bookishkellyn's reviews
358 reviews

Kayland & Ora by Rene Wolfe

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relaxing

5.0

Temptation from a family enemy in a sex club has the black sheep of the family going baa all night long. Call Kayland “Petty Crocker” for how he pulled Ora in as a pawn in their family feud, but it was hot.
Hexed Wolf: Bennett Pack by K.C. Mills

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

4.5

Xander’s family thought he was just being an ass about denying Toyin, but it turns out that he has legitimate concerns with far-reaching implications for their pack…and baby Rafe. At some points there was more telling than showing, but it was a well-done forbidden romance that incorporated more fantasy elements than the first book.
Lone Wolf: Bennett Pack by K.C. Mills

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hopeful tense

4.0

This was cute with the perfect pacing for an instalove story, but Joelle’s stubbornness towards Lazar slightly dampened the good vibes for me. Still, it’s one of the better shifter romances I’ve read this year. The found family aspect and epilogue were a treat.
Backshot Ready: CUM SLIDE UP IN IT by India T. Norfleet

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hopeful tense
  • 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? It's complicated

3.0

It was spicy with positive plus-size representation. However, Dutch and Judah were mad childish, and there were numerous errors.
How My Neighbor Stole My Panties: An Erotic Holiday Short by Thee Tasha Marie

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lighthearted

4.0

Kassan “stole” Keira’s celibacy and her panties, but the concept (and his boldness) was only cute because he was fine. The author did a good job though with writing a short story that felt complete.
This Cursed House by Del Sandeen

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

4.0

Once I reach a point in the plot where the correct or easy choice is apparent and the main character doesn’t take that route, I lose interest and am basically just hate reading the rest of the book. The writing wasn’t bad, save for Jemma being pitiful behind that family of uppity negroes when she didn’t have to be. The mystery was good. The Duchons were terrible. So sorry they didn’t suffer more. Jemma’s better than me.
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An Academy for Liars by Alexis Henderson

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dark mysterious tense
  • 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

4.5

Harry Potter meets sad-girl lit as this taps into an adult’s innermost (but childlike) desire that they matter and are secretly powerful and unique. The FMC was especially likeable, so I found myself rooting for Lennon’s fight to maintain her moral compass in this gray environment. To complicate matters, everyone is unusually attractive, including her faculty advisor (Dante)–who may have a soft spot for her. This was such an intense and interesting, but odd, dark academia book. The weirdness and dreariness of Drayton’s campus reminded me a lot of Immortal Dark and Where Sleeping Girls Lie. Slow start but my awe of the well-crafted layers of mystery reveals secured this book a place as one of my best reads this year.
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The Last Petal by Janera Moon

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

3.5

A fated soulmate to two warlocks has double the pleasure, double the fun until a huge mystery is revealed and vital information is frustratingly kept from her. I liked the spice, characters, and world-building but disliked the instances of flat out explaining important history or plot points instead of breadcrumbing it to the reader. This doesn’t end on a dramatic cliffhanger but does end just as the momentum kicks up. If a why-choose romance/erotica and a fantasy had a baby, it would be this book.
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The Great Misfortune of Stella Sedgwick by S. Isabelle

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hopeful relaxing
  • 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

While other ladies in society are folding to the obligations of marriage for fortune, Stella’s trying to hustle her way out of this perceived “misfortune” that’s bestowed upon her by using the talent of her pen. Stella’s witty skepticism, the possibility of a love match, and hint of mystery made this a pleasant read after a slow start. This doesn’t seem to be a direct retelling of any classic but more so an original work that draws inspiration from the oppression of women in the 1800s. Unlike other historical fictions, this puts race front and center. So if you’re looking for a complete mental escape, this isn’t it. But if you’re looking for a charming, period piece, underdog story, this is for you. 

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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We Were Eight Years in Power: An American Tragedy by Ta-Nehisi Coates

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challenging informative

4.0

As a journalist who admittedly got his big break writing about (and criticizing) the first Black president, his essays during Obama’s eight-year tenure served as a keen perspective to how America went from extreme optimism to the open racism that inconceivably led to the election of 45. This finished product is a beautiful and cohesive literary work that’s part history lesson, autobiography, and social commentary wrapped up in one.