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irenemayblack's reviews
36 reviews
Babymoon or Bust by Ava Hunter
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was so cute. My main complaint was that the descriptions were often repetitive. I enjoyed listening to this duet audiobook and all the overprotective brooding male attitude. Evelyn was a bitch and honestly just annoyed me with her constant need to go against Solomon no matter how many times they discussed the situation. I really enjoyed the romance between Tessi and Solomon. It was sweet and spicy, adorably protective and understanding. This book did include sex during pregnancy, so if that makes you uncomfortable skip this one.
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 3/5
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death and Death of parent
Her Wild Roommate by Adele Knight
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Really nice read for a novella length book. It was short and spicy, which I love. It was done well in my opinion to be a novella, I find that many of them are not worth the read. This one will be staying on my kindle for sure.
Read if you enjoy:
● friends to lovers
● spice
● pining
● roommate romance
⭐️ 3
🌶 3/5
Read if you enjoy:
● friends to lovers
● spice
● pining
● roommate romance
⭐️ 3
🌶 3/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Song of the Hundred-Year Summer by Shaylin Gandhi
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
An interesting take on the fairytale of Beauty & the Beast, or at least I am assuming that is what this novella is inspired by.
It was of course very short. I'm not sure how much I liked it or not, but I can see where the vision for the story could have been great. It would have done well as a full length novel.
I enjoyed the magical system it included, as well as the girl's interaction with the beast.
⭐️ 2.5
🌶 0/5
It was of course very short. I'm not sure how much I liked it or not, but I can see where the vision for the story could have been great. It would have done well as a full length novel.
I enjoyed the magical system it included, as well as the girl's interaction with the beast.
⭐️ 2.5
🌶 0/5
À La Folie by Nova Kane
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book was dark and spicy as it says. Be sure to read trigger warnings before reading because there's some fucked up stuff in this.
Overall an okay read. I didn't like how often it was brought up how innocent Indie was and how Lux was just so bad for her. Like okay we get it by now, thanks. But otherwise I didn't mind the experience, I like the character names and Lux's background, the character art in the front pages was perfection. I love any book that includes a playlist like this one did. The dark circus theme was an interesting read.
⭐️ 2
🌶 4/5
Overall an okay read. I didn't like how often it was brought up how innocent Indie was and how Lux was just so bad for her. Like okay we get it by now, thanks. But otherwise I didn't mind the experience, I like the character names and Lux's background, the character art in the front pages was perfection. I love any book that includes a playlist like this one did. The dark circus theme was an interesting read.
⭐️ 2
🌶 4/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Gore and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was a cute, quick audiobook from one of my recent favorite authors. I'm currently working through all of Ali Hazelwood's works, and was excited to see this one on Hoopla. It's full of video game love, snowy resort vacations, years of mutual pining, and yes, a little bit of miscommunication that caused it all. But I enjoyed it regardless. It had a good amount of spice too.
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 2/5
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 2/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
<i>"I don't care how dark the world gets for you. I'll hold out my hand until you find it, and I won't let go."<i>
How do I even begin to describe how AMAZING this book was. It was everything I could have hoped for in a dark cottagecore horror. Each snippet of dark, twisted fairytales had me obsessed because it reminded me of writing as a child with severe anxiety issues. Andrew's mind was so relatable and disturbing at the same time. If I could crawl into this book and never come out, I positively would. I lost myself in the writing and story building just like Andrew lost himself in the forest.
The greatest part of this whole novel for me was the slow burning but fantastic love story between Andrew and his best friend Thomas. These two were every bit as obsessed with each other as the other one was. The way they held together the whole book, bloodied and slightly insane, is everything I wanted. In the foreseeable future you may find me crying over my new ship, drawing fanart in an attempt to feel like Thomas, and writing fanfiction late into the night to honor my dear Andrew. If memes, fanarts, and fanfictions do not release for this book soon I will wither away quicker than Andrew's ability to stay sane.
Speaking of staying sane... WHAT was that ending? How do I even begin to process that kind of information. It was plot twist after plot twist for several pages. Maybe some of you readers saw it coming, but I did not. It was thrilling.
