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thepictureofromance's reviews
11 reviews
Off Base by Annabeth Albert
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Annabeth Albert does it again, this was an absolutely fantastic read!!
It had a really great mix of sexy and serious. I really, really enjoyed it!!
(Also, Tyler Stevens did a GREAT job with the audio. I was hooked from his first breath!!)
It had a really great mix of sexy and serious. I really, really enjoyed it!!
(Also, Tyler Stevens did a GREAT job with the audio. I was hooked from his first breath!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Medical trauma, Bullying, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Violence
Conventionally Yours by Annabeth Albert
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I have such a clear memory of the first time I read this book.
It was summer 2020 and I was still working in retail. I finished a shift and immediately went to my favourite cafe. I got an iced coffee and banana bread and settled in to read. I'd intended to only be there for a little while but I just couldn't put the book down.
Back then it was exactly what I needed. It gave me hope for finding love and for a future I'd never really allowed myself to imagine.
With just one read it became my favourite book of all time.
So, when I was looking for something to read this week and my fiancé suggested I re-read Conventionally Yours, I knew it was the right choice.
I've always related to Conrad and his story. This time more so than ever. I left this story with a new sense of hope this time around. That I do have the power to succeed. All I need is one more move.
This book is still my favourite book of all time. I cannot recommend it enough!! <3
It was summer 2020 and I was still working in retail. I finished a shift and immediately went to my favourite cafe. I got an iced coffee and banana bread and settled in to read. I'd intended to only be there for a little while but I just couldn't put the book down.
Back then it was exactly what I needed. It gave me hope for finding love and for a future I'd never really allowed myself to imagine.
With just one read it became my favourite book of all time.
So, when I was looking for something to read this week and my fiancé suggested I re-read Conventionally Yours, I knew it was the right choice.
I've always related to Conrad and his story. This time more so than ever. I left this story with a new sense of hope this time around. That I do have the power to succeed. All I need is one more move.
This book is still my favourite book of all time. I cannot recommend it enough!! <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma and Chronic illness
Moderate: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell
funny
informative
fast-paced
5.0
An absolutely fantastic book!!
I picked up Cultish initially as a work-read. As someone who works in social media (and the child of an English teacher with a passion for linguistics) I was already fairly knowledgable about the cult-esque creators in the space and was really interested in reading the perspective of someone who isn't so deeply immersed in the social media space.
What I didn't expect was to end up reading this book outside of my working hours because I was enjoying it so much!!
It was insightful, engaging and surprisingly funny read. I was captured from the first chapter and learnt so much more than I expected to going in. I've actually started noticing 'thought terminating cliches' and other Cultish language so much throughout my life and my work.
Cultish is definitely a book I'll be going back to time and time again. I'm also going to recommend it as the next read for my book club of social media professionals!!
I picked up Cultish initially as a work-read. As someone who works in social media (and the child of an English teacher with a passion for linguistics) I was already fairly knowledgable about the cult-esque creators in the space and was really interested in reading the perspective of someone who isn't so deeply immersed in the social media space.
What I didn't expect was to end up reading this book outside of my working hours because I was enjoying it so much!!
It was insightful, engaging and surprisingly funny read. I was captured from the first chapter and learnt so much more than I expected to going in. I've actually started noticing 'thought terminating cliches' and other Cultish language so much throughout my life and my work.
Cultish is definitely a book I'll be going back to time and time again. I'm also going to recommend it as the next read for my book club of social media professionals!!
Maurice by E.M. Forster
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing in this book was superb, I like Forester's style and he's really quite funny!!
I unfortunately am giving it three stars rather than four because every single character in this story is a bit of a twat, Although I enjoyed the story, I could not find myself rooting for any of them and having a character I can truly root for is what takes a story from good to great in my opinion!!
I was also frustrated at the ending. I am not a fan of books with open endings. Is it so hard to give proper closure?!
I unfortunately am giving it three stars rather than four because every single character in this story is a bit of a twat, Although I enjoyed the story, I could not find myself rooting for any of them and having a character I can truly root for is what takes a story from good to great in my opinion!!
I was also frustrated at the ending. I am not a fan of books with open endings. Is it so hard to give proper closure?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Homophobia, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
4.0
This was a really delightful book!!
I loved how complex both Kit and Percy’s characters are.
The way that Percy was so focused on Marion and his sister was really endearing.
But it was watching Kit slowly but dramatically fall in love with Percy while also adjusting to life as a disabled person was what really sold the story for me.
It was a fantastic adventurous and swoon-worthy book. My only issue was that there was slightly too many characters and that let to the main plot being a little difficult to keep track of.
I loved how complex both Kit and Percy’s characters are.
The way that Percy was so focused on Marion and his sister was really endearing.
But it was watching Kit slowly but dramatically fall in love with Percy while also adjusting to life as a disabled person was what really sold the story for me.
It was a fantastic adventurous and swoon-worthy book. My only issue was that there was slightly too many characters and that let to the main plot being a little difficult to keep track of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, and Child death
The 100 by Kass Morgan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 65%.
I had to stop because of a trigger warning, it was a good book up until that point. A few characters were quite annoying and the show is 1000X better but I was finding it enjoyable!!
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The story and the writing were fantastic and I would encourage people to give this book a go. Unfortunately, the characters just didn't click for me and I found the sex really disappointing and unfortunately cringey. It was a good book, just not to my taste.
Also, the 'third act' break-up happened 95% of the way through the book. The ending felt incredibly rushed and really let down the whole book.
Extra also, I felt really frustrated with the way that Valentine was treated throughout this book. He was repeatedly trying to make amends (even though he was making mistakes as he tried to rectify his previous ones) but he absolutely did not deserve the treatment inflicted on him throughout this book. Especially being tied to a chair and then forced to sleep in a cellar. This whole situation just felt really unnecessary.
Final also, if I ever have to read a book that describes an arsehole as a 'hungry flower' again I will give up reading forever. I almost DNF'ed on the spot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death of parent
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Oh this was a hoot!!
Hart was delightfully grumpy and surprisingly self-conscious. Robin was an absolute dream (as well as a master of chaos.) I loved watching their relationship bloom and the rest of the cast were a delightful edition!!
Finally, I have to acknowledge that KJ Charles writes the most magnificent sex scenes. Delicious!!
Hart was delightfully grumpy and surprisingly self-conscious. Robin was an absolute dream (as well as a master of chaos.) I loved watching their relationship bloom and the rest of the cast were a delightful edition!!
Finally, I have to acknowledge that KJ Charles writes the most magnificent sex scenes. Delicious!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Alcoholism