lit_vibrations's reviews
319 reviews

Bitter and Sweet by Rhonda McKnight

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Get into it . . . . Get into it . . . GET 👏🏽 INTO 👏🏽 IT‼️ This is my second book by McKnight and she delivered a masterpiece yet again. You know a book is good when it evokes a million emotions out of you. One minute you’re happy smiling, the next you’re emotional and in your feelings, then you become angered by some of the actions of these characters. 

Dare you to ask what McKnight brought to the table. She served up a multigenerational family story filled with drama, sisterhood, survival, trauma, family legacy and traditions, with a dash of drama, and a whole lot of forgiveness. The title was so perfect for this book because I felt like Mariah was bitter and Sabrina was sweet. But once you really get into their backstory’s you understand why they behave so differently. 

I know I’m not the only one who thought Mariah was gonna do her soon-to-be ex-husband like Helen did Charles in The Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Had she done so I wouldn’t have been against it lol sometimes people need to see what it’s like when the shoe is on the other foot. The dual timelines 🤌🏽 (chef’s kiss) I really enjoyed Grandma Tab’s timeline. Joseph……Joseph…..Joseph‼️

Overall, I loved everything about this book highly recommend y’all give this one a read. It was compelling, immersive, and filled with unforgettable characters promise you won’t put it down.  The character development and exploration of their emotions was perfectly executed. I literally sympathized with them all even Mariah. I just knew there was more to her mistreatment towards Sabrina. If you’re looking for a book that’s both heartwarming and thought-provoking, and will leave a lasting impression you found it. Special thanks to @authorrhondamcknight @hearourvoicestours & @tnzfiction for my gifted copy‼️
The Color of a Lie by Kim Johnson

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective tense 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? No

5.0

This book was so intense and absolutely brilliant. Literally a MUST read‼️ If you haven’t read any of Johnson’s books I’m gone need you to get into them expeditiously. The way she weaves historical facts into the narrative makes every book she writes worth the read. We’re given a wholesome story and a history lesson at the same time. The Color of a Lie spoke volumes and Calvin’s character was courageous, conscientious, and outspoken. 

White passing wasn’t a new experience for Calvin Greene he’s done it before in the past. But when his father purchases a new home in Levittown which was an all white community Calvin struggles to adjust. It’s hard living a lie when all you want to do is be your true authentic self. When Lily Baker integrates into Calvin’s high school it leaves him torn between two worlds. As he begins to uncover racist secrets about his suburb Calvin’s actions will put his family at risk. 

It’s so sad that many Black Americans during the Jim Crow era with lighter complexions had to white pass in order to experience the so called American Dream. Throughout the novel the author focused on many themes surrounding traveling while Black, sundown towns, white communities fighting against integration, mentions of Emmett Till, the story of Levittown, segregation, influencing access to quality education, and the use of the Green book that helped Black Americans find safe travel routes and dining. 

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book it will have you hooked after the first chapter. For readers interested in  historical fiction, social justice, YA books, or the history of Black Americans this book is for you. Special thanks to @cocoachapters  @kcjohnsonwrites @getunderlined for my gifted copy‼️
Finders Keepers by Sandra Kitt

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

3.5

Finders Keepers is the third novel in The Millionaires Club Series. I enjoyed this one way more than the last book. Although they were both super slow-burns Finders Keepers was a little bit more engaging. It begins with a little mystery after Olivia comes across some money found in the walls of her aunt’s house she’s renovating dating back to circa 1929.

Locating the money must’ve been a sign from God because Olivia has a million things she could use the money for. First thing being to help change the lives of the children that attend her charter school. But before she can claim this wealth she turns the money over to the police who involve the FBI. When FBI agent Sloan Kendrick comes to question her, the instant attraction thrumming between them gives Olivia nervous butterflies. As the investigation brings the two closer, Sloan recognizes in Olivia's hesitation that she doesn't fully trust him yet… Because a romance like this is too good to be true. Olivia has already had her miracle, and lightning doesn't strike twice, does it?

The novel has a decent level of maturity, drama, realistic dialogue, and romance. At times I did find myself a bit bored with it because of the pacing. But I enjoyed the chemistry between Olivia and Sloan. He was charming and determined to win Olivia’s heart. Sloan’s drive to win Olivia over and her continuously being in defense mode made their struggle to romance feel authentic. The character development was decent aside from Olivia’s best-friend having absolutely no boundaries. Also liked how the author incorporated a few side characters like the students and the situation with Olivia’s car being stolen. 

Overall, the book was meh I enjoyed some of it can’t say I 100% recommend it though. Special thanks to the author & @sourcebookscasa for my gifted e-ARC‼️

Rating: 3.5/5⭐️
The Witches of Bellinas by J. Nicole Jones

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I love a good story that involves witches but I didn’t love this one and I didn’t hate it either. This is like the third or fourth book I’ve read in the Gothic fiction genre and every time it’s always a weird reading experience. Maybe that’s the purpose because the writing wasn’t bad just the way the story is told and its delivery was rather strange. 

