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tayahmarie's reviews
91 reviews
Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tilla, the young brown skin girl from Canada who is trying so hard to connect with her homeland, Jamaica, and calm the storm within her by making sense of her complicated relationship with her father. Wow. I saw SO much of myself in Tilla that it was scary low key, lol. Her character truly transported me back to my own girlhood and that made this reading experience even more interesting. That said, I became attached and grew a fierce protectiveness over her very quickly. Unlike most YA books, I didn’t have to keep reminding myself that Tilla was young, because so many of the things she said and did, I might’ve said and did, too when I was her age. She got a lot of grace from me. Whenever she went through one traumatic/hurtful thing, it’s like something else was lurking around the corner, and my heart broke for her in so many different ways and so many different times.
I also wanted to note that the exploration of Black girlhood and Black fatherhood was done so well. I feel like there aren’t that many books or even works on the direct impact and correlation when it comes to the two. Tilla had so many complex feelings when it came to Tyson and the way in which she tried to navigate those feelings could resonate with so many Black girls and women. Tilla’s final conversation with him hit different, because sometimes all you can do is simply forgive and try to move on as best as you can.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Classism
Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is yet another phenomenal Thriller that will be added to my favorites list of 2022! I haven’t read anything by Hillier prior to this book, but now I need to go through her backlist because wow. Just WOW.
Starting with the characters, I thought everyone was fleshed out, which is great. But, I was invested in Paris from page one; I was curious to know where her story was going to go, and whew, was I taken for a ride! I couldn’t wait to learn more about her, WTF actually happened to her husband, and her connection to others throughout the story.
As for Joey (🫢) , my heart broke for her a million times over. She was failed by literally everyone in her life (Ruby deserves the absolute worst ❤️) and all I wanted to do was hug her and tell her that one day, things will get better, and the people who wronged her will get theirs in the end. To expand on that a bit more, I typically don’t read books that have topics centering around child and s*xual abuse, so this book was very difficult to read at times. It was a painful reminder that there are so many (WAY too many) people in the world experiencing or who have experienced what Joey went through and it infuriates me. There were only a few silver linings for her, but I appreciated when they did appear and shine bright.
I also wanted to note that I did figure out some of the plot twists pretty early on, but because there is so much to unpack within this story, it didn’t bother me as much. I still found myself peeling back layers and layers of each character involved which still made the story interesting and engaging, and all of these factors made everything tie together nicely in the end.
Starting with the characters, I thought everyone was fleshed out, which is great. But, I was invested in Paris from page one; I was curious to know where her story was going to go, and whew, was I taken for a ride! I couldn’t wait to learn more about her, WTF actually happened to her husband, and her connection to others throughout the story.
As for Joey (🫢) , my heart broke for her a million times over. She was failed by literally everyone in her life (Ruby deserves the absolute worst ❤️) and all I wanted to do was hug her and tell her that one day, things will get better, and the people who wronged her will get theirs in the end. To expand on that a bit more, I typically don’t read books that have topics centering around child and s*xual abuse, so this book was very difficult to read at times. It was a painful reminder that there are so many (WAY too many) people in the world experiencing or who have experienced what Joey went through and it infuriates me. There were only a few silver linings for her, but I appreciated when they did appear and shine bright.
I also wanted to note that I did figure out some of the plot twists pretty early on, but because there is so much to unpack within this story, it didn’t bother me as much. I still found myself peeling back layers and layers of each character involved which still made the story interesting and engaging, and all of these factors made everything tie together nicely in the end.
Breathless by Amy McCulloch
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
This story kept me immersed and engaged all throughout. I genuinely enjoyed learning about what it takes to successfully reach the summit of a mountain - I never knew how much careful preparation and planning goes into it, but it’s intense to say the least! Which makes sense since you’re essentially trying to reach points known as the ‘death zone’ 😟 . Additionally, I’ve always been fascinated by Mt. Everest and even more-so, the brave souls (despite the many horror stories) who continue to climb each year… I couldn’t think of anything worse tbh 😂
When it comes to the plot and its characters, I thought it and everyone were very entertaining. I appreciated the commentary on how women/POC climbers have to face additional barriers when up on the mountain. As for Cecily, I liked her enough, but I did think it took her way too long to catch onto obvious cues, nuances, and details especially as a journalist and that did bother me, lol.
Lastly the killer reveal and the twist, was pretty good! I thought I had everything figured out early on and in a way I did, but of course, there was more to it. The thought of being stuck on a mountain at high altitude with little to no tools WITH a killer loose is downright terrifying. It still gives me the chills when I think about it!
When it comes to the plot and its characters, I thought it and everyone were very entertaining. I appreciated the commentary on how women/POC climbers have to face additional barriers when up on the mountain. As for Cecily, I liked her enough, but I did think it took her way too long to catch onto obvious cues, nuances, and details especially as a journalist and that did bother me, lol.
Lastly the killer reveal and the twist, was pretty good! I thought I had everything figured out early on and in a way I did, but of course, there was more to it. The thought of being stuck on a mountain at high altitude with little to no tools WITH a killer loose is downright terrifying. It still gives me the chills when I think about it!
Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
This sequel was as memorable and profound as its predecessor, maybe even more so, and I think that’s due to the fact that the reader already knows the ups and downs Tabby and co. are trying to navigate, we’re familiar with them, and have become invested in some or all of their emotional and physical well-being.
I’m happy that I felt more connected to Tabby this time around. I understood why she was the way she was and similar to my thoughts on the first book, I had to keep reminding myself that just because I wouldn’t do or say certain things Tabby would do or say, doesn’t make her a bad person or annoying character; there’s no manual to life and how to cope with the day-to-day, we’re all trying to do the best we can with what we got!
I also wanted to note that I appreciate these slice of life/relatable stories. There were a lot of discussions surrounding microaggressions in the workplace, how ‘professionalism’ and what that actually means is problematic within itself, Black hairstyles, (Pregnant) Black women and the incredibly high (and terrifying) mortality rate, and so much more. I think Allen does a fantastic job at weaving these important topics throughout her stories in such a digestible and matter-of-fact way.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I recommend! It’s difficult to give your in-depth thoughts on a true sequel that picks up right where you left off, but I did enjoy this one. Allen has such a distinct voice and I’m happy that we have her and this series cemented into the literary space.
I’m happy that I felt more connected to Tabby this time around. I understood why she was the way she was and similar to my thoughts on the first book, I had to keep reminding myself that just because I wouldn’t do or say certain things Tabby would do or say, doesn’t make her a bad person or annoying character; there’s no manual to life and how to cope with the day-to-day, we’re all trying to do the best we can with what we got!
I also wanted to note that I appreciate these slice of life/relatable stories. There were a lot of discussions surrounding microaggressions in the workplace, how ‘professionalism’ and what that actually means is problematic within itself, Black hairstyles, (Pregnant) Black women and the incredibly high (and terrifying) mortality rate, and so much more. I think Allen does a fantastic job at weaving these important topics throughout her stories in such a digestible and matter-of-fact way.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I recommend! It’s difficult to give your in-depth thoughts on a true sequel that picks up right where you left off, but I did enjoy this one. Allen has such a distinct voice and I’m happy that we have her and this series cemented into the literary space.
Through the Storm by Beverly Jenkins
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
Out of all the books I’ve read so far, Through the Storm is by far the most compact with Black history, and it was refreshing yet so heartbreaking. TTS shines a light on the devastating aftermath of the civil war and how so many Black folks were displaced as a result. I never knew about the many camps that former enslaved people had to flee to in hopes of starting a new and safe life. In addition, Sable, our female MC, constantly reflected on the fact that she would probably never see or hear from her siblings again or genuinely know if they’re okay and that shattered my heart man; especially knowing that this was a reality for the community back then. The broken family chains and the lost history will never be undone and it’s infuriating.
Moving onto the romance, talk about swoon-worthy! Jenkins always does a phenomenal job on creating passionate love affairs that tend to radiate throughout the entire story. Both Sable and Raimond were madly in love and the reader could sense it from the very first time they met.
As for their characters, I’m obsessed. I always feel a deep connection to Jenkins’ characters, but I’ve never felt the way I felt until I read about both Sable and Raimond. You can tell she spent her time carefully ideating and crafting these two to ensure the reader would actually invest in them; they felt real and I felt as though I knew them. Their individual and collective character development was beautiful to read about and I want more! Lol.
