juliana_reads's reviews
361 reviews

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I enjoyed this! Not my favorite Bergman book but it still had all the cozy, inclusive parts of the series. I felt like Viggo’s character was heavy handed. The romance shirts and mugs, the crocheting, the baking…it got to be too much. I needed him to take a breather. Also there was some ~smol gurl~ moments with Lula that I disliked lol we get it Chloe she’s short!

(Also this is 100% a me thing but I hate all the Bergman babies. I prefer HEAs without pregnancy.)

Content Warnings

Kilt Trip by Alexandra Kiley

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adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

This was okay! I think the first half or so was enjoyable. Obviously the setting in Scotland was great. But the last quarter of the book dragged and certain plot lines either felt rushed or had no real resolution. Also Addie needed therapy.

Content Warnings

Happy Place by Emily Henry

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emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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

4.5

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.5

I enjoyed the characters and setting, struggled with the execution. It would have been better as a collection of interconnected short stories, each one focusing on a different crew member, instead of sprinkling info through a long plot. This book also desperately needed a glossary!!!

The themes of found family, acceptance, and adventure were top-notch, though.

Content Warnings

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I fucking loved this book. Good romance, good *sports* romance (which I don’t usually read outside of Bergman Brothers), and good BASEBALL! I think some of the readers who said “The pacing was off, yadda yadda” or that they didn’t get the baseball play-by-play 1) are clearly not fans 2) cannot read context clues? It was paced like a baseball game! And I really don’t think there was any jargon that was indecipherable. Idk it was a joy to read as a big romance reader and a massive baseball fan. KT Thompson if you write a whole Beaverton series, I will be your first preorder every time.

Content Warnings

Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5

Wow. A beautiful collection of interconnected short stories. Each one made my heart ache for one reason or another. I think The Hashtag, Gyroscopes, Cleaning Lentils, and Worry Beads were my favorite. In just a few pages, each of these stories somehow felt complete (though I of course wanted more!) which is a testament to the author’s skill. My only challenge was that there were a few time jumps that were tricky to figure out along with the changing POV.

Content Warnings

This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

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emotional inspiring 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

4.5

Amazing follow-up to “Before I Let Go.” Kennedy has such a gift for mature main characters and stories with real world stakes. Also- the drama in this one had me shocked in the best way! My only thing that made it 4.5 stars is that

I felt that Judah and Soledad’s relationship started off as “lust at first sight” which is fine, but never seemed to develop much beyond that. I needed more of them just spending time together and not having sex. (Although don’t get me wrong- the sex was excellent).

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