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triple_m's reviews
274 reviews
A Touch of Darkness by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was hooked the first 100 pages. I loved how we jumped right into the story and Persephone and Hades meet very early on. Then we enter this really repetitive cycle of her disliking him, him angering her, them lusting after one another and something minority sexual happens until something splashes cold water on the situation.
It picked up whenever they finally had sex but I was too checked out and annoyed with the characters by then. The problem is that Persephone really is immature and childish.
Also, I hate these stories of “female empowerment” and how “badass women are” when men are the entire catalyst for the charge. In this story Hades is right about nearly everything and literally forces Persephone into growth, taking away nearly all of her agency. It just doesn’t sit right with me.
TW:Revenge porn plot line towards the end (not by Hades)
It picked up whenever they finally had sex but I was too checked out and annoyed with the characters by then. The problem is that Persephone really is immature and childish.
Also, I hate these stories of “female empowerment” and how “badass women are” when men are the entire catalyst for the charge. In this story Hades is right about nearly everything and literally forces Persephone into growth, taking away nearly all of her agency. It just doesn’t sit right with me.
TW:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Blood, and Alcohol
Minor: Confinement
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book put me in the worst reading slump it took me like 2 weeks to get through.
On one hand, I recognize that a lot of surprising events happened that I definitely did not predict, but on the other hand I just could not get into the story at all.
I don’t even dislike the characters, I think Lily especially is really interesting, so I don’t know why I couldn’t at all connect with the story. When something crazy happened in the book I just thought “oh interesting 😐” There were no real moments where I was on the edge my seat because I just didn’t care.
On one hand, I recognize that a lot of surprising events happened that I definitely did not predict, but on the other hand I just could not get into the story at all.
I don’t even dislike the characters, I think Lily especially is really interesting, so I don’t know why I couldn’t at all connect with the story. When something crazy happened in the book I just thought “oh interesting 😐” There were no real moments where I was on the edge my seat because I just didn’t care.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Child abuse and Pedophilia
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo
hopeful
fast-paced
5.0
I love Drew and everything that she stands for. This was a quick listen and it was interesting to hear more about Drew beyond her online presence.
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
An emotional story with an unlikely duo that couldn't help but grow on each as the story progressed. Great, complex, and at many points, unlikeable protagonists.
This definitely needs to be adapted into movie/TV. I could literally picture the action sequences happening as I read.
This definitely needs to be adapted into movie/TV. I could literally picture the action sequences happening as I read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Torture, Blood, Grief, Murder, and Alcohol
The Partner Plot by Kristina Forest
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Ultimately this was a sweet read and I really enjoyed the couple. That being said, this book was really quite boring.
It was a slog to get through the middle and I found much of their internal dialogue repetitive. It took a lot of effort not to DNF 50% in. It picked up a lot after they decided to date forreal.
It was a slog to get through the middle and I found much of their internal dialogue repetitive. It took a lot of effort not to DNF 50% in. It picked up a lot after they decided to date forreal.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Vomit and Injury/Injury detail
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Fun!
Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I’m torn with my rating because while the writing was pretty good and the story was interesting to read, a lot of the dynamics really turned me off.
This book spouts a lot on feminism and the struggles and unfair treatment of being an attractive, curvy woman in a male dominated field. While I agree with all of the points verbalized, I think the actions in this book undermine the points entirely.
We see the FMC be a damsel in distress at several points in this story and the not overly athletic MMC gets to miraculously be the hero and save the day. Literally grabs a snake by the throat mid-lunge like be so fucking serious. That’s only one example and not even the penultimate one.
Also during the big third act conflict, the MMC throws her femininity in her face, and while he apologizes, there’s really no repercussions. Actually, there’s no real repercussions for him at all and the FMC bails him out of a ton of mistakes.
This book spouts a lot on feminism and the struggles and unfair treatment of being an attractive, curvy woman in a male dominated field. While I agree with all of the points verbalized, I think the actions in this book undermine the points entirely.
We see the FMC be a damsel in distress at several points in this story and the not overly athletic MMC gets to miraculously be the hero and save the day. Literally grabs a snake by the throat mid-lunge like be so fucking serious. That’s only one example and not even the penultimate one.
Also during the big third act conflict, the MMC throws her femininity in her face, and while he apologizes, there’s really no repercussions. Actually, there’s no real repercussions for him at all and the FMC bails him out of a ton of mistakes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Minor: Violence
Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I just don’t think I connect with Sharma’s writing style. It’s pretty cliche, however I understand that there is a need for cliche rom coms with diverse characters. I just don’t tend to enjoy super basic romance stories.
Weirdly, I enjoyed both of the characters, but I don’t think they made a good couple at all. I genuinely don’t think they’re compatible.
I didn’t love the wedding saboteur plot line and I don’t think the pay off was worth it at all considering that I haven’t read the first book.
I did enjoy the complicated family dynamics while still showing that there was a lot of love between disagreeing members.
Weirdly, I enjoyed both of the characters, but I don’t think they made a good couple at all. I genuinely don’t think they’re compatible.
I didn’t love the wedding saboteur plot line and I don’t think the pay off was worth it at all considering that
I did enjoy the complicated family dynamics while still showing that there was a lot of love between disagreeing members.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Fatphobia and Toxic relationship