rachelsbusyreading's reviews
434 reviews

A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee

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adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

Was this the highest quality romantasy ever written, full of complex world building and magic systems? No… not really 😂

Buuuuuuut….

Was the writing easy to read and extremely addicting? Was the tension between MCs absolutely immaculate?
Was the spice top tier?
Did the cliff hanger leave me wanting to immediately binge the next book in the series? 

Yes x4

I’m obsessed, okay?! 
Chef's Kiss by TJ Alexander

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Ugh I feel awful to dnf this but I just really dislike the MC and it’s so hard to read from her perspective when all of her internal thoughts annoy me 😭
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake

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emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

I’m obsessed 😭 this was by far my favorite in the series! I related so much to Stevie and loved seeing her character arc and growth throughout and it was soooooo nice to see Iris in full as opposed to her funny remarks and sass in the other two books. The spice was GREAT, the balance between fun, silly moments and real deep moments was perfect, and as always I love seeing the friend group together. 
Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.0

What a strange, grotesque, morbid little book. I honestly don’t know what to say aside from, if you have a sensitive stomach when it comes to body horror you definitely should not read this book. 
How Far to the Promised Land by Esau McCaulley

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Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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challenging informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Wow. What a wild ride!!!! This book was incredible. This was my first R.F Kuang and I’m definitely interested in reading more from her now! 
Done Right by Rhianna Burwell

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

The spice was good, I kinda hated the characters though lol. Good little spicy novella. 
Bulky by Jessa Kane

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

Screaming, crying, throwing up (derogatory). I’m not one to yuck anyone’s yum but this was soooooooo not for me. Just weird, cringey, and tbh gross? Also the several references to this 45 year old man lusting over this FRESHLY 18 year old prior to her turning 18 is just foul. Dialogue was unbelievable and cringe, smut was not my cup of tea, and the storyline was so unrealistic😂 you’re telling me your dad caught you fucking his old (27 year older than you) business partner and just hours later he’s standing witness to your impromptu marriage?! Yeah okay😂
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

My first five star of 2024 FINALLY!!! And well deserved. This book was incredible and I truly loved everything about it. So beautifully written, so much character depth, so many complicated, tragic,  and beautiful relationships and personal histories. I have more thoughts but I can’t get them all out right now. Bottom line this book is amazing. 
Magnum Opus by Caitlin Marceau

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

OOOOOOO this was so quick, creepy, and haunting and I really enjoyed it.