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ihavetosay's reviews
80 reviews
Spring Awakening by J.S. Jasper
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
4.5 ⭐️
Thank you Love Notes PR and J.S. Jasper for an arc for an honest review.
SYNOPSIS
Mali landed a PR job for her favorite, local rugby team she’s supported with her pants since she was a kid. The team is rising the ranks professionally, now in a higher league, and she’s excited to help them continue to grow. On her first day, she happens to run into her favorite player, Zach, and they have a rocky interaction.
What could happen?
RECAP AND REVIEW
This book is out February 2nd, 2025.
This is the first book in an interconnected standalone romance series, told in the third person from Mali and Zach’s perspective, set in a fictional town in the UK.
Mali is bright, bubbly, and talkative. She knows a lot about the rugby team and its players, and despite the rocky start working for them, she quickly integrates herself as a part of it.
Zach is quiet and keeps to himself. He’s been burned in the past and his words are easily misinterpreted, coming across as rude. He recently did an interview that rubbed the team the wrong way. Zach is always worrying about his mother and brother. His older brother is in and out of jail, and his mom experiences memory loss, so Zach visits often to check in on her.
The relationship between Zach and Mali is a slow burn. Sometimes, slow burns are too slow for me, but the pacing in this one kept my attention and I actually loved watching them pine over each other for months without the other realizing.
It was so cute, and amusing, that Zach didn’t really know how to talk to her and I enjoyed seeing them navigate their attraction and feelings. Their families also blending (before they even got together) was also heartwarming.
Tropes include:
🏉 Sports Romance (Rugby)
🏉 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🏉 PR x Player
🏉 Roommates
🏉 Reformed Player
🏉 Cat Mom
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. These characters are going to stick with me for a while because they were both so oblivious to the other’s real thoughts and feelings. They cared about each other, feelings aside, and it was a good time reading how they showed up for each other.
Thank you Love Notes PR and J.S. Jasper for an arc for an honest review.
SYNOPSIS
Mali landed a PR job for her favorite, local rugby team she’s supported with her pants since she was a kid. The team is rising the ranks professionally, now in a higher league, and she’s excited to help them continue to grow. On her first day, she happens to run into her favorite player, Zach, and they have a rocky interaction.
What could happen?
RECAP AND REVIEW
This book is out February 2nd, 2025.
This is the first book in an interconnected standalone romance series, told in the third person from Mali and Zach’s perspective, set in a fictional town in the UK.
Mali is bright, bubbly, and talkative. She knows a lot about the rugby team and its players, and despite the rocky start working for them, she quickly integrates herself as a part of it.
Zach is quiet and keeps to himself. He’s been burned in the past and his words are easily misinterpreted, coming across as rude. He recently did an interview that rubbed the team the wrong way. Zach is always worrying about his mother and brother. His older brother is in and out of jail, and his mom experiences memory loss, so Zach visits often to check in on her.
The relationship between Zach and Mali is a slow burn. Sometimes, slow burns are too slow for me, but the pacing in this one kept my attention and I actually loved watching them pine over each other for months without the other realizing.
It was so cute, and amusing, that Zach didn’t really know how to talk to her and I enjoyed seeing them navigate their attraction and feelings. Their families also blending (before they even got together) was also heartwarming.
Tropes include:
🏉 Sports Romance (Rugby)
🏉 Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🏉 PR x Player
🏉 Roommates
🏉 Reformed Player
🏉 Cat Mom
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. These characters are going to stick with me for a while because they were both so oblivious to the other’s real thoughts and feelings. They cared about each other, feelings aside, and it was a good time reading how they showed up for each other.
Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
On top of being unwed at twenty five, a crime to her mother, Azere becomes pregnant, and is fighting her attraction towards her coworker, who she hooked up with before, all while trying to be a good daughter and uphold the promise she made to her parents.
Azere is in a lose-lose situation and coping by ignoring her own feelings and wants. The third act break up hurt me, but Azere was going through a lot internally.
There may be a tiny bit of instalove in the beginning, but the book also gives fate and invisible strings by the end. I loved Rafael and Azere together, even when Azere was fighting her feelings and Rafael wouldn’t open up.
This book is sad, tense, and funny, with twists and turns that had me thinking I knew what was going to happen, only for me to be shocked as I continued reading.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I loved the author’s writing style and I can’t believe it took me this long to actually sit down and read it because once I did, I was hooked.
On top of being unwed at twenty five, a crime to her mother, Azere becomes pregnant, and is fighting her attraction towards her coworker, who she hooked up with before, all while trying to be a good daughter and uphold the promise she made to her parents.
Azere is in a lose-lose situation and coping by ignoring her own feelings and wants. The third act break up hurt me, but Azere was going through a lot internally.
There may be a tiny bit of instalove in the beginning, but the book also gives fate and invisible strings by the end. I loved Rafael and Azere together, even when Azere was fighting her feelings and Rafael wouldn’t open up.
This book is sad, tense, and funny, with twists and turns that had me thinking I knew what was going to happen, only for me to be shocked as I continued reading.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I loved the author’s writing style and I can’t believe it took me this long to actually sit down and read it because once I did, I was hooked.
Blood Bonds by J. Bree
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Full review at www.ihavetosay.blog
The main plot points I take away from this book are:
1. Oli bonding with two more unbonded separately.
2. Oli bonding with two bonded at once (threesome)
3. More Nox brooding. It’s clear that it comes from deeper trauma (an explanation).
4. The traitor from book 2 explaining themselves. Took like half of the story. I find his character annoying though.
5. Sage learning more about her Bond group.
6. A sabotage, revealing another traitor.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. The action, spice, and reveals in this book are what I’ve been waiting for in the series. It’s fun to see Oli’s relationships with her bonds deepen and change, and I’m very curious to how Nox and Oli will work out their issues and bond.
As always, this one ends on a cliffhanger that makes me itch to pick up the next book.
The main plot points I take away from this book are:
1. Oli bonding with two more unbonded separately.
2. Oli bonding with two bonded at once (threesome)
3. More Nox brooding. It’s clear that it comes from deeper trauma (an explanation).
4. The traitor from book 2 explaining themselves. Took like half of the story. I find his character annoying though.
5. Sage learning more about her Bond group.
6. A sabotage, revealing another traitor.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. The action, spice, and reveals in this book are what I’ve been waiting for in the series. It’s fun to see Oli’s relationships with her bonds deepen and change, and I’m very curious to how Nox and Oli will work out their issues and bond.
As always, this one ends on a cliffhanger that makes me itch to pick up the next book.
Lore Olympus: Volume One by Rachel Smythe
dark
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0wPDES9xI/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
This is a modern approach on Greek mythology and I’m unsure about the accuracy of what happens.
Persephone spent most of her life in her house bc her mother, Demeter, was unhealthily obsessed with keeping her safe. Now in Olympus, she is slowly unraveling her sheltered mindset. She is besties with Artemis, who is protective over her bc she knows how naive Persephone can be.
Hades is a player, smitten by Persephone. He’s funny and trying to ignore his infatuation. The banter between them was super cute.
Hades and Persephone have chemistry when they meet and there’s mutual pining when they’re apart.
Be mindful of the various triggers within this story. This graphic novel is adult, discussing sex, infatuation, people’s bodies, strip clubs, etc. freely.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0wPDES9xI/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
This is a modern approach on Greek mythology and I’m unsure about the accuracy of what happens.
Persephone spent most of her life in her house bc her mother, Demeter, was unhealthily obsessed with keeping her safe. Now in Olympus, she is slowly unraveling her sheltered mindset. She is besties with Artemis, who is protective over her bc she knows how naive Persephone can be.
Hades is a player, smitten by Persephone. He’s funny and trying to ignore his infatuation. The banter between them was super cute.
Hades and Persephone have chemistry when they meet and there’s mutual pining when they’re apart.
Be mindful of the various triggers within this story. This graphic novel is adult, discussing sex, infatuation, people’s bodies, strip clubs, etc. freely.
Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Full review at https://www.ihavetosay.blog
Posted on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csu2QOdOZi_/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
This book showed how it feels navigating white-dominated industries as a Black woman. Grace sees her hard work get dismissed bc of racial bias. I was frustrated with her and knew exactly where she was coming from.