I will continue to post about, rave, and gush over these books because it’s what they and Jenkins deserve. I 100% understand why she and her literary genius is so well-regarded and essentially crucial within the Historical Romance space.
An Honest Lie by Tarryn Fisher
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I know that this book has received pretty low and/or mixed reviews, but clearly I’m in the minority because I ate this UP! 😭
I’ve said this before, but I love a good dual timeline, and I was so fascinated by/eager to get back to Rainy’s past and learn more about her childhood, the compound, and how her experiences shaped her into the character that we follow in the present timeline. Honestly, my heart broke for her; she went through so much loss, abuse, and turmoil starting from a young age. I’ve never been a fan of cult stories, documentaries, etc. (besides the notorious ones like The Manson Family and Jonestown) because they hit TOO close to home and humankind/reality is always a lot scarier than anything else IMO. All in all, I loved Rainy and was invested in her from the very start. I couldn’t wait for her to enact her revenge on the one person who severely wronged her - as problematic as that may sound 🤷🏾♀️
I also wanted to note that I enjoyed The Real Housewives-esque nature of Rainy’s friend group because those women were all a mess and had the stupidest drama, but I lived for it, lmao!
The main things that I didn’t care for was that the writing got a bit weird at certain points and I felt like some of what was going on in the present day timeline dragged on. I was more-so interested in the past, but I do appreciate how everything came together in the end.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I loved the story! The MC was compelling, the plot was thrilling, and all the cult sh*t was wild. Also, the last sentence of the story 🫶🏾!!! I legit teared up because it was the icing on the cake/satisfying end to a great revenge tale.
I’ve said this before, but I love a good dual timeline, and I was so fascinated by/eager to get back to Rainy’s past and learn more about her childhood, the compound, and how her experiences shaped her into the character that we follow in the present timeline. Honestly, my heart broke for her; she went through so much loss, abuse, and turmoil starting from a young age. I’ve never been a fan of cult stories, documentaries, etc. (besides the notorious ones like The Manson Family and Jonestown) because they hit TOO close to home and humankind/reality is always a lot scarier than anything else IMO. All in all, I loved Rainy and was invested in her from the very start. I couldn’t wait for her to enact her revenge on the one person who severely wronged her - as problematic as that may sound 🤷🏾♀️
I also wanted to note that I enjoyed The Real Housewives-esque nature of Rainy’s friend group because those women were all a mess and had the stupidest drama, but I lived for it, lmao!
The main things that I didn’t care for was that the writing got a bit weird at certain points and I felt like some of what was going on in the present day timeline dragged on. I was more-so interested in the past, but I do appreciate how everything came together in the end.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I loved the story! The MC was compelling, the plot was thrilling, and all the cult sh*t was wild. Also, the last sentence of the story 🫶🏾!!! I legit teared up because it was the icing on the cake/satisfying end to a great revenge tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
The Island by Adrian McKinty
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I thought this was a unique, yet terrifying take on a survival story. My heart was pumping, my thoughts were moving a mile a minute, and my anxiety was out of this world, lol. I loved how Heather and the kids had to do whatever they could to not only live off the land, but also study/learn it in such a short amount of time in order to survive! It was admirable and I was deeply invested in Heather character as well as her well-being.
Moving onto the characters, I will say though, I thought Heather was a bit jarring? In the beginning she comes off as timid, naive, and impulsive yet she turned into Katniss Everdeen in the blink of an eye!? I’m glad she was able to put up a fair fight, but it did seem like it came out of nowhere. However, she was the ultimate badass and did whatever she could to try to outsmart Ma and co. at their own wicked and sick ass game. Also, I have to say that I loved Petra! 🥹
The main things that stopped this from being a 5-star was the fact that the writing was cringe at times, the gore at certain points was a bit much for me (the fire ants scene is burned into my psyche and I hate that for me 🙃), and the insistence of a few characters threatening specific violence against the women/young girls on the island made my stomach turn and blood white hot, lol.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I thought this was a fantastic, action-packed survival Thriller/Horror story! I will say that you’ll need to suspend all disbelief as it does get a bit outlandish - but buckle up and enjoy it for what it is. BTW, I can’t wait for the Hulu adaptation of this!