Tansy and Guy move to Bellinas a coastal town in California to follow a cult like community created by Manny who’s basically a billionaire married to Guy’s cousin Mia. Tansy never really wanted to move to Bellinas it was Guy’s idea after they took a trip to visit. It seems as though during that visit Guy was immediately under their spell which forced Tansy to follow suit. I really hated them together Guy was never for Tansy. She knew in her gut something was wrong with that town it gave eerie vibes from the jump but she ignored her intuition. As Guy embraces their new home cause he was a fucking airhead Tansy struggles to fit in. The town of Bellinas wasn’t the problem it was the community that was rather odd. Portraying themselves as a spiritual community when they were nothing but that. After being told never to enter the woods alone Tansy does anyway and discovers the truth of their Bellinas ways. 

The beginning started with Tansy being locked in the school writing a letter about what’s transpired in case she doesn’t live to tell anyone what happened. What I didn’t like is that it took soooooooo long to get anywhere in the book after that. The first half was the author describing the town of Bellinas and the things they were doing. We never get to the core of the story until 75% of the book is finished. There was also a lack of complexity of the characters aside from Manny and Tansy. 

Overall, I don’t know how I feel about this book. It’s taken forever to write a review cause I’m still at a loss for words. The pacing was beyond slow for a 200 something page book. It had potential but didn’t hit the mark because it was overly detailed in the wrong places. We needed a little more action, thrill, or something. Special thanks to the author and @catapult for my gifted copy‼️
Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Why did Amy snap with this book like that though‼️ Engaged is not the word for this it’s more like this book had me stuck unable to put it down. The sarcasm, the mind games, the lies, the voice, the dark humor, sinister thoughts, and the rumors made this book so worth the read. After a while I was like well hell did Lucy do it? There’s a fine line between truth and deception so when you read the book you’ll understand why I questioned her innocence.

With no memory of what’s transpired imagine being found wandering the streets covered in blood that isn’t yours. Only to discover your best friend is dead and everyone thinks you killed her, even you. That’s the situation Lucy’s currently in. Five years have passed since leaving her hometown in Texas behind and all the memories that came with it especially that horrific night. But when someone goes digging in the past Lucy is forced to return home and confront the inevitable. When Ben Owens the true crime podcast host of “Listen for the Lie” decides to investigate Savvy’s murder it’s a must she solve the case before he does even if she’s the one who did it. 

The way this book was structured and written was so well done. I loved the creativity with incorporating the podcast into the book. The way Tintera uses Lucy’s internal thoughts with those from the podcast makes this such a page-turner. Usually I dislike when there are multiple characters introduced but the author executed everything so well. Hearing everyone’s thoughts on what happened the night Savvy died added the right amount of suspense and doubt needed in a murder mystery. The small-town feel, their judgement of Lucy’s character, and their suspicions surrounding her innocence brought this book to life in so many ways.

Overall, the book was amazing and I highly recommend y’all give this one a read. Who do you believe? Who can you trust? Who’s really lying? It’s the spine-tingling suspense that will suck you in and leave you wanting more. Special thanks to the author & @celadonbooks for my gifted copy‼️
What You Leave Behind by Wanda M. Morris

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adventurous informative mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This author does NOT miss‼️ If you’ve never read any books by Morris I beg you to get into it ASAP. The way she crafts her stories to tackle real life issues offers a narrative that is thrilling, authentic, and thought-provoking. This one was a when not minding your business goes wrong but works in your favor in the end type vibe.

The novel follows Deena Wood’s returning to her hometown in Brunswick, Georgia after the loss of her mother and a nasty divorce. Returning home should’ve been a fresh start for Deena. But when she has a hostile encounter with Holcomb Gardner after trespassing on his land. 

Her presence puts him in defense mode because she’s unaware Holcomb’s been in a constant battle over the ownership of his property. Threatening her never to return provokes Deena to do a little snooping. But when she discovers Holcomb’s gone missing, his property is now up for sale, and his sister died a few months back Deena gets suspicious and suspects foul play. Digging through thick layers of lies, secrets in the family, and illegal land grabs that date back to Reconstruction. Deena is in a race against time to uncover the truth before it’s too late and she too may become a victim. 

Exploring how heirs properties have become a serious problem in low income black and brown communities there’s so much you can learn from this book. We even get a glimpse of a spiritual entity that kind of assists and protects Deena along the way. 

