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tolutolu9597's reviews
446 reviews
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have just finished inhaling this book as if my very life depended on it and if I am being honest at some points it truly felt like that. I was hanging off of every word Julie Soto put down on the page. Julie Soto has delivered a masterpiece in this book, following Gwen and Alex as they fall in love and also discover truths about themselves is so delightful. The way music is filtered through the books to express so much about them - their emotions, their insecurities, their passions, is so beautiful and moving.
If I had to try and compare the experience of reading this books to some other experience the first thing that comes to mind is the breathlessness and dizziness you feel after a perfect live gig.
Masterful storytelling, a beautiful romance and positively orchestral plotting. Gwen and Alex will break your heart and then restore your belief in love all over again.
(also side-note if the trope of mc being positively head over heels almost pathetically enamoured with the fc then this is for you my dear!)
all the stars, all the stars.
If I had to try and compare the experience of reading this books to some other experience the first thing that comes to mind is the breathlessness and dizziness you feel after a perfect live gig.
Masterful storytelling, a beautiful romance and positively orchestral plotting. Gwen and Alex will break your heart and then restore your belief in love all over again.
(also side-note if the trope of mc being positively head over heels almost pathetically enamoured with the fc then this is for you my dear!)
all the stars, all the stars.
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Ah Book Lovers, the book that finally helps me understand the Emily Henry hype train and has convinced me to purchase a first class ticket aboard.
Book Lovers answers the question left unanswered by every Halmark film, every small town cosy romance - "What about the bitchy city gf? Where's her happy ever after". And what a delightful answer it is.
Sharp, Witty and utterly swoony - Emily Henry hits the mark with this small town romance turned on its head.
An ode to all the city girls that would rather die than pick a slow, sleepy town over the fast pace, 24hr city life (one for me, one for us).
Book Lovers answers the question left unanswered by every Halmark film, every small town cosy romance - "What about the bitchy city gf? Where's her happy ever after". And what a delightful answer it is.
Sharp, Witty and utterly swoony - Emily Henry hits the mark with this small town romance turned on its head.
An ode to all the city girls that would rather die than pick a slow, sleepy town over the fast pace, 24hr city life (one for me, one for us).
Number Call by Nagisa Furuya
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Number Call is a short and sweet story following Eito and Hacchi. Drawn together by their names, they find that the connection between them runs deeper.
If you like sweet romances with minimal conflict then this is one for you!
If you like sweet romances with minimal conflict then this is one for you!
Falling Drowning, Vol. 1 by Yuko Inari
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Falling Drowning starts off unassuming as a romantic high school comedy complete with a love triangle but we quickly relaise there are more angsty elements at play. A love triangle involving childhood friends, amnesia and *spoiler* potentially murder?
Inari's high school drama combines the innocence and sweetness of high school romance with a compelling suspense theme and two ships that have their own attractive qualities.
An intriguing series and one that will be great to follow into volume 2
Personally somewhat too innocent and high school-esque for me? I feel like I may have outgrown the high school aged, overly innocent heroine.
3.5 stars rounded up
Inari's high school drama combines the innocence and sweetness of high school romance with a compelling suspense theme and two ships that have their own attractive qualities.
An intriguing series and one that will be great to follow into volume 2
Personally somewhat too innocent and high school-esque for me? I feel like I may have outgrown the high school aged, overly innocent heroine.
3.5 stars rounded up
The List by Yomi Adegoke
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a rollercoaster...
I think this book is quite adept in following the rather insane nature of social media post #METOO.
It delves into how potent social media can be in allowing the stories of previously silenced survivors to be heard. It also shows how the misappropriation of this tool as a route for revenge or blackmail, however minimal, is effectively used to allow the plethora of abusers to go through.
The book attempts to show the intersectionality of this issue with broader issues: the misogyny that runs rampant in the UK, the homophobia, mental health in black men, and the double-edged sword of internet fame - however, it at times feels like these much wider issues are glossed over to get back to the central narrative of the book.
