bookish_afrolatina's reviews
403 reviews

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I really wanted to love this book, but I didn’t. I could tell that it had an interesting premise and understood why folks enjoyed it but I wasn’t really connecting with Faron and Elara. I think this might be because this was more of a plot-driven story and I really like when it’s also driven by character development. 
I wish that there were more moments between the sisters and a bit more of their daily lives included so that I could get to know them better and care about their lives.
A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories by Mariana Enríquez

Go to review page

dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

This is the first book I’ve read by Mariana Enriquez! Each story pulled me in and ended in just the right place. They were a great mixture of paranormal, slice of life, and thrilling. I think I’m going to give her novels a try now!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

Go to review page

dark funny hopeful sad fast-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

3.5

This book is short and sweet like a Hallmark movie but with funnier banter and way hotter tension. Both of the MCs were dealt rough lives but they’re doing their best to turn it all around. I loved how compassionate and genuine the two of them were outside of their relationship, too.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Rosewater by Tade Thompson

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

This book had a fascinating concept to work with but I found myself bored, annoyed, and turned off by the MC and the plot. There were a lot of flashbacks and scenes in the xenosphere that made it hard to follow on top of it all.
Kaaro repeatedly notes having orgasms and ejaculating when using his “gift” on others and it came across as gratuitous to me


This author’s writing just isn’t for me.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
I Got Abducted by Aliens and Now I'm Trapped in a Rom-Com by Kimberly Lemming

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Kimberly Lemming never misses!!! This new book is probably the steamiest of them all. We’ve got fated mates, hilarious dialogue, and an unhinged plot filled with sex scenes. 
I was skeptical about how she was going to make aliens, dinosaurs, and a lion work but I shouldn't have been because Lemming always makes it work. 

Don’t sleep on this one, y’all!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Behind The Scenes by Christina C. Jones

Go to review page

hopeful reflective 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

Another solid Contemporary Romance by Christina C. Jones! 
I always feel the sexual and romantic tension between her characters and this was no exception. Even though Pierre and Logan have a their own baggage and a hella unconventional meet cute, I was rooting for them the whole time. I loved their playful banter and peeking into the process of filming a tv series. I also loved Logan's confidence. She was messy in some ways but definitely Type A in others! 
Jones did a great job confronting addiction and sobriety, as well.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
I'll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-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

3.75

This is a cozy and sweet holiday romance! The premise of this book slightly reminded me of one of my favorite Christmas movies “The Holiday” as it also has a home swap set-up with a similar meet-cute for the burnt-out main character. This novel takes place entirely in the U.S. with small town meeting the big city in a new way. This romance focuses on two women navigating the holiday season without their families for the first time. 
I enjoyed this new and sapphic take on a fave tale. Heads up, this is a closed door romance with lots of pining!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend by Jessica Cage

Go to review page

adventurous funny 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

For lovers of Kimberly Lemming and explicit Romantic Fantasies! Rayna is an ambitious woman who seems to have it all but she’s the last single in her friend group. In a drunken state, she wishes for a man and all hell breaks loose. 
This book had me going back and forth between cackling and heating up! I loved the plot, the characters, and the author’s creativity with the demon lore. 
Heat-wise, I’d say this book is 3 out of 4 🌶️.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle

Go to review page

dark funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

I’m not gonna lie, I was amused by the MC’s demeanor, at first because of her naïveté. Next thing I knew, I was sucked into the book. Camp Damascus is a better and more developed horror book than Straight, in my opinion. The plot discusses the insidousness of conversion therapy and the intensely Christian communities that support them. As a former member of an Assembly of God church, I found a lot of the content familiar. I definitely recommend this book! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Straight by Chuck Tingle

Go to review page

dark funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was such a fun quick read! Chuck Tingle brought some of his humor from his eroticas into this horror and I’m so glad he did. The plot was wild and I enjoyed the ride but found that some of the MC’s inner monologue became repetitive. Sometimes it felt like the book was written more for straight people because of the whole, “you say you’re an ally but will you be here when the chips are down?!” and “we have each other” vibes. The teaser for Camp Damascus seems like it will also lead to a super entertaining tale.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings