sp12295's reviews
130 reviews

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

5.0

Trade Deadline by Piper Vaughn, Avon Gale
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.

I am over halfway through and there is not a conflict in sight, except maybe that Daniel isn't immediately hitting it off with his new teammates, and I'm frankly bored. The couple is just... nice dudes who really like each other, and that's great in some cases but kind of a let down after the first two books in the series were relatively intense. I'll probably pop back into this series if they do a Morley book, but I need more tension from my hockey romance than this was willing to give me. 

The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basu

5.0

Midnight Angel by Lisa Kleypas
Did not finish book. Stopped at 69%.

I tried so hard to turn off my brain and enjoy this, but I profoundly disliked the hero, the age difference, and the entire dynamic between the couple. What even is consent? I definitely prefer later Kleypas. 

Gravity by Tal Bauer

I can't rate this. I simply can't. This was objectively terrible but in a way that circled around to be incredibly fun. I am not convinced the author remotely understands hockey, medicine, or the French language but I simply stopped caring. I laughed so hard I cried and I don't think that was intended but man, I had a great time. I was just willing to accept that the characters were superhumans playing some magical hockey and creating miracles because it was fun and gay. Allez Montreal! 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Did not finish book.

This was fine, but it's been a week since I picked it up and I don't feel super compelled to pick it up again or continue in the series. 

The Duke Gets Even by Joanna Shupe
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

I listened to a bit of this book two weeks ago and haven't thought of it since. I wasn't vibing. 

Dead Girls: Essays on Surviving an American Obsession by Alice Bolin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.

This just wasn't the book I was expecting it to be, which isn't necessarily its fault. I expected the whole thing to be a feminist critique of media but we got that in the first essay then it turned into a lot of navel gazing about life in LA. I could be on board with this sometimes but not when I want media criticism. 

Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo

challenging emotional medium-paced

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

5.0

This was devastating and beautiful. It made me cry multiple times.

Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots by Cat Sebastian

emotional 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

5.0

I just don't think Cat Sebastian is capable of doing me wrong. She seems directly wired into my brain in terms of what makes a good romance novel. This was another delightful book full of no plots, just vibes, featuring best friends who are obviously in a relationship to everyone but themselves. I loved that there was plenty of book left after they finally figured out their feelings for each other and we got to see them be together. The Cabots series is so underrated.