chantelbecky's reviews
57 reviews

Swordcrossed by Freya Marske

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

A Captured Cauldron by R.K. Ashwick

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.

Put it down and could not pick it back up. 

A Bluestocking's Guide to Decadence by Jess Everlee

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Homophobia

You Had Me at Happy Hour by Timothy Janovsky

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.75

A Tip for the Hangman by Allison Epstein
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.

Plot moved too slow and I felt like I wasn't building real connections with the characters.

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.5

I feel like the end was a little blah. Like it quickly wraps up and that's that. I wish it had slowed down near the end and more intensely explored the outcome and process of what was happening. 

Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa

hopeful 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? It's complicated

3.75

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.75

Like many of the reviews say, this book tackles A Lot of heavy topics, and it does so with a level of compassion and honesty that I've never seen before. 

As I got to know the characters and the complexities of their lives, the lines of right and wrong became as blurred for me as they were for the characters. This book gives voice to the ugly grey corners of the humanity, and isn't afraid to explore the fact that the bad people and parts of our lives are never as simple as we think. This book doesn't shy away from harsh, complicated subjects and gives an honest portrayal of recovery. My only complaint is that the book ended when it did. I've grown to love these characters and wish I could follow them throughout their entire lives.

Needless to say, I'll be thinking about this book for a very long time.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol