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duckyreads's reviews
165 reviews
Patience & Esther: An Edwardian Romance by Sarah Winifred Searle
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fatphobia and Racism
The Relationship Mechanic by Karmen Lee
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The Relationship Mechanic is the very cute second installment in the Peach Blossom series by Karmen Lee. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Jessica and Vini. Karmen knows how to write tension between two characters. The small town setting provides a charming background for their love story. This romance is more insta-lust than a slow-burn, but it's done very well.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet Black sapphic romance with a little angst.
Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books (Harlequin Romance) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sweet Black sapphic romance with a little angst.
Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books (Harlequin Romance) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Daily Report About My Witch Senpai, Vol. 1 by Maka Mochida
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
My Dearest Patrolman, Vol. 1 by Niyama
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Church Girl by Naima Simone
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Church Girl is the first book I've read by Naima Simone, but it definitely won't be the last! Aaliyah is a runaway bride determined to escape her small town and the weight of her family's dictations on her life. She stumbles on Von, a tattoo artist with serious baggage who only wants to give the best life to his young daughter and is desperately looking for a nanny.
I absolutely loved everything about this! The writing was captivating and realistic. I really felt like I knew all of the characters in this story. The focus on breaking away from familial pressures, being vulnerable, and trusting in yourself was encouraging.
Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books (Harlequin Romance) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved everything about this! The writing was captivating and realistic. I really felt like I knew all of the characters in this story. The focus on breaking away from familial pressures, being vulnerable, and trusting in yourself was encouraging.
Thank you to NetGalley and Afterglow Books (Harlequin Romance) for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
Minor: Bullying
Home Office Romance by Kintetsu Yamada
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I really enjoyed this one-shot manga! This is a very realistic and cute romance between two adult characters. This is one of the few Covid-19 related stories that doesn't feel completely hopeless, but has a way of comforting the reader.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Kodansha Comics and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pardon My Frenchie by Farrah Rochon
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Farrah Rochon continues to perfect a sweet Black romance with Pardon My Frenchie. We follow Ashanti, a dedicated businesswoman trying to grow her dog boarding business, Barkingham Palace. She runs into trouble after the grandson of one of her favorite customers, Thaddeus, purchases the building that she had her eye on.
Pardon My Frenchie is a tightly written strangers-to-lovers story that heavily centers on cute animals, grief, and the strength of family and friends. Farrah consistently writes a strong female friendship group and it's always refreshing to see friendships given as much care as a romantic relationship. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a relatively low-angst romance that features very cute dogs!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) Carina Adores by Harlequin Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pardon My Frenchie is a tightly written strangers-to-lovers story that heavily centers on cute animals, grief, and the strength of family and friends. Farrah consistently writes a strong female friendship group and it's always refreshing to see friendships given as much care as a romantic relationship. I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a relatively low-angst romance that features very cute dogs!
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) Carina Adores by Harlequin Romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is my first Julie Soto book, but it will not be my last! In Not Another Love Song, we follow Gwen, a self-taught violinist at the cusp of a major career upgrade, and Xander, a cellist and rock star who is used to being in the spotlight.
After Gwen is offered the role of first chair in the Manhattan Pops, an intense rivalry forms, and the chemistry between them builds. As they become close and begin to compose songs together, it becomes a marketing ploy to keep the Manhattan Pops financially alive.
As a classical music lover, Julie perfectly captures how intense playing an instrument with someone can be. The amount of focus, time, and dedication that is poured into music is intense, and she somehow described it perfectly. Not Another Love Song is a wonderful workplace romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
After Gwen is offered the role of first chair in the Manhattan Pops, an intense rivalry forms, and the chemistry between them builds. As they become close and begin to compose songs together, it becomes a marketing ploy to keep the Manhattan Pops financially alive.
As a classical music lover, Julie perfectly captures how intense playing an instrument with someone can be. The amount of focus, time, and dedication that is poured into music is intense, and she somehow described it perfectly. Not Another Love Song is a wonderful workplace romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cancer and Grief
Minor: Misogyny