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
funny
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? Yes
4.0
this book was hilarious, cute, and absolutely refreshing. I’m trying to read more books either written by LGBTQ+ authors and/or featuring characters who identify as such, and this is a great one to include in your reading plans.
Starting with the characters, Delilah was my favorite! I loved how she was an anti-hero of sorts and wasn’t ‘adulting’ in a conventional way. She definitely reminded me of Kat Dennings in Two Broke Girls or a third BFF of Ilana and Abbi in Broad City - I love when female characters follow that archetype because yes, give us some diversity! Not everyone is 100% put together or has life figured all the way out. As for Claire, I thought she was likeable enough, but she was definitely intense and deserved a much-needed Spa weekend or something 😭
Regarding the plot/romance, I thought it was a solid, fun, standard RomCom! The hijinks that the characters got up to were funny and the banter actually made me laugh out loud which I always appreciate. I did think the insta-love between Delilah and Claire was a bit jarring given the fact that they haven’t seen or spoken to each other in literal years, but even the avid Romance reader has to keep reminding theirself to suspend disbelief!
Final Thoughts: Overall I 100% recommend! This is a TRUE RomCom and I’m glad that some of the girlies are giving us those because we are starving for some! I also loved the fact that everyone was accepting of Delilah and Claire’s sexual orientation and that they didn’t have to go through any traumatic situations to help drive the plot because of that. Though the characters/writing could be a bit immature and YA-esque at times, I still think that this was an adorable read! I definitely plan on reading more by Herring Blake in the future.
The Push by Ashley Audrain
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I FINALLY read one of the most favored/hyped books of last year and it was absolutely insane and quite honestly, heartbreaking. It’s been weeks since I finished this and I’m still having trouble articulating my thoughts for this one.
What I can and will say is that, Audrain did a scarily good job on confirming some of my worst fears regarding motherhood, lmao. I’m sure a lot of women have similar thoughts about wanting to be a ‘good’ mother and possibly failing at it or having a difficult time connecting with your child, etc. but to actually read about someone living that nightmare to an extent was extremely unsettling.
The main thing that threw me for a loop was the use of 2nd person. I don’t read many books written in that style, so it took some time for me to get locked into the story, but once I switched to the audiobook I was gripped and needed to know what happened next! I flew through this book and was on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Final Thoughts: Overall, I enjoyed the story for what it was! I feel like this is one of those books that can be challenging to just recommend to anyone, because it won’t be for everyone. There are a lot of trigger warnings and it’s not your typical Psychological Thriller. However, I think this book does lead to great discussions surrounding motherhood, unfair expectations placed on women/mothers, women not being believed, and so much more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Gaslighting
The Violence by Delilah S. Dawson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I want to start my review by saying that the prologue absolutely gripped me, and I was ready to buckle up, sure that this was going to be a wild ride, and in many ways, it was!
I thought the plot and the concept of ‘The Violence’ was a unique, fresh, and downright disturbing take on a global pandemic. Even now, after finishing the book weeks ago, I still shudder at the thought of something like this actually happening - folks seeing red (or really, nothing at all) and attacking anything/anyone in their path until their craving for absolute destruction is satisfied. Unlike many other readers, I wasn’t super bothered by the pandemic talk. Did certain parts feel like Deja Vu and creep me out? Yes. But this is the reality that we’ll have to deal with moving forward now in literature/media, so I’m trying to get used to it.
As for the characters, I really liked both Ella and Brooklyn. Their sisterhood was precious, and I was rooting for both of them, especially Ella, every step of the way. I was more so invested in her storyline than anyone else’s. Chelsea was likable enough, and I did empathize with her. As for Chelsea’s mother? I have nothing kind to say, so I just won’t, lol.
Regarding the pacing, I did feel like this story was too long, IMO. Especially in the second half of the book, I found myself getting taken out of the story, specifically when the Violence Fighting Ring plot took center stage. I think it got a bit too unserious/silly for me.
Final Thoughts: I’m torn on this book; while I do appreciate the author writing this from the heart, providing commentary on domestic violence, how unfair this world/system is, especially when it comes to women not being believed, the patriarchy, etc. I just think that there was too much going on at the end of the day for me. I also wish there could’ve been more of a focus (or an equal balance) on The Violence part/the horror surrounding it.