kj468's reviews
392 reviews

I enjoyed this book and really valued the perspective of the author and the insight Dalia gave. The reflection on Dalia’s experience of moving through academia as a minority felt familiar and hit on several of my own frustrations (though I am white, so Dalia had additional difficulties that I did not experience first hand but did witness). I think this book is a great introduction to a lot of different topics (eating habits, body positivity, gender, coping with microgressions and the long term trauma they create, and more). 

The author has a podcast & I plan to check it out! 

Didn’t really capture my attention, as evidenced by how long it took me to read it. It wasn’t bad — just didn’t click for me. I wasn’t totally sold on the romance, and while the demon stuff is fun, it wasn’t as fun as in the first book. I likely will still read the others in the series. 

The narration made me cringe too much. Just really didn’t connect with the writing and voice. Referring to a sock as crusty grossed me out too much. Not for me. 

I’d give this ten stars if I could. A hundred stars. A million. 

I loved both of the characters with my whole heart. Matts showed up earlier in the series and was just beginning his journey of growth, and it was SO GOOD to see him continue on that journey in this book. He starts out as an imperfect ally trying his best, awkward and unsure. Watching him learn and challenge his inner beliefs and the beliefs of those around him was so rewarding, I was so proud of him. And the (probable - undiagnosed but acknowledged) autism rep was so well done. I so deeply connected to many of his lived experiences— especially the way he felt like he was missing a guidebook on social interactions that everyone else got, and how he compensates (or used to, mainly) for that by basically being a mirror for those around him.  His social struggles are a constant presence in the book, really capturing how it feels. 

And Sydney! What a wonderful pistol of a character with a soft vulnerable underbelly that she guards so carefully!! Watching her open up to Matts and slowly start to feel more and more comfortable was great. Really excellent trans rep. A great balance of trans angst and joy. 

The side characters were great too! The whole band was amazing (especially Sydney and her relationship with her brother Devo). And of course it was wonderful to see all the characters from books past! 

 Loved reading Connor’s story!! It was great seeing him all grown up; he was more mature and level headed now, but I could still see traces of the hurt and angry kid he used to be. His growth was really well done. Reid was a great match for him and I loved seeing Reid come into his own too. 

A little more angsty/emotional than I usually go for, with a pretty big helping of mutual hurt/comfort but it was really well done and I enjoyed it. Deep emotions, good character arcs for everyone, great side characters. Despite dealing with some serious and negative emotions (grief, worthlessness, rejection by family), it was still a happy book with lots of happy moments and positive relationships. I really enjoyed how big of a role Logan’s sister played, she was great. And the slowly improving relationship between Logan and his stepson was well done and so satisfying to watch grow. I can’t wait to read Conner’s book. 

I was obsessed with this!! My first book by this author and will absolutely be reading the others in the series and checking out her other books. Great characters, emotions, and writing. There was a great balance of pining/slow burn while also being so clear that they were head over heels for each other. I loved how happy Will was to be perceived as Not Straight and how that contributed to his understanding of his own sexuality. Totally would read again 

Tropes: friends to lovers, opposites attract, nerd x jock, (childhood) friends to lovers, pining, virgin, in love the whole time 

There was a lot here that didn’t work for me personally but might work well for someone else!! In general, I love friends to lovers, but the emotions of this one didn’t resonate great with me. One friend — the out gay one, who is also the more serious and nerdy one — has been pining for his jock & kind of flighty best friend for years. There’s a lot of hurting in the first third of the book and in general, more negative emotions throughout than I prefer. There’s also quite a bit of emotional yo-yo-ing, especially in the last third, which isn’t my preference. 

I think my biggest problem was the general dynamic between the MCs (and I admittedly may be biased here by my own kind of similar less-than-ideal dynamic in a past best-friendship). I don’t like how Asher (the nerdy, pining one) basically follows Dalton (the extrovert) around, seemingly always working to make him happy and going out of his way to do so, whereas I didn’t see a lot of on-page examples of how Dalton reciprocates this energy. For example, Asher actively suggests doing and engages in Dalton’s interests but then has to bribe Dalton into participating in Asher’s interests. Dalton seemingly breezes through his life without too much attention to how his actions affect others/Asher, except in the most obvious of moments (and even then doesn’t nail it). To me, their friendship is very centered on Dalton, and having been in a best friendship like that… it’s not a great feeling.

I didn’t love the initial scene where they get together. It’s while sharing a bed & they wake up rutting together. The way it’s done doesn’t feel like the *most* consent-forward way for this to happen in my opinion. I don’t love that the jock friend initially seems to give very little thought to the romantic/sexual progression of their friendship; I think it’s supposed to come off as a natural progression, but to me he came across pretty flippant. Like, he dives into it without giving it much thought and doesn’t seem to consider at all how it will hurt his best friend if he realizes these aspects of the relationship don’t work for him. Of course they do, because this is a romance book, but his initial approach to it made it harder for me to root for him.

This was my first book by this author & I appreciate being given an arc to review! I would probably try reading something else by her to see if a different couple/dyanmic makes me enjoy her books more because I didn’t have any issues with the writing style or pacing. If none of this sounds like a deal breaker to you, then you’ll probably really enjoy this book & should definitely pick it up! It wasn’t my cup of tea but I can see why others like it! 

It was SO wonderful to read a winter holiday novella centered around Yule!! This novella is quick and sweet (the fact that it took me a week to read it is NOT a reflection on the book haha). I adored the characters, especially Natalie’s grandma (who is also one of Evie’s good friends - love that). Dallas Smith always writes side characters that slap!!! The setting is a quaint and cozy town that I want to move to tomorrow lol. 

I also liked Natalie’s growth arc — as a person who quit their high-achieving career path in their twenties, Natalie’s story resonated and I thought it well captured how it can feel. 

Evie was sooo relatable with her sensory overload experiences and time blindness and guilt over procrastinating. Great late diagnosed adhd rep!! 

Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a cute, quick holiday novella, especially if you want one that doesn’t center Christmas!

Thanks to Dallas for the arc!

This was a fun read, even though it took me about 25% to really get into. It ended up being one of the better renditions of the “I think I’m homophobic because I feel bad when my new gay friend kisses guys”  trope that I’ve read!! I’m definitely going to pick up there next In the series and also the prequel. Fratty with a bi awakening without falling into that uncomfortable straight/gay porn fantasy area.