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ali1311's reviews
237 reviews
The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.0
This was a fun little holiday read. I felt like the two main characters didn't have much chemistry and a lot of the romantic lines felt inauthentic somehow. I also felt like the FMC was a little bit of a pushover when it came to the MMC and relied on him a bit too much to fix her problems. But overall, it was a fun read, even if the romance was a bit bland.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Emotional abuse
PS: I Hate You by Lauren Connolly
adventurous
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
5.0
This book had be bawling. Might be the most I've cried over a book this whole year. I loved every part of it. The plot was so interesting, and I loved all of the characters. No character felt underdeveloped or like a side character, even if they were one. This was such an authentic and moving portrait of grief, and I loved the idea of finding love in the midst of that pain. Maddie and Dom were both so distinct and complex characters. The whole story was just so thoughtful and deep and every single thread was connected in the end. It was a heavy read for a romance, balanced well with humor, and honestly, I think that's what I look for in a great romance book these days.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Abandonment
The Assassin's Blade by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-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
3.5
This one hurts. But it also gives Celaena so much character depth. But ow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Gore
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Just a little slow for me right now! Hopefully can circle back later or next Christmas season.
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
emotional
funny
slow-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
3.5
This was almost a great book!! I'm not sure it can be classified as a romance novel, and not because of the asexuality representation (which was great) but because our main character spends most of the book pining after someone else. I needed more from the MMC as well. I thought he was great but I wanted to see more of his personality through dialogue. I did really enjoy the asexuality rep and thought that Joy's character was fun. The puns didn't really work for me but that's alright I was glad she was having a good time. I wish the story had been more focused on her getting over Malcolm rather than her contending with her feelings for him; it could have been as much Malcom and Joy's story instead of Joy and Fox's. It felt like it didn't fully decide between these two characters and that made it fall a bit flat emotionally.
The Christmas Swap by Talia Samuels
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
2.5
This was disappointing because the premise is so fun! Unfortunately, the writing wasn't very strong, and the plot was a bit flat. I think the order of events was a bit convoluted and the dramatic tension was erased pretty quickly because of that (aka Ellie finding out about the fake dating about 1/3 through ). It felt like a lot of telling as well, especially with the therapy-speak type of language being used as these characters processed their emotions. It was almost too rational; even when they were being irrational, they knew it and intellectualized it, which made for a bit of a boring read. Overall, this was just a little bland and honestly not even particularly Christmasy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
The Hidden Oracle by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was so fun! I loved Apollo's character and how self-obsessed he was. Rick really went all in with the dramatic irony on these jokes and it worked on me every time. The depiction of abuse was really well done, and I did not see the twist coming at all. I thought this was not only a really entertaining read, but clearly a thoughtful one as well. Rick knew how to balance fan wishes (Percy appearances) with his own plot and new characters. It never felt like a book just about fan service, but it was clearly a book written for the fans who appreciated what was at the heart and soul of his other Percy Jackson/Heroes of Olympus books.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Tough reread but a great story of course.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Hunger: A Memoir of (My) Body by Roxane Gay
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
4.0
This was a really hard read, but an important story of resilience and the effects of trauma. It was really engaging and a fast read but also a harrowing one, especially because it's clear that the healing process is still ongoing for the author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
4.0
This was sweet! A fun read about identity, culture, belonging, and love. I thought the romance was really well done, and I loved our main character. She reminded me of Devi from Never Have I Ever with her ability to make the worst possible choice nearly all the time. Always a fun thing to watch.