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shanaepraystoo's reviews
875 reviews
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
4.75
In This Could Be Us (TCBU), book 2 of Kennedy Ryan’s “Skyland Series,” we meet Soledad Barnes, super mom from Before I Let Go (BILG) book 1 of the series.
In TCBU, Soledad goes through a phenomenal change to become a true powerhouse.
Where BILG, is about trusting a past version of yourself to prepare you for your future, TCBU is about creating a new version of yourself to move beyond past versions of yourself and trusting that new version to carry you into your future.
At the heart of it all, TCBU has two great love stories: the FMC’s love of herself and the blossoming relationship between the FMC and MMC.
Diverse and beautifully written, This Could Be Us is hopeful and inspiring and challenging. Kennedy Ryan has done it again.
In TCBU, Soledad goes through a phenomenal change to become a true powerhouse.
Where BILG, is about trusting a past version of yourself to prepare you for your future, TCBU is about creating a new version of yourself to move beyond past versions of yourself and trusting that new version to carry you into your future.
At the heart of it all, TCBU has two great love stories: the FMC’s love of herself and the blossoming relationship between the FMC and MMC.
Diverse and beautifully written, This Could Be Us is hopeful and inspiring and challenging. Kennedy Ryan has done it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
Minor: Cancer, Confinement, Infidelity, Racism, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
After really enjoying The Neighbor Favor, I just knew I had to read the second book in the series, The Partner Plot. I preordered this book so fast!
I was very excited to read about Violet and Xavier. The Partner Plot starts off very strong and Kristina Forest does a great job at capturing the love between the two characters. And she does a great job and showing that love grow. But her character development is the highlight of the book to me.
Watching Xavier go from overly confident teenage basketball protege to small town English teacher made me feel immensely for the character, for his dream deferred. The way Forest depicts Violet grappling with heartache, desire and work-life balance while living her dream is…ah, chef’s kiss. Soooo relatable. I also really appreciated the chemistry between Xavier and Violet. Kristina Forest does a great job with these romance novels. I love the sisters.
In the middle, before Xavier and Violet really get back together, I found myself just reading to finish the book, it was a little boring. And I feel that the confession and ending were rushed. So, to me, it’s not quite a 4 star book but very close.
I am excited for book 3 in the series and want to know more about Iris and Angel. I think that one will be a lot of fun.
I was very excited to read about Violet and Xavier. The Partner Plot starts off very strong and Kristina Forest does a great job at capturing the love between the two characters. And she does a great job and showing that love grow. But her character development is the highlight of the book to me.
Watching Xavier go from overly confident teenage basketball protege to small town English teacher made me feel immensely for the character, for his dream deferred. The way Forest depicts Violet grappling with heartache, desire and work-life balance while living her dream is…ah, chef’s kiss. Soooo relatable. I also really appreciated the chemistry between Xavier and Violet. Kristina Forest does a great job with these romance novels. I love the sisters.
In the middle, before Xavier and Violet really get back together, I found myself just reading to finish the book, it was a little boring. And I feel that the confession and ending were rushed. So, to me, it’s not quite a 4 star book but very close.
I am excited for book 3 in the series and want to know more about Iris and Angel. I think that one will be a lot of fun.
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
Jardel by A.H. Cunningham
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
I've read a little bit of A.H. Cunningham's work, specifically, Alight, Plié, and A Turn In the Air. From her books, three things are very clear: A.H. Cunningham cares deeply for her characters, takes her stories seriously, and is determined to write the most diverse characters in erotica/romance today. Nothing about her stories is stereotypical or normal. She manages to take some of the most complex intimate interpersonal issues and make them easy to digest, understand and relate to. I appreciate Cunningham so much for this.
Now, onto my review of Jardel. Cunningham maintains her commitment to depicting characters of the African Diaspora in unique and sentimental ways. Building from the world created with Wicked Moves, we learn more about Sal's brothers, specifically Jardel and the love of his life, Solange.
I had no idea what to expect based on the synopsis and a significant portion of the book, at 25 or 30% is a bit mysterious - you're not sure what Jardel is keeping from Solange and vice versa. However, once we get over that hurdle, it is smooth sailing. We get progressive characters, a good storyline, and lots of spice!
I really enjoyed Jardel, here is one of my favorite quotes from Jardel in the book:
Now, onto my review of Jardel. Cunningham maintains her commitment to depicting characters of the African Diaspora in unique and sentimental ways. Building from the world created with Wicked Moves, we learn more about Sal's brothers, specifically Jardel and the love of his life, Solange.
I had no idea what to expect based on the synopsis and a significant portion of the book, at 25 or 30% is a bit mysterious - you're not sure what Jardel is keeping from Solange and vice versa. However, once we get over that hurdle, it is smooth sailing. We get progressive characters, a good storyline, and lots of spice!
I really enjoyed Jardel, here is one of my favorite quotes from Jardel in the book:
I know I'm not easy, but I want you in my life, and I know you've never asked me to change, but I want to adjust. For me. Because I deserve growth, and we belong to each other.
The love story that blooms between Jardel and Solange is summed up in this quote:
"Watching her was like stepping outside to my garden under the setting sun after a grueling day, being in complete peace and tranquility in my element.
While Cunningham manages to portray the FMC, Solange, who desires ethical non-monogamy (ENM) as submissive in many ways to her "alpha" partner, Jardel, with quotes, like, "There was a time to push and a time to yield...", Cunningham still portrays her as a self-assured, progressive, woman who acknowledges "I shouldn't and wouldn't forget the power I had..."
If you're looking for an emotional erotic romance, I highly recommend Jardel. The story is beautifully written with well-developed and diverse characters that are sure to open your mind up about interpersonal relationships, therapy, finding solace, and authenticity in relationships.
If you're looking for an emotional erotic romance, I highly recommend Jardel. The story is beautifully written with well-developed and diverse characters that are sure to open your mind up about interpersonal relationships, therapy, finding solace, and authenticity in relationships.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, Alcohol, and Deportation
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
Ricki struggling to define herself outside of her family's daunting legacy. Ezra struggling to create a legacy for himself, despite losing his entire family. Two beautiful people looking for home.
Williams doesn't just rest on the fact that A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is just a fantastical story. No no no. She just has to make you feel it with every bit of your being with the most beautiful writing I've ever seen in a romance novel. Ezra is the ideal MMC:
I mean...what?!
But just when you think A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is all heavy feelings and flowery language, it gets really funny, too. Ezra's puns, Ricki's random facts, Ms. Della's sense of humor, and, even, Tuesday - they're all hoots.
The characters have so much depth, are so well written, and are incredibly diverse. For the entire 340 page ride, you find yourself rooting for everyone's success. And in the end, with the epilogue, which is just so perfect, you find that everything works out perfectly.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is beautiful, captivating, thought-provoking and emotionally charged. This might possibly be the best romance novel I've ever read and, somehow, it manages to top Seven Days In June, which I thought was spectacular. Tia Williams has become a must-read author for me. Her work is just getting better and better.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
I just finished A Love Song for Ricki Wilde. When I read the last words on the page of acknowledgements, I closed the book and held it to my chest.
What an incredible journey? What a magnificent story?
My little reader heart is so full.
Immediately Tia Williams pulls you into the story and you want nothing but the best for the FMC, Ricki Wilde. Then she takes you on a different journey and you're hopeful for the MMC Ezra. Through the pages, Williams unfurls a magical tale of love and loss that you just cannot put down.
About 40% into the story, readers learn that Ricki and Ezra have so much in common and one quote really sums it up:
What an incredible journey? What a magnificent story?
My little reader heart is so full.
Immediately Tia Williams pulls you into the story and you want nothing but the best for the FMC, Ricki Wilde. Then she takes you on a different journey and you're hopeful for the MMC Ezra. Through the pages, Williams unfurls a magical tale of love and loss that you just cannot put down.
About 40% into the story, readers learn that Ricki and Ezra have so much in common and one quote really sums it up:
"I'm afraid that I don't belong anywhere. Do you ever feel like that?"
"Every day," he admitted. "I look like something I'm not. And I never feel at home."
Ricki struggling to define herself outside of her family's daunting legacy. Ezra struggling to create a legacy for himself, despite losing his entire family. Two beautiful people looking for home.
Williams doesn't just rest on the fact that A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is just a fantastical story. No no no. She just has to make you feel it with every bit of your being with the most beautiful writing I've ever seen in a romance novel. Ezra is the ideal MMC:
Contemplatively, Ezra slowly ran his fingers along his jaw. "You live as long as I do, you think you've felt all the feelings, seen everything there is to see. It's hard to be surprised. But, Ricki, I've never experienced anything like you. You knock me senseless."
"For a long time, i thought I knew what my calling was. My grand purpose. But when I met Ricki, I knew I was wrong. I was a fool, thinking I was born to do anything grander than loving her."
I mean...what?!
