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thereadinghammock's reviews
615 reviews
A Breath of Fresh Air by Allegra Hall
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
I was feeling a bit of a book slump coming on, feeling overwhelmed by the options in my Kindle and on KU, so this was the perfect time to grab a novella from a known author to give me the pick-me-up I needed to stay out of that slump.
I loved getting to peek back in with Ellie and Van, but still getting to enjoy a new story with her mother Amaia and be beau Brett. They were fun, flirty, and their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥 I appreciated how Amaia's reluctance to get her heart broken again wasn't just waved away by good sex, but was glad it wasn't a drawn out longing for both of them either.
I loved getting to peek back in with Ellie and Van, but still getting to enjoy a new story with her mother Amaia and be beau Brett. They were fun, flirty, and their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥 I appreciated how Amaia's reluctance to get her heart broken again wasn't just waved away by good sex, but was glad it wasn't a drawn out longing for both of them either.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Xenophobia, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Goblin Mode: How to Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck by McKayla Coyle
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
How to Get a Girlfriend (When You're a Terrifying Monster) by Marie Cardno
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It was fun. It was short. Possibly a bit to sci-fi for me as a reader, but the vibes were there and I appreciated how much character could be given to a break off piece of an eldritch horror. And what a unique way to get around the "I literally can't look at you without my brain wanting to melt" conundrum.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror
Vacationing with the Vampire in Hallow's Cove by Lyonne Riley
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
It's never easy to be the first book out in a new shared universe series. I think Lyonne did a great job introducing readers to the magic of Hallow's Cove and some of the shenanigans and hijinxs we can expect from the rest of the series.
I loved how we got some adjustments to vampire lore, and the "I can't believe you actually believed those ridiculous rumors" moments between Maisie and Barnaby were great moments of banter between them.
I can't wait to explore more of the shops, restaurants, and residents of Hallow's Cove this year!
I loved how we got some adjustments to vampire lore, and the "I can't believe you actually believed those ridiculous rumors" moments between Maisie and Barnaby were great moments of banter between them.
I can't wait to explore more of the shops, restaurants, and residents of Hallow's Cove this year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Death and Grief
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A war book for people who want to read about something other than the horrors of being at the war front. Packed full of emotion, loss, sisterhood, and the amazing community born out of necessity. Your heart breaks for Audrey in having to survive raising a family after the loss of her husband. You cheer for Nell as she learns to stand on her own two feet and build her confidence. You give Gwendoline some bombastic side eye as she schemes her way through the challenges life throws at her. And you marvel at Zelda's ambition and passion to build a better life for herself.
I was so anti-Gwendoline for the first half of the book, but once we got through round 2 and Sir Strickland attacked her, and Nell came to her rescue, then together, they went to Audrey's, I was fully on board with her redemption arc. I was so happy for her to see everything she'd done to be horrible to everyone else and do so much to correct the hurt she caused everyone. And Nell, what a journey she went on. I know we never find out if she and Paulo get to be together, but in my heart I know they did. And Zelda keeping the baby after Gwendoline recognized the woman from the adoption agency as untrustworthy so they could all raise her and support Zelda together!! It made me so happy. Women helping women, the sisterhood of women!! We love to see it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy and Classism
Moderate: Grief and War
Minor: Domestic abuse
Corporate Mandated Holiday Romance by Nellie Wilson
funny
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? Yes
5.0
If this year isn't the perfect year to take down a billionaire, I don't know if we'll ever find one. I saved this read for a full year, just to read it for the holiday season, and it was the perfect holiday slump buster read I needed it to be.
Brooklyn is so relatable in her 30-something, post-COVID, adulthood-needs-better-marketing feelings. Max embodied every comeback to, "You can't even say Merry Christmas anymore without someone being offended" in the best way. He never compromised his identity as a proud Jewish man while still maintaining an open mind to learning about Christmas just as much as to teaching Brooklyn about Jewish traditions and journalism and reporting.
Plus when the spice hits, it hits good. And with the payoff being the success is breaking this story?? Even better.
Brooklyn is so relatable in her 30-something, post-COVID, adulthood-needs-better-marketing feelings. Max embodied every comeback to, "You can't even say Merry Christmas anymore without someone being offended" in the best way. He never compromised his identity as a proud Jewish man while still maintaining an open mind to learning about Christmas just as much as to teaching Brooklyn about Jewish traditions and journalism and reporting.
Plus when the spice hits, it hits good. And with the payoff being the success is breaking this story?? Even better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual harassment
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
Amor Actually by Adriana Herrera, Sabrina Sol, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras, Alexis Daria, Zoey Castile
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Not sure if it was the stories being too short, not having any cultural connection for myself as a non-latina reader, or the narrators, but I just couldn't find myself invested in any of the stories unfortunately
Devotion's Covenant by Abigail Kelly
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Morally gray the Abigail way! If you thought High Priestess Petra was a known entity going into this book, I fear you may be mistaken. She is a woman of so many, many layers and we're about to peel that onion.
I loved getting to watch Silas stumble his way through all these big, new-to-him emotions. I just kept imagining him like the Grinch in the classic cartoon version, watching his heart grow a little bit each time. And his disgust over each time it happened was just a riot to me.
Petra and Silas really are perfectly paired for each other, and in classic Abigail style, the peril is perilous. And while their peril is resolved just in the nick of time, the UTA peril is at an all time high! She's such a lil' scamp!
As always I'm waiting with baited breath for the next anything!!
I loved getting to watch Silas stumble his way through all these big, new-to-him emotions. I just kept imagining him like the Grinch in the classic cartoon version, watching his heart grow a little bit each time. And his disgust over each time it happened was just a riot to me.
Petra and Silas really are perfectly paired for each other, and in classic Abigail style, the peril is perilous. And while their peril is resolved just in the nick of time, the UTA peril is at an all time high! She's such a lil' scamp!
As always I'm waiting with baited breath for the next anything!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Gun violence, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual harassment
A Minotaur Tale In Prose, Being a Monster Romance for Yuletide by Kass O'Shire
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A perfect nugget of a story to kick off your Yuletide reading! With odes to classic holiday stories, Kass gives us such an adorable courtship between Asterion and Cora. Who doesn't love a partner who does their research? And try as she might, Cora falls for her Minotaur as hard as he for her....maybe with just a bit more encouragement to show her that he's in it for the long haul, not just a fling. And if there's ever a time for a little magic, isn't it the holiday season?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Just felt so meh about the characters and an arranged marriage that neither of them were made aware of? I don't need someone else's family drama for the holidays.