literaryintersections's reviews
101 reviews
A touch bewitched , by Sonia Hartl
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely the best book in this series so far and now I’m in a slump cuz this series just got me so through. I’m obsessed. And need Brooke and Cole’s story now.
*a quick note. Throughout the book I wasn’t sure if Galen was coded as autistic, which if he was and it wasn’t explicit I can imagine readers who are autistic would be upset. But I ultimately think that his responses and struggle to understand people and emotions were due to trauma. With that being said, I am not autistic and can’t comment on that experience.*
*a quick note. Throughout the book I wasn’t sure if Galen was coded as autistic, which if he was and it wasn’t explicit I can imagine readers who are autistic would be upset. But I ultimately think that his responses and struggle to understand people and emotions were due to trauma. With that being said, I am not autistic and can’t comment on that experience.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent
A Touch Enchanted, by Sonia Hartl
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly this series keeps getting better and better.
A Touch Charmed, by Sonia Hartl
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Honestly I’m kind of obsessed with these books. It’s a great mix of paranormal romance. The action is on point. And the mystery of the curse is so fun to try and figure out.
Everything's Fine, by Cecilia Rabess
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I finished this a month ago. And I have no words for this book. Honestly. It is not only extremely offensive, it’s harmful. It’s underwritten. It’s underdeveloped. It’s fast paced at times but with unclear timelines. It is EXTREMELY triggering for Black people to read. And yet. And yet…..
Is the point of the book to show the fallacy of youth? To highlight that when we are young it’s easy to be taken by lust and good looks and gloss over the gas lighting, violence, and racism? Is it to show that everyone’s internal understanding of “fine” is different? Or that white mens belief that Trump’s racism and white supremacist rhetoric is not actually “that bad” and “everything will be fine” is harmful and scary and makes Black people question their every move? Is it about what actually makes someone Black, and what it means to “find” or “understand” your Blackness?
If it’s any of those things then this book completely misses the mark. Because none of that depth discussed above is actually in the book. Jess doesn’t change. She’s still a Black woman struggling to make it in a white world, while continually trying to separate herself from other Black people, including her family. Jess is part of the problem, but I don’t think she ever actually see it that way.
If it was about any of those topics or questions above, this book would’ve been a 5 star. But it never got there far. Never took a chance. Hides behind this “enemies to lovers” bullshit that’s actually harmful.
I wanted to enjoy this. I actually devoured it and read it so quickly. But it rarely goes deeper than the surface and ultimately could be a book where white folks can read it, feel good about themselves and say, “well Atleast I’m not Josh”. And that is going to be so harmful to Black folks.
Is the point of the book to show the fallacy of youth? To highlight that when we are young it’s easy to be taken by lust and good looks and gloss over the gas lighting, violence, and racism? Is it to show that everyone’s internal understanding of “fine” is different? Or that white mens belief that Trump’s racism and white supremacist rhetoric is not actually “that bad” and “everything will be fine” is harmful and scary and makes Black people question their every move? Is it about what actually makes someone Black, and what it means to “find” or “understand” your Blackness?
If it’s any of those things then this book completely misses the mark. Because none of that depth discussed above is actually in the book. Jess doesn’t change. She’s still a Black woman struggling to make it in a white world, while continually trying to separate herself from other Black people, including her family. Jess is part of the problem, but I don’t think she ever actually see it that way.
If it was about any of those topics or questions above, this book would’ve been a 5 star. But it never got there far. Never took a chance. Hides behind this “enemies to lovers” bullshit that’s actually harmful.
I wanted to enjoy this. I actually devoured it and read it so quickly. But it rarely goes deeper than the surface and ultimately could be a book where white folks can read it, feel good about themselves and say, “well Atleast I’m not Josh”. And that is going to be so harmful to Black folks.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Racism
Moderate: Grief
The True Love Experiment, by Christina Lauren
emotional
funny
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
5.0
“Book people are just better, I swear by it.”
An ode to romance readers everywhere I absolutely loved this book. Fizzy is funny and built off the small amazing kernels of her we got in Soulmate. Connor is hunky, sweet, unable to be put into a singular box. Honestly this might be their best work.
*quick note that I am not Chinese American and neither are CLo. I know they had Chinese beta readers to support their creation of Fizzy and her family and I think their involvement shone through. I will say I generally dislike when white authors name race of POC but not white characters, and never once did Fizzy actually state that she is Chinese American (nor is there a strong character description imo). And for the first 40% or so I felt like Fizzy could be any race until her brothers wedding. And that’s when her race and culture really shone.*
An ode to romance readers everywhere I absolutely loved this book. Fizzy is funny and built off the small amazing kernels of her we got in Soulmate. Connor is hunky, sweet, unable to be put into a singular box. Honestly this might be their best work.
*quick note that I am not Chinese American and neither are CLo. I know they had Chinese beta readers to support their creation of Fizzy and her family and I think their involvement shone through. I will say I generally dislike when white authors name race of POC but not white characters, and never once did Fizzy actually state that she is Chinese American (nor is there a strong character description imo). And for the first 40% or so I felt like Fizzy could be any race until her brothers wedding. And that’s when her race and culture really shone.*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Ice Planet Barbarians, by Ruby Dixon
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Wow. This book. The consent issues aside. The horrific rape aside. The terrible worldbuilding aside. This book is not good. With that being said. 1) it’s short so I guess my expectations of big worldbuilding are my fault. 2) I heard this was a serial which makes sense. 3) idk why I expected better writing???
Did I enjoy it? No. Will I read book 2? Probably. But honestly they won’t get much more of me than that.
Did I enjoy it? No. Will I read book 2? Probably. But honestly they won’t get much more of me than that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Rape, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Honey & Spice, by Bolu Babalola
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
I am obsessed with this book. Kiki who is confident and knows her worth. Sexy and she knows it. Doesn’t have time for no fuckboi.
The way I loved this book. It was actually a perfect read for Mexico: it’s sticky and hot. The tension is off the charts. Laugh out loud funny with perfect banter. Complex and deep. When I finished a deep sigh of enjoyment was released. Bolu created such beautiful, vulnerable, relevant characters in Kiki, Malakai, Aminah, Kofi, and my girl Simi.
Honey & Spice is a must read. And now that I know there is a sequel (second chance with Kiki and Malakai I 💀💀💀), I’m ready to be back in that world next year.
The way I loved this book. It was actually a perfect read for Mexico: it’s sticky and hot. The tension is off the charts. Laugh out loud funny with perfect banter. Complex and deep. When I finished a deep sigh of enjoyment was released. Bolu created such beautiful, vulnerable, relevant characters in Kiki, Malakai, Aminah, Kofi, and my girl Simi.
Honey & Spice is a must read. And now that I know there is a sequel (second chance with Kiki and Malakai I 💀💀💀), I’m ready to be back in that world next year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality
Moderate: Sexual assault and Racism
Stone Cold Fox, by Rachel Koller Croft
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a wild ride. I personally love messy, unreliable, bad women characters. The more unlikeable the better. And bea is perfection - she’s hilarious. Her disdain for other women, the rich, her husband and his family is palpable. Her inner monologue is fabulous and funny and so messy. I really enjoyed this debut.
If you’re not a fan of tidy endings, know this is very elusive. But it feels so right for the story.
If you’re not a fan of tidy endings, know this is very elusive. But it feels so right for the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Sexual assault
Yours Truly, by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
medium-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
5.0
Wow tears. This book is as good as everyone says.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Miscarriage