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itsjustkatereading's reviews
1566 reviews
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Fast paced, short and incredibly sweet, this was a really fun read. The romance was somehow both a slow burn and quick/insta (not sure how that happened but I felt what I felt). I really enjoyed the casual ADHD rep and the way Emmy and those around her discussed it. This was nothing mind blowing or anything super new but it was a good time and I’m looking forward to continuing with the series.
Nothing Like The Movies by Lynn Painter
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
An angst filled delight of a read. I adore these two.
Darkly by Marisha Pessl
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Darkly feels like the love child of ‘The Inheritance Games’ and ‘Truly Devious’ who can’t quite live up to the expectations placed upon it by its parents.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of fun and Marisha Pessl did a great job at writing a dark and addictive story. I absolutely needed to read on and find out what was going on but it just felt a little messy at points. The ending felt very abrupt, the writing style didn’t quite work for me at times (almost as though it needed a touch more editing?) and I think it required a suspension of belief I couldn’t quite manage.
That being said, this was an enjoyable read. The atmosphere Marisha created was stressful in the best way and I had fun with it. I just wish the execution had been a little neater as there was a lot of potential.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s a lot of fun and Marisha Pessl did a great job at writing a dark and addictive story. I absolutely needed to read on and find out what was going on but it just felt a little messy at points. The ending felt very abrupt, the writing style didn’t quite work for me at times (almost as though it needed a touch more editing?) and I think it required a suspension of belief I couldn’t quite manage.
That being said, this was an enjoyable read. The atmosphere Marisha created was stressful in the best way and I had fun with it. I just wish the execution had been a little neater as there was a lot of potential.
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Other than finding liz’s lying to xx a little more frustrating this time around, this was just as adorable as I remembered it.
Six Scorched Roses by Carissa Broadbent
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I am so incredibly impressed with this book. The pacing was true perfection and at no point did it feel rushed or lacking. The characters and their relationships had depth even full length novels often struggle to reach and the same goes for the world building. This is a book that proves you don’t need hundreds of pages to bring a story to life and make an impact. This is quite possibly one of the best examples of an expertly executed I’ve ever read.
A Constellation of Minor Bears by Jen Ferguson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A moving, funny, chaotic and beautifully written coming-of-age story.
With nuance explorations of anger, friendship, societal and parental pressures, body diversity, Indigenous rights and grieving a life that was, this was a truly special YA read.
I do want to warn that there's some heavy instances and discussions of fatphobia, however this is all external. The internal messages of body acceptance, however, I found to be incredibly refreshing and empowering.
Overall, this was a wonderful read with a gorgeous cast of characters, an incredibly sweet romance and a beautiful focus on siblings and friendship and I loved every moment.
What to expect:
- Found family
- Indiginous rep (fmc & mmc)
- Fat rep (fmc and side character)
- Queer rep (fmc, mmc, side characters lesbian, bi, non binary, gay)
- Disability rep after a traumatic brain injury (mmc)
- Hiking hijinks
- Childhood friends-to-hate-to-love
With nuance explorations of anger, friendship, societal and parental pressures, body diversity, Indigenous rights and grieving a life that was, this was a truly special YA read.
I do want to warn that there's some heavy instances and discussions of fatphobia, however this is all external. The internal messages of body acceptance, however, I found to be incredibly refreshing and empowering.
Overall, this was a wonderful read with a gorgeous cast of characters, an incredibly sweet romance and a beautiful focus on siblings and friendship and I loved every moment.
What to expect:
- Found family
- Indiginous rep (fmc & mmc)
- Fat rep (fmc and side character)
- Queer rep (fmc, mmc, side characters lesbian, bi, non binary, gay)
- Disability rep after a traumatic brain injury (mmc)
- Hiking hijinks
- Childhood friends-to-hate-to-love
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Moderate: Racism
The Blood Orchid by Kylie Lee Baker
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I always find myself slightly anxious going into a sequel for a book I adored. On the one hand, I can’t wait to dive back into a story and world I’ve loved but on the other, I can’t help worry that it won’t live up to the heights book one reached. Thankfully, this was no issue with The Blood Orchid. This book was just as action packed, gritty, tense and addictive as book one. Plus, Durian got more screen time, which we love to see.
I had such a great time with this duology. It’s undoubtedly become a favourite of mine and one I look forward to rereading.
I had such a great time with this duology. It’s undoubtedly become a favourite of mine and one I look forward to rereading.
The Match by Sarah Adams
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This book features kids and dogs and was written by Sarah Adams; there was no world in which I wasn’t going to love it. This was a sweet, fast paced and heartwarming read and once again has me asking for more dogs in books please.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
A charming and heartfelt foodie childhood friends-to-hate-lovers romance with a fake engagement twist. This was such a fun and warm read. There were a few elements I didn’t love (the miscommunication was slightly tiring) but overall, I really enjoyed this delightful and endearing story of love, loss, family and dreams.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This was the perfect Halloween evening read. I absolutely adored Sweeney Boo’s art style and would love a whole series with these characters and this world. The story itself was a little rushed but incredibly fun!