lavenderluvsbooks's reviews
426 reviews

Oath of Fire by K. Arsenault Rivera

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.75

This is the second psyche & eros retelling I've read but my first queer version. This arc is so delectable. It makes me want to visit the gods of joy. The smut scene was superb. Very well done. The emotional aspects really hit home. 
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And Then There Was Us by Kern Carter

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

This review is dedicated to me & my younger self. This book is heavy for me. My parent-mom is still alive but we have a terrible relationship. It wasn't always so rough. Like most west indian-jamaican mothers she is strict, physically and verbally disciplines (to put it nicely) , and has trauma from her own life. Otherwise she was always there doing for me not herself. Then I grew up wanted better from my family as I emotionally and mentally evolved. She didn't like the person I was becoming. Therapy and my friends kept me alive. She kicked me out. I can blame her husband, the family that abused her, my queerness, etc but it doesn't matter she made the choices. Our relationship will never be the same whether she is dead or alive. But im choosing to live for me. I dont want to make the mistakes of those before me. Thats what this book is about. Its interesting that a male author wrote from the pov of a fmc. But he did a really good job. I havent read a book by a cis man in years. I might just cry from how this book made me feel.
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L. Ron Hubbard Presents: Writers of the Future, Vol. 40 by L. Ron Hubbard

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

There is something about reading a audio book that makes everything more immersive. I have never heard of this series. I went to a book festival and wore the shirt and was asked about what it was. The older black women recognized l Ron Hubbard name. Because this volume have only one black authors story im really hope over the past four decades the series has been more diverse than this year. The crowd is also older and I wonder beyond writing spaces in the traditional sense if other generations know about this. I wasn't sure how I would feel about the stories. I didn't love bipoc characters being read but white voices. I like more effort to be put in who correctly represents identities & cultures. Most if not all of the stories were incredible and unique. Reading the physical book would have been longer. It was like reading black mirror or dystopia. I particularly like the stories about revenge or humans making very human choices. Not every story is a happy ending. Most have cliffhangers. I can see myself reading this again or recommending it to others. Hopefully more people hear about this and submit a story.
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The Boyfriend Project by Farrah Rochon

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I have finished this series backwards weird but worth it. The 1st & 3rd book is my fav. It is so good not as much smut in the beginning of the story only two scenes in the end but its so good. My new favorite author
And She Was Never the Same Again: A Multigenerational Memoir by Natasha Pryde Trujillo

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

When I read about this book I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into. I don't read much nonfiction but the family trauma aspect resonated with me. My own experiences as a nurse and person with poor relationships have made me who I am. The losses in my family for the people I care about have not happened yet. I condone the authors rawness. I felt the discomfort. This book will be helpful to others hoping to help themselves or those with traumatic loss intertwined with family lives. I will be thinking about this book and my own stories for the rest of my life. And I will never be the same again.
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The Dating Playbook by Farrah Rochon

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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

I have no idea why I'm reading this series backwards but I love it lol. This wasn't my favorite. But I can acknowledge as a pagan the use of the character and author being Christian but not making the story unpalatable. The sex scenes are superb. I do wish there was a toy usage scene. Otherwise for a book with Christianity military and hetero usage its not overdoing it. The disability deaf representation was good addition. 
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The Hookup Plan by Farrah Rochon

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

Aspects of this book hit close to home. Learning to take care of yourself is very important. An absent parent can impact your life but you can change it to be happy and not please the person. Taking your health seriously especially as a health professional is very uncommon but can be done. I also agree that getting your back blown out well can be stress relieving. I'm so happy for these characters.
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The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa de la Cruz

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

I want filipino food. I want to do the five stages for someone and them to do it for me. I feel like I learned about the culture and traditions making it more interesting. There are emotional aspects with non-queer acceptance, fear, change, etc. Overall, this (arc) version made me smile &, yearn. And I was my feet everyday! Inside joke. But really more people should stop wearing outside shoes inside the house. I hope in the fictional future they delve into discovering Persian culture, go to the Philippines,  & travel europe and asia together. 
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Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

5.0

I love this black romance with queer black side character representation. Gave me all the feels. And as a hopeful future dog owner I learned a lot. I want to make biscuits for it too. Not a military fan but was an interesting part of the story. Also love new Orleans references makes me want to visit soon. And I almost thought this book had no smut but there is in fact smut thank the ancestors. It didn't need it but I always enjoy good spice.
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Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me by Mariko Tamaki

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challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective fast-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

5.0

I found this book very relatable. Its painful breakups & love crushes I didnt think it was like that until I experienced them. We all want someone to see us & stay. I think this book is such a relatable experience. I'm still trying to figure my life -love life out. But im glad I have this book in my brain now to help me along the way.