bonepennies's reviews
14 reviews

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I wasn't really expecting much from this book and my expectations were met. I liked how easy this book was toread, and I found Emmet lovable, and some or the side characters were nice to read about.

But going from hearing about how Emmet was dreaming to become country music's first gay superstar, and then Luke's chapters where the f slur is said felt like complete tonal whiplash. Luke's character and character arc also feels like something I have seen a million times in romances about gay men, and it does not help that he is an asshole towards Emmet most of the book.

Content Warnings

As Good As Dead by Holly Jackson

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I don't know why I felt this wasn't as good as the other A Good Girl's Guide to Murder books.

Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This was a really strong sequel, although Good Girl, Bad Blood did have a slow start. However, it pucks up it's pace significantly in the last 50%.

This isn't really a bad thing, though. Throughout the book, Pip grows as a character and has her angsty moments. Overall, really excited to see how the series progresses.

The Girl from the Sea by Molly Knox Ostertag

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This book was super cute! I read it in one sitting and it was really relaxing to get through.

Stranger in the Lake by Kimberly Belle

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

I bought the book from a second hand store because it had a pretty dust jacket and I like whodunits. However, this was not a whodunit and if it was it took too long to get to the point.

The protagonist was boring and uninteresting. She did nothing in at leadt half the book, just lied to keep her husband safe and reacted to events instead of participating.

I was tempted continuing reading for the chapters about Jax, but decided it wasn't worth it.

Would have rated it about 2.5 stars.

Content Warnings

Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

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challenging dark 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

I don't have anything new to add to the conversation surrounding this book. Hell Followed With Us is one of, if not the best, y/a horror books and y/a books I have read in general.

The world is intriguing and I did not feel like the rampant gore was added purely for shock value.

As a trans masculine reader, this book hits close to home as well. Most books about transgender men treat dysphoria as something that is limited to "I don't like my boobs and I want a dick :(" when for a lot of people it simply isn't. Benji describes a kind of dysphpria and feels his transness in a way that I have never seen another person communicate. When this dysphoria is described,it quite literally brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy the next generation of trans youth will have books like this.

Also love the inclusion of neo pronouns (:

Content Warnings