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irenemayblack's reviews
37 reviews
Set on You by Amy Lea
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
blurb:
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
Crystal Chen, instagram influencer extraordinaire, shows her followers the view of self love and body positivity as a curvy fitness trainer. In comes her gym nemesis, Scott Richie. How can you love someone, if the world says you don't deserve them?
my thoughts:
I went into this book expecting a quick and easy rom com, and was surprised to find it full of realistic moments of self doubt, even if you hold confidence in yourself. As someone who has loved a "fat" person, I've seen Scott's side of this story for myself. It's hard for both parties when society claims perfection is the only answer.
Normally I am not a fan of the third act breakup, and dread it appearing in any story I read. But as an avid romance reader, it's just a fact. I was pleasantly surprised to find I found the third act tension of this book well done and fitting for the stress the characters are under, most especially Crystal.
Overall I would say this book was well done and I thoroughly enjoyed the simplistic writing style. This was my first time reading from Amy Lea, but I'll certainly be picking up more of her books in future! Loved the message and experience of this story every step of the way.
spice rating: 🌶🌶
- he falls first & harder
- strong female lead
- golden retriever boy
- curvy, half asian girl
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, and Racism
Totally Pucked by Lauren Blakely
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Fake Dating My Grumpy Billionaire Boss: A Sweet Romantic Comedy novella by Taryn Daniels
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
All I Want Is A Kiss by Willow Winters
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"you have no idea what you do to me."
"I hate you."
Now that I have finished the Shatter Me trilogy, I am coming back to write my thoughts on each book.
I put off reading this series for so many years because I was concerned that it would not live up to the hype it gets. MAN WAS I WRONG. These books were every bit worth my time, even being outside of my usual genres. While the writing style initially threw me off, once I got used to it the book was great. Juliette was a little annoying in this book at times, but I enjoyed her growth throughout the next two books. Just hang in there. It's worth it.
Juliette and Kent are an interesting couple, but their relationship is just not for me. I think we can all agree Warner's mysterious vibes are far more intriguing than Adam Kent.
Please give this series a chance. If you enjoy YA fiction and romance, you won't regret it. If you're looking for a dystopian specific series, keep in mind this is more romance plot than you may enjoy. (which is EXACTLY what I loved about it)
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 0/5
"I hate you."
Now that I have finished the Shatter Me trilogy, I am coming back to write my thoughts on each book.
I put off reading this series for so many years because I was concerned that it would not live up to the hype it gets. MAN WAS I WRONG. These books were every bit worth my time, even being outside of my usual genres. While the writing style initially threw me off, once I got used to it the book was great. Juliette was a little annoying in this book at times, but I enjoyed her growth throughout the next two books. Just hang in there. It's worth it.
Juliette and Kent are an interesting couple, but their relationship is just not for me. I think we can all agree Warner's mysterious vibes are far more intriguing than Adam Kent.
Please give this series a chance. If you enjoy YA fiction and romance, you won't regret it. If you're looking for a dystopian specific series, keep in mind this is more romance plot than you may enjoy. (which is EXACTLY what I loved about it)
⭐️ 3.5
🌶 0/5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Trafficking
Minor: Bullying, Gun violence, Blood, and Abandonment
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
Alex Volkov is a bitter man with a dark past, and never wanted to look after his best friend's sister, Ava Chen. But every day he spends with her, his heart lightens just a little bit.
Let me just start by saying this book killed me in ways I never anticipated. I went into Twisted Love with the expectation that it would be overhyped and written like a bad wattpad mafia fanfiction. Now after reading the story, I can say Ana Huang is my new favorite author!
Alex did have some possessive behavior, but for a new adult romance novel I found it pretty fitting for his character. Ava was a stubborn ball of sunshine and I loved her right at the start for it. The way she loved Alex and her friends was a wonderful display of her personality and values.
I did find Ava's friend Jules to be a bit annoying at times, but I'm hoping to like her better when I read Twisted Hate. I liked Bridget and Stella. I'm hoping to get to the rest of this series soon!
4.5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶
Let me just start by saying this book killed me in ways I never anticipated. I went into Twisted Love with the expectation that it would be overhyped and written like a bad wattpad mafia fanfiction. Now after reading the story, I can say Ana Huang is my new favorite author!
Alex did have some possessive behavior, but for a new adult romance novel I found it pretty fitting for his character. Ava was a stubborn ball of sunshine and I loved her right at the start for it. The way she loved Alex and her friends was a wonderful display of her personality and values.
I did find Ava's friend Jules to be a bit annoying at times, but I'm hoping to like her better when I read Twisted Hate. I liked Bridget and Stella. I'm hoping to get to the rest of this series soon!
4.5 ⭐️
3/5 🌶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Addiction, Death, and Murder
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment