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daijahsbookworld's reviews
803 reviews
You Better Watch Out by James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this was a fine thriller. i enjoyed the kills and the end but i don't think this is memorable and i wanted more christmas vibes
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
kennedy ryan’s writing never fails to move me, and this book is no exception. she has such a gift for weaving together life’s most difficult, emotional topics with moments of lightness and hope. her stories are always a testament to resilience, love, and growth, and this book encapsulates all of that beautifully.
what stood out to me most in this story was soledad’s journey. watching her grapple with tragedy and betrayal while rebuilding her life was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. her path toward self-acceptance and healing felt so authentic and raw. i especially loved seeing her relationship with her daughters evolve. the bond between them was heartfelt and complex, and it was incredibly rewarding to see how much they grew individually and as a family.
judah was such a standout character for me. his patience, understanding, and unwavering support made him the perfect counterpart to soledad. his relationship with his two autistic sons was one of the most touching elements of the book. kennedy ryan handled the exploration of parenting autistic children with so much care and nuance, and it added an extra layer of depth to the story. it’s rare to see this kind of representation in romance novels, and i truly appreciated the thoughtful way it was written.
soledad and judah’s romance was breathtaking in its complexity and tenderness. their relationship was built on a foundation of trust, respect, and deep understanding, which made it feel so real. judah never overstepped soledad’s boundaries, and their love unfolded in a way that honored the challenges both characters had faced. my only wish was for more of their romance earlier in the book. while i understood the importance of focusing on soledad’s personal journey and her process of “dating herself,” i found myself craving more moments of connection between her and judah earlier on. their love story is so compelling that i couldn’t help but want more of it.
overall, this book was an emotional and uplifting read that stayed with me long after i turned the final page. kennedy ryan continues to deliver stories that are as thought-provoking as they are heartfelt, and i can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series. this is a romance that will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and deeply moved.
thank you to grand central publishing, kennedy ryan, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
what stood out to me most in this story was soledad’s journey. watching her grapple with tragedy and betrayal while rebuilding her life was both heart-wrenching and inspiring. her path toward self-acceptance and healing felt so authentic and raw. i especially loved seeing her relationship with her daughters evolve. the bond between them was heartfelt and complex, and it was incredibly rewarding to see how much they grew individually and as a family.
judah was such a standout character for me. his patience, understanding, and unwavering support made him the perfect counterpart to soledad. his relationship with his two autistic sons was one of the most touching elements of the book. kennedy ryan handled the exploration of parenting autistic children with so much care and nuance, and it added an extra layer of depth to the story. it’s rare to see this kind of representation in romance novels, and i truly appreciated the thoughtful way it was written.
soledad and judah’s romance was breathtaking in its complexity and tenderness. their relationship was built on a foundation of trust, respect, and deep understanding, which made it feel so real. judah never overstepped soledad’s boundaries, and their love unfolded in a way that honored the challenges both characters had faced. my only wish was for more of their romance earlier in the book. while i understood the importance of focusing on soledad’s personal journey and her process of “dating herself,” i found myself craving more moments of connection between her and judah earlier on. their love story is so compelling that i couldn’t help but want more of it.
overall, this book was an emotional and uplifting read that stayed with me long after i turned the final page. kennedy ryan continues to deliver stories that are as thought-provoking as they are heartfelt, and i can’t wait to dive into the next book in the series. this is a romance that will leave you feeling inspired, hopeful, and deeply moved.
thank you to grand central publishing, kennedy ryan, and netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
i love this series so muchhhhh. emily and wendell warm my heart fr
Mistlefoe: A Mead Realm Tale by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was a cute romance but not anything to write home about
You Make It Feel like Christmas by Toni Shiloh
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
this was a cute romance but not anything to write home about
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
i really enjoyed the first 25% of this and the setup of the mystery, but a lot of the mystery fell to the wayside for the romance which i felt nothing for at all. it was so dry
Blackmail and Bibingka by Mia P. Manansala
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
this is such a quick and fun cozy series! i really enjoyed the plotline of this one especially compared to the first
Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.5
this was not as christmasy as i would have liked but i always enjoy this authors writing. i also loved the end!
An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
read for the literally dead book club: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXaXf...
unfortunately i really didn't like this one. i felt like this was so unintentionally vague which left so much to be desired. lennon was a bit annoying. the romance was horrible and took over the end of the story. the side characters were underdeveloped to put it nicely. overall this book was just extremely lackluster.
unfortunately i really didn't like this one. i felt like this was so unintentionally vague which left so much to be desired. lennon was a bit annoying. the romance was horrible and took over the end of the story. the side characters were underdeveloped to put it nicely. overall this book was just extremely lackluster.
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
i loved this because it truly was about loneliness and acceptance. it was just so wholesome