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the_rabble's reviews
124 reviews
The Honeymoon Crashers by Christina Lauren
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.75
Cute! I'm a sucker for a romance where one of the characters just says, "fuck it, I'm into you."
There's some unhinged energy up front to establish the premise, but when the main couple gets in the same place it's extremely cute and emotionally resonates all the way through.
The voices of the two POV characters are distinct and the cutaways to what the family are up to were well done.
Did Grandma Write This? Only thing that pulled me out of this one- There was a wild, repeat use of the word "smokestack" instead of "smokeshow" (or maybe short stack? It was a strange thing to get by both a writer and presumably multiple editors.)
There's some unhinged energy up front to establish the premise, but when the main couple gets in the same place it's extremely cute and emotionally resonates all the way through.
The voices of the two POV characters are distinct and the cutaways to what the family are up to were well done.
Did Grandma Write This? Only thing that pulled me out of this one- There was a wild, repeat use of the word "smokestack" instead of "smokeshow" (or maybe short stack? It was a strange thing to get by both a writer and presumably multiple editors.)
Neon Gods by Katee Robert
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
At some point in a Dark Olympus book, a gruff manly POV protagonist is going to get extremely huffy about a partner not taking care of themselves. Said manly protagonist will then yell that he is a selfish bastard-monster who wants them to eat some food, be nice to their body, and have more orgasms.
This book is where that excellent chaos starts.
This book is where that excellent chaos starts.
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
2.0
No spice, single POV, beat for beat update of "You've Got Mail," but it's champagne and a dating app instead of books and AIM chatrooms.
Not slamming an adaptation, you just know what you're getting immediately.
The baby fever and hard open with poop jokes seemed a little out of control in this one early on. The baby fever sticks around, but blessedly, we move on to other events after a few scenes. (Layne seems most comfortable mid-plot and away from table-setting.)
Narrators: Rachanee Lumayno does a good job. I grabbed this book bc I love Shaun Taylor-Corbett and was excited to see him as a voice in a romance- he reads all the correspondence interludes for Sir and my dude is a swoon-master. Those reads slapped.
Not slamming an adaptation, you just know what you're getting immediately.
The baby fever and hard open with poop jokes seemed a little out of control in this one early on. The baby fever sticks around, but blessedly, we move on to other events after a few scenes. (Layne seems most comfortable mid-plot and away from table-setting.)
Narrators: Rachanee Lumayno does a good job. I grabbed this book bc I love Shaun Taylor-Corbett and was excited to see him as a voice in a romance- he reads all the correspondence interludes for Sir and my dude is a swoon-master. Those reads slapped.
In The Weeds by B.K. Borison
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
3.75
I love all these books. This will deliver for Beckett fans.
The details in this one are wonderful- Beckett's personal history takes front and center and there is a lot of world building in the small town. It's very swoony. Also an excellent depiction of a sensory processing disorder.
Evie's character is well formed- we spend less time in her history but as someone experiencing burnout, all the emotional hits you need are there. She's very sexy, which I didn't expect.
This one has less of a b-plot than the first and third books, so the relationship and the characters' broad goals are kind of everything, which Borison pulls off. Evie's search for her next thing provides some inciting structure, but there's no rush.
I think characterizing Beckett as a grump fails- which seems to be a lowkey meta-struggle I didn't fully understand. If you walk in recognizing he's a soft boy with an issue processing sound, the story flows easier.
Sex/Physical Scenes - love the chemistry and dynamic. There is a lot of allusion to the two's first night together, but could have used more physical affection or details beyond memory flashes. (Though someoneyells, "I'm supposed to pretend I don't know how you taste?" and my brain fully shorted out, so you're in good hands.)
Narrators - Two narrators. Pippa Jane continues as the voice of Lovelight, and her dialogue reads remain a sexy highlight. Lady knows how to use space.
Dane Anderson is bassy as hell and does a good job lending weight and space to Beckett. Vibes like he may have more practice with aggro dudes than reticent tree farmers, but he has moments that play with volume and tenor that really stand out.
Audio Direction: Evie's BFF from Portland- home of the default US newscaster accent- is British, and I'm willing to accept that, but it's never addressed.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To - No one. Maybe people working in talent agencies.
The details in this one are wonderful- Beckett's personal history takes front and center and there is a lot of world building in the small town. It's very swoony. Also an excellent depiction of a sensory processing disorder.