I like the idea that the author posits in Ola - the uncomfortable question of what would you do if it happened to you. This question mirrored against cultural and familial context was exciting and should have been dug into more (something that I think would have helped greatly with understanding Ola)
The main downfall of what could have been a truly explosive book is that it can't decide if it wants to be a book on the harmful nature of blanket cancel culture and the complexities behind that statement as we interact online or a book on sexual assault. It tries to do both and fails both sides tremendously.
Combining the two provided a narrative that teetered dangerously close to focusing on the idea of false accusations, which is already such a vocal narrative in shutting down the voices of victims of abuse and assault.
A look into how those two intersect would be vastly interesting, but The List is a rather clunky stab at this.
The writing was cinematic (I 10000% can see this as a limited series - perhaps not in the current cultural climate... :( ), and there is a lot of potential, so I am intrigued with what Yomi produces next in the fiction space.
Overall a decent book but I did expect just a little bit more.
I think this book is quite adept in following the rather insane nature of social media post #METOO.
It delves into how potent social media can be in allowing the stories of previously silenced survivors to be heard. It also shows how the misappropriation of this tool as a route for revenge or blackmail, however minimal, is effectively used to allow the plethora of abusers to go through.
The book attempts to show the intersectionality of this issue with broader issues: the misogyny that runs rampant in the UK, the homophobia, mental health in black men, and the double-edged sword of internet fame - however, it at times feels like these much wider issues are glossed over to get back to the central narrative of the book.
I like the idea that the author posits in Ola - the uncomfortable question of what would you do if it happened to you. This question mirrored against cultural and familial context was exciting and should have been dug into more (something that I think would have helped greatly with understanding Ola)
The main downfall of what could have been a truly explosive book is that it can't decide if it wants to be a book on the harmful nature of blanket cancel culture and the complexities behind that statement as we interact online or a book on sexual assault. It tries to do both and fails both sides tremendously.
Combining the two provided a narrative that teetered dangerously close to focusing on the idea of false accusations, which is already such a vocal narrative in shutting down the voices of victims of abuse and assault.
A look into how those two intersect would be vastly interesting, but The List is a rather clunky stab at this.
The writing was cinematic (I 10000% can see this as a limited series - perhaps not in the current cultural climate... :( ), and there is a lot of potential, so I am intrigued with what Yomi produces next in the fiction space.
Overall a decent book but I did expect just a little bit more.
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Despite the title, Small Worlds delivers us a breathtakingly expansive world.
An exploration of love - both romantic and familial, Small Worlds is a beautifully written ode to not only Black Britishness but also to Ghana.
My favourite part is the mirror of father and son that Caleb builds slowly, slowly and then delivers all at once.
Poignant and Powerful, Azumah Nelson delivers a sophomore novel that somehow trumps the mastery of his debut.
An exploration of love - both romantic and familial, Small Worlds is a beautifully written ode to not only Black Britishness but also to Ghana.
My favourite part is the mirror of father and son that Caleb builds slowly, slowly and then delivers all at once.
Poignant and Powerful, Azumah Nelson delivers a sophomore novel that somehow trumps the mastery of his debut.
My Happy Marriage, Volume 1 by Akumi Agitogi, Rito Kohsaka
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It was a bit slow to start but it was good! I feel like this genre is definitely more my style…will 100% pick up more
Docked a star because I don’t like that whole “I hate all women, even my own mother, apart from you” trope. Gave me the slight ick fr.
Also I hope as she overcomes the TRAUMA of her childhood Miyo gains a bit more personality because it’s giving wallpaper rn. Another docked star sorry not sorry!
The magic system seems so interesting though, I’m really interested in how the world and system will evolve!
Took me way too long to finish a 200 page manga but life has been wild lately 🥹🥹🥹
Docked a star because I don’t like that whole “I hate all women, even my own mother, apart from you” trope. Gave me the slight ick fr.
Also I hope as she overcomes the TRAUMA of her childhood Miyo gains a bit more personality because it’s giving wallpaper rn. Another docked star sorry not sorry!
The magic system seems so interesting though, I’m really interested in how the world and system will evolve!
Took me way too long to finish a 200 page manga but life has been wild lately 🥹🥹🥹