piperkitty's reviews
2353 reviews

The Proposal Play by Lauren Blakely

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emotional informative lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

 
This is a story told through a dual pov of Meave and Asher, who’ve been friends for years. Asher, a famous hockey player, and Meave, his friend since they met at grief counselling at an auction, find themselves in a fake marriage after Meave saves him from disaster. It is intriguing to see the feelings both of these have for each other grow from their new forced proximity by living together. I loved seeing how Meave can be so naive and how much Asher cares about her. There are some subtler, spicy moments that take the fake marriage to another level, inviting more feelings that make you blush. But what I truly appreciated was how much this book represented the importance of maintaining good mental and physical health and the struggles that often accompany this.

#FakeMarriage #DualPOV #FriendshipGoals #HockeyRomance #MentalHealthMatters #SpicyMoments #ContemporaryRomance #CharacterGrowth #RomanticTension #LoveStory #GriefCounseling #ForcedProximity #BookRecommendations #Heartwarming #FeelGoodFiction. 
Girl, Ultra-Processed by Amara Sage

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challenging emotional 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? Yes

4.0

 Girl: Ultra-Processed tells the story of Saffron Saldana, a teen who constantly strives to lose weight, believing that being thin will bring her happiness. Influenced by society and her diet-focused mother, Saffron battles with her self-image.

To escape, she creates Sydney, a perfect AI version of herself, gaining attention from boys online. But as her real and online lives intersect, Saffron must face the reality of hiding behind a façade, especially when a boy makes her question her self-worth and authenticity.

This heartfelt tale explores the struggles of growing up in a body-conscious world, touching on themes of family, friendship, love, and identity. As Saffron transitions to university life, she grapples with confidence issues, calorie counting, and a secret crush who ignores her publicly.

Through her journey, Saffron meets supportive flatmates who challenge her insecurities. The story serves as a powerful commentary on diet culture, young love, and self-acceptance, highlighting the clash between societal pressures and personal growth.

#ComingOfAge #BodyPositivity #SelfAcceptance #YoungAdultFiction #MentalHealth #Empowerment #LoveYourself 
The Boy I Love by William Hussey

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emotional 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

4.0

 
I want to extend my gratitude to Bolindaaudio for providing me with the audiobook of *The Boy I Love* by William Hussey. I absolutely adore Alex Wingfield's portrayal of the characters; his narration captures the changes in tone and adapts wonderfully to the various settings. I was particularly in awe of the singing, as I found myself trying to recall the songs while thoroughly enjoying them. I have thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in this book set during World War II. It is an emotional and thoughtfully crafted story that delves into how individuals cope with their feelings in the midst of war. The novel also tackles important themes such as homophobia, which helps to ground the narrative in its historical context and reflects on past events. One character I especially like is Private Danny McCormick; his cheekiness provides much-needed light relief throughout the book. The story also follows Second Lieutenant Stephen Racksall as he meets and begins to fall in love with Private Danny McCormick, a fellow soldier who has not yet been hardened by the brutal realities of war. Filled with rich historical detail, Hussey’s novel is both a love story and a heartfelt tribute to the men we lost in one of the most brutal wars of the 20th century. This is an exquisite book that tells the story of two young men brought together by the challenging conditions of World War I. Among the limited selection of queer novels set during this era, it has quickly become one of my favourites. #TheBoyILove #WilliamHussey #Audiobook #HistoricalFiction #WorldWarII #QueerLit #LoveStory #AlexWingfield #BookReview #LGBTQ+ #EmotionalRead #WarStories

Stardust by Hope C. Tarr

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informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

 Thank you to @Hyggebooktours and @joffebooks for having me on the tour of Stardust by Hope C Tarr

Set against the backdrop of World War II, we follow Rose O'Neil, who has opened a fashion store in Manhattan and is eager to expand to Paris. She dreams of her granddaughter becoming her successor.

In 1938, Rose plans a trip for her granddaughter to visit the glamorous Paris at the age of 18. Little does she know that her journey will include an apprenticeship under the iconic Coco Chanel. Amidst the glitz and glamour, we also catch glimpses of the past, particularly how WWII is affecting the Jewish community and the broader world around them. 

This story is rich in character development, exploring themes of love, loss, and loyalty as the characters navigate their intertwined lives during such a tumultuous time.

