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bookishlifewk's reviews
141 reviews
The Kiss Bet Volume One: A Webtoon Unscrolled Graphic Novel by Ingrid Ochoa
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
I was given the opportunity to receive a NetGalley arc copy of this amazing graphic novel from Ingrid Ochoa.
The Kiss Bet is a funny coming of age story following a senior in high school, Sara Lin in her attempt at having her first kiss as a late bloomer. With the constant goading and bets placed by her best friend Patrick, she finds herself in various awkward situations revolving around guys and seems to dig herself in bigger holes than before.
As an adult I found this read quite refreshing and hilarious. The relationship between Sara Lin and the other characters reminds me so much of the cartoons I've grown up with. It would be amazing to see this animated one day. I really enjoyed this short volume and can't wait to read the next few installments in this series.
Side note: I swore I read something similar a long time ago and just realized that this was a webtoon novel at some point. Glad to see it being traditionally published!
The Kiss Bet is a funny coming of age story following a senior in high school, Sara Lin in her attempt at having her first kiss as a late bloomer. With the constant goading and bets placed by her best friend Patrick, she finds herself in various awkward situations revolving around guys and seems to dig herself in bigger holes than before.
As an adult I found this read quite refreshing and hilarious. The relationship between Sara Lin and the other characters reminds me so much of the cartoons I've grown up with. It would be amazing to see this animated one day. I really enjoyed this short volume and can't wait to read the next few installments in this series.
Side note: I swore I read something similar a long time ago and just realized that this was a webtoon novel at some point. Glad to see it being traditionally published!
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Blood Orange by Karina Halle
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Slob by Aron Beauregard
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Just straight up gore
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Torture, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Cannibalism, Murder, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
challenging
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
This book threw me into a HUGE reading slump.
I commend those who were able to understand this story because I surely did not. All I can say is if you are a huge geography and rock nerd then you'll like this book because it read like a textbook. All of the one-star reviews that I came across for this book perfectly encapsulated my thoughts so I won't even bother explaining....
I commend those who were able to understand this story because I surely did not. All I can say is if you are a huge geography and rock nerd then you'll like this book because it read like a textbook. All of the one-star reviews that I came across for this book perfectly encapsulated my thoughts so I won't even bother explaining....
Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This one was disappointing.
I was hooked in the beginning but the more I read, the more I felt that I had to force myself to finish the book.
*** spoilers ***
My biggest issues were that I felt that the mmc was entirely too unlikeable and really let his mommy issues show in a horrible way. Now our fmc was no saint, but oh my gosh she opened up a credit card and spent a bit of money. I get that it was grimy and illegal but that man treated her like absolute garbage even after they slowly got to know each other and somewhat moved past it further in the book. His personality and attitude was just gross. This is all coming from someone who reads dark romance and actually doesn't mind grumpy/a-hole characters.
Outside of the trashy mmc, the plot dragged for too long. They wash up ashore at a creepy lighthouse to an equally creepy old man and his "ghosts". There were way too many moments where a normal person would either ask questions or figure out a way to find help. Instead, these two spend way too much time ignoring the thousand red flags around them, hate-f*ing each other and complaining. When you think they'll actually take the time to uncover the mystery or figure a way off the island, someone annoys the other and they take their frustrations out on each other in the bedroom.
Even when they figured out that the creepy old man was even creepier, they still managed to have sex in the most inappropriate and dangerous time.
Rushed through the finale just to not add another book to my dnf list.
I was hooked in the beginning but the more I read, the more I felt that I had to force myself to finish the book.
*** spoilers ***
My biggest issues were that I felt that the mmc was entirely too unlikeable and really let his mommy issues show in a horrible way. Now our fmc was no saint, but oh my gosh she opened up a credit card and spent a bit of money. I get that it was grimy and illegal but that man treated her like absolute garbage even after they slowly got to know each other and somewhat moved past it further in the book. His personality and attitude was just gross. This is all coming from someone who reads dark romance and actually doesn't mind grumpy/a-hole characters.
Outside of the trashy mmc, the plot dragged for too long. They wash up ashore at a creepy lighthouse to an equally creepy old man and his "ghosts". There were way too many moments where a normal person would either ask questions or figure out a way to find help. Instead, these two spend way too much time ignoring the thousand red flags around them, hate-f*ing each other and complaining. When you think they'll actually take the time to uncover the mystery or figure a way off the island, someone annoys the other and they take their frustrations out on each other in the bedroom.
Even when they figured out that the creepy old man was even creepier, they still managed to have sex in the most inappropriate and dangerous time.
Rushed through the finale just to not add another book to my dnf list.
How Does It Feel? by Jeneane O'Riley
slow-paced
2.0
I tend to at least try out popular books recommended on booktok or instagram. This however is was very disappointing. So much so that I didn’t even feel the need to finish the last 40 or so pages and dnfed it all together.
“How Does it Feel” is about a girl who gets transported to a world of fae and must survive against a dark fae kingdom who wants to kill her.
The plot itself wasn’t so bad but its execution was just boring. It took some time for things to really kick off and when it did I found myself not too impressed. I found that the unseely prince was not likable AT ALL and the constant declaration of wanting to kill her but dragging it out as much as possible with plenty of excuses/failed attempts got old.
As someone who reads dark romance, I’ve come across plenty of things that are blaring red flags in book men. I’m not even going to do into detail but Mendax was just a no for me.
The pacing was weird to where mundane and seemingly unimportant parts were drawn out (the large chunk of the book before she was teleported) and impactful parts were sped through. I felt that the more I read, the more I did not like the pacing and writing itself.
This book got a solid dnf at around 74%
“How Does it Feel” is about a girl who gets transported to a world of fae and must survive against a dark fae kingdom who wants to kill her.
The plot itself wasn’t so bad but its execution was just boring. It took some time for things to really kick off and when it did I found myself not too impressed. I found that the unseely prince was not likable AT ALL and the constant declaration of wanting to kill her but dragging it out as much as possible with plenty of excuses/failed attempts got old.
As someone who reads dark romance, I’ve come across plenty of things that are blaring red flags in book men. I’m not even going to do into detail but Mendax was just a no for me.
The pacing was weird to where mundane and seemingly unimportant parts were drawn out (the large chunk of the book before she was teleported) and impactful parts were sped through. I felt that the more I read, the more I did not like the pacing and writing itself.
This book got a solid dnf at around 74%
Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I can’t even explain how great this book is.
I went into this story with no expectations and barely read the synopsis on the back. This was easily a four star read and I recommend it to anyone who will listen.
I suggest new readers just jump right in like I did and experience this story blind.
I went into this story with no expectations and barely read the synopsis on the back. This was easily a four star read and I recommend it to anyone who will listen.
I suggest new readers just jump right in like I did and experience this story blind.
Twisted Hate by Ana Huang
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
not in the mood to finish this right now
Gnaw Bone Heartstrings by Kinsey Presley-Hornung
dark
tense
fast-paced
2.75
This book started off very strong with its writing and slow world building then lost me at the halfway point. Too many unanswered questions and I felt that the writer tried to wrap things up a little too quickly. The strong and descriptive writing style slowly became almost juvenile.
Was disappointed to see things turn out how it did towards the end. I really wanted more from this.
Was disappointed to see things turn out how it did towards the end. I really wanted more from this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Self harm, Torture, Blood, Vomit, Medical trauma, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail