lklitup's reviews
312 reviews

Between Friends & Lovers by Shirlene Obuobi

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emotional funny sad 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

4.0

if this happened IRL, it’d be prime fodder for a short, entertaining, messy tiktok series
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

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challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Not at all what I was expecting in all the best ways. Beautiful writing, gripping story, new perspective for the reader (at least for me). Wow, easy 5 stars. 
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood

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emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Although Pen deserves many more smacks upside the head, Scarlett and Luk have my whole heart, both separately and together 
Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

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adventurous challenging emotional 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

4.5

Good Dirt is again full of masterful storytelling by Charmaine Wilkerson. I was thrilled to read this second novel, especially after having read and loved Black Cake as much as I did. My biggest gripe with this novel is how much it does. It’s packed. Wilkerson tries to break up the information overload by presenting it in short, 2-5 page vignettes for the reader, and that does help. But there were times I was taken out of the story because I was trying to remember the time frame or character. There’s no groove to get into but perhaps that’s the point? Still, the characters do not suffer for it, and are well developed and truthfully enjoyable to read about despite their hardships. There’s a balance of joy and perseverance. 
Hardly Strangers by A.C. Robinson

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emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was distracted Shera willingly drinking vodka on the rocks 
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sarah and Caleb forever!!! I loved how this book incorporated moments from the past; it added to the overall character and plot development really well without being confusing. The ending was a little… hokey? I wish there had been a better way to transition from Reignite to their home life aside from well, how it did. IYKYK. 
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I have so many questions about so many plot holes. This book could have been 350 pages shorter with tighter writing and more discerning editing. I wish I could say I loved it, but really I just got through it. I’m going to continue with the series at this point although I’m disappointed. 
Going Toe to Toe by Yahrah St. John

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

devon is an absolute asshole, and both main characters need therapy
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo

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emotional funny informative reflective fast-paced

5.0

I love Drew— her intelligence, her humor, her empathy. Highly recommend for anyone!
Clear by Carys Davies

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

3.5

A tender story about the interconnectedness of people when we can find common ground, set against a request of cruelty (albeit of the time). Really did not expect to resonate with a book set in Scotland the 1800s that felt more of modern-day woes in America.