Scan barcode
snugglor's reviews
658 reviews
Dykette by Jenny Fran Davis
The main character forces her partner to participate in a "concentual non-concent" sex game, where he must repeatedly ask permission to penetrate her with his fingers, but she will never grant permission. He must then penetrate her when he is "overcome" with desire, despite her continuing to say no.
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Sorry, I really tried but I just didn't like this.
The protagonist was insufferable and irritating and makes her partner jump through hoops and try to read her mind rather than just being open, and then (literally) screams and cries to get her own way.
Everyone in this felt so immature even through they are all adults, and it is so disappointing because in the beginning it did have a bit of commentary on butch/femme dynamics and the protag talked about how much she thirsted for butches, which isn't something you see in fiction too often.
I see a lot of reviews (including on the cover) saying they found this funny, and maybe I just didn't get it, or maybe this is a satire of a very specific type of wealthy white cis American lesbian community that I obviously don't belong to and therefore don't get the in-jokes for, but I didn't laugh once.
Some of the writing is really good, though! That's what is really frustrating. It's streaked with beautiful references to queer works. It just really was not for me.
Also, having a character who specifies herself as being a US size 6 repeatedly describe herself as fat or enormous is Not It. I realise this is how she sees herself because she is very insecure, but I think tying that to a specific size is quite dangerous.
The protagonist was insufferable and irritating and makes her partner jump through hoops and try to read her mind rather than just being open, and then (literally) screams and cries to get her own way.
Everyone in this felt so immature even through they are all adults, and it is so disappointing because in the beginning it did have a bit of commentary on butch/femme dynamics and the protag talked about how much she thirsted for butches, which isn't something you see in fiction too often.
I see a lot of reviews (including on the cover) saying they found this funny, and maybe I just didn't get it, or maybe this is a satire of a very specific type of wealthy white cis American lesbian community that I obviously don't belong to and therefore don't get the in-jokes for, but I didn't laugh once.
Some of the writing is really good, though! That's what is really frustrating. It's streaked with beautiful references to queer works. It just really was not for me.
Also, having a character who specifies herself as being a US size 6 repeatedly describe herself as fat or enormous is Not It. I realise this is how she sees herself because she is very insecure, but I think tying that to a specific size is quite dangerous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Self harm, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Rape, and Alcohol
Minor: Excrement
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun fantasy romp, if a little over-long. Some parts are a bit of the era but nothing too egregious.
Severance: The Lexington Letter by Anonymous
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Okay, I actually really enjoyed this one. The narration was really good (even though I initially didn't think I liked the reader's voice) and I got really lost in the story.
Catherine was such a loveable protagonist, innocent of the ways of the world (due to being a bit sheltered), but firm in her sense of right and wrong and determined to do her best for her friends and family. Yes, other individualsdo take advantage of her naivety, but that is a display of their character rather than hers.
I was also surprised that this book was funny as fuck. Henry ripping the absolute piss out of Catherine on their trip to the Abbey, or Catherine working herself into such a tizzy that she becomes perhaps literature's firstcrime-junkie fake murder inventor are moments that will remain dear to my heart.
Catherine was such a loveable protagonist, innocent of the ways of the world (due to being a bit sheltered), but firm in her sense of right and wrong and determined to do her best for her friends and family. Yes, other individuals
I was also surprised that this book was funny as fuck. Henry ripping the absolute piss out of Catherine on their trip to the Abbey, or Catherine working herself into such a tizzy that she becomes perhaps literature's first
Content Warnings
Minor: Antisemitism
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Suspension of disbelief is required for this one because I did have fun reading this as a fluffy sapphic romance, but realistically if a couple had gone through what Charlotte and Brighton had gone through, the idea of them possibly rekindling their relationship would horrify me.
I Really Do by Emily K. Hardy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun and easy read with one of my favourite tropes (fake relationship).
A very tiny gripe is that it could have used another pass by an editor for minor grammar issues, and perhaps a UK-based reader for some things that read as extremely American and don't work in a UK context, but they don't detract from the story at all.
Overall, I enjoyed that the story made it clear to us early on that both women were into each other (even if one remained a bit clueless for longer) rather than keeping us in suspense as so many of these stories do, and instead built up the tension between the characters.
A very tiny gripe is that it could have used another pass by an editor for minor grammar issues, and perhaps a UK-based reader for some things that read as extremely American and don't work in a UK context, but they don't detract from the story at all.
Overall, I enjoyed that the story made it clear to us early on that both women were into each other (even if one remained a bit clueless for longer) rather than keeping us in suspense as so many of these stories do, and instead built up the tension between the characters.
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I love seeing the witches at work, and seeing Granny Weatherwax at a low ebb because when Granny doesn't know what to do it does seem like problems are insurmountable.
The difference between the old guard and the new guard of vampires is important, and I think it says a lot about capitalism today as well.
The difference between the old guard and the new guard of vampires is important, and I think it says a lot about capitalism today as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I really enjoyed the mystery of this story even though it never gets solved (we never find out more information that our narrator has) , and I thought that the narrator's question of how many formative experiences can you miss and still be human is an interesting one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Kidnapping
Moderate: Cancer
The Sense of an Ending: The classic Booker Prize-winning novel by Julian Barnes
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was not for me.
The prose is really beautiful at times, but the book comes across as an old man wallowing in his past, borderline harassing someone and thinking it's funny,admiring his friend's decision to commit suicide , and one character acting completely obtusely for no reason other than to maintain suspense, I guess.
The prose is really beautiful at times, but the book comes across as an old man wallowing in his past, borderline harassing someone and thinking it's funny,
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
Experienced by Kate Young
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A fun sapphic romcom with a great cast of supporting characters. Really enjoyable to read and disconnect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia