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kaylierian's reviews
29 reviews
Tears in the Water by Margherita Scialla
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
rep: nonbinary panromantic (questioning asexual) mc
romance: nb/m (demisexual trans love interest)
THIS BOOK
My favorite book of the year, so far. By far.
Goodness, there's no way I'll be able to put all my feelings into coherent words. Alex is everything. Alex and Tate are everything. Alex, Tate, Xiuying, and Uriah are everything. This is how you do found family. A GENIUNE found family, nothing forced.
I'm going to start listing off things now because I can't contain myself.
Alex's body dysmorphia made me feel more seen than any book or media form has ever. Seeing your thoughts on the page is an experience. Alex as a whole person made me feel seen.
TRANS JOY IN SPORTS,,, Alex and Xiuying are swimmers while Tate and Uriah are volleyball players. Healthy relationships with sports <3
I really apologize for not being able to write a fancy review but just trust me, this book is worth
romance: nb/m (demisexual trans love interest)
THIS BOOK
My favorite book of the year, so far. By far.
Goodness, there's no way I'll be able to put all my feelings into coherent words. Alex is everything. Alex and Tate are everything. Alex, Tate, Xiuying, and Uriah are everything. This is how you do found family. A GENIUNE found family, nothing forced.
I'm going to start listing off things now because I can't contain myself.
Alex's body dysmorphia made me feel more seen than any book or media form has ever. Seeing your thoughts on the page is an experience. Alex as a whole person made me feel seen.
TRANS JOY IN SPORTS,,, Alex and Xiuying are swimmers while Tate and Uriah are volleyball players. Healthy relationships with sports <3
I really apologize for not being able to write a fancy review but just trust me, this book is worth
The Burning God by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
Out of Character by Jenna Miller
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rep: fat lesbian fmc
romance: f/f/f love triangle
Not going to lie, this did make me a bit emotional at times. My absolute favorite thing was Cass's relationship with her dad. He certainly is a "cool dad" because all the things Cass gets away with are beyond me. OH and Cass and Tate's friendship. Platonic m/f friendships make me giddy inside. They are the very definition of platonic soulmates. I need a Tate in my life, Jenna Miller please make a Tate book, I am begging.
Noowww I got to address the romance... I love love love the internet best friends to lovers pipeline, but this truly felt out of nowhere. I honestly only think these two have feelings for each other because the characters they roleplay are together. Not to mention the love triangle... Cass digs herself into a very large hole and everything explodes in her face at the end. Dating a girl just because she looks like your favorite character is ???? The entire time it was obvious she didn't like her, and just kept leading Taylor on simply because she thought Rowan (her online bff) was straight. Alas,,, miss rowan is not straight at all,,, Taylor deserves better!
ANYWAYS besides the love triangle thingy this was adorable.
oh and the roleplaying scenes made me cringe so hard I had to skip them, I am so sorry!
romance: f/f/f love triangle
Not going to lie, this did make me a bit emotional at times. My absolute favorite thing was Cass's relationship with her dad. He certainly is a "cool dad" because all the things Cass gets away with are beyond me. OH and Cass and Tate's friendship. Platonic m/f friendships make me giddy inside. They are the very definition of platonic soulmates. I need a Tate in my life, Jenna Miller please make a Tate book, I am begging.
Noowww I got to address the romance... I love love love the internet best friends to lovers pipeline, but this truly felt out of nowhere. I honestly only think these two have feelings for each other because the characters they roleplay are together. Not to mention the love triangle... Cass digs herself into a very large hole and everything explodes in her face at the end. Dating a girl just because she looks like your favorite character is ???? The entire time it was obvious she didn't like her, and just kept leading Taylor on simply because she thought Rowan (her online bff) was straight. Alas,,, miss rowan is not straight at all,,, Taylor deserves better!
ANYWAYS besides the love triangle thingy this was adorable.
oh and the roleplaying scenes made me cringe so hard I had to skip them, I am so sorry!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Mental illness
Minor: Lesbophobia
Songs of Vice by Nicole Bailey
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rep: sapphic mc, nonbinary side
romance: m/f + f/f
Sai my precious boy, let's lose this "prince of darkness" nickname. You aren't scary!
Okay, for real now. I had so much fun with this book. One of the few times I kept reading a story because of the plot and not the characters. So fast-paced and I always am down for a good heist novel. Especially one with such a great cast of characters. Strong The Gilded Wolves vibes.
Never in my life have I preferred to read from a man's point of view, but now I have. Sai's character is fantastic. Lira was... Lira. This girl is afraid of EVERYTHING and I understand that it was a point of development for her, but it drove me insane. Not to mention how dramatic she was! There was a point of conflict between her and Sai about 70% through that I didn't really understand. She kept mentioning how Sai "used" and "betrayed" her but I didn't get it. I think the author was going for a lovers-to-enemies kind of situation but it definitely didn't play that way. Not to mention the instant lust/love they had. TWO there were only one-bed scenes before 40% (one at 20%) and both resulted in cuddles. Well, the second one did a little more than that but that one was understandable.
There's another mc, Neia that is lightly touched on. She has an established wlw! relationship and that's kind of the extent of her story. I did appreciate her friendship with Sai though! So nice to see platonic m/f relationships, especially in fantasy.
I am still reeling over that ending,, I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for the next one.
So so so good. I very much recommend.
thank you to booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this early and for free! all thoughts are my own <3
romance: m/f + f/f
Sai my precious boy, let's lose this "prince of darkness" nickname. You aren't scary!
Okay, for real now. I had so much fun with this book. One of the few times I kept reading a story because of the plot and not the characters. So fast-paced and I always am down for a good heist novel. Especially one with such a great cast of characters. Strong The Gilded Wolves vibes.
Never in my life have I preferred to read from a man's point of view, but now I have. Sai's character is fantastic. Lira was... Lira. This girl is afraid of EVERYTHING and I understand that it was a point of development for her, but it drove me insane. Not to mention how dramatic she was! There was a point of conflict between her and Sai about 70% through that I didn't really understand. She kept mentioning how Sai "used" and "betrayed" her but I didn't get it. I think the author was going for a lovers-to-enemies kind of situation but it definitely didn't play that way. Not to mention the instant lust/love they had. TWO there were only one-bed scenes before 40% (one at 20%) and both resulted in cuddles. Well, the second one did a little more than that but that one was understandable.
There's another mc, Neia that is lightly touched on. She has an established wlw! relationship and that's kind of the extent of her story. I did appreciate her friendship with Sai though! So nice to see platonic m/f relationships, especially in fantasy.
I am still reeling over that ending,, I don't know how I am going to be able to wait for the next one.
So so so good. I very much recommend.
thank you to booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this early and for free! all thoughts are my own <3
6 Times We Almost Kissed (And One Time We Did) by Tess Sharpe
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rep: bi mcs
romance: f/f
so. This is NOT a romcom. I don't know why the cover and title make it something it's not?? This is a book about trauma, grief, and very complicated mother-daughter relationships with a romantic subplot.
Two emotionally unavailable girls with shared trauma working their relationship out. Lots of messy untangling ensues.
Positive. Mental. Health. Reinforcement. Talking about the importance of therapy! Penny is dealing with the loss of her father, physical disability, survivors guilt, ocd, anxiety, an unavailable mother... She goes through a lot. It's a lot. Once she goes to therapy, she learns how to handle all of this and finds herself.
Tate. Tate is so selfless. Dealing with a sick mother with cancer and doing everything to make everyone else happy. I wish there was more emphasis on HER mental health and not just Penny's. Tate takes care of both of their mothers and Penny. She helps Penny to go to therapy. Tate cares for everyone except herself. She needed her own self-discovery that didn't revolve around Penny.
It's such a beautiful book. 90s movie vibes, but definitely not warm and fuzzy. A great read for sure!
romance: f/f
so. This is NOT a romcom. I don't know why the cover and title make it something it's not?? This is a book about trauma, grief, and very complicated mother-daughter relationships with a romantic subplot.
Two emotionally unavailable girls with shared trauma working their relationship out. Lots of messy untangling ensues.
Positive. Mental. Health. Reinforcement. Talking about the importance of therapy! Penny is dealing with the loss of her father, physical disability, survivors guilt, ocd, anxiety, an unavailable mother... She goes through a lot. It's a lot. Once she goes to therapy, she learns how to handle all of this and finds herself.
Tate. Tate is so selfless. Dealing with a sick mother with cancer and doing everything to make everyone else happy. I wish there was more emphasis on HER mental health and not just Penny's. Tate takes care of both of their mothers and Penny. She helps Penny to go to therapy. Tate cares for everyone except herself. She needed her own self-discovery that didn't revolve around Penny.
It's such a beautiful book. 90s movie vibes, but definitely not warm and fuzzy. A great read for sure!
Sizzle Reel by Carlyn Greenwald
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
rep: jewish bi mc
romance: f/f + f/nb
okay. I understand (kinda) how the author wanted to present this book. It focuses on Luna who is completely a mess and questioning everything about her sexuality. This comes with a TON of internalized homophobia/biphobia/acephobia all that. Not even internalized, she openly expresses it with her VERY OUT & QUEER LESBIAN NONBINARY BEST FRIEND. The insensitivity is wild and isn't touched on until the end.
So what's the issue? It's the constant, and I mean CONSTANT conversation (internal and external) about how "you aren't gay unless you have gay sex", "you're not bi if you haven't had sex with a woman", "the only real sex is straight sex, gay sex doesn't count" blah blah blah. It's exhausting. I know Luna is struggling with the heteronormative structures of society but I promise you there is a better way to handle it. It's excruciating to have to dump all these homophobic/biphobic thoughts onto her non-binary best friend, Romy, and then immediately shut Romy down when she criticizes her. I don't think Luna actually ever acknowledges that her thoughts are wrong or hurtful, just accepts that her sex won't include penetration.
I wish I was joking.
Oh and the fact that she "wants to have sex like every other allosexual person on Earth." Essentially, "allosexual" is a controversial term used to describe people who are not asexual or people who don't experience sexual attraction. My problem with this is that it completely excludes people who fall under the asexual umbrella and DO experience sexual attraction (i.e. demisexuals). I understand the author's intentions with the sentence, but please do basic research on a term before you use it in a published book. Or even sensitivity readers!
Luna's whole quest in this book is to have sapphic sex to confirm her sexuality. That is it. It's not even a romance because all the romance that happens is in the last three chapters of the book. The book would work AMAZINGLY as an f/nb best friends to lovers book that it tried to be at the end.
I was so excited to read this book and just disappointed.
P.S. there is a very dramatic scene of public outing at the beginning. It comes out of nowhere, so please be aware of that before reading!
Regardless of my feelings, thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read and review this early!
romance: f/f + f/nb
okay. I understand (kinda) how the author wanted to present this book. It focuses on Luna who is completely a mess and questioning everything about her sexuality. This comes with a TON of internalized homophobia/biphobia/acephobia all that. Not even internalized, she openly expresses it with her VERY OUT & QUEER LESBIAN NONBINARY BEST FRIEND. The insensitivity is wild and isn't touched on until the end.
So what's the issue? It's the constant, and I mean CONSTANT conversation (internal and external) about how "you aren't gay unless you have gay sex", "you're not bi if you haven't had sex with a woman", "the only real sex is straight sex, gay sex doesn't count" blah blah blah. It's exhausting. I know Luna is struggling with the heteronormative structures of society but I promise you there is a better way to handle it. It's excruciating to have to dump all these homophobic/biphobic thoughts onto her non-binary best friend, Romy, and then immediately shut Romy down when she criticizes her. I don't think Luna actually ever acknowledges that her thoughts are wrong or hurtful, just accepts that her sex won't include penetration.
I wish I was joking.
Oh and the fact that she "wants to have sex like every other allosexual person on Earth." Essentially, "allosexual" is a controversial term used to describe people who are not asexual or people who don't experience sexual attraction. My problem with this is that it completely excludes people who fall under the asexual umbrella and DO experience sexual attraction (i.e. demisexuals). I understand the author's intentions with the sentence, but please do basic research on a term before you use it in a published book. Or even sensitivity readers!
Luna's whole quest in this book is to have sapphic sex to confirm her sexuality. That is it. It's not even a romance because all the romance that happens is in the last three chapters of the book. The book would work AMAZINGLY as an f/nb best friends to lovers book that it tried to be at the end.
I was so excited to read this book and just disappointed.
P.S. there is a very dramatic scene of public outing at the beginning. It comes out of nowhere, so please be aware of that before reading!
Regardless of my feelings, thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read and review this early!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Outing
D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
rep: black lesbian mc and afro-latinx lesbian mc
romance: f/f
Think Love is Blind but SAPPHIC
This is the most adorable romance ever. I eat sapphic fake dating UP. PLUS sapphic fake dating on a reality tv show?? Magical.
We love couples that communicate effectively. Even if D'Vaughn is absolutely clueless half of the time. It's okay, I support her.
Family dynamics!!! Kris's family is fantastic and so much fun to read about. They are insane, I love it. D'Vaughn's family was,,, something else. I think it is an accurate representation of coming out to a religious family, though. Accepting, but tentative. D'Vaughn's mother got on my nerves, and I'm glad that Kris called her out on multiple occasions.
Adorable, instant comfort read for sure.
romance: f/f
Think Love is Blind but SAPPHIC
This is the most adorable romance ever. I eat sapphic fake dating UP. PLUS sapphic fake dating on a reality tv show?? Magical.
We love couples that communicate effectively. Even if D'Vaughn is absolutely clueless half of the time. It's okay, I support her.
Family dynamics!!! Kris's family is fantastic and so much fun to read about. They are insane, I love it. D'Vaughn's family was,,, something else. I think it is an accurate representation of coming out to a religious family, though. Accepting, but tentative. D'Vaughn's mother got on my nerves, and I'm glad that Kris called her out on multiple occasions.
Adorable, instant comfort read for sure.
Calla Falling by Tallie Rose
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
rep: bisexual mc
romance: f/f
Wanna know how to get me to read vampire books? Make it sapphic.
Not only vampires but also a SAPPHIC ENEMIES TO LOVERS romance between a vampire and vampire hunter. FAKE DATING?!?!? "Do I want to kill you or kiss you?" BEAUTY AND THE BEAST RETELLING? The recipe for success in my book.
Calla and Isolde make this book. Their banter, push and pull relationship was so well done. And yet it's another instance where I wish there were two points of view! Absolutely needed more of Isolde.
I was having such a fun time with this book until about the 80% mark, I think? I still had a fun time, but things really started to feel rushed. I don't particularly like that the ending gave the reader more questions than answers. Things kinda flew over my head, and I think that was mostly because I was so enamored with Calla and Isolde 😳.
Thank you so so much to Tallie Rose for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. You are a blessing to the sapphic world.
romance: f/f
Wanna know how to get me to read vampire books? Make it sapphic.
Not only vampires but also a SAPPHIC ENEMIES TO LOVERS romance between a vampire and vampire hunter. FAKE DATING?!?!? "Do I want to kill you or kiss you?" BEAUTY AND THE BEAST RETELLING? The recipe for success in my book.
Calla and Isolde make this book. Their banter, push and pull relationship was so well done. And yet it's another instance where I wish there were two points of view! Absolutely needed more of Isolde.
I was having such a fun time with this book until about the 80% mark, I think? I still had a fun time, but things really started to feel rushed. I don't particularly like that the ending gave the reader more questions than answers. Things kinda flew over my head, and I think that was mostly because I was so enamored with Calla and Isolde 😳.
Thank you so so much to Tallie Rose for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. You are a blessing to the sapphic world.
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
rep: jewish lesbian mc
romance: f/f
Cute! I don't know why I thought this was older, but it's a cute young-adult romance!
Shani and May >>>> They are so genuine and authentic, they popped off the page. No crazy chemistry and pretty insta-lovey. But still enjoyable!
Dunno if I'd pitch this as enemies to lovers. It's more one-sided, "your mom hit me with your car so I'm mad at you" kind of deal. They resolve it in like 20 pages and then they are crushing on each other. BUT THEY ARE ADORABLE. I just really love May and I wish she had her own point of view. I want more May.
Also... Want more communication would be GREAT. Miscommunication trope again here folks. Honestly just one conversation, I am begging you.
romance: f/f
Cute! I don't know why I thought this was older, but it's a cute young-adult romance!
Shani and May >>>> They are so genuine and authentic, they popped off the page. No crazy chemistry and pretty insta-lovey. But still enjoyable!
Dunno if I'd pitch this as enemies to lovers. It's more one-sided, "your mom hit me with your car so I'm mad at you" kind of deal. They resolve it in like 20 pages and then they are crushing on each other. BUT THEY ARE ADORABLE. I just really love May and I wish she had her own point of view. I want more May.
Also... Want more communication would be GREAT. Miscommunication trope again here folks. Honestly just one conversation, I am begging you.