kemisreading's reviews
150 reviews

For Such a Time As This by Shani Akilah

emotional hopeful reflective sad 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? It's complicated

3.5

For Such a Time as This follows a friendship group of young, black brits, navigating life, love, and loss in London.
I really enjoyed the way the stories were written. Shani has a beautiful way of writing that immersed me in a majority of the stories.
I would say the second half felt a bit rushed and the stories fell flat, but overall a great book that I recommend to everyone in their 20s/early 30s 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Mental illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent

Ho! Ho! Ho!: A Christmas Short by Rilzy Adams

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rilzy Adams has the admirable ability to drag me out of the deepest slump known to man.

I love a Rilzy Adams romance because they’re just the right amount of spicy whilst maintaining the integrity of the writing and story. Highly recommend for a quick read.

I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Jolene was so dramatic the entire book but I loved it.

Jaded by Ela Lee

challenging 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

3.75

*reads book (partly) about the perils of big law*
Me as a law student: I can’t wait to become a lawyer 

Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Queer chaos 😈🔥

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.75

A Broken People's Playlist by Chimeka Garricks

fast-paced

4.75

The authors note is just as beautiful as the whole book

King of Ruin by Lee Jacquot

adventurous challenging dark tense slow-paced

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

2.75

Almond by Won-pyung Sohn

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

3.75