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garbage_mcsmutly's reviews
1571 reviews
Exes and O's by Amy Lea
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
I love an MC who's obsessed with romance books, as the FMC here is. I feel like we spent a little too much time on the ex hunt, and couldn't spent more on the MC's relationship.
π§ Single (female) POV, single female narrator. She did a good job but it just didn't hit all the way for me.
πΆοΈ 3/5 for the two scenes that we got
π³οΈβπβ FMC and her BFFs are Chinese American. MCs are working class (fire fighter and nurse). I don't remember any queer rep in the side characters and both MCs seem to be straight.
π§ Single (female) POV, single female narrator. She did a good job but it just didn't hit all the way for me.
πΆοΈ 3/5 for the two scenes that we got
π³οΈβπβ FMC and her BFFs are Chinese American. MCs are working class (fire fighter and nurse). I don't remember any queer rep in the side characters and both MCs seem to be straight.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Medical content
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
π This was a cute book! Just a lil bit of spice. A lot less birding details than I'd expected, which is maybe good because I don't know anything about birds. Also it was basically competence porn with how skilled and thorough the MMC is with everything (yes that includes π), so if that's your thing, jump in! Both MCs are a little older, and have trauma and baggage from past relationships that they manage to work through to get their HEA.
πΆοΈ 3/5 there is explicit content but not a whole lot of it. And the FMC is trying to find herself and her partnered pleasure so that colors the scenes as well.
π§ Dual POV with two narrators. They both did a great job! The male narrator has a pleasant semi-deep voice that's a bit different from what I'm used to hearing, but I liked it.
π³οΈβπβ Representation! The main characters appear to be straight and white. MMC's best friend is queer, FMC's daughter's BFF is nonbinary (although we only see this person in one scene on page, they are mentioned frequently). These are both somewhat older MCs, FMC is a divorcee and she has a daughter who's a senior in high school, and MMC seems to be of a similar age to the FMC.
πΆοΈ 3/5 there is explicit content but not a whole lot of it. And the FMC is trying to find herself and her partnered pleasure so that colors the scenes as well.
π§ Dual POV with two narrators. They both did a great job! The male narrator has a pleasant semi-deep voice that's a bit different from what I'm used to hearing, but I liked it.
π³οΈβπβ Representation! The main characters appear to be straight and white. MMC's best friend is queer, FMC's daughter's BFF is nonbinary (although we only see this person in one scene on page, they are mentioned frequently). These are both somewhat older MCs, FMC is a divorcee and she has a daughter who's a senior in high school, and MMC seems to be of a similar age to the FMC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Gaslighting
Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A solid story of Black love with intriguing family dynamics as well. I loved how the MMC was always in support of what was best for the FMC, even when she didn't know what that was. And I love it when the answer to shitty family dynamics isn't like, the family members have their motivation revealed and it turns out everything was a big misunderstanding and actually everyone's cool now. The way this book went felt a lot more realistic.
π§ Well done. Dual POV with two narrators. I liked both of their performances.
πΆοΈ 4/5 they hook up multiple times on page. There's some sensory play.
π³οΈβπβ The story takes place in a resort town in Mexico, although the main players are all from Baltimore, and the POC abound. I'm pretty sure everyone in this book was Black and/or Latine. I don't think there was much diversity in other terms though (neurodivergence, disabilities, lgbtqia+, etc.).
π§ Well done. Dual POV with two narrators. I liked both of their performances.
πΆοΈ 4/5 they hook up multiple times on page. There's some sensory play.
π³οΈβπβ The story takes place in a resort town in Mexico, although the main players are all from Baltimore, and the POC abound. I'm pretty sure everyone in this book was Black and/or Latine. I don't think there was much diversity in other terms though (neurodivergence, disabilities, lgbtqia+, etc.).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Violence, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Injury/Injury detail
After Dark with the Duke by Julie Anne Long
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Another cute story in this series! This one was a quick read. The MCs' back stories weren't quite as deep as previous MCs in the series, IMHO.
πΆοΈ 3.75/5 multiple explicit scenes, but kind of flowery/indirect language used for a lot of it
πΆοΈ 3.75/5 multiple explicit scenes, but kind of flowery/indirect language used for a lot of it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent and Classism
Minor: Cursing, Gun violence, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida CΓ³rdova
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
This was fun and cute. It was, of course, very disneyfied, so everything was very tame - closed door, no cursing, etc. But as far as closed door romance goes, this was sweet and enjoyable, although the resolution at the end did feel a bit flimsy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content, Vomit, Car accident, and Death of parent
The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
π This was a great read! It went by really quickly, but it was all enjoyable. This is my first by this author, and I'll definitely be checking out more of her stuff! I liked the story, although the minor "reveal" did seem pretty obvious from early on. There was drama, there was spice, there was childhood crush fulfillment, what more could you want?
π§ This was dual POV with two narrators (switching off, not duet). I really liked both of them. They did an excellent job as actors and you could really feel the emotion in each scene. And the spice spiced with both of them.
πΆοΈ4.5/5 a few explicit scenes that were pretty π₯΅ especially with the narrators' performances.
π³οΈβπβWhile the MCs were white and straight, there was a fair amount of both racial and lgbtqia+ diversity in the side characters.
π§ This was dual POV with two narrators (switching off, not duet). I really liked both of them. They did an excellent job as actors and you could really feel the emotion in each scene. And the spice spiced with both of them.
πΆοΈ4.5/5 a few explicit scenes that were pretty π₯΅ especially with the narrators' performances.
π³οΈβπβWhile the MCs were white and straight, there was a fair amount of both racial and lgbtqia+ diversity in the side characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Infidelity CW is for a side character, not either of the MCs.
With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.75
π This was a sweet story of an uptight lonely orphan girl and an extroverted found family loving guy. The MCs complemented each other well and their chemistry was good. There were some sad/emotional parts (check the CWs) but it was overall a fun and ultimately happy book.
π§ The book was dual POV and switched back and forth a lot. The one narrator (female) did a good job with both. I really liked her performance and she made good choices for the characters.
πΆοΈ 4/5 there were a handful of explicit scenes; they were steamy but not super spicy.
βπ³οΈβπ Bi rep (him)! BIPOC side characters! Foster system experiences!
π§ The book was dual POV and switched back and forth a lot. The one narrator (female) did a good job with both. I really liked her performance and she made good choices for the characters.
πΆοΈ 4/5 there were a handful of explicit scenes; they were steamy but not super spicy.
βπ³οΈβπ Bi rep (him)! BIPOC side characters! Foster system experiences!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Cursing, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Addiction, Homophobia, Sexism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Outing, and Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love by India Holton
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
π This was another delightful India Holton book. It has her signature sense of humor and winks to the camera, so you have to be cool with that stuff to enjoy it. But it was a fun little road trip romance with twists on the expected tropes.
πΆοΈ 3/5 There are some intimate scenes but they are described in a somewhat roundabout/non-salacious way.
π§ I thought the narrator did a great job. It was dual POV but only one performer. She had a good range of voices and was keyed in to the humor.
π³οΈβπβ A casual mention or two of queer people existing, plus a couple of tertiary characters who were not white. Not a lot of diversity.
πΆοΈ 3/5 There are some intimate scenes but they are described in a somewhat roundabout/non-salacious way.
π§ I thought the narrator did a great job. It was dual POV but only one performer. She had a good range of voices and was keyed in to the humor.
π³οΈβπβ A casual mention or two of queer people existing, plus a couple of tertiary characters who were not white. Not a lot of diversity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence, Infertility, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist by Ali K. Mulford, K. Elle Morrison
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
π this was a cute cozy romance/mystery. Exactly as advertised. I'm interested to see what happens with the other couples they teased!
πΆοΈ3.5/5 two explicit scenes
π³οΈβπβ Decently diverse. Both MCs are queer (lesbian & bisexual) as are several of their friends/neighbors. One of the MCs is neurodivergent. A lot of the side characters aren't human, so there isn't really much room for racial diversity, but the ex/ghost seems to be of Chinese descent (last name is Wong).
πΆοΈ3.5/5 two explicit scenes
π³οΈβπβ Decently diverse. Both MCs are queer (lesbian & bisexual) as are several of their friends/neighbors. One of the MCs is neurodivergent. A lot of the side characters aren't human, so there isn't really much room for racial diversity, but the ex/ghost seems to be of Chinese descent (last name is Wong).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Cursing