takarakei's reviews
209 reviews
One Dark Window, by Rachel Gillig
dark
mysterious
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
4.25
Really unique plot line and magic system. Can’t say I’ve read anything quite like it. Almost like a tarot card based magic. There’s definitely a mysterious element to the storyline as it unfolds which was done well.
The romance is “fake courtship” (aka fake dating) and despite that was a little bit charged with just physical attraction at first, but I did like the way it develops into a deeper connection.
Definitely looking forward to the next book
The romance is “fake courtship” (aka fake dating) and despite that was a little bit charged with just physical attraction at first, but I did like the way it develops into a deeper connection.
Definitely looking forward to the next book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Death of parent, Sexual content, Injury/injury detail, and Terminal illness
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Infidelity
All the Stars and Teeth, by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
medium-paced
I unfortunately feel like I might need to reread a physical copy of this cause I didn’t enjoy the audiobook narration (specifically of them doing the male voice characters). So I don’t really think I can give it a fair review or rating yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Torture and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content, Animal cruelty, and Sexual assault
The No-Show, by Beth O'Leary
emotional
mysterious
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
What an absolute wild ride. Definitely a unique 'romance' book, but be sure to prepare yourself for pain. This one is not all sunshine and rainbows. I thoroughly enjoyed the mysterious reveal of the plot. I related to all the characters on different levels. It broke me, but in the best way possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Car accident, and Grief
Moderate: Dementia, Alcohol, Miscarriage, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
The Book Eaters, by Sunyi Dean
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a very dark book. Oddly it fits as a Christmas read since a lot of it happens during that time, there is a lot of reference to Christmas. I did enjoy it for the most part while reading it, but after finishing it and sitting with it a bit I'm still not sure how I really feel. The concept of Book Eaters is very cool, but I expected that cool idea to be a bigger part of the book. Ultimately this story is about a woman and mother who is brought up in a horrible patriarchal society (separate from ours) and is basically a comment on how far a mother will go to protect her children. It's told in multiple timelines (the past of her whole life for background and present).
Jarrow is the best character. Protect Jarrow.
There is also a minor romance subplot which feels... very underdeveloped. Hella insta-lovey and I just didn't really understand why it needed to be there if it was so underdeveloped. It does have LGBTQIA+ rep.
I'd say this is maybe give it a try if this is your genre cause it's short, but borrow it from your library.
Jarrow is the best character. Protect Jarrow.
There is also a minor romance subplot which feels... very underdeveloped. Hella insta-lovey and I just didn't really understand why it needed to be there if it was so underdeveloped. It does have LGBTQIA+ rep.
I'd say this is maybe give it a try if this is your genre cause it's short, but borrow it from your library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Gore, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Blood
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
Minor: Trafficking and Infertility
Kiss Her Once For Me, by Alison Cochrun
emotional
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
3.5
Portland themed Christmas LGBTQIA+ romance. The Portland bits were mostly spot on, a bit exaggerated or unrealistic in parts (like how Jack's truck doesn't have heat... you need heat if you live in Portland, this isn't SoCal). Overall the Portland bits added some humor.
Interesting base concept - a fake/marriage of convenience made messy by a literal love trapezoid. Told in two timelines, a flashback of 1 year ago and present time.
Jack is an angel and should be protected. I didn't love the main POV character Ellie. I mean she's been through some shit, but also she is just a mess. I personally related a lot more to Jack who has some wonderful lines and sage advice.
The romance was pretty good, but the ending was very fast and abrupt and
3.5 🌶️
Interesting base concept - a fake/marriage of convenience made messy by a literal love trapezoid. Told in two timelines, a flashback of 1 year ago and present time.
Jack is an angel and should be protected. I didn't love the main POV character Ellie. I mean she's been through some shit, but also she is just a mess. I personally related a lot more to Jack who has some wonderful lines and sage advice.
The romance was pretty good, but the ending was very fast and abrupt and
Spoiler
there is no epilogue or definitive HEA so it felt honestly a bit unfinished. I read the last chapter and turned the page expecting more...3.5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, and Infidelity
Minor: Transphobia
TW: the main character has fairly severe anxiety, and has dealt with horrible manipulative parents her whole life - basically abandonment, extorting money.
A Fire Endless, by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
I honestly don’t even know where to begin with this book and series. I am so in love with it I think it might be my new life goal to get everyone in my book club to read it.
3🌶️
3🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Blood, and Violence
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Grief and Vomit
The Fastest Way To Fall, by Denise Williams
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
I really enjoyed the main message behind this book, where a woman is on a fitness journey and not one solely aimed at weight loss. I think that was done really well and the struggles with following an exercise program were spot on.
However, I didn’t enjoy the other aspect of this book which was the romance. Personally I didn’t really believe the two main characters falling for each other, and their relationship seemed a bit superficial and not based on a whole lot of depth. Spice was alright, but nothing mind blowing.
I can also accept that as someone who is petite this book just wasn’t written for me and that’s ok. I do understand why a lot of people seem to like it but the romance just didn’t do it for me *shrug*
3/5 🌶️
However, I didn’t enjoy the other aspect of this book which was the romance. Personally I didn’t really believe the two main characters falling for each other, and their relationship seemed a bit superficial and not based on a whole lot of depth. Spice was alright, but nothing mind blowing.
I can also accept that as someone who is petite this book just wasn’t written for me and that’s ok. I do understand why a lot of people seem to like it but the romance just didn’t do it for me *shrug*
3/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Fatphobia, Drug abuse, and Addiction
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Medical content
The male main character has a mother who has struggled with addiction his whole life. And an estranged sister who has a past history of eating disorder.
All of Our Demise, by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Absolutely loved this, even more than the first book!
This one is much more character driven but there is some plot, just not as much as the first book. Really loved the character development, the romance(!!!!!), and how the story plays out was interesting. There were definitely some tears. This series has some great sibling love - Alistair & Hendry are just a beautiful family. Just as dark if actually not more so than the first book. These people are gonna need some serious therapy.
One of the best enemies to lovers romances I’ve read -
I was so afraid one of them would die in the end (I mean I’m glad they didn’t). I think Briony was kinda the easy choice and a bit of a cop out. I was prepared for serious pain. But of course even tho we all knew Hendry would have to go eventually but doesn’t make it any easier.
This one is much more character driven but there is some plot, just not as much as the first book. Really loved the character development, the romance(!!!!!), and how the story plays out was interesting. There were definitely some tears. This series has some great sibling love - Alistair & Hendry are just a beautiful family. Just as dark if actually not more so than the first book. These people are gonna need some serious therapy.
One of the best enemies to lovers romances I’ve read -
Spoiler
fucking Alistair and Gavin ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love them so much!!!I was so afraid one of them would die in the end (I mean I’m glad they didn’t). I think Briony was kinda the easy choice and a bit of a cop out. I was prepared for serious pain. But of course even tho we all knew Hendry would have to go eventually but doesn’t make it any easier.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Death, Murder, Grief, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
These kids all pretty much have horrible parents and have been treated awful and manipulated their whole lives. So lots of family trauma
The Witches of New York, by Ami McKay
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Just wasn't intrigued and kinda bored
Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook, by Andrew Doughty
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Overall some tips but even from 2021 to 2022 there were some outdated things. The beach recommendations are the best part.