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atreegrowsinbooks's reviews
276 reviews
Triple Sec by TJ Alexander
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.75
Ahh another wonderful romance from TJ Alexander! I love their work so much. This was my first poly romance, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. But I wanted to give it a shot since I’ve liked the other books by TJ. This one didn’t disappoint!
I really enjoyed the setting of mixology and our main character Mel discovering what she wants with a poly couple.
The few sex scenes were spicy, but there was one particular element in one of the scenes that I found off putting which is why I’ve lowered my rating. Otherwise I had no issues with this story.
TJ Alexander is officially an autobuy author for all things queer. I love the humor they bring to their stories. I always genuinely laugh out loud and end up loving all the characters. Can’t wait for more from them.
I really enjoyed the setting of mixology and our main character Mel discovering what she wants with a poly couple.
The few sex scenes were spicy, but there was one particular element in one of the scenes that I found off putting which is why I’ve lowered my rating. Otherwise I had no issues with this story.
TJ Alexander is officially an autobuy author for all things queer. I love the humor they bring to their stories. I always genuinely laugh out loud and end up loving all the characters. Can’t wait for more from them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Transphobia, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, and Homophobia
Sharks in the Rivers by Ada Limón
5.0
I love Ada Limón’s poetry. She always makes me feel like I’m out in nature or near animals. Sometimes even makes me feel like I’m an animal. One of my favorite poets.
Loved loved poems “Territory”, part “15.” in poem “Fifteen Balls of Feathers”, and “Bird Bound for a Good World”.
I also really liked this line from “The City of Skin”:
“Dive under, dive under, bristle and thunder.”
Loved loved poems “Territory”, part “15.” in poem “Fifteen Balls of Feathers”, and “Bird Bound for a Good World”.
I also really liked this line from “The City of Skin”:
“Dive under, dive under, bristle and thunder.”
Postcolonial Love Poem by Natalie Díaz
5.0
Beautiful and emotional. I cried several times and felt connected to these poems, especially with the ones about water. These are giving me greater perspective. I didn’t know the author wrote some poems after conversations with Ada Limón, which makes me love these poems even more.
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
5.0
I didn’t really know what this book was about before starting it, and wow was I blown away. First off it’s super heavy content that made me emotional to read about. I think Reyes handles this heavy content in the best way possible. I’m so impressed that they’re able to include humor, laughter, and actual communication between characters. I think they handled this book with such care that I know I’ll read anything they write.
I’m going to need to decompress from this because it made me feel so many emotions reading about high school kids dealing with so many difficult difficult things. But again I think it was handled in the best way and can hopefully help anyone out there that needs a friend.
I loved the friend group that came about, the unconditional way they all loved each other. So heartwarming.
I’m going to need to decompress from this because it made me feel so many emotions reading about high school kids dealing with so many difficult difficult things. But again I think it was handled in the best way and can hopefully help anyone out there that needs a friend.
I loved the friend group that came about, the unconditional way they all loved each other. So heartwarming.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Ahh I loved this so much! There were so many funny lines that had me laughing out loud and smiling. I adore books that make me so that.
Yamilet (Yami) is so funny and someone I wish I could have been friends with in high school. She deals with so much, and holds a lot of her worries in for most of the book. Her character and struggles are very relatable. I loved all the main characters in this book and I thought it was refreshing to see each character have their own struggles to deal with. I laughed and cried throughout this book. Fantastic writing, will for sure be reading more from Reyes. I thought their humor and fully realized characters were awesome. Also the narrator is fantastic in this too.
Yamilet (Yami) is so funny and someone I wish I could have been friends with in high school. She deals with so much, and holds a lot of her worries in for most of the book. Her character and struggles are very relatable. I loved all the main characters in this book and I thought it was refreshing to see each character have their own struggles to deal with. I laughed and cried throughout this book. Fantastic writing, will for sure be reading more from Reyes. I thought their humor and fully realized characters were awesome. Also the narrator is fantastic in this too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Outing
Minor: Bullying and Deportation
Single Player: A Novel by Tara Tai
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
Ahh omg this was so cute! Loved the workplace setting of a game development company, loved that it was run by some diverse people (not just white men, although they are there). The chemistry and romance between Cat and Andi was adorable and I loved every second of it. My only thing is I wish they were together for longer because I wanted to read that.
I think this romance is going to be super popular! Loved that the main interests are both Asian American (instead of the usual one being white). Great queer and enby rep too.
This book kinda reminded me of a queer Tomorrow x3 mixed with parts of Much Ado About Nada. If you like enemies to friends to lovers, gamers, queer romance, fake dating, one bed, folks who just want to be picked first, well then this book is for you. Can’t wait for this to be out in the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of this ARC!
I think this romance is going to be super popular! Loved that the main interests are both Asian American (instead of the usual one being white). Great queer and enby rep too.
