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jennireadsmaybe's reviews
651 reviews
I mean this in the best possible way, if I had found this on Wattpad when I was in high school it would've changed my life (who am I kidding it still kinda did and I'm in my mid-twenties now). I definitely would've realized I was queer way sooner than I did, because of Quinntessa's thoughts and feelings for ex-cheerleader, rebel with a cause Quinn. The way their feelings developed felt so honest. There's teasing, banter, stolen moments, and motorcycle rides. Another refreshing New Adult romance. I'm really looking forward to getting Quinn's POV in the next books to hear her thoughts.
This is dark and tough to read at times but so worth it. I can't recommend it enough! Such an amazing debut!!!
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, and Homophobia
Moderate: Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Suicide, and Pregnancy
- 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
There's a lot of moving parts in this. Between prophecies, politics, and magic of all kinds there's enough action and mystery to keep the pages turning. I definitely recommend an immersive reading experience with a physical and audio copy because it's got multiple narrators that capture everything so well. The world itself was so immersive and all the different settings throughout were easy for me to imagine; I could definitely see the similarities between the book and the Pre-Columbian Americas it's inspired by. I really liked the queer + trans representation and how normalized it was for our characters.
Read this if you like epic fantasy, great world building, multiple POVs, political intrigue, ancient prophecies, magical worlds, and LGBTQIA+ characters.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death, Homophobia, and Sexual content
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
My favorite part of L&L isn't the off the charts chemistry and smut (though it's amazing as usual for Lyla Sage), it's actually the soft moments as Teddy and Gus get to know each other beyond their pre-existing best friend's brother relationship. Gus gets to see just how much Teddy cares for everyone around her (especially Riley) and Teddy gets to be the one who he lets his walls down with. They're just so cute y'all!!!
Lost and Lassoed is not just a romantic love story; it's one of familial love between parents and their kids and platonic love between two best friends. I think my favorite thing about the Rebel Blue Ranch series is that every book mentions how Teddy and Emmy are soulmates. I've been lucky enough to find the other half of my platonic heart in my best friend, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Medical content
Moderate: Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
- 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
Beatriz and Andrés are such great characters individually that it was rather easy for me to picture them as a matched set separated by a cruel world that would do whatever it took to keep them apart. They come to each other in stages of grief, believing that the world is more than what it seems, surrounded by people but achingly lonely. They believe in each other so strongly, even when it seems like they shouldn't. It's beautiful and heart-wrenching.
It would be remiss of me not to mention the historical setting. Set in the aftermath of The Mexican War of Independence, the audience gets to see a glimpse of Mexico's political relations and what that meant for our main characters and society at the time. Of course, it's all juxtaposed against the super natural elements and history's brutal treatment of women. A phenomenal read!
One line that stood out to me particularly was, “But if God is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, if He is three in one in the Trinity, then God knows nothing of loneliness. God knows nothing of standing with his back to a gray morning, of dropping to his knees in the dust.”
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racism, Rape, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual assault, Abortion, and War
- 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
Council politics mixed with hunt for a new, more inclusive magic testing system added the perfect amount of intrigue to keep me invested outside of the romance (which I loved!!!). Torquil's rough introduction to London's upper crust society felt so real to me. I just knew they were suffering under the weight of society's expectations. Throw in Emrys' meddling grandma and mother and there was the perfect amount of humor and stress.
Torquil and Emrys' romance is sickeningly sweet in the most amazing way! It felt like a warm hug on a cold day. What started as a one off hook up several years ago has turned into something bordering on much more serious feelings. Torquil is using their gossip column to share what Emrys is looking for in a partner and obviously we know exactly who he is looking for (spoiler alert: Torquil). They slowly get to know each other as they are partnered at very events. It's sweet, soft, slow, and heartwarming. I love their story!!!
Moderate: Racism and Sexual content
- 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
I can't say it's an all time favorite, but I had a fun enough time reading it. I liked how Rebecca Thorne showed the transition for Reyna and Kianthe from hardly getting to see each other to having to spend all of their time together. It's a cute village filled with nosy neighbors and magical politics. I'm jealous that I can't run away to a small, mountain town to open a book shop with my non-existent significant other. Cute!
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent and Murder
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I LOVE love and Dina and Scott's love is where it's at! There's instant attraction and chemistry between these two that left me wanting more from the start. Their chemistry is electrifying in the bedroom (literally glowing), and Scott certainly has a mouth on him.
Overall, a fun read that I want to reread next fall on audio to experience it in a whole new way!
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Medical content, and Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
Graphic: Sexual content
- 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
Starting with the characters, Andrew is completely, achingly, brokenly obsessed with his best friend Thomas. He writes twisted fairytales full of dark and dreary monsters, and Thomas draws those monsters in his sketch book. They're messy, chaotic teenagers experiencing the worst parts of teenage-hood and making bad decision after bad decision. I love them both so much for that. Teenagers, especially queer teenagers, should get to exist as they are without having to be the perfect representation at every waking moment. I love these two toxic boys with all my heart.
They are fighting off the physical manifestations of the fictional monsters they've created. The haunted forest surrounding the campus is destroying them piece by piece. Andrew's asexuality is a huge part of the plot, because he's so terrified that he will never loved. He's also dealing with all of his feelings for Thomas and what it means to be in love with his best friend, especially as they are fighting with each other, because nobody can hurt you worse than the person that knows you the best. The plot is so easy to get hooked into (even scaredy cat me wanted to keep reading).
The person I was before reading DLTFI was a husk. I will never be the same.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Bullying, Eating disorder, and Homophobia
Minor: Child abuse, Vomit, and Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Listen, smut can be the plot. Smut can be the driving force behind character growth and relationship growth. And, smut can be what sucks a reader into a book. Kayla did the damn thing with the smut in Axes & O's. Was it was hot enough to leave readers a sweaty mess? Absolutely. But, it was also a meaningful exploration of sexuality, desire, k!nk, and what it means to trust the person/people you are in a romantic relationship with. I'm a sucker for a strong man getting on his knees for forgiveness and Fox exceeding my expectations with his apology ;) I will be screaming about this book for years to come.
Read this if you like lumber jacks, janes, and snacks, a cozy cabin at Christmas, poly romance (specifically MMF), fat representation, learning new things about yourself, smut and k!nk and desire, falling for someone you never expected, and a man who knows when he has to say sorry.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness and Car accident