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book_lover_irl's reviews
431 reviews
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Body shaming, Bullying, and Toxic friendship
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Gaslighting
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Verity by Colleen Hoover
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Close to perfection. Despite reading this novel last year, I am STILL contemplating the ending and what I think may or may not have happen in the end. Super intriguing. Will stay with you long after you’re done.
Room by Emma Donoghue
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, and Gaslighting
Submission Impossible by Lexi Blake
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
I like my smutty novels. However, I read so many that I was in a rut and beginning to get bored with all of the same ol’ perfection and tropes — then I read this wonderful breath of fresh air and really enjoyed the story.
The female main character wasn’t “perfect” and I LOVED how the author shared the details of her “imperfections” and scars. Likewise it was refreshing that the male main character wasn’t a complete man-whore. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of tropes throughout (MMC sh*tty upbringing with control issues, instalove, FMC with limited sexual experience, etc).
The story itself held a bit of a mystery of whodunit and kept you guessing who the villain was. It had enough plot twists to keep me interested. It wasn’t super surprising and you’ll definitely figure out the ending before you get to the final chapter but it was still entertaining.
The narrator had a great performance. I enjoyed his deep voice. It’s the first novel I’ve read in a while that only had one narrator, instead of multiple.
Overall I definitely recommend this novel. I feel like I should warn that the spice is tame-ish compared to many other novels I’ve read recently.
The female main character wasn’t “perfect” and I LOVED how the author shared the details of her “imperfections” and scars. Likewise it was refreshing that the male main character wasn’t a complete man-whore. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of tropes throughout (MMC sh*tty upbringing with control issues, instalove, FMC with limited sexual experience, etc).
The story itself held a bit of a mystery of whodunit and kept you guessing who the villain was. It had enough plot twists to keep me interested. It wasn’t super surprising and you’ll definitely figure out the ending before you get to the final chapter but it was still entertaining.
The narrator had a great performance. I enjoyed his deep voice. It’s the first novel I’ve read in a while that only had one narrator, instead of multiple.
Overall I definitely recommend this novel. I feel like I should warn that the spice is tame-ish compared to many other novels I’ve read recently.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, and Injury/Injury detail
The Dare by Harley Laroux
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
0.25
Sometimes FB groups steer a gal wrong. This book and author was highly recommended on a FB group so I decided to give it a try. I like a decent amount of smutty novels but this was waaaayyyyyy too far outside my comfort zone. Spoilers coming so don’t read on if you don’t want peeks into what to expect.
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There should be a bajillion trigger warnings with the story. It includes extreme humiliation, infliction of pain, wax play, severe spanking, edgeplay, knife play, harsh verbal abuse, and consensual non-consensual (I’m really not a fan of this term or the use of it as a trope).
In general I am unable to give an honest or fair review because I find the book overwhelmingly offense and a massive turn off. If this type of thing is your link, check out other reviews for a better assessment
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There should be a bajillion trigger warnings with the story. It includes extreme humiliation, infliction of pain, wax play, severe spanking, edgeplay, knife play, harsh verbal abuse, and consensual non-consensual (I’m really not a fan of this term or the use of it as a trope).
In general I am unable to give an honest or fair review because I find the book overwhelmingly offense and a massive turn off. If this type of thing is your link, check out other reviews for a better assessment
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Not a Hero by Cherise Sinclair
dark
tense
- 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? It's complicated
3.75
Story: 4.25 stars
Spice: 2 stars (barely)
Narration / Voice Actors: 1 star
Loved the storyline and characters but the narration was AWFUL.
I highly recommend “reading” the book, instead of listening to it. Both the male and female voice actors made the characters sound flat. In particular, the male narrator made these ridiculously growl-y and gravelly snarls of a voice for a few characters. Super irritating. Skip the audiobook and go for the hard copy.
Spice: 2 stars (barely)
Narration / Voice Actors: 1 star
Loved the storyline and characters but the narration was AWFUL.
I highly recommend “reading” the book, instead of listening to it. Both the male and female voice actors made the characters sound flat. In particular, the male narrator made these ridiculously growl-y and gravelly snarls of a voice for a few characters. Super irritating. Skip the audiobook and go for the hard copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Religious bigotry, and Murder
In It to Win It by Kelly Jamieson
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I can tell I've been in a reading slump recently and need to mix it up with a new genre after this read. The story was fun and light hearted, an easy read that wasn't overly emotional. Yet I didn't really enjoy it. I think I must need to jump into something that isn't a steamy rom com because I was extremely bored throughout. Any suggestions for an earth shattering read that will re-ignite my book loving heart?
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV:
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Hockey / Sports, Spicy
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book_Lover_IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV:
HEA: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: Hockey / Sports, Spicy
INSTAGRAM: @Book.Lover.IRL
STORYGRAPH: Book.Lover.IRL
GOODREADS: Book_Lover_IRL
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh… bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
LGBTQIA+