I very kindly received this book through Netgalley, so a big thank you to the author, publishers, marketers, etc, who made it possible for me to hold this deliciously moody book in my kindle.
5/5 stars
0/5 spice (but you'll love it)
How do I even begin to describe how AMAZING this book was. It was everything I could have hoped for in a dark cottagecore horror. Each snippet of dark, twisted fairytales had me obsessed because it reminded me of writing as a child with severe anxiety issues. Andrew's mind was so relatable and disturbing at the same time. If I could crawl into this book and never come out, I positively would. I lost myself in the writing and story building just like Andrew lost himself in the forest.
The greatest part of this whole novel for me was the slow burning but fantastic love story between Andrew and his best friend Thomas. These two were every bit as obsessed with each other as the other one was. The way they held together the whole book, bloodied and slightly insane, is everything I wanted. In the foreseeable future you may find me crying over my new ship, drawing fanart in an attempt to feel like Thomas, and writing fanfiction late into the night to honor my dear Andrew. If memes, fanarts, and fanfictions do not release for this book soon I will wither away quicker than Andrew's ability to stay sane.
Speaking of staying sane... WHAT was that ending? How do I even begin to process that kind of information. It was plot twist after plot twist for several pages. Maybe some of you readers saw it coming, but I did not. It was thrilling.
I very kindly received this book through Netgalley, so a big thank you to the author, publishers, marketers, etc, who made it possible for me to hold this deliciously moody book in my kindle.
5/5 stars
0/5 spice (but you'll love it)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Blood
Minor: Body horror, Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Murder
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was such a cute volume to the series. I liked how it was centered purely around Nick and finding himself. These two are SO adorable together. If you love graphic novels, comics, cozy winter vibes, and heartwarming couples, you should read this series.
P.S, Harry is an asshole.
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 0/5
P.S, Harry is an asshole.
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 0/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Bullying and Toxic friendship
Stealing the Troll's Heart by Lyonne Riley
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I read this book at 1am, bored craving something oddball to palette cleanse my recent small town romance reads. It was my first "monster romance" and I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this short and easy entry into the genre. It had a bit of a slow start, but the romance and the ending were enough to satisfy me with this story. Who knew trolls could be attractive?
⭐️ 3
🌶 3/5
⭐️ 3
🌶 3/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy and War
The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
I LOVED this super cozy, autumn romance book. It was like being wrapped up warm in Stars Hollow with a coffee. Imagine Lorelai and Luke having their own rom com book.... that's The Pumkpin Spice Cafe for me. Every second was sprinkled in warmth, family, love, and self discovery.
I certainly would recommend this book to any romance reader. I blew through this book and I fully believe any other hopeless romantic would too. I CANNOT wait to read the next book.
⭐️ 4.5
🌶 2/5
I certainly would recommend this book to any romance reader. I blew through this book and I fully believe any other hopeless romantic would too. I CANNOT wait to read the next book.
⭐️ 4.5
🌶 2/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Abandonment
Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
5.0
I want to start off by saying this book killed me in so many more ways than one. I laughed, I cried, I hung on the edge of my seat for the romantic tension and storyline. I enjoyed every second of it. This book was absolute PERFECTION to me and I 100% plan to read any and every other book this author decides to release.
Forrest and Margot were the BEST couple and I truly loved every single bit of their slow building relationship. As well as their bittersweet and adorable ending. I will also add, Forrest is THE FICTIONAL BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR. Trust me.
I received this book through Netgalley, and I cannot be more thankful at all. THANK YOU for the opportunity to love these characters as much as I'm sure you do. This book will remain in my heart for a very long time.
⭐️ 5
🌶 3/5
Forrest and Margot were the BEST couple and I truly loved every single bit of their slow building relationship. As well as their bittersweet and adorable ending. I will also add, Forrest is THE FICTIONAL BOYFRIEND OF THE YEAR. Trust me.
I received this book through Netgalley, and I cannot be more thankful at all. THANK YOU for the opportunity to love these characters as much as I'm sure you do. This book will remain in my heart for a very long time.
⭐️ 5
🌶 3/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment