Scan barcode
brazenbookbabe's reviews
475 reviews
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A great and quick read. The audio was so good!
Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter
emotional
hopeful
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
I was such a fan of “Bet on It” I was so excited to revisit our friends in Greenbelt, South Carolina. This is a second chance romance in which Miri, wins the lottery but discovers that her estranged husband Leo would also be entitled to half of her winnings. She calls him back and makes him a deal to ask for a divorce but Leo sees this as an opportunity to try to win back Mary’s heart.
I really felt that the author did a wonderful job of giving us the best and the worst of Miri and Leo’s relationship and really showing us the pain that happens when relationships fall apart. This wasn’t an easy read. The characters really went through so much emotional heartbreak to get to their happy ending and the author did a wonderful job guiding the reader on this journey. Sometimes it was so personal, that my heart ached for Miri and I felt like I was invading her privacy.
The journey back to each other was so satisfying overall. Such a great second chance romance.
Also bonus points for the wonderful friendships and personal growth in this book as well. The story was extremely well rounded. I very much enjoyed it.
I really felt that the author did a wonderful job of giving us the best and the worst of Miri and Leo’s relationship and really showing us the pain that happens when relationships fall apart. This wasn’t an easy read. The characters really went through so much emotional heartbreak to get to their happy ending and the author did a wonderful job guiding the reader on this journey. Sometimes it was so personal, that my heart ached for Miri and I felt like I was invading her privacy.
The journey back to each other was so satisfying overall. Such a great second chance romance.
Also bonus points for the wonderful friendships and personal growth in this book as well. The story was extremely well rounded. I very much enjoyed it.
A Dash of Salt and Pepper by Kosoko Jackson
3.0
I struggled with the chemistry between the two main characters. It didn’t feel like they had good build up or pining. The pacing felt off to me too. I liked the characters, just didn’t feel like a good romance to me.
On the Hustle by Adriana Herrera
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
4.5
I love a solid work place romance and this one was so great. The chemistry between the two main characters was hot and I enjoyed reading their journey. This book was really about finding home.
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
I want to preface that “Much Ado About Nothing” is my absolute favorite Shakespeare play. I love the continuation of the “If Shakespeare Was An Auntie Series” (the first being “Dating Dr. Dil (which I love so hard) being a “Taming of the Shew” inspired) and this book is the embodiment of the tension and sparks between Beatrice and Benedick in our main characters, Benjamin and Bobbi.
Nisha Sharma is so incredibly good at building tension and the tension between these two is hot. I love how she draws the reader in to feel just as frustrated with the characters. That is a hard thing to create and she does it with ease.
The story itself focuses around the planning of the wedding for Prem and Kareena (loved seeing them again) and Benjamin and Bobbi must overcome their mutual dislike of each other to work together. Oh and there is a wedding saboteur that they need to find because of course. There is also family drama, meddling relatives, and tension that just melts the pages.
I enjoyed this book. It hit me in the all the feels.
Nisha Sharma is so incredibly good at building tension and the tension between these two is hot. I love how she draws the reader in to feel just as frustrated with the characters. That is a hard thing to create and she does it with ease.
The story itself focuses around the planning of the wedding for Prem and Kareena (loved seeing them again) and Benjamin and Bobbi must overcome their mutual dislike of each other to work together. Oh and there is a wedding saboteur that they need to find because of course. There is also family drama, meddling relatives, and tension that just melts the pages.
I enjoyed this book. It hit me in the all the feels.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia, Racism, and Death of parent
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian
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? It's complicated
4.0
Very much enjoyed this on audio.
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is a wonderful addition to the world created by the author as we originally seen in “Legends and Lattes”. The prequel introduces us to a much younger Viv, having been injured in a fight, recouping in a small Oceanside town. Here Viv finds unexpected friendship, adventure, and romance in her newly found family in the setting of rundown bookshop. The story was beautifully written and had me laughing and crying because I am a sap. A wonderful cozy fantasy read!
Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a sweet romantic comedy. I was thrilled to have a plus size male main character and enjoyed his journey.
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
medium-paced
2.5
I struggled with this one. I felt like the characters were very flat and didn’t have a lot of chemistry. I feel that the romance part of the story was forced.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy