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irenemayblack's reviews
37 reviews
Bookworm and the Beast by Tru Taylor
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
From Illustrating to Love by Ruby James
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.25
blurb
Conor Sullivan, hoping to start a new standing in the young adult fantasy genre, seeks out Lilith (marley hamilton-shaw) to illustrate his new and upcoming series. But she is hesitant to put herself back out into the children's area of fiction after a terrible rejection to her art in the past. They make a deal; Marley will illustrate his book if he will get her an opening with Bas Gilmore. Conor agrees to this arrangemen on one condition: Marley must agree to be his pretend girlfriend for one week at his family's vacatio home. Can they keep their fake relationship professional, or will a fun filled week lead to something more?
my thoughts
For a story so short, I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Marley and Conor were a cute interracial couple with complimentary professions to each other's lives. Despite the length of the novel, it was surprisingly well spaced out for a romance under 200 pages. I certainly think it had the potential to be longer, but the author did a splendid job at writing this short story! I am so thankful to have found this on my kindle for a quick and enjoyable read.
Conor Sullivan, hoping to start a new standing in the young adult fantasy genre, seeks out Lilith (marley hamilton-shaw) to illustrate his new and upcoming series. But she is hesitant to put herself back out into the children's area of fiction after a terrible rejection to her art in the past. They make a deal; Marley will illustrate his book if he will get her an opening with Bas Gilmore. Conor agrees to this arrangemen on one condition: Marley must agree to be his pretend girlfriend for one week at his family's vacatio home. Can they keep their fake relationship professional, or will a fun filled week lead to something more?
my thoughts
For a story so short, I'm pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Marley and Conor were a cute interracial couple with complimentary professions to each other's lives. Despite the length of the novel, it was surprisingly well spaced out for a romance under 200 pages. I certainly think it had the potential to be longer, but the author did a splendid job at writing this short story! I am so thankful to have found this on my kindle for a quick and enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Stalking
Minor: Homophobia
On His Bended Knee by Shanae Johnson
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
While I didn't find this book entirely unpleasant, there's still many ways I would only see this as a one star read.
The pacing was a disaster, for starters. You barely even get to meet the character's before you are thrown into their life problems. It's very insta-lovey, but goes about it in an oddly slow way that can be difficult to explain in a simple review.
I think it is a decent way to knock off a book on your annual reading goal, but otherwise it is not worth the time to read this novel.
I do not mean to speak negatively of the author or of their writing abilities; I know it can be incredibly difficult to write a story. I mean this review purely as honest criticism of a manuscript. I wish the author well in the writing of all upcoming books on future.
The pacing was a disaster, for starters. You barely even get to meet the character's before you are thrown into their life problems. It's very insta-lovey, but goes about it in an oddly slow way that can be difficult to explain in a simple review.
I think it is a decent way to knock off a book on your annual reading goal, but otherwise it is not worth the time to read this novel.
I do not mean to speak negatively of the author or of their writing abilities; I know it can be incredibly difficult to write a story. I mean this review purely as honest criticism of a manuscript. I wish the author well in the writing of all upcoming books on future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and War
Lucky Leap Day by Ann Marie Walker
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
book blurb:
Elisabeth and Nathaniel are finally settling into a peaceful life together, but the ancestors of Thorn Manor have other ideas. Silas is not pleased.
rating:
☆☆☆☆ 4.5
my thoughts:
I loved this novella for Sorcery of Thorns; it was a great experience to be back at Thorn Manor with Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas. Mercy as well, though she's a minor character.
If you're missing the world of badass librarians, fashionable demon servants, stubborn rivals, and magic, this novella will certainly take you sweeping back into it all once again.
Elisabeth and Nathaniel are finally settling into a peaceful life together, but the ancestors of Thorn Manor have other ideas. Silas is not pleased.
rating:
☆☆☆☆ 4.5
my thoughts:
I loved this novella for Sorcery of Thorns; it was a great experience to be back at Thorn Manor with Nathaniel, Elisabeth, and Silas. Mercy as well, though she's a minor character.
If you're missing the world of badass librarians, fashionable demon servants, stubborn rivals, and magic, this novella will certainly take you sweeping back into it all once again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, and Murder
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
hopeful
lighthearted
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
2.0
This book was such a let down for me. I didn't go in with the highest of hopes, but with everyone who's read it and gotten into the new show, I expected more. The MC could have had less of a "nobody likes me and I'm always the underdog" attitude. I understand she's the little sister, the "girl" of the group, and sometimes gets left out. But her overall attitude and personality was very mary sue in my opinion. It could have been done better.
On a better note, it wasn't altogether bad if you enjoy a fast paced, light hearted quick read. This would be a good book to blow through for your reading goal in the summer. It just wasn't for me.
On a better note, it wasn't altogether bad if you enjoy a fast paced, light hearted quick read. This would be a good book to blow through for your reading goal in the summer. It just wasn't for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Chronic illness, Drug use, and Alcohol
Queen of Roses by Briar Boleyn
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment