fangirljeanne's reviews
1180 reviews

Lords of Pain by Angel Lawson, Samantha Rue

Did not finish book.

DNF

The TW says dub-con, but it’s right up against the line. To me it read as full on rape and I couldn’t read further. Otherwise I like the writing. May try one of the other series by these writers.

Content Warnings

The Last Final Girl by Stephen Graham Jones

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

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emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

5.0

Audio Arc from LibroFM

TW: Cheating, Racism, classism, sexism, panic attack/disorders, cancer

We have so many coming of age stories, perpetuating the misconception that we cease to develop as a person once we reach an arbitrary age. Adulthood isn’t so much a destination as an era in our lives. One of many we will change us in social and psychological as well as physical ways. This is a truth anyone over the age of 25 can confirm.

Which makes the fact that so many of us are pressured either socially or economically to make huge decisions about our lives and relationships at such a young age, often only just as we are becoming “adults.” It’s natural that living in those lives, relationships, and careers for decades would wreak change upon our younger selves in many unforeseen ways.

People in their 30’s and 40’s rarely resemble who they were when they was 18 or 20.

Despite their age difference Rachel and Nathan find themselves similarly dissatisfied and lost in the lives shaped by choices they made when they were young. Meeting each other has caused them both to question who they are and could be if they take chances now they weren’t able or were too afraid to take when they were younger.

A couple’s chemistry is always what makes or breaks a romance for me. These two are amazing together. Not just sexy, but they genuinely connect. Their vulnerability with each other is a big key to what makes their romance believable.

While this book is a Romance that spend lot of time on the relationship, it spends as much of not more time on Rachel’s journey toward self discovery and growth. She’s a wonderful example of the wider range of feminine experiences we miss out on when so many Romances focus only on women in their teens and 20s. Women do not stop deserving love and sex after they turn 25. People can fall in love more than once in their life, especially as they grow older, change, and want different things in life.

The book also explores the subtle racial politics that happen within interracial relationships, especially when one of the partners is a rich white man. This story pulls all the nastiest forms of micro aggressions women of color (especially Black women) deal with on a daily basis even within their own homes and family.

While Nathan is Latino he has to come to terms with his own privilege and prejudices in order to grow into a man worthy of Rachel’s trust and love. But most importantly Rachel has to learn and grow into some one brave enough to be safe for and love herself.

This isn’t always an easy read (check the TW), but it was so worthy it. Love this this always is.

Content Warnings

Syndicate of Sins by Marie Maravilla

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dark funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

DNF
CW: misogyny, sexist slurs, ableism, misrepresentation of mental illness.

This was a fun violent romp, and enjoyed the dark humor. But the misogyny was too distracting for me. It suffers from the “not like other girl syndrome.” All the other women in the story are antagonistic or sexist stereotypes. I don’t mind the FMC being competent and aggressive, that’s what drew me to the story. But shit talking other women who are poorly written punching bags irritates me and alienates me from the FMC.

Too bad. I like the polyamorous relationship dynamic and an FMC be as violent as the men.

Content Warnings

Dirty Player by Mira Lyn Kelly

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funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

Complicated Hearts by Ashley Jade

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

DNF

Huge trigger warning for sexual assault/rape that is not addressed as either and perpetuated by a gay boy. Entangling the sexual abuse with blossoming queer desires is disgusting and wholly unnecessary to the plot. Adding in the use of anti-gay slurs in a way that cast them as “fighting back” and the antagonist is a closet gay boy (they’re all teenagers when this occurs) is especially egregious imo.

We should be able to tell queer stories without perpetuating anti-gay propaganda about gay men being predators.

Content Warnings