often hallmarks of the teenage experience. I can see why this has been compared to THE SECRET HISTORY so often, but I think this comparison only really covers the setting and "student group" trope. But it is a wild ride from start to finish!
If you're looking for some wintery dark academia to add to your TBR, THE WORLD CANNOT GIVE might be just the thing. It's got a cultish choir, a very Traditional boarding school, and some terrible teens. While I felt this novel tended toward YA in its style, I thought the author nailed the obsessiveness and malleability that are often hallmarks of the teenage experience. I can see why this has been compared to THE SECRET HISTORY so often, but I think this comparison only really covers the setting and "student group" trope. But it is a wild ride from start to finish!
The Future by Naomi Alderman
5.0
Thanks to Simon Books for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review!
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. This is what I was hoping to get out of CAMP ZERO earlier this year: a story about the end of the world caused in no small part by shitty billionaires where someone actually wants to do something about it. I enjoyed the weaving of multiple points of view and narrative style throughout, never feeling lost or confused about where a chapter fell in the timeline. And while I suspected one of the major twists in the story, I wasn't disappointed that I'd seen it coming, I was delighted that the plot had taken that turn. The final big twist made me gasp aloud. Overall, I would recommend this if you like dystopias, hate assholes with more money than God, and feel ready to be swept into the future.
I absolutely DEVOURED this book. This is what I was hoping to get out of CAMP ZERO earlier this year: a story about the end of the world caused in no small part by shitty billionaires where someone actually wants to do something about it. I enjoyed the weaving of multiple points of view and narrative style throughout, never feeling lost or confused about where a chapter fell in the timeline. And while I suspected one of the major twists in the story, I wasn't disappointed that I'd seen it coming, I was delighted that the plot had taken that turn. The final big twist made me gasp aloud. Overall, I would recommend this if you like dystopias, hate assholes with more money than God, and feel ready to be swept into the future.
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
4.0
Can you believe I didn't know this was coming out right after I started the series?! I got so lucky! IRIS KELLY completes the Bright Falls series, finally weaving the tale of Oregon's favorite disaster bi, Iris. Her new job as a romance author delivered some funny winks at the genre and the story itself. Her struggles to stop sabotaging herself, as well as love interest Stevie's struggles with anxiety, were quite relatable. I found the series ending satisfying enough. Some might call it too fast, but since I devoured the trilogy in about 10 days, I didn't feel that. I'm a little sad to leave Bright Falls, but I'm definitely inspired to seek out lots more queer romances!
Tropes:
-fake dating
-one night stand
-we have to save the theater
-jealous ex
-sex/romance lessons
-extreme wooing
-HEAs galore
-romance writer
Tropes:
-fake dating
-one night stand
-we have to save the theater
-jealous ex
-sex/romance lessons
-extreme wooing
-HEAs galore
-romance writer
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
4.0
After Astrid blew up her (terrible, comp het) engagement in DELILAH GREEN, it only makes sense that the next Bright Falls book would feature her journey toward love. I grew up on HGTV, so I loved the televised renovation setting here. Her questions about the trajectory of her life and career really resonated with me as I near a year of not working. Jordan was an excellent love interest, equal parts awkward and strong and competent and sexy. I mean, honestly, who doesn't love a hardware store gay? And I really appreciated that, for the most part, conflict wasn't based in simple miscommunication. Yay talking!
Tropes:
-enemies to lovers
-workplace romance
-bi awakening
-we have to save the inn
-reality tv renovation
-quarter life career crisis
Tropes:
-enemies to lovers
-workplace romance
-bi awakening
-we have to save the inn
-reality tv renovation
-quarter life career crisis
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
4.0
After a heavy read, I needed something light, and an audiobook romance seemed perfect for a long day of driving. That's how I found myself swept into the very quaint and VERY gay world of Bright Falls, Oregon. As I started listening, I was pleased with my choice of travel companion but not expecting much. I certainly didn't think I'd be immediately downloading the sequel as this one played its final minutes. As I'm writing this after finishing all three entries into the Bright Falls series, I can confidently say Delilah is my favorite character from the series. I loved her journey back home and forward to a lovely future.
Tropes:
-coming home to a small town
-falling for a sibling's best friend
-dating bet
-single mom
-photography muse
-horrible fiancé
-oops I caught feelings
Tropes:
-coming home to a small town
-falling for a sibling's best friend
-dating bet
-single mom
-photography muse
-horrible fiancé
-oops I caught feelings
The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
5.0
It has taken me maybe 10 years to finally finish Kavalier & Clay. Shoutouts to #BigBooktober for the accountability and group reading chats! I'm so glad to have finally read it, because it is truly beautiful, and sad, and gay, and even hopeful. It's a chunker, but it's worth it. I really enjoyed listening to the audiobook — the narrator did an incredible job bringing each character to life. Heed the content warnings, but I truly recommend this novel!
Read if you like...
-WWII fiction
-Comic books and comics history
-Magic and escapism
-Captain America (+Bucky forever❤️)
-Jewish culture and traditions
-Complicated, multifaceted love stories
Read if you like...
-WWII fiction
-Comic books and comics history
-Magic and escapism
-Captain America (+Bucky forever❤️)
-Jewish culture and traditions
-Complicated, multifaceted love stories
The Dead Take the A Train by Richard Kadrey, Cassandra Khaw
3.0
Thanks to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for this ALC!
I requested an ALC of this audiobook after seeing lots of hype about it across socials, and I tell you what, it was definitely a wild ride. And a gross one! On the whole, I enjoyed the narrator's work, though I felt some of the line reads (especially for Sarah) came across a bit more "damsel in distress" than the character and writing warranted. But I really enjoyed her work in making each character stand out within the narration. The story itself was quite sprawling, and I admit I did lose the plot a couple of times. But it was still fun to listen along, and I'm sure I'll check out the sequel someday!
I requested an ALC of this audiobook after seeing lots of hype about it across socials, and I tell you what, it was definitely a wild ride. And a gross one! On the whole, I enjoyed the narrator's work, though I felt some of the line reads (especially for Sarah) came across a bit more "damsel in distress" than the character and writing warranted. But I really enjoyed her work in making each character stand out within the narration. The story itself was quite sprawling, and I admit I did lose the plot a couple of times. But it was still fun to listen along, and I'm sure I'll check out the sequel someday!
The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells
5.0
Thank you endlessly to Tor and NetGalley for the honor of reviewing this novel by one of my favorites, Martha Wells!
While I was a little sad not to spend more time with the main characters from ELEMENT OF FIRE, I fell for the charming found family vibes of THE DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER right away. And even better, it's a little crime family!! If you love a heist and a revenge tale with a side of (admittedly pretty gross) evil magic, look no further. This was, in my opinion, quite engaging and easy to read. There wasn't an MC I didn't like, and now I need to find Wells' Ile-Rien short stories!
While I was a little sad not to spend more time with the main characters from ELEMENT OF FIRE, I fell for the charming found family vibes of THE DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER right away. And even better, it's a little crime family!! If you love a heist and a revenge tale with a side of (admittedly pretty gross) evil magic, look no further. This was, in my opinion, quite engaging and easy to read. There wasn't an MC I didn't like, and now I need to find Wells' Ile-Rien short stories!
The Book of Ile-Rien: The Element of Fire & The Death of the Necromancer by Martha Wells
5.0
Thank you endlessly to Tor and NetGalley for the honor of reviewing this arc by one of my favorites, Martha Wells!
THE ELEMENT OF FIRE:
Perhaps the most delightful part of reading this, Martha Wells' first novel, was catching glimpses of what Wells' writing looks like now. It's fun to see how things begin, you know? But anyway, that's not the only delightful part of this novel. I quite enjoyed both main characters (and their great names), Thomas Boniface and Kade Carrion. The world building was detailed but not overwhelming, sprinkled in as needed rather than collected in long paragraphs. It was quite fun to dive into a new fantasy world and trust Wells to take me for a fun ride.
THE DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER
While I was a little sad not to spend more time with the main characters from ELEMENT OF FIRE, I fell for the charming found family vibes of THE DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER right away. And even better, it's a little crime family!! If you love a heist and a revenge tale with a side of (admittedly pretty gross) evil magic, look no further. This was, in my opinion, quite engaging and easy to read. There wasn't an MC I didn't like, and now I need to find Wells' Ile-Rien short stories!
THE ELEMENT OF FIRE:
Perhaps the most delightful part of reading this, Martha Wells' first novel, was catching glimpses of what Wells' writing looks like now. It's fun to see how things begin, you know? But anyway, that's not the only delightful part of this novel. I quite enjoyed both main characters (and their great names), Thomas Boniface and Kade Carrion. The world building was detailed but not overwhelming, sprinkled in as needed rather than collected in long paragraphs. It was quite fun to dive into a new fantasy world and trust Wells to take me for a fun ride.
THE DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER
While I was a little sad not to spend more time with the main characters from ELEMENT OF FIRE, I fell for the charming found family vibes of THE DEATH OF THE NECROMANCER right away. And even better, it's a little crime family!! If you love a heist and a revenge tale with a side of (admittedly pretty gross) evil magic, look no further. This was, in my opinion, quite engaging and easy to read. There wasn't an MC I didn't like, and now I need to find Wells' Ile-Rien short stories!