But just when you think A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is all heavy feelings and flowery language, it gets really funny, too. Ezra's puns, Ricki's random facts, Ms. Della's sense of humor, and, even, Tuesday - they're all hoots.
The characters have so much depth, are so well written, and are incredibly diverse. For the entire 340 page ride, you find yourself rooting for everyone's success. And in the end, with the epilogue, which is just so perfect, you find that everything works out perfectly.
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde is beautiful, captivating, thought-provoking and emotionally charged. This might possibly be the best romance novel I've ever read and, somehow, it manages to top Seven Days In June, which I thought was spectacular. Tia Williams has become a must-read author for me. Her work is just getting better and better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: Addiction, Chronic illness, Infertility, Miscarriage, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Dear Vicky by Octavia Grant
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Seems like you have to suspend reality to believe this book, which is unfortunate because the synopsis was realistic...enough. I try to read at least 30% of a book before deciding to bail on it. This one just barely made the cut off. The obsessive character is there, his manic behaviors are there, but something about the book was too off putting for me. I'm not taking in this kind of drama and negativity.
Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get From Where You Are to Where You Want To Be by Tunde Oyeneyin
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I do not use Peloton and I have zero interest in any cycling classes. But my book club, comprised of me and my two best friends, decided to read Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get From Where You Are to Where You Want To Be. I went in blindly, knowing nothing about Tunde Oyeneyin.
I love memoirs, they're one of my favorite types of books. As a memoir, Speak is strong, well-written, and easy to digest. As a self-help guide, Speak is insightful and relatable. I learned a lot from Tunde Oyeneyin and I've been very inspired by her journey, from fitness to managing loss and grief to her thoughts on love and relationships.
I recommend Speak to everyone who enjoys memoirs, self-help books, and tales of growth from individuals who overcome a lot to achieve greatness.
I love memoirs, they're one of my favorite types of books. As a memoir, Speak is strong, well-written, and easy to digest. As a self-help guide, Speak is insightful and relatable. I learned a lot from Tunde Oyeneyin and I've been very inspired by her journey, from fitness to managing loss and grief to her thoughts on love and relationships.
I recommend Speak to everyone who enjoys memoirs, self-help books, and tales of growth from individuals who overcome a lot to achieve greatness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Minor: Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, Toxic friendship, and Pandemic/Epidemic
A Justified Love Affair by Kimberly Brown
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
I wasn’t crazy about The Expiration Date, the first book featuring the characters in A Justified Love Affair, but it’s a Kimberly Brown book, so I had to read it.
I actually enjoyed A Justified Love Affair way more than the other Billionaire Baby book by Brown. I could feel the chemistry between Racine and Emmanuel, the story made more sense to me, and I really liked Emmanuel as a MMC.
Even though there’s pregnancy drama, side chicks, and lots of cheating, the story between the FMC and MMC is sweet and romantic. I really enjoyed the story.
I actually enjoyed A Justified Love Affair way more than the other Billionaire Baby book by Brown. I could feel the chemistry between Racine and Emmanuel, the story made more sense to me, and I really liked Emmanuel as a MMC.
Even though there’s pregnancy drama, side chicks, and lots of cheating, the story between the FMC and MMC is sweet and romantic. I really enjoyed the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Violence and Alcohol
The Expiration Date by Kimberly Brown
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Expiration Date by Kimberly Brown is a funny second chance surprise baby billionaire romance story with a HFN ending. Now, I am not a big fan of surprise baby trope, but a second chance romance will get me every time, so I took the chance on this one. I didn’t feel the chemistry between the MMC, Sully, and the FMC, Audrey, until Audrey’s pregnancy but I think it added to the overall story as well as the character development of both the MMC, who falls quickly, and the FMC, who is the love em and leave em type. The characters are diverse and likable, there is not much triggering drama, and the storytelling is good. This is a nice relaxing read.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Medical content and Abandonment
Minor: Emotional abuse
Loving a Legend by Jaimsss P.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 82%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 82%.
DNF'd at 80% in.
I was really enjoying Loving A Legend and then the MMC, Aaron's long lost sister showed up at his barbershop the same day that he and the FMC, Crissy, finally got together. And it has been downhill ever since. I am not sure why a character like Aaron would want a long-lost sister or would've been open to having permanent custody of a sibling he did not know. Especially when you consider that the MMC is a product of rape. As the book progressed, I failed to feel the connection between the FMC and MMC. The author did a better job of describing the couple as a pair of pining lovers, but as an actual intimate couple, everything fell flat. Even though I've made it so far in the book and I'd usually finish reading at this point, I've lost all interest in the story and the characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Abandonment