thebookssmuggler's reviews
83 reviews
Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? N/A
4.0
I had so much fun reading Written in the Stars ๐๐ญ. This story was everything I was expecting- and more! I was laughing out loud one second and wiping my tears the next. Absolutely recommend this witty, sweet, sexy and charming rom-com ๐ซถ.ย
After a disastrous blind date, Darcy is desperate to stop her brother from playing matchmaker again, so she fibs and says her latest set up was a success... Elle, however, dreams of finding her soulmate and Darcy was definitely not it for her- but she begs Elle to play along, and she's going to have to set a few conditions to save face and her heart because the last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship ๐ซข.ย
A free-spirited social media astrologer agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Yearโs Eve... with results not even the stars could predict! ๐
After a disastrous blind date, Darcy is desperate to stop her brother from playing matchmaker again, so she fibs and says her latest set up was a success... Elle, however, dreams of finding her soulmate and Darcy was definitely not it for her- but she begs Elle to play along, and she's going to have to set a few conditions to save face and her heart because the last thing they expect is to develop real feelings during a fake relationship ๐ซข.ย
A free-spirited social media astrologer agrees to fake a relationship with an uptight actuary until New Yearโs Eve... with results not even the stars could predict! ๐
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson
funny
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
3.0
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
Lakelore is the place where emotions take a magical form, and they follow you around in the real world until you're brave enough to confront them. I adored the powerful message in this story, the incredible representation of gender identity and neurodivergency, the found family trope that's so beautifully written it healed my heart and, of course, the enchanting romance ๐.ย
It's just beautiful. I have no other words for it. This book's writing and storyline and characters and everything is just beautiful ๐๐ซถ. I fell in love with Bastรญan and Lore ๐ฅน๐ญ. I will never get over this book. My favorite from now on!
I definitely recommend this book if you like magical realism elements in a YA contemporary and if you want to read more about mental health and neurodivergent characters, this is a go-to ๐. And it'll surely get you out of a reading slump too!ย
It's just beautiful. I have no other words for it. This book's writing and storyline and characters and everything is just beautiful ๐๐ซถ. I fell in love with Bastรญan and Lore ๐ฅน๐ญ. I will never get over this book. My favorite from now on!
I definitely recommend this book if you like magical realism elements in a YA contemporary and if you want to read more about mental health and neurodivergent characters, this is a go-to ๐. And it'll surely get you out of a reading slump too!ย
Tears in the Water by Margherita Scialla
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this book! I wouldn't add it to my list of favorite books (I am kind of picky with those), but it's definitely one I'd recommend. Especially if you're interested in a coming-of-age, college set, young adult story. That's definitely the main focus of the book <3. A short, character-driven, contemporary story with lessons of love, friendship, and self-discovery.ย
I think the author did an incredible job with the anxiety and neurodivergent representation in their characters, especially our main, Alex. So well written, you can feel those emotions being described so accurately. ALSO - the romance is a sweet and loving friends-to-lovers trope that I'm obsessed with! Margherita really knows how to write these. And don't get me started on the ton of lgbtqia+ rep, too! 10/10. I'd definitely say this is a story about the characters and their lives in college and preparing for the competitions- but there's no actual plot behind it.... It's still worth it, though. I enjoyed it!ย
At White Ravens University, where athletes train to become professional sportspeople, Alex is on the swimming team with her best friend, Xiuying. Having grown up mostly alone, parents absent and brother often busy with his own life, Alex tends not to meet new people unless she and Xiuying are together... After an embarrassing encounter with a boy from the volleyball team Alex soon discovers that the world isnโt so big after all and the universe has a funny way of setting people up, especially when and with whom theyโre least expecting...
Despite her reserved character, Alex becomes part of a newly formed friend group consisting of four amazing people with different identities and personalities :D. As she tries to overcome her anxiety and negative past events, Alex finds herself both struggling with romantic feelings for a new acquaintance and a full-blown gender crisis... Tears in the Water is a story of self-discovery, found family, friendship, and love. For fans of queer coming of age stories.
