You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
shereadytoread's reviews
758 reviews
Fan Service by Rosie Danan
emotional
funny
- 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
4.5
This was my second read by Rosie Danan and the first one was 1 star. I was hesitant to pick this one up, but I found the premise interesting. I am glad that I didn't skip this one because it was exactly what I was wanting! It was a little slower in the first 30%, but after the first 100 pages the pace picked up a lot.
I am not a fan of the age gap trope but I liked how the relationship and connection was established in the past and then the differences in the future. It is not a spice heavy book but there are a few open door scenes that flowed well with the story and actually had a purpose in the story outside of just the intimacy developing which I thought made the story flow better.
The banter between the chracters was pretty good and outside of a single Twilight reference that was really cringe, she kept the pop culture references to a pretty comfortable minimum (also there was a fresh prince of bel-air reference that returned the brownie points I took for the twilight line haha).
I liked that Alex is a main character that has convictions and stands for something. She constantly reminds and tries to stick with her values. Even when she falls short of that, it playedn important role in the plot. It made her world feel really full of having friends, enemies, family, and causes that are important to her. I wish there was a little more balance for the same with Devin, but it didn't feel too far off.
I am not a fan of the age gap trope but I liked how the relationship and connection was established in the past and then the differences in the future. It is not a spice heavy book but there are a few open door scenes that flowed well with the story and actually had a purpose in the story outside of just the intimacy developing which I thought made the story flow better.
The banter between the chracters was pretty good and outside of a single Twilight reference that was really cringe, she kept the pop culture references to a pretty comfortable minimum (also there was a fresh prince of bel-air reference that returned the brownie points I took for the twilight line haha).
I liked that Alex is a main character that has convictions and stands for something. She constantly reminds and tries to stick with her values. Even when she falls short of that, it playedn important role in the plot. It made her world feel really full of having friends, enemies, family, and causes that are important to her. I wish there was a little more balance for the same with Devin, but it didn't feel too far off.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Sexual harassment
Saint Catherine by Anna Meyer
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
No issue with the book but the eARC I received had no text only pictures so I couldn’t actually read it 😂
Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was a fun romp. A sci-fi take on classic universal monsters in cycles of “humanity” vs terror. There are many nods to classic movies and literature, along with an engaging story all its own.
The AI characters, Demeter and Steward have such great character ARCs and our human(ish) additions each bring unique perspectives that I loved.
I had so much fun with this one, I ended up reading most of it in a single sitting.
Disclosure: I received a gifted ARC from the publisher.
The AI characters, Demeter and Steward have such great character ARCs and our human(ish) additions each bring unique perspectives that I loved.
I had so much fun with this one, I ended up reading most of it in a single sitting.
Disclosure: I received a gifted ARC from the publisher.
Deadstream by Mar Romasco-Moore
dark
emotional
tense
- 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
This was a fun one! The story of a dark entity that travels through livestreams manages to tackle themes of social isolation, grief, regret, gender identity exploration, and acceptance.
I thought it had some great representation of agoraphobia and trauma responses. The family’s differing reactions to her mental health issues were also really well done (showing realistic reactions).
Disclosure: I received an eARC and gifted finished copy from the publisher.
I thought it had some great representation of agoraphobia and trauma responses. The family’s differing reactions to her mental health issues were also really well done (showing realistic reactions).
Disclosure: I received an eARC and gifted finished copy from the publisher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia, Violence
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was my second time giving Taylor Adams a try after No Exit. My issues with this one are similar to my issues with that one.
It sacrifices a coherent narrative for the sake of unnecessary plot twists, many of which invalidate large parts of the previous narrative for no reason. Plot twists that don’t actually serve the plot take away from the actual story.
Plus a demonization of mental health using a specific mental health disorder that is poorly applied to a character.
I think the premise is interesting but the execution doesn’t work for me. This is going to be my last read by this author.
It sacrifices a coherent narrative for the sake of unnecessary plot twists, many of which invalidate large parts of the previous narrative for no reason. Plot twists that don’t actually serve the plot take away from the actual story.
Plus a demonization of mental health using a specific mental health disorder that is poorly applied to a character.
I think the premise is interesting but the execution doesn’t work for me. This is going to be my last read by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Misogyny
Nightmare Fuel: The Science of Horror Films by Nina Nesseth
informative
medium-paced
4.5
The subtitle of science of horror is spot on. From start to finish this is a book about the science of how our brains respond to horror, research regarding human behavior and horror, and the how that science impacts the creation of horror films.
This is the first wide span book about the horror film industry (not niche to a specific movie or subject) that I feel I’ve learned a lot. As a person that loves horror nonfic, many are very entry level.
This is the first wide span book about the horror film industry (not niche to a specific movie or subject) that I feel I’ve learned a lot. As a person that loves horror nonfic, many are very entry level.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Times of a Black Trans Revolutionary by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
5.0
While the content is very heavy, Miss Major's personality shines through. I would have loved to read this one as an audiobook or to have been able to watch this interview. I cannot say enough good things about this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Police brutality
The Library Suicides by Fflur Dafydd
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
There was just nothing drawing me in for this one. The writing was pretty dry and bland.
The Seep by Chana Porter
dark
emotional
tense
- 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
This book executed an idea perfectly. It takes a spin on an alien invasion through a joining in a dark utopia. The book explores many themes about the human experience, belonging, mortality and the function of suffering. I think that this book manages to lead you to certain conclusions without being preachy, and effectively show a spectrum of reactions to what is presented as such a positive thing. The first time I've read what would be a dystopian utopia story.
Traded for Their Pleasure by L.V. Lane
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
The entire plot of the book is them trying to "stretch" her. There is no story. Nothing happens. I am all for a high spice book or just "vibes" but there weren't any enjoyable vibes either. Meh. There was one side character I found interesting for 3 pages; but it's basically a bunch of 2D cardboard cutouts having sex for 200 pages.