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kharlan3's reviews
179 reviews
Meet Me in Madrid by Verity Lowell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Writing felt awkward and lots of mediocre reviews that confirmed it wouldn't improve
They Ain't Proper by M.B. Guel
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
In this book, Clementine Castellanos is ordered as a mail-order bride by a brute, and ends up accidentally delivered to a non-binary cowboy outlaw, Lou Ramirez. Despite Lou's determination to keep things proper between them, they fall in love in this slow burn historical western romance. Overall, this book was a mid-tier read for me. I was SO EXCITED by the premise- there are so few queer historical western romances, and so few romances with nonbinary leads in general, but this one fell just short. Clementine is brash and determined, and Lou is reserved and sure of themself, but I wanted just a bit more character development and internal conflict, instead of the book repeatedly throwing external plot at them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Homophobia, Infidelity, Transphobia, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Outing
Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble by Alexis Hall
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
wow paris is so anxious
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Homophobia, Islamophobia, and Abandonment
Pack of Her Own by Elena Abbott
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Torture, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Dysphoria
Minor: Cannibalism
The Wolf at the Door by Charlie Adhara
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Not for me. Strong "not all (fictional FBI) cops" vibes. Not great narrator, very robotic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Hate crime, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence, Torture, Blood, and Trafficking
Minor: Animal death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Godly Heathens by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
5.0
Gem is a nonbinary teen living in small town Georgia, and things have never felt quite right- especially that their best friend lives all the way in New York City. This not-right-ness comes to a head as disconcerting things start to happen and Gem learns that they're a reincarnation of a god from another universe, in the midst of a generation-spanning war for the lives of their fellow gods and the world they left behind.
I completely adored this book. Gem is complex- I rooted for them, but they make bad, messy, heartfelt decisions left and right. The thing that this book did the best was Gem's inner life- the combination of their mental health issues and the memories of their past lives flowing together, the all-consuming yearning that can't be contained to a single object of affection, the coping skills they try to use but aren't quite enough. I haven't seen quite this point of view on trans-ness, gender, mental illness, and growing up in the rural south anywhere else.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait for the next one- H.E. Edgmon hasn't disappointed me yet!
I completely adored this book. Gem is complex- I rooted for them, but they make bad, messy, heartfelt decisions left and right. The thing that this book did the best was Gem's inner life- the combination of their mental health issues and the memories of their past lives flowing together, the all-consuming yearning that can't be contained to a single object of affection, the coping skills they try to use but aren't quite enough. I haven't seen quite this point of view on trans-ness, gender, mental illness, and growing up in the rural south anywhere else.
This book ends on a cliffhanger, and I can't wait for the next one- H.E. Edgmon hasn't disappointed me yet!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Transphobia, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Vomit, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, War, and Injury/Injury detail
The Secret Summer Promise by Keah Brown
adventurous
hopeful
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
Andrea Williams is 17, has cerebral palsy, and realized she’s bisexual (and in love with her best friend Hailee) just in time for her last summer break of high school.
This book is a delight! I especially love Andrea’s family and community. I’m especially excited that the book allows Andrea to have both queer and disabled communities around her and that that community is made up of characters that feel fleshed out and lived in. This story and its telling feel geared towards young adults but without talking down to readers or trying to sound too “hip”. Even when the decisions the characters make are frustrating, they feel realistic and relatable, and the story balances romance and coming-of-age nicely. The audio narration by Tamika Katon-Donegal is also excellent, giving life to Andrea.
I would recommend this book to diverse readers of young adult fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an eARC in return for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Minor: Biphobia, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Classism
In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
I just.... cannot right now
Gays of Our Lives by Kris Ripper
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Vomit and Pregnancy
Minor: Ableism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
text includes giving birth, descriptions of a character's experiences with multiple sclerosis, depression, the medical system
We Could Be So Good by Cat Sebastian
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
5.0
Top historical romance of 2023