This book kinda reminded me of a queer Tomorrow x3 mixed with parts of Much Ado About Nada. If you like enemies to friends to lovers, gamers, queer romance, fake dating, one bed, folks who just want to be picked first, well then this book is for you. Can’t wait for this to be out in the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove Press for a copy of this ARC!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Alcohol
Homebody by Theo Parish
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
What a great all ages graphic novel about one persons experience with being nonbinary and trans.
Their artwork was amazing and I loved reading along as they took us on a journey through their realization of being nonbinary and trans. I’m glad this book is available for anyone wanting see themselves in a book or to better understand those identities.
Their artwork was amazing and I loved reading along as they took us on a journey through their realization of being nonbinary and trans. I’m glad this book is available for anyone wanting see themselves in a book or to better understand those identities.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dysphoria
Moderate: Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Transphobia
Minor: Lesbophobia
They Hate Each Other by Amanda Woody
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
I loved reading this queer romance so much. It made my heart happy for these two characters, because both really go through some difficult things. Some of my favorite things in a romance are found in this book: dual POV, fake dating, enemies to lovers, there for the difficult things.
Both boys have a lot of baggage in their lives and it follow them into the fake relationship. I was blown away at what things they each separately are dealing with but was pleasantly surprised as they each try to open up to the other. I enjoyed that their backgrounds were slowly known to the reader.
The 3rd act breakup was actually believable and I felt that it was for a reason that felt authentic to the story and the characters. I appreciated the growth shown in each character, as they each realized they needed to get through some things on their own. LOVED that each could be a safe space for the other, but not their ONLY safe space. Just really loved this book, I couldn't put it down. At times, some of the banter and conversations at school did feel slightly YA to me. But, it is a YA book so I can't fault it on that.
A really heart warming book, and I am already looking forward to reading the next book by Amanda Woody. Their writing in this book made me so happy, so I have high expectations for their next one!
Both boys have a lot of baggage in their lives and it follow them into the fake relationship. I was blown away at what things they each separately are dealing with but was pleasantly surprised as they each try to open up to the other. I enjoyed that their backgrounds were slowly known to the reader.
The 3rd act breakup was actually believable and I felt that it was for a reason that felt authentic to the story and the characters. I appreciated the growth shown in each character, as they each realized they needed to get through some things on their own. LOVED that each could be a safe space for the other, but not their ONLY safe space. Just really loved this book, I couldn't put it down. At times, some of the banter and conversations at school did feel slightly YA to me. But, it is a YA book so I can't fault it on that.
A really heart warming book, and I am already looking forward to reading the next book by Amanda Woody. Their writing in this book made me so happy, so I have high expectations for their next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Reservoir Bitches: Stories by Dahlia de la Cerda
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.75
Wow, what an interesting collection of short stories. I found it very cool that each story was somehow linked to prior characters/stories. However, there were a few times where I couldn't figure out how they were connected. I think a character map in the beginning of the book might be useful. It did take me awhile to read this collection, so that could be part of the reason why I forgot the names of certain characters.
Overall, really enjoyed reading about these tenacious and strong women. These stories were about them fighting for survival in different parts of Mexico, and dealing with all sorts of things along the way. Some of these characters were messy or didn't make the best decisions. But the writing made me want to keep going, to find out more about these characters.
Thanks to Edelweiss and The Feminist Press for this ARC!
Overall, really enjoyed reading about these tenacious and strong women. These stories were about them fighting for survival in different parts of Mexico, and dealing with all sorts of things along the way. Some of these characters were messy or didn't make the best decisions. But the writing made me want to keep going, to find out more about these characters.
Thanks to Edelweiss and The Feminist Press for this ARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Gun violence, Rape, Sexual assault, and Violence
Edinburgh by Alexander Chee
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am at a loss for words. This book hit me right in the chest and I can't find the right words to describe how I feel after finishing it. I wasn't expecting the ending but I should have seen it coming.
I was not prepared to have the response I had to Fee. My love/hate for this character is complicated, but so is the story. The trauma seeps into each person differently and it gets stuck there, holds on, and revels itself later.
This is such an incredible work even if the content is super dark and the characters are complicated. I need to sit with this book and how it's made me feel. The audio was a great format to read this book but I do want to read the physical book at some point. Chee is superb at writing these beautiful sentences filled with trauma and difficult things.
I didn't look at the content warnings before I started this book, and had I done so I might not have picked this up. There are a lot of CW to be aware of though so tread lightly. And while this normally wouldn't have been a book I would be drawn towards, the writing made all the difference.
I was not prepared to have the response I had to Fee. My love/hate for this character is complicated, but so is the story. The trauma seeps into each person differently and it gets stuck there, holds on, and revels itself later.
This is such an incredible work even if the content is super dark and the characters are complicated. I need to sit with this book and how it's made me feel. The audio was a great format to read this book but I do want to read the physical book at some point. Chee is superb at writing these beautiful sentences filled with trauma and difficult things.
I didn't look at the content warnings before I started this book, and had I done so I might not have picked this up. There are a lot of CW to be aware of though so tread lightly. And while this normally wouldn't have been a book I would be drawn towards, the writing made all the difference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Suicide
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Child death, Homophobia, and Racial slurs