Bianca
This was SO cute. I couldn't put it down. This is a perfect nerdy YA romance. I would have been feral for this in high school but I love it even as a 35 year old woman. The chemistry between the characters was swoon worthy, all of the kids were so sweet and likable, and I loved that the negativity from Sofia's role was actually pretty minimal and the story stayed focused on the romance, a growing friend group, and a girl learning how to navigate her relationship with her father. I was really brought to tears by Riley's relationship with her dad at the end and the friends coming through for each other. I even laughed out loud at some of the banter. This was such a sweet story and worth a read if you just want to be kicking your feet and smiling like an idiot and maybe shedding some heartwarming tears.
In Don't Cry for Me, a black father writes letters to his estranged, queer son as he spends his final days succumbing to cancer. Jacob Swinton tells his story from childhood to the present day in an effort to help his son better understand and hopefully one day forgive his history of violence, toxic masculinity, inability to show affection to his son, and refusal to accept his sexuality.
This is the first book in a stand-alone series, the prequel to Isaac's Song (released Jan 2025). I read Isaac's Song first, which is in the POV of Jacob's son and focuses on his relationship with both of his parents, but mostly the trauma inflicted upon him by his father during his childhood. I knew that I needed to read Don't Cry for Me immediately upon finishing. You definitely don't need to read these in order, but now that I have read both I do recommend reading Don't Cry for Me first to have a comprehensive understanding of the relationship that Isaac discusses with his therapist.
Don't Cry for Me had me in tears multiple times. The writing is beautiful and gut-wrenching at times as we journey with Jacob through his own traumas and regrets as a husband and father. The book is well-paced, with conversational, yet gorgeous prose. I was left grieving the relationship that Jacob never had with his son, but also hopeful that both men found, or will find, closure in their own ways. I will be recommending both of these books for a very long time.
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This book definitely challenged my views on parents not being accepting of their children's queerness especially in the 60s and 70s. I think this quote from the book really helped me grasp that it goes beyond the simple belief of accepting and loving people as they are.
“You wouldn't think ideas have geographical context, but they do. We teach certain things because of where we live. We like to think we're governed by some higher spiritual or philosophical motivation, but really most of our thinking comes from our environment. “
These feelings of shame and embarrassment amongst families and cultures is much more complex, and doesn't always mean that they are ill-intentioned, terrible people. Knowledge really is power and Jacob's mindset growth is a prime example of that.
I was also challenged to face some of my own childhood traumas through Jacob's character. The idea that someone growing up without love in the home, and only knowing pain and then passing on that pain to their children is definitely poignant.
Content Warnings
Content or TW Warnings include: Violence, Abuse (Physical, Emotional, Sexual), Death of a Loved One, Trauma, Mental Health (Depression, Anxiety, etc.), Substance Abuse, Racism, Homophobia, Graphic Content
Who I'd Recommend This Book To
I really would recommend this book to all adults for a few reasons.
It is easy to read and understand and the pace moves steadily so would be “easy” for a non-reader to get through (easy due to style of writing, not content). In addition, queer stories, especially queer black stories, need to be told and heard, from all points of view in order to better understand each other. Jacob's story can also provide white people with valuable insights and a deeper understanding of systemic racism.
This story offers something meaningful for everyone, potentially helping them heal in whatever way it resonates—whether it's processing the loss of a loved one, mourning an unfulfilled relationship with a parent, experiencing genuine personal growth, or learning forgiveness through the imperfections of a character.
Highlighted Quotes
“First snow fell yesterday. It came easy and unannounced, like a whisper, but once it started, it continued into the night. When I looked out this morning, everything was still, white, and gleaming. I wondered if you were somewhere safe and warm. I wondered if you were thinking about me.
“Memories reveal who you used to be, what you once thought important, what regrets you cannot shake.”
““I'm sorry, Rachel.” “I know, I know,” she repeated over and over. “No, I'm not just sorry for myself. I'm sorry for us. For our family, for black people—” “Yeah,” she whispered. “Me, too.””
“Knowledge is a funny thing, Isaac. It informs by exposing. It shows you precisely how much you don't know.”
“You don't know—I hope you don't know—the feeling of losing everyone you ever loved. You're left with only your own hurt and regret. All you do is relive mistakes and wish you could undo them. You never can.”
“If you get nothing else from this letter, understand that I never knew how to love. I dreamed of it, but I never experienced it. What I knew was pain. So that's what I gave you.”
Final Rating & Closing Thoughts
I absolutely loved this book and gave it 5/5 stars on Goodreads. Please, please, please READ THIS BOOK!
I had very low expectations going into this after being burned by some bookstagram famous indie enemies-to-lovers books. It took some getting used to the writing but once that started flowing all I wanted to do was read this book! It was a fun ride, I loved all of the side characters especially Celine and Sewell and the romance was top-notch. Erik is my new book husband. I've already downloaded the second book!!
Wow. This was disappointing. I think VA lost her way by the time she got to this book. The narration that began to get excessive in book 3 just got worse in this book with more repetitive sentiments, repetition of the plot line through 4 different POVs, lots and lots of talk with flowery metaphors, 2-3 scenes that were actually important enough to move the plot in 700 pages. 700 pages... it did not need to be this long. I rarely say that with fantasy because usually it fits, but no. I had to tandem between audio and physical to finish. I was so bored I started zoning out during the audiobook and didn't miss anything. I'm giving this 3 stars because VA is a good writer, you can tell she cares about this series and the characters, I think the underlying themes are important. I'm looking forward to reading her other series with hopes that she grew enough as writer to hone in on the repetitive writing and excessive 1st person narration. I gave Red Queen and Glass Sword 5 stars, King's Cage 4 stars... so yeah.. this didn't end how I was hoping it would. :(
The Love Haters is pure joy from Katherine Center as expected! This would be a fun beach or pool read as it is quick and easy to read. That being said, in true Katherine Center fashion, the book is so much more than a summery rom-com! This is an exploration into self-love and healing through the FMC and even through some of the other characters. KC has no issues writing characters who develop beautifully. Also, we allll will want a Hutch after reading this.
As someone who doesn't read a ton of contemporary romance (I'm a rom-com girlie) and who isn't a huge lover of second chance romance, I actually really enjoyed this! Some parts dragged on and the narration/sentiments became a little repetitive but I definitely shed a tear or two and was happy with Dev's character development.
The God of the Woods completely captured me from the beginning and did not let go! Moore does an incredible job taking us on a journey through time - through two different mysteries - all while diving deep into each characters complexities, fears, dark sides, and motives. She does this while keeping the reader engaged and the pacing steady. She is able to tell a perfectly interwoven story that keeps you guessing, is clearly thought out, and is so much more than another “popcorn thriller”. Do not read if you hate multiple POVs and time hopping. My only gripe is that I felt there were too many loose ends at the conclusion of the book. To dive so deep into these characters, I felt the reader could have been offered a little more closure!
Kitty Johnson steals my heart again ❤️ Prickly Company was one of my favorite reads of 2024 so I was so excited to get the chance to read and review this. I looked forward to reading Closest Kept every night, it was the perfect book to get cozy and completely engrossed in Lily's life and her struggles to overcome her traumatic childhood. I loved the characters, the story and relationships were real, raw, and complicated, and Lily's character developed beautifully. Kitty's writing also just doesn't miss.
I especially need to bring attention to something that meant more to me than anything else in this novel. Lily is child-free by choice and UNASHAMED. She is vocal and unwavering regarding her decision to not want kids. Not only this, but Kitty makes it clear through Lily's character that just because a woman does not want children for herself it does not mean she cannot be a nurturing person or that she is a selfish monster, and it doesn't mean that she cannot have a family. I've read 154 books this year and this is the FIRST time I felt truly and positively represented and in a book. THANK YOU KITTY JOHNSON.
Thank you to the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
(Audiobook) – I went into this book without knowing much, expecting a lighthearted story about a wedding. The Wedding People turned out to be so much more than I anticipated. The book starts on a dark note (TW: attempted suicide) but quickly evolves into a hopeful and uplifting story about humanity, resilience, and fresh starts.
I loved nearly every character—even the frustrating Lila—because this seemingly simple story reveals how complex and multi-faceted people truly are. It's a reminder that things aren't always as they appear. The character development is some of the best I've encountered in a long time, with every arc feeling meaningful and earned. Written with simplicity and humor, the book allows readers to draw their own lessons, making it both engaging and thought-provoking.
This wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it was definitely interesting. Any Swiftie who also loves English or majored in English would appreciate this and it would make a great gift! I think I was hoping for a little bit more of a theoretical breakdown than the very literal one presented here (examples of alliteration, etc. annotated). Definitely still enjoyable and a good break from my usual reading!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was all over the place and therefore so are my thoughts.
- Maggie is the absolute worst character I have ever read.
- Ethan was cool at first, then gave me the ick. The fucking soliloquies about his undying love for Maggie was just too much and CoRnYyY and DrAmATiC
- I rolled my eyes so many times it's actually insane.
- this was wayyyyyy tooooo insta-lovey without any real connection?
- the entire enemies to lovers marketing of this book is a hoax- Maggie hates him for literally no good reason, and that's it....
- maybe I am new to the cozy mystery genre but like, there was no mystery? No real “detective” work? We'd get a little glimpse and then nothing substantial until the very end... I just felt lost.
- what a letdown. Bleh.
This started off strong as a 5-star read and the way Bailey chose to write Beat's character as a weird love sick puppy changed that. Listen, I am all for a cinnamon roll but this was another level. Did we have to announce how glorious and beautiful Mel is every.single.time she walks into the room? The protectiveness was so excessive in NOT a hot “touch her and die way” but like an anxiety inducing way. His little sex problem related to his trust issues felt like TB was trying to really milk an issue for the sake of the plot and that was also excessive. We honestly could have done without all of that nonsense. This is the second time TB has written an annoying MMC so I hope it's not a trend bc I do enjoy her books. I was loving the plot and this made it much more interesting than just a regular contemporary romance where nothing happens. I was more invested in the band than the romance because Beat turned me off. Also there is nothing christmasy about this book- it could have happened any time of year and the plot wouldn't have been affected at all. Overall, I had a good time and couldn't put it down the last 55%.
What an incredible story! Daniel Black's Isaac's Song dives deep into the complexities of a father-son relationship, showing how two people from vastly different worlds are, in many ways, not so different after all. Isaac's journey into his ancestry, his encounters with racism as an adult, and his exploration of the Black struggle—topics shielded from him during childhood as a form of protection—are masterfully portrayed. This journey not only deepens his understanding of his father but also beautifully mirrors his path toward self-discovery and self-acceptance. The story feels incredibly real, portraying forgiveness as something that takes time and reminding us that self-love can be a lifelong journey where the most important thing is to keep trying.
The second half introduces a moving metaphor through Isaac's written story of two enslaved brothers, reflecting his father's struggles and the inherited trauma of his people. While it slows the pacing a bit, it adds another layer of depth to an already powerful narrative. This book reads like a memoir—intimate, engrossing, and utterly unforgettable. There is so much to this story that I can't even begin to address it all here. A must read. I'm inspired to pick up Don't Cry For Me next. Add this to your 2025 TBR!
Thank you, @htpbooks, for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. #hiveinfluencer
INFINITY STARS. Worth the hype! This is what I call a “slump breaker”. In a slump? Read this book! Even better on audio. I cannot wait for this show, it will become my entire personality. There are so many more layers to this book than “teen mom starts only fans” and the readers basing their one-star reviews on that alone need a re-read or a reading comprehension course. I said what I said.
I'm new to the YA horror, or horror genre in general but I feel like this is what a YA horror should be? The author does a great job writing a 16 year old character who has some edge. She's the appropriate amount of immature and feisty for her age but not annoying. The book itself was creepy, suspenseful, and thrilling- especially at the end. It was fast-paced, easy to read, and I loved the incorporation of the supernatural, as I learn that not all horror books actually do involve that! I'd definitely read another one of this authors books.
Thank you NetGalley and the author for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was a solid 4 star read, definitely not perfect but enjoyable. Fast-paced, fiery borderline annoying FMC with a ✨perfect✨ MMC to balance her out. I loved Freya at the beginning but she got increasingly more irrational and jumping to conclusions became her favorite hobby which got reallll old. Her character development seemed to move in the wrong direction so I'm hoping that she matures a bit in the next book. Some of the pacing felt a little too fast for such an epic story, I would have appreciated a slow down for some of their journeys and a little more character development and depth. For example, Snorri and Ylva were so one dimensional and I really struggled to understand their motivation. I loved the action scenes and the twist at the end. Looking forward to book 2. Definitely read if you need something fast, spicy, and fun and are willing to not get too bogged down in the details.
Babel by R.F. Kuang has a slow pace, and with such an intriguing premise, I felt there could've been a few more exciting scenes thrown in. There's nothing wrong with a slower story, but just a heads-up—you might find yourself needing breaks after a couple of chapters (I averaged about 2 at a time, but the chapters are long). At times, it reads like a really interesting textbook, complete with footnotes. I loved the characters and how real they were, but I wish we got to see a bit more growth in their friendships. Most of the action happens in the last 25%, so be prepared for a lot of buildup. I also wish there had been more fantasy elements, as it felt a bit misleading being marketed as a fantasy book; it reads more like historical fiction with a sprinkle of magical realism.
The themes of racism and colonialism come through very clearly—sometimes so much that it felt like the author didn't fully trust readers to think critically or be able to interpret her message from the story unfolding. The ending made the strongest statement; how colonialism can only end in suffering, and violence is often inevitable for change when the stakes are high. All in all, it is extremely well-written and you know the author really did her research and knows her stuff - which I appreciated. I thought the commentary on translation was done very well through the matching and silver bars and the lessons at Oxford that the reader basically gets to sit in on. Despite my few grievances, Babel an important read where even the most culturally and socially aware readers can take away something of value and I would definitely recommend it when you are in the right headspace for it!
5 stars for the captivating atmosphere and my inability to put this down - I finished it within 12 hours, which is VERY rare for this mood reader. I adored the flashbacks to the 1500s witch trial, Erin's badass mom, and the unique blend of mystery and true crime that sets this apart from other witch stories. The conclusion between family members was satisfying and heartwarming. However, I felt the ending had a few plot holes, the resolution of Erin's possession by Nyx was rushed and under-reflected upon by the present-day characters. The ancestral connections between past and present could've been fleshed out more. The epilogue felt lazy and tacked on, but I see it as the author's attempt to show the continued magical lineage. Overall, I would definitely recommend this especially during spooky season. I think all readers of all genres could enjoy this book!