Grace is healing her inner child. She’s financially dependent on her father, who is a hard ass and has a distant relationship with her mother, who is a free-spirit. The disconnect, unresolved feelings and pressure, aids in her loneliness
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed compatibility of Yuki and Grace. Some of Yuki’s podcasts made me think about life. Grace’s actions did get annoying after a while, even though I understand where she’s coming from (most of the time). Other times, she was a bit immature.
There’s a lot of symbolism, deep thoughts, and darker themes, including systemic racism and mental health hardships, throughout the story. I’d keep that in mind if you decide to read it.
Posted on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Csu2QOdOZi_/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
This book showed how it feels navigating white-dominated industries as a Black woman. Grace sees her hard work get dismissed bc of racial bias. I was frustrated with her and knew exactly where she was coming from.
Grace is healing her inner child. She’s financially dependent on her father, who is a hard ass and has a distant relationship with her mother, who is a free-spirit. The disconnect, unresolved feelings and pressure, aids in her loneliness
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. I enjoyed compatibility of Yuki and Grace. Some of Yuki’s podcasts made me think about life. Grace’s actions did get annoying after a while, even though I understand where she’s coming from (most of the time). Other times, she was a bit immature.
There’s a lot of symbolism, deep thoughts, and darker themes, including systemic racism and mental health hardships, throughout the story. I’d keep that in mind if you decide to read it.
If You'll Have Me by Eunnie
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
This graphic novel was funny, sweet, and relatively lighthearted. The more serious parts were cut through with humor and the brightness of the illustration. I enjoyed the depictions of anxiety and over thinking in seemingly low-risk moments, like sending a “hello” text. The flashbacks for both characters provided some background context about the way Momo and PG present themselves individually.
Though I understand the decision to keep it light, I personally wanted the story to dive in a little more into certain aspects of each character: Momo and her people-pleasing tendencies, Momo’s friend planting seeds of doubt, and PG’s experiences outside of Momo and her ex best friend. (Like did PG talk about Momo with her friends too?)
Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars. It was super cute, made me laugh unexpectedly, and I enjoyed their banter. The moments they were there for each other were lovable and it’s a great graphic novel if you’re looking for a fluffy romance in a college setting, with diverse characters.
This graphic novel was funny, sweet, and relatively lighthearted. The more serious parts were cut through with humor and the brightness of the illustration. I enjoyed the depictions of anxiety and over thinking in seemingly low-risk moments, like sending a “hello” text. The flashbacks for both characters provided some background context about the way Momo and PG present themselves individually.
Though I understand the decision to keep it light, I personally wanted the story to dive in a little more into certain aspects of each character: Momo and her people-pleasing tendencies, Momo’s friend planting seeds of doubt, and PG’s experiences outside of Momo and her ex best friend. (Like did PG talk about Momo with her friends too?)
Overall, I give this a 4 out of 5 stars. It was super cute, made me laugh unexpectedly, and I enjoyed their banter. The moments they were there for each other were lovable and it’s a great graphic novel if you’re looking for a fluffy romance in a college setting, with diverse characters.
Drunk on Love by Jasmine Guillory
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
Overall, I give this book a strong 3 out of 5. I love the winery setting and their relationship was cute. They get into some tussles towards the end but I like how it resolved itself in a similar way as how they met. I would give it 4 stars but I didn’t feel like dynamic between Margot and Elliot was fleshed out.
Overall, I give this book a strong 3 out of 5. I love the winery setting and their relationship was cute. They get into some tussles towards the end but I like how it resolved itself in a similar way as how they met. I would give it 4 stars but I didn’t feel like dynamic between Margot and Elliot was fleshed out.
A Light in the Flame by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
This is the second book in a prequel series. It picks up directly after the first one ends, so if you haven’t read the first, there will be missing context.
Whereas the first book was about Sera’s backstory, this book is about Sera learning the truth of the gods, the origins of her power, and still wanting to fulfill her mission.
The messaging from this book that I got was about fate. How maybe fate isn’t set in stone because we have free will. Or maybe fate is inevitable, occurring as a result of actively trying to change it. Maybe there are parts of life that are bigger than fate, overruling it in a way. Maybe you can change your fate.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I like the first one more, but I still give it a 5 because I’m invested in these characters and what will happen to them. I also appreciate that seemingly throwaway information or observations have come back around to mean or be more.
