loveleighreading's reviews
266 reviews

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

emotional funny inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

Title: Get a Life, Chloe Brown

Series: The Brown Sisters

# in series: 1

Author: Talia Hibbert

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes/Keywords: Artist, cinnamon roll MMC, close proximity, neighbors, protective MMC, sex friends

Rep: Black queer author. Fat Black Disabled FMC.

Pages: 373

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Audiobook: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Review: I love this story so much. Chloe is learning how to live by herself and to let people in. While Red is getting to find his new self and learning to trust again. They are just so cute and I adore them more with each reread

Audiobook: The narrator is Adjoa Andoh, AKA Lady Danbury from Bridgerton.

Quotes: 

• “I don’t need you around,” she said pertly. “Not for directions, and not even for the list, as I’ve come to realize.” But then her gaze flitted to his and her lips tilted a little. “I just really, really want you around.”

• I need you. I’m desperate for you. I’m something without you, and I’ll survive without you, but I don’t fucking want to, so Jesus, please don’t make me.

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CW: Past emotional and physical abuse including gaslighting. Past abandonment. Ableism.

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: No

 

40-Love by Olivia Dade

lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Title: 40-Love

Series: There's Something About Marysburg

# in series: 2

Author: Oliva Dade

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes/Keywords: Age Gap, She's older. Cinnamon Roll MMC. Sex friends. Sports Romance, tennis star MMC. Vacation. Beach. 

Rep: Fat author and FMC

Pages: 312

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐1/2/5

Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review: This being a 3 star is a me thing, not the book. I struggle with age gaps where she is older, and that she kept using her age as a reason to not be together was bugging me. I loved the MMC, he was a sweetheart.

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CW: Fatmisia & body-shaming. Cheating recounted. Arthritis (neck). Chronic knee & back pain. Wrist & knee surgery mentioned. Car accident recounted.

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: No

 

Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher

emotional 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? No

5.0

Title: Sanctuary of the Shadow

Series: Elemental Emergence

# in series: 1

Author: Aurora Ascher

Genre: Fantasy Romance 

Tropes/Keywords: Demon MMC. Elemental powers. Imprisoned MMC. Magic. On the Run. Scarred MMC. Seer FMC. Last of her kind FMC.

Pages: 400

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review: I will preface this review that I am a fan of the authors indie work, so I went in knowing what to expect from her writing style. I honestly enjoyed the story, in an all vibes no thought kind of way. I am a character reader and I liked these characters, and I actually teared up towards the end. I'm excited to read the second book in the series.

Quotes: 

• “Some feuds are so ancient, they have lost all chance at redemption. And some wrongs that have been done are simply too great to ever earn forgiveness.”.

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CW: Past genocide. Violence. Blood. Gore. Slavery.

Pregnancy?: Yes, in the epilogue

Babies/Children?: Yes, in the epilogue

 

Slaying the Shadow Prince by Helen Scheuerer

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Title: Slaying the Shadow Prince
Series: Mortal Enemies to Monster Lovers
# in series: 5
Author: Helen Scheuerer
Genre: Fantasy Romance 
Tropes/Keywords: Cursed MMC. Demon MMC. Shadow Powers. Enemies to lovers. Forced Proximity. Knights. Magic. Romantasy. Shadow Daddy. Traveling. Wings.
Pages: 385
Steam: Open door
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐️/5

Review: I went into this one blind, and I think that was a good choice. I loved the strong determined FMC, and the MMC seems really into the fact that she can kick his ass. I'd be happy to read more books in this world, so I'm hoping that open ending is for real.
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CW: Past mentions of gruesome deaths of family members. Human population in decline due to being hunted by demons. Violence. Blood.

Pregnancy?: No
Babies/Children?: Yes, a young boy was a big part of their rescue mission.

The Heir Apparent's Rejected Mate by Cate C. Wells

emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

 

Title: The Heir Apparent's Rejected Mate

Series: Five Packs

# in series: 2

Author: Cate C. Wells

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Tropes/Keywords: Breeding. Fated Mates. Groveling. Protective MMC. Wolf shifters. Class difference. Rejected Mates.

Pages: 426

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review: I'm mad at myself that it took so long for me to pick this one up. I knew I was going to love it, and I was correct. The MMC was very stoic, but he was able to show her that he cared in his own way. I loved the FMC's family, and how much they deeply care about each other and will do whatever they need to.

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CW: Gore. Blood. Death. Parents' disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Mentions of others doing sex work for food. 

Pregnancy?: Yes, accidental pregnancy and FMC gives birth in the epilogue

Babies/Children?: Yes, some of the young pack children

 

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

emotional funny inspiring

• 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

5.0

Title: Role Playing

Series: Standalone

Author: Cathy Yardley

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Tropes/Keywords: Older characters. Cinnamon Roll MMC. Divorcee FMC. Gamers. Friends to Lovers.

Rep: Vietnamese-American author and FMC. Demi MMC. 

Pages: 331

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review: This is so much fun. Both of the main characters were loveable in their own way. It was funny and heartfelt. And I will be thinking about these characters for a long time to come.                    

Quotes: 

• She supposed she ought to feel sorrier about cockblocking the woman (or whatever the female equivalent of cockblocking was—clam slamming? cunt shunting?

• “I heard a lot of regrets, when I was working hospice,” he said, his gray eyes looking thoughtful. “There were regrets about what they’d done, and what they hadn’t done. A lot of them said they wish that they’d taken more risks. And even more said that they wished they’d lived the way they had wanted, instead of letting other people tell them what they should do, and living that way.”

• *screams silently in introvert*

• The idea that there might be an explanation for something he’d always felt like a freak about was eye opening. The thought that he wasn’t alone in it was more comforting than he’d ever realized.

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CW: Homophobia/Biphobia and outing of a character. Past emotional abuse. Body Shaming. Past Death of a parent.

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: FMC's adult son

 

Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop

emotional inspiring 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? No

5.0

 

Title: Only for the Week

Series: Standalone

Author: Natasha Bishop 

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes/Keywords: Cinnamon roll MMC. Ex's best friend. Forced Proximity. Protective MMC. Sex Friends. Wedding Setting.

Rep: Black Love

Pages: 244

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶🌶🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review: Rome is everything. I love the way he took care of Janelle while she was busy taking care of everything else for her sister. And that he helped her stick up for herself, that was beautiful. This needs to be a series so we can see the other characters!!

Quotes: 

• “Do you make it a habit to sacrifice things that make you happy for others’ comfort?”

• I just think sometimes we lose ourselves in our compromises and forget that ‘no’ is a full sentence.” He clears his throat.

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CW: Gaslighting and emotional abuse. Violence. Blood.

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: No

 

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

emotional inspiring 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? No

5.0

 

Title: Imogen, Obviously

Series: Standalone

Author: Becky Albertalli

Genre: YA Contemporary Romance 

Tropes/Keywords: Epistolary via Text messages. College setting. Coming of Age.

Rep: Bi author and FMC. Queer side characters.

Pages: 412

Steam: No door

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Review: Becky always gets me, and I loved this story so much. Going to be thinking about these girls for quite a while

Quotes: 

• “But you did! You made space. You took it seriously. You know there’s not a script for this, right?” I nod. She pauses. “You know. If you ever had something you wanted to tell me, I could make space for that, too.”

• Maybe shared experiences shouldn’t be the foundation at all. Maybe it should be a promise to hold space for variation.

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CW: Bimisia & internalised bimisia. Coming out & outing (theme).

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: No 

Two Vows and a Viscount: Seduction 2 by Eloisa James

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Title: Two Vows and a Viscount

Series: The Seduction

# in series: 2

Author: Eloisa James

Genre: Historical Romance 

Tropes/Keywords: Cinderella Retelling. Spinster FMC. Arranged to marry her cousin.

Pages: 218

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis: In the comments

Review: Again it was fine. I think I'll still read book 3.

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CW: Past death of parents. Abusive family member.

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: In the epilogue

 

Two Dances and a Duke: Seduction 1 by Eloisa James

medium-paced

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

3.0

Title: Two Dances and a Duke

Series: The Seduction

# in series: 1

Author: Eloisa James

Genre: Historical Romance 

Tropes/Keywords: Marriage of convenience. Rivals brother.

Rep: Plus sized FMC

Pages: 138

Steam: Open door

Spice: 🌶/5

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐/5

Audiobook: ⭐️⭐️⭐⭐⭐/5

Synopsis: In the comments

Review: It was fine but I remember nothing???

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CW: Bullying.

Pregnancy?: No

Babies/Children?: Yes, in the epilogue