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xoxobookishgirl's reviews
464 reviews
Worth Waiting For by Kristin Keppler
lighthearted
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
⭐⭐⭐
Rep: Sapphic romance, Korean-American LI
🪼Co-Workers at an aquarium
⏱️Dual time-line
❤️Sapphic second-chance romance
👁️Single POV
"To all those still waiting on their second chance"
What I Liked
1) I liked the discussions about hook-up culture and Peyton slowly realising that she was using it as a way to run from her feelings and not because it always was what she wanted. I think this is a very valuable conversation to have.
2) I loved the setting of them being co-workers at an aquarium like it was definitely the highlight of the book for me. It felt like the perfect summer vibes.
3) I liked the discussion about parent's settling and how that realisation is heart-breaking. "Realisation that my mother doesn't believe in love hits me like a punch to the gut"
4) The last few chapters actually made me believe in the romance more and bumped up my rating for this book. "My first, my last, my only".
What I Disliked
1) Being in Peyton's POV, she very much was overly sexual in her thoughts, for example, "forcing girls in tank tops to pull on sweatshirts. It's a shame, really". Personally, I hate when in romance, they make one of the MCs minds like the horniest teenager ever as it gives me such an ick. Like I don't mind it as much when it's about the love interest, but she is constantly horny in her thoughts about random things.
2) For the majority of the book, I wasn't really rooting for their romance as I just didn't feel they were meant for each other. Second-chance romance is my favourite trope but I have to feel that they are destined to be together which I just didn't feel in this book.
Overall, I think there is better second-chance sapphic romance out there but the setting in this book is really cool and if what I disliked about this book doesn't bother you personally then I'd recommend reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bold Stokes Books Inc. and Kristin Keppler for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rep: Sapphic romance, Korean-American LI
🪼Co-Workers at an aquarium
⏱️Dual time-line
❤️Sapphic second-chance romance
👁️Single POV
"To all those still waiting on their second chance"
What I Liked
1) I liked the discussions about hook-up culture and Peyton slowly realising that she was using it as a way to run from her feelings and not because it always was what she wanted. I think this is a very valuable conversation to have.
2) I loved the setting of them being co-workers at an aquarium like it was definitely the highlight of the book for me. It felt like the perfect summer vibes.
3) I liked the discussion about parent's settling and how that realisation is heart-breaking. "Realisation that my mother doesn't believe in love hits me like a punch to the gut"
4) The last few chapters actually made me believe in the romance more and bumped up my rating for this book. "My first, my last, my only".
What I Disliked
1) Being in Peyton's POV, she very much was overly sexual in her thoughts, for example, "forcing girls in tank tops to pull on sweatshirts. It's a shame, really". Personally, I hate when in romance, they make one of the MCs minds like the horniest teenager ever as it gives me such an ick. Like I don't mind it as much when it's about the love interest, but she is constantly horny in her thoughts about random things.
2) For the majority of the book, I wasn't really rooting for their romance as I just didn't feel they were meant for each other. Second-chance romance is my favourite trope but I have to feel that they are destined to be together which I just didn't feel in this book.
Overall, I think there is better second-chance sapphic romance out there but the setting in this book is really cool and if what I disliked about this book doesn't bother you personally then I'd recommend reading it.
Thank you to Netgalley, Bold Stokes Books Inc. and Kristin Keppler for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Floating Hotel by Grace Curtis
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
⭐⭐
DNF 32%
Why I DNF'D
1) There was way too many perspectives in this book for me to actually remember anybody's backstory and actually care about them as a character. I think this book could have been great if the perspectives were limited to 3-4 characters so we could actually get invested in their stories. This is a character driven book but when you have so many characters it doesn't work as you don't care about any of them.
2) There wasn't enough detailed sci-fi elements for my taste personally. What I love about sci-fi is really getting to know the world and what happened that lead to people being on a floating hotel in space. However, this wasn't really explored much in the 32% I read.
3) Due to these factors, the book just couldn't hold my attention. I was given an ARC for the audiobook and I think this made it even more confusing as the many perspectives are just narrated by one person. I understand that the budget for more people to narrate it might not be there, but I think it would have benefitted the audiobook greatly.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton Audio and Grace Curtis for this audioARC in exchange for an honest review
DNF 32%
Why I DNF'D
1) There was way too many perspectives in this book for me to actually remember anybody's backstory and actually care about them as a character. I think this book could have been great if the perspectives were limited to 3-4 characters so we could actually get invested in their stories. This is a character driven book but when you have so many characters it doesn't work as you don't care about any of them.
2) There wasn't enough detailed sci-fi elements for my taste personally. What I love about sci-fi is really getting to know the world and what happened that lead to people being on a floating hotel in space. However, this wasn't really explored much in the 32% I read.
3) Due to these factors, the book just couldn't hold my attention. I was given an ARC for the audiobook and I think this made it even more confusing as the many perspectives are just narrated by one person. I understand that the budget for more people to narrate it might not be there, but I think it would have benefitted the audiobook greatly.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hodder and Stoughton Audio and Grace Curtis for this audioARC in exchange for an honest review
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 4 by Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There’s so many funny Mao Mao moments in this volume I love how blunt she is I find her super relatable.
“Do you want to die? Hardly”
“May i humbly ask that you unhand me”
“Good girls deserve a reward? No thank you!”
“Them’s the rules”
“Do you want to die? Hardly”
“May i humbly ask that you unhand me”
“Good girls deserve a reward? No thank you!”
“Them’s the rules”
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 3 by Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
This volume had a mystery aspect that I love and some funny quotes.
"Mao-Mao you mustn't speculate out loud"
"I gave him a night to remember, the stuff of which dreams are made" actually had me laughing out loud.
