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shanaepraystoo's reviews
886 reviews
Knockin' the Boots by Peyton Banks
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
I’ve never read anything by Peyton Banks before but when I saw this novella on Everand, I just had to give it a listen.
I’m not familiar with this series but this quick read was pretty good. I really liked Rashad and Yani. If you’re looking for a quick spicy read, pick up Knockin’ The Boots.
The narrator, Ja’Air Bush is also really good. Can’t believe I haven’t seen her name on other audiobooks in the romance and mystery genres that I read.
I’m not familiar with this series but this quick read was pretty good. I really liked Rashad and Yani. If you’re looking for a quick spicy read, pick up Knockin’ The Boots.
The narrator, Ja’Air Bush is also really good. Can’t believe I haven’t seen her name on other audiobooks in the romance and mystery genres that I read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Speechless: When Love Hurts by BriAnn Danae
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I give Speechless 1 4 stars. I know that it’s either the author’s first book or one of her first books, and it’s a great introduction to her writing style. I was apprehensive about reading Speechless when I saw there were so many characters and that chapters were written from each character’s point of view — but after years of reading urban lit, I know the recipe for disaster for me: new-to-me/new author plus multiple characters plus multiple POVs equals a bad book. But BriAnn Danae impressed me. I hop David and Brooke really suffer and I want the best for Erica and Ant. I’m ready to read the rest of the series. Solid 4 star book for entertaining characters and an engaging storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence, Blood, Medical content, Stalking, and Alcohol
The Point of Exhale by Kimberly Brown
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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 have read so many books by Kimberly Brown and each one I think is better than the last. I read Something She Can Feel and said, "This is Kimberly Brown's best book." Then I had the same reaction with For His Pleasure, The Burial of a Player, Not Finished Loving You, Strip Me Bare, and, most recently, Nothin Like You. You'd think I'd stop professing her best book :) At this point, I have just resolved that she is one of my favorite romance writers ever. Her characters are just soooo relatable and she writes them in a way that shifts your perspective and makes you more compassionate.
And The Point of Exhale is no different. I learned so much from this book and really felt for Elise and Safari. I honestly felt myself tearing up at times. All of the characters are so well developed, for example, I felt so badly for Jennifer as an addict, Naz as a woman who was tired of her people pleasing baby daddy Travis, and I was really afraid of Marshall and Rico! Even as a reader. Though really dark and painful in some parts, The Point of Exhale is a beautiful love story with many different layers.
Regarding the audiobook: I've never listened to a book with these narrators, Tony Marks and Georgie Kimble. I found them both to be really good, especially the male narrator, Tony Marks. At times it felt like the female narrator, Georgie Kimble, was reading the book instead of performing it, but midway through either she got better or I got used to it and it wasn't much of a distraction to me at all. If I saw either of them narrating another book, I'd definitely give it a listen!
And The Point of Exhale is no different. I learned so much from this book and really felt for Elise and Safari. I honestly felt myself tearing up at times. All of the characters are so well developed, for example, I felt so badly for Jennifer as an addict, Naz as a woman who was tired of her people pleasing baby daddy Travis, and I was really afraid of Marshall and Rico! Even as a reader. Though really dark and painful in some parts, The Point of Exhale is a beautiful love story with many different layers.
Regarding the audiobook: I've never listened to a book with these narrators, Tony Marks and Georgie Kimble. I found them both to be really good, especially the male narrator, Tony Marks. At times it felt like the female narrator, Georgie Kimble, was reading the book instead of performing it, but midway through either she got better or I got used to it and it wasn't much of a distraction to me at all. If I saw either of them narrating another book, I'd definitely give it a listen!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
King's Distraction by Iesha Bree
funny
hopeful
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? No
3.25
I had to force myself to finish Iesha Bree's King's Distraction and I always hate that when I'm reading a book. The characters are diverse and there's decent character development, but I just wasn't sold on the FMC, Ayasha, and the MMC, Zeno, was just a bit too "hood" for the role he had in the book, his interactions with the other characters, and his upbringing. While it is not a bad read, I did not enjoy it as much as I had expected.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
With Sugar On Top: A Sugared and Spiced Short by Lady Marie
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Christmas Data Breach by K.D. Richards
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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
Wow! Christmas Data Breach by KD Richards is my first romantic suspense. I didn't even know these two genres could ever meet. With parallel stories going, Richards had me on the edge of my proverbial seat with the twists and turns in this second chance romantic suspense. I also love the way everything came together in the end for both aspects of the story! Mya Rochon and Gideon Wright are enjoyable characters. I also really enjoyed Susan Spain as the narrator...so much so that I'm going to listen to the rest of the West Investigations series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Fire/Fire injury
To Be Loved by Bree Wright
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Mostly average, there are some parts of To Be Loved that I found to be good but most of it was so-so. The synopsis was interesting - a cold couple in an arranged marriage unites and things get spicy? I’m all in!! But something about Anya’s immaturity, Kieran’s weakness, and their hateful parents that really turned me off of the book. And don’t get me started on the side characters James, Mia, and Marvin. Plus the spicy scenes were boring.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, Medical content, and Alcohol
Kevo & Juvi: A Miller's Pointe Christmas by ML Bash
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This novella was a little too predictable for me, much like other books from ML Bash but with a singer and Christmas decorations. The FMC, Juvi, in particular is the same archetype as Kimber Dixon in Bash’s Nobody to Love You Better and I also saw similarities to the FMC in You Hide I’ll Seek.
I think this is my last ML Bash read. I might have gotten all the author has to give me as a reader.
I think this is my last ML Bash read. I might have gotten all the author has to give me as a reader.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Last First Kiss by Nicole Falls
emotional
funny
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? No
4.25
This is my first book from author Nicole Falls and I was very impressed! I listened to the audiobook of Last First Kiss and I am glad that I did. The book itself is a little slow in the beginning, so I think I would've bailed on a physical copy. Because of the audiobook, which had amazing narrators, I got a very cute HFN romance novel with compassionate diverse characters. I highly recommend Last First Kiss.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Not Finished Loving You by Kimberly Brown
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Not Finished Loving You by Kimberly Brown is another fantastic story from this brilliant romance writer. I have been running through her catalog and I've enjoyed every novel more than the last. It took me a while to pick up Not Finished Loving You but I am so happy that I did, I finished the book so quickly because I just could not put it down! This second chance romance follows college sweethearts turned enemies, Alexis and Jaceon had an unconventional love story and I appreciate the care with which Brown discussed Alexis's grief and the respect for her journey that Jaceon had. Many times you read romance novels and you might feel that you forget what the book is all about shortly after you finish. But these books are actually about teaching you compassion for scenarios you may or may not encounter. Authors like Brown do so much good with their writing. I cannot make Not Finished Loving You a 5-star read for one major reason: the ages of the characters. I think the story would've been more well-rounded and relatable, if the characters were even 5 to 7 years older. While it is a personal preference, I find that romance novels, like this one that have really heavy subjects like divorce, adultery, and death, are better. That said, I'm glad that the ages of the characters didn't deter me from picking up the novel. The story is engaging with lovable and diverse characters. I highly recommend Not Finished Loving You.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia, Abandonment, and Alcohol