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lanislittlelibrary's reviews
200 reviews
Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Final Offer by Lauren Asher
medium-paced
3.75
This is the third installment to the Dreamland Billionaires series and it follows childhood best friends and ex lovers Cal and Alana. Cal is trying to fulfill the terms of his grandfather's will by spending a summer at a lake house on Lake Wisteria... which it the place he left about 6 years ago- and also the place where he fell in love.
Tropes: small town, second chance, single mother (CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS! MOST NOTABLE: ALCOHOLISM)
Tropes: small town, second chance, single mother (CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS! MOST NOTABLE: ALCOHOLISM)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"I know guys who've lost no one. Groups that haven't been touched. But I also know people who've lost twenty friends. Entire buildings devastated." And Yale, stupidly, desperately, had thought maybe he'd fall into that first category. It didn't help that... he knew practically everyone in Boystown. It didn't help that his friends were all overachievers- and that they seemed to be overachieving in this terrible new way as well.
The Great Believers follows two separate timelines. In one point of view you are following a guy named Yale and his friend group of queer men during the start to the AIDS epidemic It is all about the AIDS epidemic and its grave impact on the queer men and women- and other communities that it impacted. In the other point of view, Fiona (Nico's sister) is trying to save her daughter from a cult and cope from the trauma she's caused and deaths she has experienced. The story opens up with this friend group going to Nico's memorial.
This book WRECKED me.
I grew such an emotional attachment to these characters and learned so much from their story. It was deeply sad and emotionally moving. Some moments felt like they dragged and I particularly wasn't interested in the early parts Fiona's timeline. However, the more I read, the more invested I was.
The whole book is devastating, yet beautiful. The prose was absolutely gorgeous and the characters were so flawed and imperfect- which I truly appreciated.
I am so happy I bought the physical copy of this book because I DEFACED it. I annotated, scribbled, tabbed, and broke the spine. I LOVED IT.
This book WRECKED me.
I grew such an emotional attachment to these characters and learned so much from their story. It was deeply sad and emotionally moving. Some moments felt like they dragged and I particularly wasn't interested in the early parts Fiona's timeline. However, the more I read, the more invested I was.
The whole book is devastating, yet beautiful. The prose was absolutely gorgeous and the characters were so flawed and imperfect- which I truly appreciated.
I am so happy I bought the physical copy of this book because I DEFACED it. I annotated, scribbled, tabbed, and broke the spine. I LOVED IT.
The Right Move by Liz Tomforde
I want to give an honest review and not feel so pressured by what the majority of the people that read this book feel. So let’s get straight into my thoughts about this book. I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the characters had insecurities that they worked through, heartfelt moments, and Ryan Shay! I am in love with him. I really really liked the way he showed love (you already know how much I love men that act like actions speak louder than words). Also the cameos I got of Steve and Zanders in this book made me SO HAPPY!
They main thing that I just did not like about this book was Indy’s crying. This is actually the only reason why this book is a 3.5 star not a 4 or 5 was because of this. Indy cried in nearly EVERY. SINGLE. CHAPTER. and it was so repetitive. If Liz Tomforde cut out half of the scenes where Indy was crying, this book would be fifty pages shorter. I loved that Indy deeply felt emotions but I think the portrayal of her being an empath could’ve been better executed. You can feel emotions in a deep way without just bawling your eyes out after everything happens. There were some times where it was called for, and other times where her crying was just unnecessary, repetitive, and just annoying! It started to get so bad that I would start skimming once she started crying because she would cry so. much. and it was painful to read!
I also felt as if it lacked some tension and it kind of felt like insta-love. But that honestly didn’t bother me as much as Indy’s crying! I feel like there were moments where the chemistry and tension couldve been amplified. As well, I feel like these characters only bettered themselves for each other which I only like to a certain extinct because… a lot of times I’d rather the character become better for themselves rather than because of the love interest.
Honestly, throughout this whole book I couldn’t really connect with the characters. I understood them but I didn’t deeply feel for them and couldn’t really vividly feel their emotions. It got kind of boring and slow paced… and the spice was a little cringy sometimes. It just didn’t do it for me honestly.
