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ihavetosay's reviews
80 reviews
Broken Bonds by J. Bree
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
full review at ihavetosay.blog
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I like the world itself and I’m interested to see why she’s afraid and how her relationships with her bonds develop over time. The cliffhanger has kept me hooked so I’ll be continuing on, but just note that this book is mainly laying background information, I assume for what’s to come.
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
funny
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? No
5.0
Aaliyah is now dating intentionally, and chooses the new bar across the street from her apartment to have her first date with her coworker’s friend. Being stood up began her journey with a dating app.
The bartender, Ahmad, and she fall into conversation where he roasts her and gives her tips about her dating profile. He offers to keep an eye out for her, since one of her fears about dating is her safety.
Their banter had me laughing out loud and cheesing the whole time. I read this book in three days and want to reread it.
Ahmad was not slick. I was like why is he this invested. The way their relationship develops, the way they slowly get more comfortable opening up, was *chefs kiss.*
This book also discusses fatphobia. It shows how supposedly well meaning sentiments are actually fatphobic talking points. It touches on the fetishization of fat women and “BBWs” and discusses the misconception people have that being fat automatically means undesirable and lesser than in some people’s mind.
The way Aaliyah’s family discusses matters regarding her without her was a lot. Her uncle was on some bullshit pretty much the entire time.
I was worried that at the end of the book, some of the conversations would be irrelevant because of how situations would resolve, but I was happily surprised that it ended how it did without taking away the messages from previous conversations.
The bartender, Ahmad, and she fall into conversation where he roasts her and gives her tips about her dating profile. He offers to keep an eye out for her, since one of her fears about dating is her safety.
Their banter had me laughing out loud and cheesing the whole time. I read this book in three days and want to reread it.
Ahmad was not slick. I was like why is he this invested. The way their relationship develops, the way they slowly get more comfortable opening up, was *chefs kiss.*
This book also discusses fatphobia. It shows how supposedly well meaning sentiments are actually fatphobic talking points. It touches on the fetishization of fat women and “BBWs” and discusses the misconception people have that being fat automatically means undesirable and lesser than in some people’s mind.
The way Aaliyah’s family discusses matters regarding her without her was a lot. Her uncle was on some bullshit pretty much the entire time.
I was worried that at the end of the book, some of the conversations would be irrelevant because of how situations would resolve, but I was happily surprised that it ended how it did without taking away the messages from previous conversations.
Witchful Thinking by Celestine Martin
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Overall, I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars. This book has some cozy vibes, but is relatively straightforward and low stakes. It went in a direction I wasn’t expecting, but I’m not mad about it. I, personally, had a good time.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
I have mixed feelings about this book. This is a will they, won’t they story where Magnolia and BJ know how much they affect the other, but can’t seem to figure out how to admit their feelings and make it work. There’s history and little trust. Both are petty, coping with their hurt by either intentionally making the other jealous with fake boyfriends to provide a buffer (Magnolia) or engaging in vices- sex, alcohol, and cocaine- as a distraction and getting caught (BJ).
Despite my annoyance, I still enjoyed the book. What can I say? I’m no better than them and I enjoy mess. I still hated how it ended, but unfortunately I’m invested so I’m going to keep reading the series.
Overall, I give this 3 out of 5 stars. There were cute moments and the way Magnolia and BJ spoke about each other was endearing, despite the pettiness. I don’t know if it’s love or codependency or both, but it’s clear there are deep feelings between the two and hopefully, in the next books we’ll see them grow.
I have mixed feelings about this book. This is a will they, won’t they story where Magnolia and BJ know how much they affect the other, but can’t seem to figure out how to admit their feelings and make it work. There’s history and little trust. Both are petty, coping with their hurt by either intentionally making the other jealous with fake boyfriends to provide a buffer (Magnolia) or engaging in vices- sex, alcohol, and cocaine- as a distraction and getting caught (BJ).
Despite my annoyance, I still enjoyed the book. What can I say? I’m no better than them and I enjoy mess. I still hated how it ended, but unfortunately I’m invested so I’m going to keep reading the series.
Overall, I give this 3 out of 5 stars. There were cute moments and the way Magnolia and BJ spoke about each other was endearing, despite the pettiness. I don’t know if it’s love or codependency or both, but it’s clear there are deep feelings between the two and hopefully, in the next books we’ll see them grow.
A Shadow in the Ember by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- 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
There’s parallels between this series and the From Blood and Ash series because this is the prequel story, but there are also obvious similarities in character traits and the dynamics between the leads. I’m not sure if it is intentional or not, but if I had to choose between the two, I’d choose this one wholeheartedly, and because I like this one so much, I didn’t mind it.
Right out of the gate, the book opens with a mystery that’s put the back burner, leading to the meeting of Sera and Ash. If you’ve seen my Instagram stories, you know this book had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. The banter and the chemistry between the leads was *chefs kiss*.
Different events happen throughout the book that lead us to where we end up by the end. I haven’t finished the series so I can’t say how much of it is important to the overall plot, but I more than enjoyed the journey and it gave me a great understanding of Sera.
