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I loved reading Emily Austin's latest book. It was light-hearted and managed to accurately depict mental illness with a good touch of humor. What got me hooked was the way the characters were developed. Each one was so unique and well-thought-out, making it easy for me to relate to them. The relationships between the characters were also really well-written. The bond between Enid and her sisters was fascinating, adding depth to their characters as the story unfolded. Polly's character was a nice surprise, bringing a good balance to Enid's life. Enid's connection with her mother was beautifully portrayed, despite the challenges they faced. And I loved the friendship between Enid and Vin - it was a standout, highlighting a strong queer-platonic connection that was portrayed exceptionally well. The only thing I thought could have been better was the pacing of the story, which sometimes felt a bit slow. The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly for my liking, but all in all, it was still satisfying and didn't take away from my overall enjoyment.
AJJ IM GOING TO NEED FINANCIAL COMPENSATION FOR EMOTIONAL DAMAGES. i'm not okay
WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT TOMBERLY WER MARRIED AND SHE WAS PREGNANT WHEN HE DIED? AND I KNEW SELENA WASN'T TRINI'S NIECE... but who is she omg. no, but the fact that she knocked kim out while morphing is crazy 😂 she said sike, not today ./spoiler>
I am not a person who enjoys books with explicit content, but I must admit that these two books made me blush and kick my feet. The characters were cute, in love, and unaware of it. I actually want to read more from this author, despite not being a fan of romance novels with more than one or two 👀 scenes.
Ripe is definitely a captivating and thought-provoking read that manages to depict Cassie's deep sense of emptiness. The author's engaging and bold prose truly brings the story to life, showcasing the unique format of the book that skillfully alternates between Cassie's present and past experiences. However, what truly adds to the poignancy of the narrative is how the ever-present black hole consistently mirrors Cassie's emotions in every passing moment. It's a hauntingly beautiful, yet undeniably sad and somewhat discomforting journey.
I enjoyed reading this fantastic graphic novel! It reminded me of Wash Day Diaries but with a more middle-grade feel. The characters in the story are adorable, and I loved how they dealt with the anxieties of starting at a new school. Charlie's transformation from a shy new kid to a confident young girl who embraces her true self is truly inspiring. I could relate to Charlie's experiences because I was once in the same position, afraid to reveal my true self to others. It would have been amazing to have a book like this when I was younger, reminding me to be authentic and not worry about what others think. The real ones will love you for who you are.
I didn't think I'd feel so seen and understood in a book that is 50 pages. I ended up crying tears, not of sadness but rejoicing in seeing a part of myself being put into words. A piece of myself that I might've not been fully aware of, and that is beautiful. I can foresee this being a comfort read that I revisit when I need a boost of serotonin.
CW: death of loved one, sexual assault, murder, child abuse, abuse, and Islamophobia
I wanted to love this so badly. This had so many things that, ideally, it should've been a new favorite. The poetic prose and the way the author strung each sentence together with such care left me wanting more. The actual storytelling was where I felt the book fell short. Throughout the book, there were times when I felt lost. I wish everything had been fleshed out a little more. Within 352 pages, the author wanted to cover a wide range of topics. It would have been nice if they had talked more about the sisters' difficulties in dealing with grief and all they have been through at such a young age. It felt rushed in places where I wanted more.
I would still recommend this novel. Maybe even re-read it physically to see if it was due to the format I chose to consume it in.
CW: body shaming, ED, infidelity, death of parents, and car accident.
This novel gave me two things that I will be forever grateful for, a new book boyfie, and an excellent idea for my 30th birthday.
I came into this book thinking I would be head-over-heels in love with it, especially after loving some of Méndez's backlist works. Sadly, it wasn't. This book had so much potential, but unfortunately, it wanted to tackle so many things at once. I wish that the author would've taken more time to develop the characters and the plot a bit more. Instead of tirando muchas vaina al sancocho sin sazonarlo bien. It tried to juggle too many things at once. So much happened in the last 50 pages that I got whiplash. I never say this, but I wish this book was longer. In doing so, the author could have more time to flesh out some plot points and developments while also discarding things that were unnecessary to the story.
Nadia should've been developed a bit better. The author constantly tells the reader that she's supposed to be some badass lawyer with insecurities for the reader to connect to her. We see all of her insecurities, which is nice. However, we're not shown much of her in lawyer mode. At the end of the story, she makes a 180. In a matter of seconds, she goes from insecure to fearless. Yes, I love that for her, but I wish it had been better developed. She should've grown into her badass era, rather than it happening with no real explanation.
I liked Marcos so much. It was wonderful to see him grow and develop throughout the book. He went from being a man with many regrets who constantly is beating himself up. To a MAN who accepts his flaws and is trying to grow from them. It was beautiful to see him get closure and become someone who doesn't run away from his problems.
Overall, I came into this wanting a fun and cute second-chance romance and came out bored and only finishing it for my man Marcos.
Also, this book read like a YA book with 30-year-olds and I don't know how I feel about that lmao...
A quick an action packed graphic novel. It reminds me of power rangers but with masks. I really enjoyed my time reading this, I do wish I was longer though. I wish we had more time with the characters to get to know them. I will be looking forward for future publishings in this series. I am very intrigued and want more.
CW: domestic abuse, child abuse, homophobia, and death
Was this book perfect? No
Will it be for everyone? No
Is it now a new favorite book? Yes
This book felt like it was written for me and me only. I cried so much because I saw myself in both Fernando and Cara. I saw my frustrations and insecurities in this book. I understood Fernando's pain dealing with a strict Dominican mom. However, I sympathized with Cara, because I saw every Dominican woman I know represented in Cara. I saw the real struggles and side effects of generational trauma. This is a book I will hold close to my heart for a long time.
One thing I loved to see is that this was written for Latine readers. It had Spanish words, Dominican food, and culture and it didn't explain it. It wasn't written to cater to non-Spanish speaking readers. So if you don't read/understand Spanish I recommend you look up what the words mean to get a full understanding of the story.
Do I recommend this? Maybe... this may be a bit triggering for a lot of people. Go into it with caution <3
As a person who does not normally enjoy short stories. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. Toni Morrison truly has a way with words. She makes you care for characters, even if you're only with them for a short amount of time. The introduction analysis by Zadie Smith was phenomenal. She helps the reader understand the text. I recommend reading the short story first before the introduction. I believe it's best to go into it without any preconceived notions. So you can form your own opinions and then read what Smith has to say.
The question of which character is who is such a brilliant idea. It makes the reader think about their internal prejudices and reasonings. I don't know which character is which and I think that was Morrisons' intent. I might even say they can be interchangeable if you think about it. This is why I loved this story so much. There's no one right answer and that's fascinating to me.
Before I give this story a final rating I'd like to reread and analyze it.
