venturajai31's reviews
581 reviews

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-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

3.5

To start off, the writing is impeccable. Honestly, I think I stayed reading as long as I did because of how well the author wrote this novel because it was great. 

With that said, the story was just plain boring. I DNF’d around the 65% mark and let my library loan expire, then decided to start it again a couple days ago. It truly didn’t pick up until the 88% mark for me and that’s when I felt like I couldn’t put it down. I liked Viv as a character, adored Fern and Porkroast, and was very intrigued by Satchel BUT it just felt like I was reading just to read, not to experience these things with Viv as a character but instead through a looking glass.

I’m going to read Legends & Lattes because I’m curious but as of right now, I’m almost not excited for it, which is disappointing.

Before We Came by Sloane St. James

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Woah. This book…. I do not have the words to describe! The fact that this is her FIRST novel, I mean what?!?! I have read a few debut novels recently and this blew them out of the water!

This book was phenomenal. I was recommended this by a friend and was immediately intrigued. To say this book delivered is an understatement. My true rating is 4.5 stars—I felt that the introduction to her biological family and his relationship with his mom could’ve been built on more but it was just so freaking wholesome to read, I’m not upset.

I really freaking enjoyed this any devoured it. Read it! You will not regret it 😍

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

Sooooo much more rom-com than I was imagining? Total black cat & golden retriever energy, which was cute. It really caught me from the beginning—it’s freaking serial killers! The story growing between the two over the next few years was so wholesome and relatable. It’s about being ready for each other at the same time and finally taking that plunge. I loved how they both allowed each other the space to do what they needed to do without judgement. This story really felt so full of acceptance, of all the dirty and dark and demented parts of oneself (again, they’re serial killers so DUH). I’d read it all over again if I could!

Storms and Secrets by Claire Kingsley

emotional funny mysterious medium-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

I have read almost every book by Claire Kingsley and damn if this isn’t one of my favorites! The added third person POV was sooo different from her usual but I liked it! The villain was pretty clear from the beginning but I really enjoyed watching everything play out. It had the perfect amount of Tilikum humor with the added suspense. I devoured this!

Detonate by Luna Mason

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

Was it cringy? Slightly. Could I stop reading it? No. 

Honestly, Grayson had me a chokehold (pun intended). I know some people don’t like the whole “oh I can’t be with her I’m just gonna stay away” one minute then “ahhhh I can’t live without her let me marry her” a chapter later kind of deal, and honestly I’m not too much of a fan either, but I really did like this story. My rating is closer 3.5-3.75 after a specific scene buuuut the last few chapters made it up for me. Do I think it will change your life after reading it? Not really, but it was enjoyable and I have no regrets LOL.

Distance by Luna Mason

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

My honest rating is 3.5 but I liked it enough to round up to 4 stars. 

The insta-love isn’t always my jam but this was actually a really enjoyable read. There was scene that freaking broke my heart and the resolution just tore at me! After everything Sienna went through, Keller just haaaaad to go and do THAT!

Honestly, I would say read it. It was a quick read for me and hooked me enough to keep going. I’m so anxious to get to the rest of the boys!

Wildfire by Hannah Grace

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-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? Yes

5.0

This was honestly so freaking cute. I really enjoyed Icebreaker and was excited that Russ was getting his own story (I love our little muffin ❤️). The progression of their relationship and how they navigated it all was amazing. It wasn’t slow burn, it was getting to know each other on a deeper level— “Tell me a secret” AHHH had me every time! I understand Russ and his home life well, the way his emotions played out and the growth he had was so personal to me, I just couldn’t put it down. I love Russ so much, there aren’t enough words. Muffin has my heart as much as he has Rory’s! Loved it!!

Heartwood Harmony: A Grumpy Lumberjack Romantic Comedy by Ashleigh Wrights

inspiring 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

Ok, I genuinely liked this book. Once you get past the few editing and grammatical errors, the story itself was truly endearing. The beginning was a bit tough to get through, as the writing felt a bit juvenile but it got soooo good once she arrived in Pine Crest. As a young Hispanic woman who has dealt with bigotry and racism in my 24 years, I really resonated with Olivia. And Garrett? Hands down, so yummy and his dirty talk was top notch. As a second novel by this author, I was impressed. If you’re someone who can look past the few grammatical errors, I definitely recommend this!

All the Lies by S.T. Abby

dark emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This series lives in my head 24/7!!! The series falls into my second top read of 2023 (out of 100+ books!) and I am ready to buy the series for myself and a million other people. The character development of the FMC was phenomenal, the MMC’s growth was done amazingly, and the story’s overall theme was literally *chefs kiss* because I CANNOT think of another way to describe it. 10000/10 I recommend this to everyone, even non readers because WOW!

Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn

4.0