I think the author did an incredible job with the anxiety and neurodivergent representation in their characters, especially our main, Alex. So well written, you can feel those emotions being described so accurately. ALSO - the romance is a sweet and loving friends-to-lovers trope that I'm obsessed with! Margherita really knows how to write these. And don't get me started on the ton of lgbtqia+ rep, too! 10/10. I'd definitely say this is a story about the characters and their lives in college and preparing for the competitions- but there's no actual plot behind it.... It's still worth it, though. I enjoyed it!ย
At White Ravens University, where athletes train to become professional sportspeople, Alex is on the swimming team with her best friend, Xiuying. Having grown up mostly alone, parents absent and brother often busy with his own life, Alex tends not to meet new people unless she and Xiuying are together... After an embarrassing encounter with a boy from the volleyball team Alex soon discovers that the world isnโt so big after all and the universe has a funny way of setting people up, especially when and with whom theyโre least expecting...
Despite her reserved character, Alex becomes part of a newly formed friend group consisting of four amazing people with different identities and personalities :D. As she tries to overcome her anxiety and negative past events, Alex finds herself both struggling with romantic feelings for a new acquaintance and a full-blown gender crisis... Tears in the Water is a story of self-discovery, found family, friendship, and love. For fans of queer coming of age stories.
The Witch King by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.25
This story was definitely interesting and entertaining to read, and I loved the characters, too- BUT it lost me at times... Don't get me wrong, this has potential and fantastic characters and themes of social justice and equity that are well intentioned and represented. However, it lucks writing fluidity and plot structure.
The opening and first few chapters captivate you, and have you hooked for more... but once we reach the rising plot, it's just a mess :( . It felt like the author wanted to do too much in the middle section of the book, but it wasn't well executed. I do believe that this book is an excellent allegory of oppression and fascist regimes. So, points for that plot! But I must give this one 3 stars... I really hope the sequel follows a better storyline... I'll be reading it at some point later this year, so stay tuned for that one ๐.
The opening and first few chapters captivate you, and have you hooked for more... but once we reach the rising plot, it's just a mess :( . It felt like the author wanted to do too much in the middle section of the book, but it wasn't well executed. I do believe that this book is an excellent allegory of oppression and fascist regimes. So, points for that plot! But I must give this one 3 stars... I really hope the sequel follows a better storyline... I'll be reading it at some point later this year, so stay tuned for that one ๐.
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Wow, wow, WOW! ๐คฏ๐ I absolutely adored this book! House of Hollow is fascinating and beautifully written mystery novel that has taken a spot in my favorite books now ๐ซถ. I love dark and extravagant books like this one, written like a horror movie, but not being horror per se. More like disturbingly fascinating and mysterious ๐คญ๐.
If you are in the mood for this kind of read and are in a reading slump of sorts, this book is bound to help you out of it! ๐ค The storyline is intriguing and keeps you hooked, and you'll stay for the characters too! The Hollow sisters will charm you just like they did me, I promise ๐. I loved the twists and turns and surprises, I adore those. And in this book you realize how, in the end, things are much more complicated than they appear to be... ๐ณ. I am obsessed. 10/10. Would recommend ๐.ย ย
If you are in the mood for this kind of read and are in a reading slump of sorts, this book is bound to help you out of it! ๐ค The storyline is intriguing and keeps you hooked, and you'll stay for the characters too! The Hollow sisters will charm you just like they did me, I promise ๐. I loved the twists and turns and surprises, I adore those. And in this book you realize how, in the end, things are much more complicated than they appear to be... ๐ณ. I am obsessed. 10/10. Would recommend ๐.ย ย
Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? N/A
5.0
I am absolutely fascinated with this book! ๐ญ๐๐ฅฐ I must first admit that I have never read The Great Gatsby so maybe I couldn't appreciate the remixed version Anna-Marie wrote ๐- BUT! I can appreciate the story as a whole and that's what I'm fascinated with ๐ซถ. I loved everything about this book and now I won't stop recommending Self-Made Boys ๐ฅ.
The writing is so captivating that once you start reading, it's very difficult to stop. I started this book a month ago and despised not having time to read during college ๐๐- but now that I've had a week off school, I've gotten to finish it. It's just an absolutely worth it, enthralling and charming story to follow!! ๐
The diversity and representation in this book is wonderfully written and having these, alongside the time period and challenges faced by all of our main characters back then- it's a treasure to read. Lots of lessons woven in between these pages โค๏ธ. I think that McLemore has become my new favorite author and I'm so excited to read more of their books!! ๐ย
The writing is so captivating that once you start reading, it's very difficult to stop. I started this book a month ago and despised not having time to read during college ๐๐- but now that I've had a week off school, I've gotten to finish it. It's just an absolutely worth it, enthralling and charming story to follow!! ๐
The diversity and representation in this book is wonderfully written and having these, alongside the time period and challenges faced by all of our main characters back then- it's a treasure to read. Lots of lessons woven in between these pages โค๏ธ. I think that McLemore has become my new favorite author and I'm so excited to read more of their books!! ๐ย
Poirot Investigates by Agatha Christie
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book is a collection of Hercule Poirot short stories- eleven of them altogether- and each case more deviously clever than the last. Agatha Christie writes intriguing and engaging short stories SO very well. The pace is fast and it always has sufficient sides to keep Poirot and Captain Hastings on their toes. The mystery genre is incredibly entertaining and I have been reminded why I adore it so much.ย
First there was the mystery of the film star and the diamond... then came the โsuicideโ that was murder... the mystery of the absurdly cheap flat...a suspicious death in a locked gun room... a million dollar bond robbery... the curse of a pharaohโs tomb... a jewel robbery by the sea... the abduction of a prime minister... the disappearance of a banker... a phone call from a dying man... and, finally, the mystery of the missing will. All solved by the brilliant deductive powers and little gray cells of Hercule Poirot!
First there was the mystery of the film star and the diamond... then came the โsuicideโ that was murder... the mystery of the absurdly cheap flat...a suspicious death in a locked gun room... a million dollar bond robbery... the curse of a pharaohโs tomb... a jewel robbery by the sea... the abduction of a prime minister... the disappearance of a banker... a phone call from a dying man... and, finally, the mystery of the missing will. All solved by the brilliant deductive powers and little gray cells of Hercule Poirot!
You're a Mean One, Matthew Prince by Timothy Janovsky
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
After 2 months of reading, I've finally finished this book ๐. Don't panic though, it's not more than 300 pages long- I've just been too busy to sit down and finish it in 4 hours ๐. But it's definitely that kind of book! It captures your attention and keeps you engaged with the story of these young boys and they're slow burn romance ๐ฅฐ. It's entertaining and funny to read, has some charming and kindhearted characters that'll make you smile and also warm your heart. The lessons engraved in this one! Amazing ๐. Despite it being a romcom, it feels more like a contemporary and self-discovery story to learn from. I adored seeing Matthew's arc and development and the ending- couldn't have been more perfect. His story is wonderful to read about ๐.ย
ย I also adore how Timothy Janovsky's books always include mental health representation and awareness; I think this is something that we need more of in New Adult and Adult fiction ๐. Especially on a genre like romance- it's so important to highlight and teach how mental health and wellbeing are just another aspect of our characters and have to be embraced and included in our love stories. Someone can be there for you, stay and love all that you are, lovers and friends, no matter our dark side and struggles. I adore seeing that kind of storylines in Romance and Fiction, especially in queer and lgbtqia+ novels! โญ๏ธโค๏ธ
ย I also adore how Timothy Janovsky's books always include mental health representation and awareness; I think this is something that we need more of in New Adult and Adult fiction ๐. Especially on a genre like romance- it's so important to highlight and teach how mental health and wellbeing are just another aspect of our characters and have to be embraced and included in our love stories. Someone can be there for you, stay and love all that you are, lovers and friends, no matter our dark side and struggles. I adore seeing that kind of storylines in Romance and Fiction, especially in queer and lgbtqia+ novels! โญ๏ธโค๏ธ