unusablebooklore's reviews
322 reviews

Just Don't Fall by Emma St. Clair

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

“Sweet romance" ie. Low to no heat 
Brothers ex-bestie 
Childhood crush 
Hockey 
Workplace 
Fake dating 
Never been kissed (FMC’s 25…) 
 
I’ve seen other reviews that critique the low heat. I don’t think this was an issue at all. The kissing situation was explained well and woven into the plot. Also considering this is a low-no heat book it didn't bother me in the slightest. Overall this book was enjoyable, and kept my attention. It wasn’t quite to my tastes but it was nice. 
 
The narration was nice. This was the second book I’ve listened to narrated by Emily Ellet who is fantastic and the first by Jay Myers who was great. 
Men Going Mad: Two Twisty Tales by Bethany Browning

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adventurous funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Uggh I adore Bethany Browning. She has easily become one of my must read (non-kissing book) authors. 

This book follows the stories of two men who make seriously questionable choices.

I wish I had more than 2 brain cells left. In my early 20s I would have been able to explore the symbolism and themes of her books. Instead I’m pushing 40 and just throughly enjoying that the women in these two stories are sensible and the men are train-wrecks. 

Story 1 - Charred Cedar

Mark is a treasure hunter without a map. 
Left to his own devices her makes some very questionable choices. 
This story has murder, intrigue, and a twist ending a didn’t see coming. 

Story 2 - Crime Scene

Dave falls down a rabbit hole of petty with some very driven focus. 
His poor decision making quite literally costs him EVERYTHING.
Such a strong ending. 

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Missed Steps by L. Sherleen

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Where is this book set? The UK, America? Oh, at 80% we’re informed it’s Ireland. College romance…what was I thinking. 
 
Feels a bit choppy, editing errors, the whole thing feels both rushed yet the story is lagging. 
The story is awkwardly slow and repetitive.
 
The drama (that would have made the book interesting) was piled into the last 25%. It’s hinted at, but really just withheld for no real gain. Teasing something 2 chapters before it happens makes it feel like the whole idea for the book hadn’t been fleshed out and it was being planned on the fly as it was written. The whole thing feels like it was a great thought but needed more planning, editing, and direction.
 
Also why is Mark’s behaviour okay? He’s needlessly aggressive. The energy it would take to be in a relationship with that…nope. But he’s super rich so everything works out in the end... 
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The DM Diaries by Teagan Hunter

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes

3.5

I loved the first 50%. There was mystery and mistaken identity, and so much messaging. The tingles were so great. But around 60% when the MCs get together it fell off for me. They were cute but it was only so-so. 
 
This book would have gained a whole star from me if the MCs had been in their 30s instead of 25. 
 
Around 70% I started to drag my feet. I personally felt the third act drama was good but the reconciliation was too quick and close to the end of the book. There is an HEA but we see NONE of it. 
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Someone to Bare by Kelvin Young

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adventurous 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? No

4.0

Book 5 - Kieran is conflicted!

Our main man is feeling some conflicting feelings regarding his boat bestie Finn. So much so it's distracting him during all of his self searching. I might be speculating here, but Kieran and his hubs already appear poly. Maybe they should just invite Finn along for the fun...

I've really appreciated that these books feel like they are less sanitised than many MM books, perhaps because they weren't written with an audience like me in mind. It's interesting to see Kieran struggling with the heteronormativity that seems to the the norm in his real everyday life. I regularly read that queer men in many cases have very different lived experiences and their "normal" differs in a foundational way from heterosexual relationship culture. These novellas seem to embrace that.
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Someone to Spare by Kelvin Young

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adventurous 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

4.0

First book of this series to miss the mark for me, just a little. Still really good and cannot wait for the next instalment. 
 
The novellas feel like in depth chapters in one book. The character development just continues to build. Following along, with Kieran's journey of self exploration, has been so enjoyable. I'm genuinely excited to keep following along. 
 
There were a hand full of typos which aren't a big deal - I could have been a little more on the ball the day I read this. My bigger issue is that it clicked that this series is taking place in world that feels devoid condoms. The lack of condoms could be explained by pre cruise testing and PrEP, but considering Kieran joined at the last minute…that seems unlikely, it feels a little icky. But that could be because I grew up in the generation that was shown Degrassi High episodes about high schoolers getting HIV as part of health class 🤷‍♀️ - in my late 30's I still fear becoming a teen mom. 

Ultimately this is a work of fiction and I'm cool with it, though some people will have this as a limit. 
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Relaxing Colt by Minty Marie

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lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

Third instalment 
Yay we learn what Milly is. We still have no idea what Millicent wanted with her. 
 
I feel like all of these books have been crazy fun. But this one fell a little short of the mark for me. Even though this is short, there are bits and pieces that could have been cut out. Like the abrupt minutes long visit by Colt’s ex. Why? All it told us is that there are rumours about Milly spreading in the shifter community. It could have been an email 🤣 

This third novella felt like it was more about the heat and Colt than about the fun mystery. 
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Cole and Laila Are Just Friends by Bethany Turner

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Friends to lovers 
#MiddleLifeRomance (MC's are about to turn 40)
Bumpkins in the big apple 
Everyone else sees the thing going on but the two fools in love. 
 
Well paced. 
Low to no heat 

I really liked the platonic love that these two had for each other. They knew they were codependent by choice and they knew entirely how much they meant to each other. They however were terrible as realising that they either had to live happily together or unhappily with other people/alone. Everyone around them knew their feelings and seems genuinely shocked that being in love had just never occurred to them.

I loved the 2000's rom-com references and vibe this book oozed. 
I will 100% be seeking out more books by this author.

I also listened to the Audio of this book and the narration was fantastic. Both narrators were new to me and did a fantastic job. 
Love By a Landslide by K.L. Parsons

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adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

Debut novel 
#MiddleLifeRomance 
He falls first 
Forced proximity (only one hammock) 
 
Lucy is definitely an in for a penny kinda person, I can relate to her doubling down on her mistakes and getting feisty when she thinks people are underestimating her. 
 
This book was great, filled with adventure, peril, and steam. It made me think of Happiness for Beginners, but I actually liked this book. 
 
It also touched on personal growth and healing from trauma and PTSD.
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Bishop: A True Lover's Story by A.E. Via

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Plus size MC 
Ex Con 
Workplaceish 
 
Bishop is an Ex Con, who can’t read, and is trying to get his life back on track after 5 years in jail. 
 
Edison is a young executive who is lonely, he struggles with managing his insecurities, desire for connections and his position. 
 
I LOVE that Bishop finds out that Edison has never had sex and PUMPS the breaks but makes it VERY clear he intends to make Edison his. Also I adore that Edison finds Bishops quirks (talking on the phone instead of texting) ultra romantic. 
Me too bestie. 

I felt a little flummoxed by the pace. At times the pace feel good, some times it felt a little on the slow side (which isn't bad) and then there were moment's where it felt lightning fast. Edison had never been in a relationship before and it kind of has the first love "NO ONE HAS FELT THIS WAY BEFORE" vibes. 

It’s hard to forgive Edison for naming Robert Galbraith as an author he likes 🤢🤢🤢. I’m willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt as JKR didn’t officially out herself as trash until after this book was published. 
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