This is the second book in a prequel series. It picks up directly after the first one ends, so if you haven’t read the first, there will be missing context.
Whereas the first book was about Sera’s backstory, this book is about Sera learning the truth of the gods, the origins of her power, and still wanting to fulfill her mission.
The messaging from this book that I got was about fate. How maybe fate isn’t set in stone because we have free will. Or maybe fate is inevitable, occurring as a result of actively trying to change it. Maybe there are parts of life that are bigger than fate, overruling it in a way. Maybe you can change your fate.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars. I like the first one more, but I still give it a 5 because I’m invested in these characters and what will happen to them. I also appreciate that seemingly throwaway information or observations have come back around to mean or be more.
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
I have mixed feelings about Kidan. I found her self-righteous and hypocritical. She questions people’s choices, but I feel like she would make those same ones if she had to. She considered vampires evil, but she’s no better.
I enjoyed:
✨Susenyos – Love him bad (though I don’t support all his wrongs).
✨This is true enemies-to-lovers! They really hate each other, so much so that maybe it could turn to passion? Love?
✨The final lesson from the Dranacti class- It wrapped things up nicely, and I’m also looking at this university sideways.
✨The short chapters-
What I enjoyed less:
😕 Redacted (GK)
😕 The “prank wars”, although Kidan’s final move was iconic.
😕The third person narration- Led to a feeling of being tricked vs. an undiscovered mystery.
Half of twist at the end I saw coming, and the reveal makes the story even more tragic.
From this book, I learned about the harms of living for other people. That everyone has their reasons, and sometimes you’re not owed those reasons. Well-intentioned actions can still be flawed.
I have mixed feelings about Kidan. I found her self-righteous and hypocritical. She questions people’s choices, but I feel like she would make those same ones if she had to. She considered vampires evil, but she’s no better.
I enjoyed:
✨Susenyos – Love him bad (though I don’t support all his wrongs).
✨This is true enemies-to-lovers! They really hate each other, so much so that maybe it could turn to passion? Love?
✨The final lesson from the Dranacti class- It wrapped things up nicely, and I’m also looking at this university sideways.
✨The short chapters-
What I enjoyed less:
😕 Redacted (GK)
😕 The “prank wars”, although Kidan’s final move was iconic.
😕The third person narration- Led to a feeling of being tricked vs. an undiscovered mystery.
Half of twist at the end I saw coming, and the reveal makes the story even more tragic.
From this book, I learned about the harms of living for other people. That everyone has their reasons, and sometimes you’re not owed those reasons. Well-intentioned actions can still be flawed.
Savage Bonds by J. Bree
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
Compared to the first, this book is more angsty in a yearning way. Throughout the book, Oli’s bond, which is personified as its own entity, throws tantrums because it wants its power to be used and wants to be around and bond with its counterparts (North, Atlas, Nox, Gryphon, and Gabe).
Oli has some control over her bond, but not much compared to the first book. Her restraint has pretty much gone out the window and it feels like she’s going through puberty in a dramatized way. She can be a lot at times.
This book also feels like more setup. We see Oli’s dynamics change with each of her bonds, see how her bonds are like with each other, are given a rundown of each of her bond’s powers, and see the aftermath of the reveal of Oli’s power.
liked it a little more than the last one, but it’s a little slow. I’m ready to get out of the groundwork stages and into the action.
I don’t know what it is about this series, but I’m invested. I’ve already started the next one, and it’s giving what I’ve been waiting for.
Compared to the first, this book is more angsty in a yearning way. Throughout the book, Oli’s bond, which is personified as its own entity, throws tantrums because it wants its power to be used and wants to be around and bond with its counterparts (North, Atlas, Nox, Gryphon, and Gabe).
Oli has some control over her bond, but not much compared to the first book. Her restraint has pretty much gone out the window and it feels like she’s going through puberty in a dramatized way. She can be a lot at times.
This book also feels like more setup. We see Oli’s dynamics change with each of her bonds, see how her bonds are like with each other, are given a rundown of each of her bond’s powers, and see the aftermath of the reveal of Oli’s power.
liked it a little more than the last one, but it’s a little slow. I’m ready to get out of the groundwork stages and into the action.
I don’t know what it is about this series, but I’m invested. I’ve already started the next one, and it’s giving what I’ve been waiting for.