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bookgabz's reviews
539 reviews
Never Ever Getting Back Together by Sophie Gonzales
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Thank you #NetGalley for an early copy of #NeverEverGettingBackTogether by #SophieGonzales to read and review! (Spoiler Free!)
I really loved this super cute and wholesome YA love story, and I think you will too!
Pros:
• Wholesome, enemies-to-lovers content
• Quick read
• Queer Love story between two canonically bi characters (they both identify as bisexual)
• The slow destruction of the ex-boyfriend (who was actually quiet terrible and gas-lighting them the whole time)
• This is the kind of book I wish I had has as a young adult and trying to navigate my sexual identity.
Cons:
• I see a lot of people who want to read this, also have several other Queer/Sapphic books on their TBR that lean more toward the spicy side. This is not a spicy book! For me, that’s not a con at all as I’m not a huge fan of spicy books. But I also understand that is a big draw for a lot of people.
• The ending felt very rushed.
• I’m not a big fan of miscommunication (or lack of communication) as a trope, and this book’s major climax kind of hinges on miscommunication. Not so much so that it’s hard to overlook for someone like me, but I’m listing it in the con territory regardless. To be fair though, who is actually a good communicator as a young adult? So really, maybe this is just realistic to the age group!
As always, these are just my own opinions! Over all, this is a wonderful Sapphic love story that is cute, adorable, quick and easy to read, and just perfect for a casual reader!
I really loved this super cute and wholesome YA love story, and I think you will too!
Pros:
• Wholesome, enemies-to-lovers content
• Quick read
• Queer Love story between two canonically bi characters (they both identify as bisexual)
• The slow destruction of the ex-boyfriend (who was actually quiet terrible and gas-lighting them the whole time)
• This is the kind of book I wish I had has as a young adult and trying to navigate my sexual identity.
Cons:
• I see a lot of people who want to read this, also have several other Queer/Sapphic books on their TBR that lean more toward the spicy side. This is not a spicy book! For me, that’s not a con at all as I’m not a huge fan of spicy books. But I also understand that is a big draw for a lot of people.
• The ending felt very rushed.
• I’m not a big fan of miscommunication (or lack of communication) as a trope, and this book’s major climax kind of hinges on miscommunication. Not so much so that it’s hard to overlook for someone like me, but I’m listing it in the con territory regardless. To be fair though, who is actually a good communicator as a young adult? So really, maybe this is just realistic to the age group!
As always, these are just my own opinions! Over all, this is a wonderful Sapphic love story that is cute, adorable, quick and easy to read, and just perfect for a casual reader!
The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.0
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? No
5.0
Thank you #NetGalley for an early copy of #TheOleanderSword by #TashaSuri to read and review! (Spoiler Free!)
Let me start by saying #TheJasmineThrone was one of my all time favorite fantasy novels. And to find out it would be a trilogy was a dream!
The Oleander Sword picks up right where The Jasmine Throne leaves off. This book is equal parts adventure, excitement, political intrigue, and most of all, lustful longing. The slow-burn levels of desire between Malini and Priya in this series are nearly unmatched. Malini constantly needs extraordinary feats of impossible strength, will power, and sacrifice from Priya, and Priya gives all of that, and more, unconditionally, at every turn.
In addition to the simmering sexual tension between the two main characters, the cast of supporting characters is well fleshed out and adds a deeper level of understanding and background to the book. The supporting cast never detracts from the main story line. Instead, I found myself loving and caring about many of the additional characters that I didn’t find myself drawn to in the first book.
Overall, this sequel is just as good, if not better, than the first one in the series. I would give The Oleander Sword 1,000 stars if it were possible. As it stands, 5/5 is as much as I can do. And anyway, “What is a star, but distant fire, reaching for you across worlds?” (Quote from The Oleander Sword…)
Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler
funny
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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? No
4.0
Mistakes Were Made by Meryl Wilsner
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this book from #NetGalley....thanks #NetGalley for trusting me to write an honest review for #MistakesWereMade!
Here goes!
If you are any number of WLW who have had some type of fantasy about an older woman and/or a crush on a friend's mom...then this is the book for you!
If you've read this author's previous book (Something to Talk About), then you know she does age gap romance excellently. I appreciated the levels of spice (and there were some AMAZING spicy scenes!). This is definitely not a slow build type of book. This is right to the point in the first chapter!
Pros:
-Sapphic
-Fantasy come to life!
-Age Gap Romance
-Excellently realized spicy scenes that didn't take away from the plot
Cons:
-I kind of had a hard time that the two love interests (Erin and Cassie) called each other "babe" and so did Cassie and Erin's Daughter. That's probably a super small issue, but one that I found difficult to overlook at times. In the grand scheme of the plot and the book though it is really the only thing that bugged me!
Here goes!
If you are any number of WLW who have had some type of fantasy about an older woman and/or a crush on a friend's mom...then this is the book for you!
If you've read this author's previous book (Something to Talk About), then you know she does age gap romance excellently. I appreciated the levels of spice (and there were some AMAZING spicy scenes!). This is definitely not a slow build type of book. This is right to the point in the first chapter!
Pros:
-Sapphic
-Fantasy come to life!
-Age Gap Romance
-Excellently realized spicy scenes that didn't take away from the plot
Cons:
-I kind of had a hard time that the two love interests (Erin and Cassie) called each other "babe" and so did Cassie and Erin's Daughter. That's probably a super small issue, but one that I found difficult to overlook at times. In the grand scheme of the plot and the book though it is really the only thing that bugged me!
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
dark
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
4.0