There’s parallels between this series and the From Blood and Ash series because this is the prequel story, but there are also obvious similarities in character traits and the dynamics between the leads. I’m not sure if it is intentional or not, but if I had to choose between the two, I’d choose this one wholeheartedly, and because I like this one so much, I didn’t mind it.
Right out of the gate, the book opens with a mystery that’s put the back burner, leading to the meeting of Sera and Ash. If you’ve seen my Instagram stories, you know this book had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time. The banter and the chemistry between the leads was *chefs kiss*.
Different events happen throughout the book that lead us to where we end up by the end. I haven’t finished the series so I can’t say how much of it is important to the overall plot, but I more than enjoyed the journey and it gave me a great understanding of Sera.
A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
There’s three acts: the planning of the heist, the heist, and immediately after the heist. This book is a slow burn and everything clicked into place once I finished the last sentence. The author leaves clues throughout the book that seem suspect, but are overall meaningless, only for it to come back up once the big reveals happen. It was masterful to me, even if one aspect of the reveal wasn’t too surprising.
I would say the book is mainly about the whys and not the whats, including the reveals. We get some backstory on each of the members of the team throughout the entire book, including the three narrators, but Arthie is curious of everyone’s motivations, because she doesn’t trust easily and knows people to be self-interested, which leads us as the reader to wonder about each person and their involvement.
Overall, I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars (another rare half point). I really enjoyed the vibe of this book and I love heist themed media. It is a slower paced adventure about tea, vampires, and heist and I enjoyed the journey.
There’s three acts: the planning of the heist, the heist, and immediately after the heist. This book is a slow burn and everything clicked into place once I finished the last sentence. The author leaves clues throughout the book that seem suspect, but are overall meaningless, only for it to come back up once the big reveals happen. It was masterful to me, even if one aspect of the reveal wasn’t too surprising.
I would say the book is mainly about the whys and not the whats, including the reveals. We get some backstory on each of the members of the team throughout the entire book, including the three narrators, but Arthie is curious of everyone’s motivations, because she doesn’t trust easily and knows people to be self-interested, which leads us as the reader to wonder about each person and their involvement.
Overall, I give this 4.5 out of 5 stars (another rare half point). I really enjoyed the vibe of this book and I love heist themed media. It is a slower paced adventure about tea, vampires, and heist and I enjoyed the journey.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.
There’s other books I’d rather prioritize
A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
medium-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
4.5
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
Going in, I thought we would reach Atlantia sooner since that is the plan from the beginning, however it makes sense how everything plays out. Reading this one, I’d just keep in mind that reaching Atlantia is the goal of this book and they encounter hiccups on the way.
Going in, I thought we would reach Atlantia sooner since that is the plan from the beginning, however it makes sense how everything plays out. Reading this one, I’d just keep in mind that reaching Atlantia is the goal of this book and they encounter hiccups on the way.
In the grand scheme of things, not much happens, but enough does and I was invested the entire time.
To be honest, there’s a lot of info dumping going on, but I personally didn’t mind it. It also helped me better understand the lore and the world, which is something that confused me a little in the last book. There’s a lot of history explained because Poppy is so curious.
Nothing prepared me for how this book ended.
Casteel, aka Hawke, was more likable to me in this one. I promise it isn’t a spoiler that he loves Poppy real bad. Navigating their dynamics and Poppy having an internal war with herself about Casteel was half the fun of this book. Because how they met is crazy and how they’re forced to be around each other and Casteel proposes to her despite the betrayal is crazier.
Kieran is my favorite and I think his bantering is the most entertaining. I like his relationship with Poppy. Every scene he’s in I’m giddy.
Reggie and Delilah's Year of Falling by Elise Bryant
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
I’m not in a YA romance mood right now. Maybe I’ll go back another time
The Good Ones are Taken by Taj McCoy
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Full review at ihavetosay.blog
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The cover and the title drew me in. I actually think friends to lovers is an underrated trope. However, Maggie annoyed me at times. Like would Garrett ever have spoken up? They’ve known each other a long time.
There’s also a love triangle in play, but I don’t think it was that convincing. The end got a little repetitive with Maggie asking the same question to different people and getting the same response back in a different font.
What I liked about this book was the friendships between the girls and even Maggie’s friendship with Garrett. It gave chosen family energy and I loved their dynamics together. I also found the dates from the apps amusing. There were times I was laughing out loud throughout the story.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a light palette cleanser and the humor made up for what I wasn’t drawn to. I’m probably going to go back to read Savvy’s story at some point.
I wanted to like this book more than I did. The cover and the title drew me in. I actually think friends to lovers is an underrated trope. However, Maggie annoyed me at times. Like would Garrett ever have spoken up? They’ve known each other a long time.
There’s also a love triangle in play, but I don’t think it was that convincing. The end got a little repetitive with Maggie asking the same question to different people and getting the same response back in a different font.
What I liked about this book was the friendships between the girls and even Maggie’s friendship with Garrett. It gave chosen family energy and I loved their dynamics together. I also found the dates from the apps amusing. There were times I was laughing out loud throughout the story.
OVERALL
Overall, I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. It’s a light palette cleanser and the humor made up for what I wasn’t drawn to. I’m probably going to go back to read Savvy’s story at some point.