Evie's character is well formed- we spend less time in her history but as someone experiencing burnout, all the emotional hits you need are there. She's very sexy, which I didn't expect.
This one has less of a b-plot than the first and third books, so the relationship and the characters' broad goals are kind of everything, which Borison pulls off. Evie's search for her next thing provides some inciting structure, but there's no rush.
I think characterizing Beckett as a grump fails- which seems to be a lowkey meta-struggle I didn't fully understand. If you walk in recognizing he's a soft boy with an issue processing sound, the story flows easier.
Sex/Physical Scenes - love the chemistry and dynamic. There is a lot of allusion to the two's first night together, but could have used more physical affection or details beyond memory flashes. (Though someone
Narrators - Two narrators. Pippa Jane continues as the voice of Lovelight, and her dialogue reads remain a sexy highlight. Lady knows how to use space.
Dane Anderson is bassy as hell and does a good job lending weight and space to Beckett. Vibes like he may have more practice with aggro dudes than reticent tree farmers, but he has moments that play with volume and tenor that really stand out.
Audio Direction: Evie's BFF from Portland- home of the default US newscaster accent- is British, and I'm willing to accept that, but it's never addressed.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To - No one. Maybe people working in talent agencies.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Injury/Injury detail
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book is all vibes and worldbuilding. The next books are now on my "to read" list.
Takes until about halfway through to get going, but you've been primed with so much lore you're still having a good time before some of the set up action hits.
When it does hit, it's hard to put down and stays true to the style of the book.
I'm not big on kid protagonists, but this was like if Anne of Green Gables was a horse girl who had a cadre of friends from Russian folklore and maybeGilbert's an ominous, timeless embodiment of winter with questionable motivation.
Narrator: the Kathleen Gati recording is really clean. Voice acting was good- deploys Russian accents in dialogue. The pace could have been faster at times in prose. She's got an excellent fairy tale quality to the read.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To: Misogyny and casual domestic violence is part of the setting, so if you're not in a headspace to deal with that allll the way through, wait on reading this one.
Takes until about halfway through to get going, but you've been primed with so much lore you're still having a good time before some of the set up action hits.
When it does hit, it's hard to put down and stays true to the style of the book.
I'm not big on kid protagonists, but this was like if Anne of Green Gables was a horse girl who had a cadre of friends from Russian folklore and maybe
Narrator: the Kathleen Gati recording is really clean. Voice acting was good- deploys Russian accents in dialogue. The pace could have been faster at times in prose. She's got an excellent fairy tale quality to the read.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To: Misogyny and casual domestic violence is part of the setting, so if you're not in a headspace to deal with that allll the way through, wait on reading this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Violence
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.5
This is a cute one. I'll be recommending it.
If you're looking for tall women protagonists with defined personalities including a big, loud, mid-20s butch love interest, and a minimal amount of hijinx for a fake relationship storyline, this is your book.
Structure: Cochrun does the best flashback structure I've seen in a romance, repeatedly going back to the day Ellie and Jack first meet.
Setting: Portland. I grew up in the PDX metro area, and this is probably the media- aside from Metal Lords- that best lives in the space. Very different vibes, but captures the Portland/west side PNW snow experience in a very real way. YMMV on hipster & transplant culture, but the rent woes are real.
Representation: MC is bi demi with anxiety, LI is biracial butch lesbian with ADHD, the brother is pan, LI's bff is a Spanish-speaking enbie. Notable side characters are trans and alphabet mafia. Nothing feels tokenized or preachy (aside from some hipster cultural touchstones)- it's all pretty natural, casual inclusion.
Narrator: Natalie Naudus is always stellar. This could have been done with someone with less dulcet tones, but I'm never going to turn down Naudus.
Sex Scenes: they happen, it's infrequent, and very well done.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To: I would recommend this to pretty much anyone with a narrow exception: Our POV, Ellie has a toxic parental relationship and severe anxiety, on page one. If someone is dealing with depression or has similar anxiety issues, I'd be cautious to rec or be sure to let them know it's okay to drop it and come back or DNF.
By the end, Cochrun creates satisfying payoff regarding an overarchingfear of failure that is empowering and lovely. However, the anxiety is in play the entire book (like actual anxiety disorders) which I could see being a lot for people experiencing severe symptoms.
If you're looking for tall women protagonists with defined personalities including a big, loud, mid-20s butch love interest, and a minimal amount of hijinx for a fake relationship storyline, this is your book.
