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readingwithtemperance's reviews
162 reviews
What's A Girl Gotta Do To Get On The Naughty List? by Kimberly Lemming
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This was full of fun, giggles, and holiday cheer! I appreciate that our antagonists got their just desserts. I definitely would have liked there to be more plot, but I had fun none the less. those tongue piercings though 👀
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death and Infidelity
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I see Talia Hibbert, I pick it up. I unfortunately didn't like this as much as her other books, but that's okay! I still had a great time reading this. And you can really tell her writing has evolved!
I felt this was TOO insta lovey. I mean...getting engaged only after a few months is wild. I also didn't feel that they had much chemistry at all. Mainly because well they don't really know eachother. The pacing was off and I felt like our characters didn't get a whole lot of mundane scenes together. Which I think definitely would have made their chemistry more convincing!
I do like the talks about domestic/child abuse though. And im glad everyone got a happy ending. Yay therapy!
Not gonna lie I did cry whenit panned to two years later and they had their daughter. Who they named Freya after his mother ♡. Such a precious moment. Especially with all of Ruben's feelings surrounding children due to his childhood. It definitelyshowed his growth.
Overall I did like this and I would recommend it!
I felt this was TOO insta lovey. I mean...
I do like the talks about domestic/child abuse though. And im glad everyone got a happy ending. Yay therapy!
Not gonna lie I did cry when
Overall I did like this and I would recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Outing, and Classism
Minor Detail by Adania Shibli
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This book provides a lot of important information about what is/has been going on in Palestine. It made me sick to my stomach, but it was absolutely a necessary read. This is going to stick with me for a very long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Rape, Islamophobia, Murder, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
This book was so wonderful. Vera Wong is probably the most entertaining narrator I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. She is so witty and funny! And her heart is so big. Scooping up all of these lost souls like a mother duck.
This was not at all what I expected, but that isn't a bad thing! It was so much better than anything I had previously anticipated. When I wasn't reading I was thinking about it constantly. I even dreamed about this book!
I think this would make a FANTASTIC TV show. All of these characters are so easy to love. I adored the found family aspect so much.
Reading about Vera was just so healing and comforting for someone who not only was very close to their grandmother, but is estranged from their mother. I loved that Vera always kept an open mind and was always eager to learn more.
HUGE warning for hunger pains. Everything Vera cook sounded mouth watering incredible.
This might be my favorite book of the year in all honesty.
This was not at all what I expected, but that isn't a bad thing! It was so much better than anything I had previously anticipated. When I wasn't reading I was thinking about it constantly. I even dreamed about this book!
I think this would make a FANTASTIC TV show. All of these characters are so easy to love. I adored the found family aspect so much.
Reading about Vera was just so healing and comforting for someone who not only was very close to their grandmother, but is estranged from their mother. I loved that Vera always kept an open mind and was always eager to learn more.
HUGE warning for hunger pains. Everything Vera cook sounded mouth watering incredible.
This might be my favorite book of the year in all honesty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Gaslighting
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I never thought I'd give a book ☆☆☆☆☆ while despising the main character, but here we are. Another banger from R.F. Kuang.
Juniper is absolultely insufferable and almost a self proclaimed prophet in her obsession. Going so far as to gaslight herself and others regarding her actions. The self justification was infuriating.
I couldn't put this book down. I read it in the span of a single day. I see a lot of people are upset by the ending, and I get it. But that's just what someone as conniving as Juniper would do.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up ASAP. It won't be one you'll soon forget.
Juniper is absolultely insufferable and almost a self proclaimed prophet in her obsession. Going so far as to gaslight herself and others regarding her actions. The self justification was infuriating.
I couldn't put this book down. I read it in the span of a single day. I see a lot of people are upset by the ending, and I get it. But that's just what someone as conniving as Juniper would do.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up ASAP. It won't be one you'll soon forget.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
adventurous
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
The way that Talia writes love stories never fails to warm my heart. This book is unfairly cute indeed. It's so sweet that I'm surprised I don't have cavities. I just love friends to lovers so much. And the added competition/rivalry was a nice touch. And it made for some excellent banter between our MCs. I felt that Talia handled Brad's OCD beautifully. I appreciate that he wasn't made the butt of a joke or demonized in any way as is common in our media. I also loved the overall message surrounding Celine's father. And honestly I needed that message myself. The character growth was incredible. I loved this book so so much and I really hope to see more YA from her moving forward.
Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Ancestors give tasks as a right of passage in order to gain magic. Voya is tasked to destroy her first love. And if she fails everyone in her family present and future will no longer have magic. This is especially stressful as her family uses their magic to make a living. So. Much. Pressure. And she doesn't even know who her first love is!
We aren't too far into our future in this book. So while lots of things have changed a lot has stayed the same. Our MC for instance still experiences micro aggressions wherever she goes. And there is prejudice and classism within the witch community as well.
People look down on you for not having body customizations/ the money to afford them. People are unwilling to help those who they deem "unpure" /spread misinformation about them. And some families even shun those without magic or who fail their calling/task.
These were all very important things to include. While we are living in the future/making many advancements as a society there are still things to work on/unlearn/do better on.
Another important thing included was remembering the uncomfortable and painful history. Our MC/her family is able to talk to their ancestors/see their history first hand. This is a privilege, but the pain is still there. I can't imagine seeing that amount of generational trauma with your own eyes.
I loved the blend of magic and futuristic tech in this book. It was so cool to see all of the different gifts everyone in the family had and how it went with their personalities. I also thought that the matching program based on genetics was so interesting! This was a perfect urban fantasy. I'm really looking forward to the sequel!
We aren't too far into our future in this book. So while lots of things have changed a lot has stayed the same. Our MC for instance still experiences micro aggressions wherever she goes. And there is prejudice and classism within the witch community as well.
People look down on you for not having body customizations/ the money to afford them. People are unwilling to help those who they deem "unpure" /spread misinformation about them. And some families even shun those without magic or who fail their calling/task.
These were all very important things to include. While we are living in the future/making many advancements as a society there are still things to work on/unlearn/do better on.
Another important thing included was remembering the uncomfortable and painful history. Our MC/her family is able to talk to their ancestors/see their history first hand. This is a privilege, but the pain is still there. I can't imagine seeing that amount of generational trauma with your own eyes.
I loved the blend of magic and futuristic tech in this book. It was so cool to see all of the different gifts everyone in the family had and how it went with their personalities. I also thought that the matching program based on genetics was so interesting! This was a perfect urban fantasy. I'm really looking forward to the sequel!