Overall, I loved the book with its vivid depictions and complex characters tension rises with each chapter. If you’re looking for a fast-paced thriller, with a compelling plot, and a strong FMC this the one. Special thanks to the author @wandamorris & the publisher @williammorrowbooks for my gifted copy‼️ 
Better Must Come by Desmond Hall

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adventurous hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

For this book to be YA it was definitely a wild story. Nobody expects a teen to go through or deal with situations both Deja and Gabriel encountered in this book. But these are the harsh realities for many growing up in Jamaica. The struggle to survive, a desire to provide, but being forced to take on adult responsibilities was something Deja honestly wasn’t prepared for. 

Taking the drug money might have been a mistake that could’ve cost her and her family their lives. But when you’re in a tough spot and have others depending on you like her siblings then you do what you got to do to make it. Gabriel had no one so being apart of a posse was a way to take care of himself. He wanted a way out of that life but it seemed the only way out would’ve been in a box. When he and Deja met there was an instant connection and maybe being around her gave him hope. But when the drug money got involved they were left on two different sides of the fence. This is where I felt the author did well tying all the characters' together with the missing drug money. 

Overall, I thought the book was okay the author sets this intense tone from the very beginning. I just felt the pacing was a tad bit slow for a thriller but it’s engaging enough to keep you going until the end.  I also loved how the story unfolded the dark-side of life in Jamaica shedding light on many topics surrounding the consequences of right and wrong, drug abuse, gang violence, dirty cops, the struggle to survive, Jamaican culture, and living conditions. Special thanks to @coloredpagesbt, the publisher @simonteen and the author @desmondhallauthor for my gifted copy‼️
A Run at Love by Toni Shiloh

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adventurous hopeful 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? No

4.0

Nothing in life ever happens by chance Piper and Tucker were meant to be. This was such an adorable friends-to-lovers Christian romance. Making room for devotion to the Lord Tucker allowed God to guide him when it came to confessing his feelings for Piper. A little tension arose between the two after some family business involving the race horses was exposed. Testing the strength of their friendship would determine whether a relationship could work. The ending was very heartwarming and satisfying. Definitely worth the read especially if you’re a fan of the author. Special thanks to @cocoachapters  @bethanyhousefiction @tonishiloh for my gifted copy‼️
Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams

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challenging funny lighthearted reflective tense fast-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

4.5

It only took me five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes to finally read this book‼️ It was just sitting on my shelf filled with all this greatness, collecting dust, patiently waiting for me to crack it open. I can FINALLY say I read Queenie and I loved every moment of it.

This book was wild, raw, and hilarious. Don’t get it twisted Queenie was a piece of work. I wanted to pop her upside the head a few times for her poor decisions and choices in men. She mentioned Tom so many times I know I screamed get the fuck OVER IT Queenie a million times. Her sexual encounters were horrible Adi was cringey, Guy was to damn aggressive, and Ted was the quick pumper. All of em were slaps in the face‼️ Cassandra deserved a slap in the face . . . Her other friends were the right people in her corner though loved Kyazike. 

While Queenie irked me at times by the end of the book I sympathized with her more. She was a young woman in her early twenties who was in need of guidance. A lot of things she did were a result of her upbringing, seeing her mother abused, experiencing verbal and physical abuse herself, and being abandoned at such a young age. She was looking for love and comfort in all the wrong places trying to fill this void of loneliness. When what she needed to do was self-reflect, love herself, and find a way to deal with her past trauma. 

Overall, if you have the book and haven’t read it listen when I say PICK IT UP AND READ IT‼️ I still don’t get why so many people disliked this book because I would definitely reread it. Can’t wait for the series to air on Hulu.
Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

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adventurous funny mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

Welcome to the Blackgical Revolution . . .

Whhhhhy was this book so good though? The representation was everything it’s definitely giving Black boy magic. I mean if all fantasy books came like this I would devour them every time‼️ We get so much from this one a magical HBCU, generational trauma, betrayal from both family and friends, new found community, brotherly love, feuding covens, magical politics, forbidden knowledge and buried mysteries. 

Living most of his life being blamed but also blaming himself for the disappearance/death of his mother Malik was left to look after himself. For years he tried to forget about his magic and not show anyone because when he thought about it all it brought him was pain. Now, that he’s of age he’s finally ready to start a new life for him and his foster brother Taye. In an attempt to rescue his brother connections to a long-lost grandmother are revealed to Malik which will result in him attending the same magical university his mother had. While at Caiman University Malik’s future will open up to more than he could have imagined. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes the cracks in their magical community as it faces a reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution.

This is a book I highly recommend for anyone interested in reading fantasy. The magic will keep you engaged, the action will keep you on edge, but the hidden secrets and past trauma will keep you invested. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Loved the cover so much I had to purchase a copy. Special thanks to the author, @penguinrandomhouse #LabyrinthRoad, & @libro.fm for my advanced listening copy‼️