Structure: Cochrun does the best flashback structure I've seen in a romance, repeatedly going back to the day Ellie and Jack first meet.
Setting: Portland. I grew up in the PDX metro area, and this is probably the media- aside from Metal Lords- that best lives in the space. Very different vibes, but captures the Portland/west side PNW snow experience in a very real way. YMMV on hipster & transplant culture, but the rent woes are real.
Representation: MC is bi demi with anxiety, LI is biracial butch lesbian with ADHD, the brother is pan, LI's bff is a Spanish-speaking enbie. Notable side characters are trans and alphabet mafia. Nothing feels tokenized or preachy (aside from some hipster cultural touchstones)- it's all pretty natural, casual inclusion.
Narrator: Natalie Naudus is always stellar. This could have been done with someone with less dulcet tones, but I'm never going to turn down Naudus.
Sex Scenes: they happen, it's infrequent, and very well done.
Who I Wouldn't Rec This To: I would recommend this to pretty much anyone with a narrow exception: Our POV, Ellie has a toxic parental relationship and severe anxiety, on page one. If someone is dealing with depression or has similar anxiety issues, I'd be cautious to rec or be sure to let them know it's okay to drop it and come back or DNF.
By the end, Cochrun creates satisfying payoff regarding an overarching
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Biphobia, Toxic relationship, and Transphobia
The toxic relationship is parent-child and largely over the phone.
Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
Good book is good. 3rd person, 2 alternating POVs. Way better than it has any business being as a baker vs baker/enemies-to-lovers plot with a smattering of reality TV and British royalty intrigue. Cute and emotionally satisfying.
The romance is spot-on and feels like two normal adults. Both characters are relatable with reasonable blind spots and hang ups and the attraction feels natural.
The subplots are emotionally impactful and interesting. Which- given the promise of the premise and as a neutral party on reality TV and royalty- I was happily surprised by. Parker went deep without being maudlin when she didn't need to and it ruled.
The spicy scenes are excellent and Parker drops a lot of well done casual references to the characters continuing to ramp up their physical and emotional intimacy off screen.
I'll definitely be grabbing the next books in the series.
Audiobook Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown kicked ass. The tone stays neutral to bright throughout- a great match for some of Parker's understated beats- and her character voices continue to slap.
The romance is spot-on and feels like two normal adults. Both characters are relatable with reasonable blind spots and hang ups and the attraction feels natural.
The subplots are emotionally impactful and interesting. Which- given the promise of the premise and as a neutral party on reality TV and royalty- I was happily surprised by. Parker went deep without being maudlin when she didn't need to and it ruled.
The spicy scenes are excellent and Parker drops a lot of well done casual references to the characters continuing to ramp up their physical and emotional intimacy off screen.
I'll definitely be grabbing the next books in the series.
Audiobook Narrator: Billie Fulford-Brown kicked ass. The tone stays neutral to bright throughout- a great match for some of Parker's understated beats- and her character voices continue to slap.
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Love the premise, but there is some unrelatable shit in here.
Tapped out when my dude loads a gun before taking it to a second location- gun is unnecessary to begin with but then he's also a dumbass. Pick 1. I don't want to read a romance where I'm lowkey wondering when a protagonist is going to shoot his own dick off.
Then my gal wonders what it'd be like to have a male roommate. Bc men are so different + penis doodles.
At 24, "boiz r so weird" should be in the back mirror, right? Like, you've had platonic guy friends by that age.
Idk, she's bringing a lot of toxic masculinity to the party. He seems sweet, but flexing too hard re: butch dogs and guns. The writing is fine and I'd usually finish it, but I'm not in a mood for basic ass bullshit.
Tapped out when my dude loads a gun before taking it to a second location- gun is unnecessary to begin with but then he's also a dumbass. Pick 1. I don't want to read a romance where I'm lowkey wondering when a protagonist is going to shoot his own dick off.
Then my gal wonders what it'd be like to have a male roommate. Bc men are so different + penis doodles.
At 24, "boiz r so weird" should be in the back mirror, right? Like, you've had platonic guy friends by that age.
Idk, she's bringing a lot of toxic masculinity to the party. He seems sweet, but flexing too hard re: butch dogs and guns. The writing is fine and I'd usually finish it, but I'm not in a mood for basic ass bullshit.
A Demon's Guide to Wooing a Witch by Sarah Hawley
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
That one was good! I had more fun with this one than the first one and the writing was tighter.
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Didn't jive with the narrator's style.