#WWII #HistoricalFiction #Fashion #CocoChanel #CharacterDevelopment #L 
Zero Happily Ever Afters by M.N. Bennet

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adventurous challenging emotional funny informative 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? N/A

5.0

This is the 4th book in the Branches of The Past Series. 

We are following Dorain on from the tragic end of the last book.  I love seeing how Dorain, despite his challenges, is coping with his vision as they are set loose, as well as how he is preparing his homeroom for upcoming showcase. His resilience is truly inspiring.

Then we have Milo. He is a fun character and is on a mission to hunt down The True Witch as she just wiped a town off the map. So now he is working with the Global Guild to stop her before more destruction happens.  
This series is a fantastic journey of growth for all the characters. Some are more suitable than others, but they all evolve in their own ways. As they discover themselves, it's a thrill to witness their magic and personalities expand. 
As always, Gael and King Clucks bring a burst of laughter to the story. Their fun and vibrant personalities leap off the pages, making them a joy to read about. 

#BranchesOfThePast #BookSeries #FantasyReads #CharacterDevelopment #Dorain #Milo #TrueWitch #GlobalGuild #Magic #Inspiration #Gael #KingClucks #BookLovers #Resilience #Adventure 
Gambit by Clive Stephens

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adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 
A huge thank you to Cranthorpe Miller for having me on this tour!
I dived into Gambit after reading the blurb, and I have really enjoyed getting to know Jason and Sally as they embark on their adventures, trying to uncover the truth behind the restoration project. One of the things I loved most about this book was the strong bond between the characters—especially how much Jason and Sally care for their friend Simon, who is currently laid up in a hospital bed. Their loyalty and concern for him added depth to the story and made their mission feel even more personal.
I also felt a constant tension between Sally and Jason, which made me wonder whether it stemmed from their own dynamic or the stress of Simon’s predicament. This underlying tension kept me engaged, making me question their relationship and how it might evolve throughout the book.
The writing style was immersive and well-crafted, drawing me in from the start. I found the pacing to be steady—not too fast, but never dragging—allowing the plot to progress smoothly while keeping me eager to turn the pages. The mystery surrounding the restoration project unfolded in a way that kept me intrigued, and I appreciated how the story balanced action, character development, and suspense.
Overall, Gambit was an enjoyable and engaging read, with compelling characters and a well-paced narrative. If you love a good adventure filled with mystery, friendship, and intrigue, this is definitely worth picking up!
📖✨ #BookReview #Gambit #CliveStephens #BookTour #MysteryBooks #ThrillerReads #BookLover #MustRead #BookishCommunity #BookBlogger #ReadingRecommendatio 
In Her Place by Edel Coffey

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challenging dark mysterious reflective 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

oday's NetGalley backlog features "In Her Place" by Edel Coffey.

In this book, we follow Anna after the loss of her mother. Her sister wants to sell the house where Anna and their mother live, and though Anna is reluctant, she eventually agrees. One night, she meets Justin, an older, wealthy man.

While I found the pace slow at times, it has been an enjoyable read. Justin is a handsome, wealthy, and suave father of one who is in Hudson for a writing assignment. His wife, Deborah, is terminally ill and has been in a coma for six years. After a whirlwind romance, Anna and Justin move in together, but things take a complicated turn when Deborah makes a miraculous recovery. Is everything as it seems, and will Anna find her happily ever after?

I enjoyed the ending of this book, though it did get me.

#BookReview #NetGalley #InHerPlace #EdelCoffey #Fiction #Romance #EmotionalJourney #Loss #NewBeginnings #Bookish #ReadersCommunity #BookRecommendations #ContemporaryFiction #RelationshipDrama #LiteraryFiction #ReadingList
Stories from The Shoe Store: Men and Other Hot Fashion Accessories by Emilija Pavlovikj

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informative slow-paced

3.0

 Thank to @hyggebooktours for having me as part of this tour

This has been a very interesting novella to read, and I liked Elena as a character. She is very observant, and the way her stories reflect human society is compelling. Set in Germany but travelling to other places, we get to see the world through Elena's eyes, especially when discussing and embedding fashion into the story. This aspect adds an interesting effect that sometimes diverges her pathways.

#BookTour #Novella #CharacterStudy #FashionNarrative #ElenaJourney #HumanSociety #Germany #TravelNarrative