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giulsfloris's reviews
73 reviews
This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska
Overall, I’d suggest reading this novel if you like cozy and slightly mysterious romantic reads, focused on “feelings” rather than “adventure”. If you care more about the characters rather than the action, this is definitely the book for you!
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
I enjoyed pretty much everything about this story and I’ll admit I couldn’t put the book down! It took me a while to get into it at first because I’ve been in a reading slump for months, but after some chapters I started devouring it.
Even though there was a tiny amount of predictability, this story never became boring to me. I was always thinking about what could be happening next and I’ll have to admit I found myself giggling, blushing and even gasping at various times: the banter between Kazik and Gisela, the way the characters interacted with each other, the amount of times I wished I could witness those scenes in real life or watch those same scenes as if they were in a movie!
There were moments beautifully written in which I could honestly imagine the whole thing as if it were right in front of my eyes. Some parts were pretty poetic, too. As someone who isn’t a native English speaker, I actually had the opportunity to learn some new words which was a bonus!
Overall, I’d suggest reading this novel if you like cozy and slightly mysterious romantic reads, focused on “feelings” rather than “adventure”. If you care more about the characters rather than the action, this is definitely the book for you!
FYI: there are three different POVs. The story is written in past simple tenses with a third person narrator. I’d say the reading level for non-native English speakers would probably be at least B2/Pre-advanced.
Spoiler about the ending:
The only thing I don’t know how I feel about is the ending. This is a stand alone novel if I recall correctly, but the open ending killed me!! I wasn’t expecting the uncertainty, that ominous last sentence… I would have loved to see the three of them talking once and for all, deciding whether they wanted to be together or not… well, I guess I’ll just have to believe they did 🥲
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Alicia Jasinska, and Peachtree for allowing me to read this novel for free! I’ll buy it once it comes out in September so that I can support the author and re-read it in the future ☺️
Spoiler about the ending:
Thank you to NetGalley, the author Alicia Jasinska, and Peachtree for allowing me to read this novel for free! I’ll buy it once it comes out in September so that I can support the author and re-read it in the future ☺️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
The Romantic Agenda by Claire Kann
informative
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
Story’s overall good, but the pacing sometimes felt off and a bit slow for my taste. I like Joy’s character, even though her jokes fell flat most of the time and I didn’t like them that much.
I’ll admit I had to skip a few paragraphs here and there ‘cause I usually like to imagine how the characters are dressed and the descriptions were too… descriptive, I guess? I’d rather have less info about their outfits so that I can feel less restricted. I feel like Imagination cannot and should not be restrained and some descriptions felt too limiting.
I’ll admit I had to skip a few paragraphs here and there ‘cause I usually like to imagine how the characters are dressed and the descriptions were too… descriptive, I guess? I’d rather have less info about their outfits so that I can feel less restricted. I feel like Imagination cannot and should not be restrained and some descriptions felt too limiting.
Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Even though some things in this novel felt a bit rushed, I have to admit I enjoyed reading it. It was easy to feel understood and to cry from time to time. Overall, this was a good, informative book and I think more people should read it in order to normalize certain conditions and topics!
I loved how Reggie was understanding and caring towards Monique, never pressuring her or making her feel different or broken. They look super cute together! And I also appreciated Dominic not getting the closure he wanted. He definitely didn’t deserve it.
So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
This book wasn’t meant for me, even though I really wanted to love it. I was kind of bored at first, then I almost DNFd it. I decided to skip through a few parts because I just couldn’t deal with the filler chapters and the miscommunication trope, which I dislike.
I think I would have appreciated it a lot more if the story had been shorter and with more plot/action than character development. It was an overall cute read, but a bit too boring for me.
I think I would have appreciated it a lot more if the story had been shorter and with more plot/action than character development. It was an overall cute read, but a bit too boring for me.
A colpi di Cannonau by Titania Blesh
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fatphobia, and Violence
Moderate: Miscarriage
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
2.5
I really wanted to love this story, but the characters fell a bit flat and the plot was kind of all over the place.
I didn’t enjoy the sub-plots either. There were way too many and it reminded me of a bad tv show with plot twists and stuff that didn’t make a lot of sense.
The representation was full of what I believe to be harmful stereotypes. I’m not Muslim and I wanted to read something with a positive view on this world, religion and culture I know so little about, but this wasn’t my cup of tea.
I’ll try and read Hana Khan Carries On in the future and see if I like it better.
I didn’t enjoy the sub-plots either. There were way too many and it reminded me of a bad tv show with plot twists and stuff that didn’t make a lot of sense.
The representation was full of what I believe to be harmful stereotypes. I’m not Muslim and I wanted to read something with a positive view on this world, religion and culture I know so little about, but this wasn’t my cup of tea.
I’ll try and read Hana Khan Carries On in the future and see if I like it better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion
Hot British Boyfriend by Kristy Boyce
fast-paced
2.75
A little cheesy and predictable, but overall cute.
Harry Potter was mentioned way too many times for my own personal taste, especially knowing JKR’s beliefs and having stopped supporting her and her work.
Ellie is super-focused on boys and relationships at first, but she does grow and becomes more mature by the end of it.
Harry Potter was mentioned way too many times for my own personal taste, especially knowing JKR’s beliefs and having stopped supporting her and her work.
Ellie is super-focused on boys and relationships at first, but she does grow and becomes more mature by the end of it.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
To me, this book was just… boring, predictable and pretentious. The characters weren’t well developed, they were annoying and overall badly described. They lacked depth and fell into a bunch of stereotypes. The women were used as a plot device more than once and didn’t have anything interesting to add.
It baffles me that this book has such good reviews since it also contains racist slurs and is filled with misogyny and sexism. Even worse, there’s no actual redemption or growth for these people. I personally don’t like static characters who don’t take opportunities to grow and change. This is narrated by an adult man’s point of view and yet it lacks the maturity and understanding of what a bunch of almost-adults did.
I considered DNFing this so many times so I skipped a bunch of boring parts in the second half of the book (especially since half of it is basically just Shakespeare dialogues copied and pasted into the story, you could really say he co-authored this thing), and I eventually finished it but boi was this disappointing. I don’t dislike Shakespeare, I studied some of his works at both high school and university, so I was convinced I’d like this book, but I did not.
It baffles me that this book has such good reviews since it also contains racist slurs and is filled with misogyny and sexism. Even worse, there’s no actual redemption or growth for these people. I personally don’t like static characters who don’t take opportunities to grow and change. This is narrated by an adult man’s point of view and yet it lacks the maturity and understanding of what a bunch of almost-adults did.
I considered DNFing this so many times so I skipped a bunch of boring parts in the second half of the book (especially since half of it is basically just Shakespeare dialogues copied and pasted into the story, you could really say he co-authored this thing), and I eventually finished it but boi was this disappointing. I don’t dislike Shakespeare, I studied some of his works at both high school and university, so I was convinced I’d like this book, but I did not.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Sexual content
Minor: Eating disorder