ooohgoshtara's reviews
175 reviews

Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective slow-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

4.0

I laughed and giggled so much while reading this book. The banter was top tier. Aaliyah and Ahmad had such great chemistry even if it took them so long to admit it to each other. Aaliyah was a fierce FMC loved her attitude, style, ambition, how she went after what she wanted and mostly took no ish. I was annoyed at some parts of the story. The meddling family got on my nerves but it was relatable. Her uncle though would've got cussed tf out if it were me. The nerve of him! Loved the supportive friend groups. After some comical yet terrible dating experiences I'm glad Aaliyah found her happily ever after with Ahmad. This would be a great movie or show.

Home Is Where the Bodies Are by Jeneva Rose

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Totally picked this book up because of the VHS tape on the cover. Enjoyed the 90's memories spread throughout the novel. Also being set in small town WI was my kinda vibe. A slow burn that is a heavily character focused mystery. Dysfunctional family. So many hidden secrets I liked how they were revealed through multiple POVS of the family members. I also enjoyed how secrets were revealed via old home VHS recordings, journal entries and dual timelines. Home is where the bodies are literally. Thought the character development could have been better and certain reveals more flushed out. Solid story but a bit predictable. 

Monday Night Mocktails: 52 Drinks to Welcome the Week by Jennifer Newens

informative

4.0

Monday Night Mocktails is a fabulous book that contains 52 recipes for non-alcoholic drinks to try every week of the year separated by season. I'm into a theme and a good seasonal drink. I love a good mocktail and the recipes in this book are so well thought out proving that mocktails don't have to be boring. I also love that the author includes guidance on the type of glasses you should use for each drink just every detail to make these mocktails pop. I'm into getting more into zero proof alcohols so also like that they are included in most of the recipes. It's an awesome novel for the more sober curious and easy to follow for a novice mixologist like myself looking to drink less but still have an interesting mocktail as a nonalcoholic option.

Nia & Duke by T'Lyn

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

This novel did what it was supposed to do. Loved Nia and Duke's vibes. Short, steamy and to the point. Hoping the author comes back to these characters when they're a few years down the line.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

"For every truth there was a lie" Holy horror house. This book was tense, creepy and suspenseful. Whole town gave trust no one vibes. I do feel it dragged a bit. A lot of Maggie complaining about the same thing over and over. Really liked the alternating pov being a book within a book. I enjoyed how everything was wrapped up in the end. To everybody in town, why did y'all do all that?! 

Undiplomatic: How My Attitude Created the Best Kind of Trouble by Deesha Dyer

challenging emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.0

I enjoyed this memoir. What an amazing journey from a college drop out with zero connections to holding a highly coveted job in the White House. Deesha's journey wouldn't be considered typical but oh it's truly inspiring. And just goes to show that there is no one way to get where you're going as long as you get there. Often as Black women we share some similar experiences. If we deviate from "the plan" whatever that plan is we're often left filled with self doubt, struggle fitting into spaces not accepting of us as we are. Who of us hasn't had to deal with microaggressions in school and the workplace. I found Deesha's memoir easy to read and relatable. Deesha offers self reflection and introspection throughout her memoir. We get a peek into her lived experiences. I love how open and honest she was. The novel makes you feel like you're catching up with an old friend. Kudos to her making her own way when odds are so very often stacked against Black women and overcoming any obstacle thrown her way. 

Faith & Sin by L. Patrice

emotional 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? N/A

3.0

The buildup was everything. Just wish there was more to the ending. Would def read a follow-up on these two.

Fighting for Our Friendships: The Science and Art of Conflict and Connection in Women's Relationships by Danielle B. Jackson

informative reflective medium-paced

5.0

I guess this book was right on time for me to receive this message. A well thought out and timely book on female friendships. I thought it was well researched and offered examples and exercises which encourage self reflection. An interesting read. Female friendships are complicated. Complicated meaning “consisting of many interconnecting parts or elements; intricate.” it may seem basic but it’s true. If we want strong, meaningful, long lasting and platonically intimate friendships we first need to work on being that type of friend. “The right friends will not be offended by your taking up space. They’ll welcome it because they want to know you. But it starts with you believing that you’re worth knowing.” And we should work as hard for our platonic relationships as we do for our romantic ones. Enjoyed this book very much!

Chantel & Dax 2 by Charity Shane

adventurous emotional 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? N/A

4.0

Chantel and Dax left me wanting more and this story definitely delivered. We love a man with that BDE. Dax went on a mission to find his girl and didn't let anything get in his way. Chantel knew what she wanted immediately when she saw Dax on her doorstep. They didn't let that little date Chantel was on get in their way. Loved how Chantel showed up for that visit with a uhaul like yassss. Glad Chantel and Dax got their HEA.

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

I loved the unique pov of the main character Bela an eight year old girl. Bela is being haunted by a being called “other mommy”. This story is so creepy. The buildup to find out what would happen with other mommy was intense. I couldn’t put it down. The ending though *side eye* Bela deserved better. I am still thinking about this book days later because WTH was that ending?!