girlreading's reviews
1274 reviews
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
So this was absolutely adorable although also a lot spicier than I’d expected…
The romance itself was sweet and caring and filled with banter and Lola and the ice hockey team, with their protectiveness have stolen my heart (especially you, Henry). This was definitely more character driven than plot heavy but I really enjoyed its more mundane, slice of life, adult coming-of-age vibe. With all that being said, think my favourite part of this book was the way Anastasia’s relationship with food and her body was explored. It was sensitive and honest, without throwing around numbers or too many glaring potential triggers. The way Nathan and the surrounding cast (besides Aaron, who has officially made it into my list most hated characters) approached Anastasia’s struggles with care, love and patience filled my heart with warmth.
Overall, this was a super sweet (and spicy) heartwarming, funny and enjoyable romance and I look forward to continuing this series.
TW: disordered eating, body shaming, fatphobia, sexual harassment
The romance itself was sweet and caring and filled with banter and Lola and the ice hockey team, with their protectiveness have stolen my heart (especially you, Henry). This was definitely more character driven than plot heavy but I really enjoyed its more mundane, slice of life, adult coming-of-age vibe. With all that being said, think my favourite part of this book was the way Anastasia’s relationship with food and her body was explored. It was sensitive and honest, without throwing around numbers or too many glaring potential triggers. The way Nathan and the surrounding cast (besides Aaron, who has officially made it into my list most hated characters) approached Anastasia’s struggles with care, love and patience filled my heart with warmth.
Overall, this was a super sweet (and spicy) heartwarming, funny and enjoyable romance and I look forward to continuing this series.
TW: disordered eating, body shaming, fatphobia, sexual harassment
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Gaslighting
Everyone's Thinking It by Aleema Omotoni
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Mean Girls meets Dear White People meets Ace of Spades in this standout debut from Aleema Omotoni.
At the core of Everyone's Thinking It, is a compelling mystery that propelled the plot forward with intrigue and drama but what I think truly makes this debut shine is its examination of topics such as blackface and blackfishing, biphobia, systemic racism and both the courage and risk that comes with discussing and calling out these injustices when you're Black.
Everyone's Thinking It expertly balances multiple elements of storytelling; it's got romance, mystery, family and friendship dramas, academic pressures, LGBTQIA+ and mental illness representation and more and yet at no point does any element seem to be unnecessary or monopolising the story. The same goes for the characters. Both Kitan and Iyanu's perspectives are equal in their time and intrigue and both have their own stories that, whilst brilliantly intertwined, give both girls a distinct and strong voice. The side characters were equally endearing (or awful but in a good way) and memorable.
All in all, Everyone's Thinking It is a truly compulsive read and one I found myself unable to look away from. Aleema writes in a way that left me almost feeling as though I'd watched this book as a TV show or movie. Her writing is immersive, visual, exciting and so incredibly readable and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.
At the core of Everyone's Thinking It, is a compelling mystery that propelled the plot forward with intrigue and drama but what I think truly makes this debut shine is its examination of topics such as blackface and blackfishing, biphobia, systemic racism and both the courage and risk that comes with discussing and calling out these injustices when you're Black.
Everyone's Thinking It expertly balances multiple elements of storytelling; it's got romance, mystery, family and friendship dramas, academic pressures, LGBTQIA+ and mental illness representation and more and yet at no point does any element seem to be unnecessary or monopolising the story. The same goes for the characters. Both Kitan and Iyanu's perspectives are equal in their time and intrigue and both have their own stories that, whilst brilliantly intertwined, give both girls a distinct and strong voice. The side characters were equally endearing (or awful but in a good way) and memorable.
All in all, Everyone's Thinking It is a truly compulsive read and one I found myself unable to look away from. Aleema writes in a way that left me almost feeling as though I'd watched this book as a TV show or movie. Her writing is immersive, visual, exciting and so incredibly readable and I cannot wait to read whatever she writes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Racism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Cultural appropriation
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 2 by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A brilliant second instalment in a series that looks as though it has the to potential to become a new favourite manga for me. It’s gently paced but full of action and heart and the art style is simply gorgeous.
The Wicked Remain by Laura Pohl
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
This series had my name written all over it. A twisted, gory, curse and secret filled boarding school fantasy adventure mystery, with a focus on female friendship and starring four teens destined to follow the paths of various fairytale princesses? What more could I possibly want?
Yes, it was a little messy in places but I had so much fun with it I couldn’t have cared less. This was a brilliantly addictive, entertaining, brutal and heartwarming read and I enjoyed every moment of my time within its pages.
Yes, it was a little messy in places but I had so much fun with it I couldn’t have cared less. This was a brilliantly addictive, entertaining, brutal and heartwarming read and I enjoyed every moment of my time within its pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicide
Minor: Cancer
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
4.0
Is it possible to love a book despite only understanding about 30% of what’s being said in it because that’s kind of my experience with this book. It was heavy on the scientific language and theories, all of which went way of my incredibly unscientific head but miraculously, it somehow didn’t take away from my enjoyment? This was a brilliantly funny, stressful, heartwarming and intense read with some superb, almost cinematic world building. The audiobook was fantastic and despite it leaving me feeling more lacking in scientific knowledge than ever, I can forgive it due to it being so incredibly entertaining.
Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Córdova
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
The Little Mermaid is just as much of an intrinsic part of me as my name or my love for reading. It’s one of the first stories I fell in love with. The first princess I wanted to be. The first prince I wanted to marry. The first dog I wanted to adopt. The first soundtrack I learnt by heart. It has a place in my heart in a way only the most special stories do.
All this is to say, when I first heard that one of my favourite authors was writing a rom-com retelling of one of my favourite films, I was more than a little bit hyped. Upon having finished Kiss the Girl, I am happy to say it lived up to the hype and then some. This gorgeous book left me giddy on joy and warm fuzzies. The way Zoraida took the story of The Little Mermaid and made it wholly her own was inspired. The weaving of the original story into a contemporary romance was brilliantly clever and filled with little easter eggs. I loved every single moment of my time with this book and can’t recommend it more highly for anyone looking for a sweet and fun romance with a fabulous cast of characters.
All this is to say, when I first heard that one of my favourite authors was writing a rom-com retelling of one of my favourite films, I was more than a little bit hyped. Upon having finished Kiss the Girl, I am happy to say it lived up to the hype and then some. This gorgeous book left me giddy on joy and warm fuzzies. The way Zoraida took the story of The Little Mermaid and made it wholly her own was inspired. The weaving of the original story into a contemporary romance was brilliantly clever and filled with little easter eggs. I loved every single moment of my time with this book and can’t recommend it more highly for anyone looking for a sweet and fun romance with a fabulous cast of characters.