The only thing I actually really liked about this book was Ryan’s small acts of kindness for Indy. Such as making her coffee, buying her flowers, learning how to talk with her dad, and he even BUILT HER A BOOKSHELF.
I would recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a good sports romance to read in a few days but I wouldn’t rave about how much I love it.
2.75
The Right Move follows Ryan Shay and Indigo Ivers. Indigo is going through a situation where she needs somewhere to live after breaking up with her boyfriend of six years. Her best friend, Stevie, offers her brother’s apartment. Which is how Indy ended up moving in with Ryan. Ryan is a NBA star and he needs a fake girlfriend to prove to his boss that he has a life outside of basketball and Indy needs a fake boyfriend to prove to her old friends that she can move on and that she’s not stuck on her ex. So they end up fake dating but the line between pretending and their real feelings quickly begins to blur.
Tropes: fake dating, sister’s best friend, sports romance, forced proximity
Tropes: fake dating, sister’s best friend, sports romance, forced proximity
“What you offer in a relationship, as a friend, a woman, a partner, by simply being who you are is more than enough. And if someone can’t see that you’re everything, then it’s them who’s missing out. I know you’re faithful. It’s one of my favorite things about you, but there has to be a limit. Some people don’t deserve your unwavering loyalty.”
I want to give an honest review and not feel so pressured by what the majority of the people that read this book feel. So let’s get straight into my thoughts about this book. I really enjoyed this book. I loved how the characters had insecurities that they worked through, heartfelt moments, and Ryan Shay! I am in love with him. I really really liked the way he showed love (you already know how much I love men that act like actions speak louder than words). Also the cameos I got of Steve and Zanders in this book made me SO HAPPY!
They main thing that I just did not like about this book was Indy’s crying. This is actually the only reason why this book is a 3.5 star not a 4 or 5 was because of this. Indy cried in nearly EVERY. SINGLE. CHAPTER. and it was so repetitive. If Liz Tomforde cut out half of the scenes where Indy was crying, this book would be fifty pages shorter. I loved that Indy deeply felt emotions but I think the portrayal of her being an empath could’ve been better executed. You can feel emotions in a deep way without just bawling your eyes out after everything happens. There were some times where it was called for, and other times where her crying was just unnecessary, repetitive, and just annoying! It started to get so bad that I would start skimming once she started crying because she would cry so. much. and it was painful to read!
I also felt as if it lacked some tension and it kind of felt like insta-love. But that honestly didn’t bother me as much as Indy’s crying! I feel like there were moments where the chemistry and tension couldve been amplified. As well, I feel like these characters only bettered themselves for each other which I only like to a certain extinct because… a lot of times I’d rather the character become better for themselves rather than because of the love interest.
Honestly, throughout this whole book I couldn’t really connect with the characters. I understood them but I didn’t deeply feel for them and couldn’t really vividly feel their emotions. It got kind of boring and slow paced… and the spice was a little cringy sometimes. It just didn’t do it for me honestly.
The only thing I actually really liked about this book was Ryan’s small acts of kindness for Indy. Such as making her coffee, buying her flowers, learning how to talk with her dad, and he even BUILT HER A BOOKSHELF.
I would recommend this book, especially if you are looking for a good sports romance to read in a few days but I wouldn’t rave about how much I love it.
The Carrying: Poems by Ada Limón
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
I adored this book but I DNFd it because it took me literally a month to read 40% percent of it. I think I will constantly come back to this book but it was almost overly complex that I had to reread often and put it down often.
I loved the poems that I read because they were beautiful.
My biggest problem is personal: it is taking me WAYYY to long to read!
I loved the poems that I read because they were beautiful.
My biggest problem is personal: it is taking me WAYYY to long to read!
Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados
5.0
HAPPY HOUR | Marlowe Granados {book reflection}
This book follows two socialites: Isa and Gala. They are traveling from London to New York for the summer and recounting their experiences. During the day, they are dirt poor but at night they go to parties, bars, and mingle with movie stars, models, and rich people. They pretty much use their wit and charm to have a blast and survive in New York!
“Sometimes when you think of friendship, you wonder how it started and what keeps it together. Today, I couldn’t think of any reason but memories. Unmoored and drifting, we were only holding on to each other for the sake of shared history.”
This is definitely a hot girl summer book. Its written in a diary format and it feels like you’re gossiping with the main character LOL- There is absolutely no plot but there areee tons of vibes ;)
Even though not much was happening, there was a lot of discussion on friendship, boys/boy drama, work & hussle culture, and the meaning to life. I honestly thoroughly enjoyed it.
There were a few moments in the book where I had to stop reading and just stare at the wall because I was starting to tear up. (It’s not even a sad books so Idk how to explain that…)
I would also like to say that I did alternate between listening to the audiobook and reading the physical book. I typically don't listen to audiobooks because I tend to not like them but I LOVED this audio. The voice was so unique and eccentric and matched the narrator/main character so well. If you are having some trouble getting into this book I would highlyyy recommend the audio!
Anyway, I would recommend picking this one up especially with summer being around the corner!
This book follows two socialites: Isa and Gala. They are traveling from London to New York for the summer and recounting their experiences. During the day, they are dirt poor but at night they go to parties, bars, and mingle with movie stars, models, and rich people. They pretty much use their wit and charm to have a blast and survive in New York!
“Sometimes when you think of friendship, you wonder how it started and what keeps it together. Today, I couldn’t think of any reason but memories. Unmoored and drifting, we were only holding on to each other for the sake of shared history.”
This is definitely a hot girl summer book. Its written in a diary format and it feels like you’re gossiping with the main character LOL- There is absolutely no plot but there areee tons of vibes ;)
Even though not much was happening, there was a lot of discussion on friendship, boys/boy drama, work & hussle culture, and the meaning to life. I honestly thoroughly enjoyed it.
There were a few moments in the book where I had to stop reading and just stare at the wall because I was starting to tear up. (It’s not even a sad books so Idk how to explain that…)
I would also like to say that I did alternate between listening to the audiobook and reading the physical book. I typically don't listen to audiobooks because I tend to not like them but I LOVED this audio. The voice was so unique and eccentric and matched the narrator/main character so well. If you are having some trouble getting into this book I would highlyyy recommend the audio!
Anyway, I would recommend picking this one up especially with summer being around the corner!
In The Weeds by B.K. Borison
It is the second book to the Lovelight Farms series! This book follow Beckett, a farmer and Evelyn, a social media influencer. They spend one night together while on a work trip in Maine and they end up running into each other when Evelyn comes to Lovelight Farms in book 1. However, present day, Evelyn is going through a burnout and is on the verge of quitting social media. When she thinks about the last time she was happy, the last time she could think of... was with Beckett. So she goes to him.
tropes: small town, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity
-
~book reflections~
I picked this book up because I absolutely adored "Lovelight Farms" and dare I say this book was ever BETTER- Beckett is this brooding, grumpy, tattooed man and he has the biggest soft spot <I>ever</I> for baby animals, hs family, and his farm. He's a plant dad And it's beyond cute. I was swooning for him.
Honestly, it took me a while to read the first twenty percent... I almost DNF'd it but I am so happy I decided to finish it because it is definitely one of my favorite romance novels now.
Similar to "Lovelight Farms", what I like most about this book was the small moments of intimacy that the characters shared throughout the entire novel. For example, the would eat dinner together outside on the porch and watch the sunset!! (ARE YOU SERIOUS? I'M OBSESSED.) I love when romance novels prioritize romancing, swooning, and intimacy rather than smut and sex. And though this book's trope was one night stand, BK Borison did a great job writing this love story to a way in which you knew that these characters fell in love with each other because of who they are and not their bodies. It was so wholesome and beautiful.
And also even though it was a one night stand trope it was a slow-motherfreakin burn. They didn't even mutter the words "I like you" until sixty percent. And that is what I <I>like</I> to see. I love a believable romance! The chemistry between Evelyn and Beckett was literally alive and breathing. It felt like their chemistry was an entire being. My heart was pounding during small moments because you could genuinely feel the tension between them two.
Let's chat a little about my favorite scenes;
- when someone was talking trash about Beckett's sister, Harper and Beckett was like "I'm going to kill him" and Evelyn was like "Did you want to get ice cream instead? They have a new flavor” AH ITS SO CUTE. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
- Beckett at the vet convincing himself not to adopt a duckling (on my top 3 cutest romcom scenes ever). Fast forward, Beckett buys this same duck a mini hat that has a PUFF BALL on the top. HOW CUTE!
- <I>the picnic scene.</I> *deep breath* AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
- Beckett calls her Evie and honey (ARE YOU SERIOUS? IM LOSING IT RN)
- The conversation Beckett has with his dad at the end of the book about Evelyn
- Honorable mention to Otis and all of the kittens. They are all my children and I love them.
I adored this book. BK Borison is definitely a favorite romance author of mine. I can't wait to read Caleb and Layla's book, especially after the crumbs we got of them in this book! "In the Weeds" is so good, I highly recommend it.
4.75
"Maybe this is what happy is supposed to be. A person, a place. A single moment in time. Beckett in the hallway helping me untangle the sweatshirt from around my shoulders. A family of cats jostling for our attention as we trip into the kitchen. Tea in the kettle on the stovetop and two mugs sitting side by side right next to it."
It is the second book to the Lovelight Farms series! This book follow Beckett, a farmer and Evelyn, a social media influencer. They spend one night together while on a work trip in Maine and they end up running into each other when Evelyn comes to Lovelight Farms in book 1. However, present day, Evelyn is going through a burnout and is on the verge of quitting social media. When she thinks about the last time she was happy, the last time she could think of... was with Beckett. So she goes to him.
tropes: small town, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity
-
~book reflections~
I picked this book up because I absolutely adored "Lovelight Farms" and dare I say this book was ever BETTER- Beckett is this brooding, grumpy, tattooed man and he has the biggest soft spot <I>ever</I> for baby animals, hs family, and his farm. He's a plant dad And it's beyond cute. I was swooning for him.
Honestly, it took me a while to read the first twenty percent... I almost DNF'd it but I am so happy I decided to finish it because it is definitely one of my favorite romance novels now.
Similar to "Lovelight Farms", what I like most about this book was the small moments of intimacy that the characters shared throughout the entire novel. For example, the would eat dinner together outside on the porch and watch the sunset!! (ARE YOU SERIOUS? I'M OBSESSED.) I love when romance novels prioritize romancing, swooning, and intimacy rather than smut and sex. And though this book's trope was one night stand, BK Borison did a great job writing this love story to a way in which you knew that these characters fell in love with each other because of who they are and not their bodies. It was so wholesome and beautiful.
And also even though it was a one night stand trope it was a slow-motherfreakin burn. They didn't even mutter the words "I like you" until sixty percent. And that is what I <I>like</I> to see. I love a believable romance! The chemistry between Evelyn and Beckett was literally alive and breathing. It felt like their chemistry was an entire being. My heart was pounding during small moments because you could genuinely feel the tension between them two.
Let's chat a little about my favorite scenes;
- when someone was talking trash about Beckett's sister, Harper and Beckett was like "I'm going to kill him" and Evelyn was like "Did you want to get ice cream instead? They have a new flavor” AH ITS SO CUTE. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
- Beckett at the vet convincing himself not to adopt a duckling (on my top 3 cutest romcom scenes ever). Fast forward, Beckett buys this same duck a mini hat that has a PUFF BALL on the top. HOW CUTE!
- <I>the picnic scene.</I> *deep breath* AAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
- Beckett calls her Evie and honey (ARE YOU SERIOUS? IM LOSING IT RN)
- The conversation Beckett has with his dad at the end of the book about Evelyn
- Honorable mention to Otis and all of the kittens. They are all my children and I love them.
I adored this book. BK Borison is definitely a favorite romance author of mine. I can't wait to read Caleb and Layla's book, especially after the crumbs we got of them in this book! "In the Weeds" is so good, I highly recommend it.