"Mao-Mao you mustn't speculate out loud"
"I gave him a night to remember, the stuff of which dreams are made" actually had me laughing out loud.
薬屋のひとりごと 1 [Kusuriya no Hitorigoto 1] by 日向夏, 七緒一綺, ねこクラゲ
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Junker Seven by Olive J. Kelley
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
4.5
⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Rep: Autistic Non-binary Lesbian MC with prosthetic, Transfem Lesbian MC, Bisexual Transfem SC, Deaf Gay Transmasc SC, Lebian SCs
🚀Mission through space
🏳️⚧️Trans activist influencer needs to get to safety
🌎Post climate disaster
💌Woman and non-binary relationship
👨👩👧👧Queer found family
"Great. No plan no schedule. Sounds great for an autistic person who is always one unexpected sensory input away from a full-blown meltdown"
"Not even the most idiotic person deserves for the intergalactic news to spout lies about them using their dead-name"
"Everywhere is tough for me...Everywhere is loud, everywhere is bright. It gets under my skin no matter where I go"
What I Loved
1) The story was really easy to get into as the action started really quickly
2) I loved seeing Junker's journey from avoiding the fact that their existence is inherently political to being actively involved in activism. I think this reflects a journey a lot of queer people go on as initially a lot of people try to separate themselves from the more loud queer people to protect themselves.
3) I really respected how the author blanked out whenever Juno was dead named
4) I loved the discussion about life focusing on survival so you don't realise things could be better as your so focused on just trying to live.
5) This book felt both comforting and way too real at the same time so definitely check the trigger warnings but I absolutely loved the journey we went on with the characters and I can't wait for the next book.
What I Disliked
1) Usually, I don't mind if a story's messaging is very blatantly stated rather than hinted at, but it was a bit too heavy handed in this book for my taste. I think the same messaging could have been gotten across in a more subtle, the reader figures it out sort of way.
Rep: Autistic Non-binary Lesbian MC with prosthetic, Transfem Lesbian MC, Bisexual Transfem SC, Deaf Gay Transmasc SC, Lebian SCs
🚀Mission through space
🏳️⚧️Trans activist influencer needs to get to safety
🌎Post climate disaster
💌Woman and non-binary relationship
👨👩👧👧Queer found family
"Great. No plan no schedule. Sounds great for an autistic person who is always one unexpected sensory input away from a full-blown meltdown"
"Not even the most idiotic person deserves for the intergalactic news to spout lies about them using their dead-name"
"Everywhere is tough for me...Everywhere is loud, everywhere is bright. It gets under my skin no matter where I go"
What I Loved
1) The story was really easy to get into as the action started really quickly
2) I loved seeing Junker's journey from avoiding the fact that their existence is inherently political to being actively involved in activism. I think this reflects a journey a lot of queer people go on as initially a lot of people try to separate themselves from the more loud queer people to protect themselves.
3) I really respected how the author blanked out whenever Juno was dead named
4) I loved the discussion about life focusing on survival so you don't realise things could be better as your so focused on just trying to live.
5) This book felt both comforting and way too real at the same time so definitely check the trigger warnings but I absolutely loved the journey we went on with the characters and I can't wait for the next book.
What I Disliked
1) Usually, I don't mind if a story's messaging is very blatantly stated rather than hinted at, but it was a bit too heavy handed in this book for my taste. I think the same messaging could have been gotten across in a more subtle, the reader figures it out sort of way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Transphobia, Violence
Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
funny
mysterious
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
4.0
The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 2 by Itsuki Nanao, Natsu Hyuuga
funny
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
3.5
I Can't Even Think Straight by Dean Atta
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
⭐⭐⭐
Rep : Gay MC, Non-Binary SC
"I only act straight when I can concentrate on it. The rest of the time, I'm pretty camp, and a bit of a clown."
🏳️🌈Coming out story
❤️🩹Messy relationships and friendships
What I Liked
1) I liked Vass talking about their experience of coming out as non-binary as different to coming out about your sexuality as trans/non-binary people are way more attacked at the moment. I think this could make a lot of teens feel seen.
2) Important conversations were brought up about black teen boys hanging out being mistaken for a gang and how racist that is.
3) I liked how the author handled the MCs feelings about his relationships and that red flags can be different to different people. This story can show teens that if a relationship makes them uncomfortable, even if the other person hasn't technically done anything wrong, you should still leave and that the right person will feel safe.
What I Disliked
1) I think the characters needed way more development. Certain characters felt more like they were there to get a message across rather than the character feeling like a real person while also getting the themes and messaging to the reader.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hatchette Children's Group and Dean Atta for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Rep : Gay MC, Non-Binary SC
"I only act straight when I can concentrate on it. The rest of the time, I'm pretty camp, and a bit of a clown."
🏳️🌈Coming out story
❤️🩹Messy relationships and friendships
What I Liked
1) I liked Vass talking about their experience of coming out as non-binary as different to coming out about your sexuality as trans/non-binary people are way more attacked at the moment. I think this could make a lot of teens feel seen.
2) Important conversations were brought up about black teen boys hanging out being mistaken for a gang and how racist that is.
3) I liked how the author handled the MCs feelings about his relationships and that red flags can be different to different people. This story can show teens that if a relationship makes them uncomfortable, even if the other person hasn't technically done anything wrong, you should still leave and that the right person will feel safe.
What I Disliked
1) I think the characters needed way more development. Certain characters felt more like they were there to get a message across rather than the character feeling like a real person while also getting the themes and messaging to the reader.
Thank you to Netgalley, Hatchette Children's Group and Dean Atta for this eARC in exchange for an honest review
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault