breeburkitt's reviews
594 reviews

Unromance by Erin Connor

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

3.5

Sawyer Greene is a romance author plagued with writer’s block as she’s become disillusioned with love despite her approaching deadline. Actor Mason West, however, falls in love too easily. Mason and Sawyer find themselves in one of the ultimate cliche meet-cutes of a broken elevator followed by a one-night stand. Together, they make a pact to ruin every romance trope to break Mason’s idealistic view of love and Sawyer’s writing block. 

“Unromance” is a fun and quirky romantic comedy. It’s self-aware, mocking all the tropes without being too over-the-top and still acknowledging their beauty. The banter between Mason and Sawyer is one of the highlights, alongside the somewhat meta dialogue.
Sawyer’s stubbornness frustrated me at times. This book is also incredibly guilty of the unnecessary third-act breakup, which detracts from the story more than it adds.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Forever Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
A Game in Yellow by Hailey Piper

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2.5

"Is this shroud the garment of the King in Yellow? Has it always been, every time the stage darkened, every time CARMEN’S vision dimmed? Perhaps this shroud has loomed over CARMEN her entire life, every moment part of one erratic performance, now coming to its curtain call."

Carmen struggles with intimacy in her relationship with Bianca. Kink has always been a part of their relationship, but they push things even further in desperation to bring Carmen back. Then, they meet Smoke, who introduces them to a play called The King in Yellow and tells Carmen she'll get better just by reading a small portion. And, for a while, it works. As Smoke becomes their third, Carmen's obsession with the play grows as her boundaries between reality and nightmare blur.

The writing and imagery are well done, and the cosmic horror elements shine in the book's latter half. 

However, I struggled with this one — primarily because I never fully connected with the characters. I didn't understand what was driving Carmen and hadn't seen enough of her relationship before this to merit such intensity.  It lacks that positive encounter with Bianca that would justify Carmen's continued craving. I would think we would have one “transcendent” scene to account for the constant need. Instead, Blanca remains hard and distant. 

The entire storyline is based on their intimacy — both physical and non — and it hinges on the BDSM/kink aspect. The book itself is even billed that however. But, for all that, it's actually pretty vanilla and sanitized? It’s odd because this book is inherently about sex without ever becoming too graphic. Everything is somewhat vague but intentional.

Also, the repeated mentions of Blanca’s “fatness” are interesting. I like the inclusion, but it's conveyed in a way where Carmen almost defends or tries to justify Bianca's body. She'll talk about some element of Bianca's body to only then curb it with a disclaimer that "others won't understand." It's as though she's explaining some kind of weird, guilty pleasure instead of her partner. 

"A Game in Yellow" has a strong concept but lacks some necessary elements to make it work.  

✨2.5 — Rounded to three for review purposes.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Saga Press for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
Duchess Material by Emily Sullivan

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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? Yes

2.75

This one was lackluster for me. The premise sounded promising enough — an unconventional woman, childhood friends separated by an unexpected peerage sounded interesting, second chance, etc. However, these elements and the overall execution never really came together and bordered on boring at times. The story also felt very modern, yanking me out of the narrative a few times to regain my bearings. 

Phoebe seemed to martyr herself and quickly became one of the least interesting characters. The Duke came off as flat and a milksop who hesitated to assert his own opinions or thoughts. Instead, it seems like Phoebe will ultimately be responsible for acting as both their spines. 

Several plot lines (e.g., the Annie mystery) were resolved unceremoniously in ways that didn't fit the build-up. Others were disappointing, such as Will's repeated insistence that Phoebe isn't fit to be a duchess, just to be resolved by her apology. 

Overall, Duchess Material was fine, with a passable happy ending. While I didn't love this one, I would read a follow-up centered on one of Phoebe's sisters.

✨2.5 — rounded to 3 for review purposes

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Forever for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
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The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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4.0

Manacled by SenLinYu

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Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

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emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

The pastel and whimsical summer-type cover is such a lie, and whoever designed it is cruel! It's not a happy-go-lucky beach read. Say You'll Remember Me is so heart-wrenching and relatable in such a beautifully authentic way. It transcends a traditional romance and is instead a story of family, belonging and finding a way to deal with what's at hand.

Also, the meet-cute of a rescue cat without a butthole!? It's those light elements of levity that keep those from becoming trauma porn.

At times, I felt Samantha and Xavier overthought this obstacle and let it become something bigger than it was. This constant “realization” that it will always be like this, how hard it is, etc., became somewhat repetitive about two-thirds of the way in. However, the hurdles of money and family were realistic and relatable in a way we don't often see in similar books.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
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Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs?: Big Questions from Tiny Mortals about Death by Caitlin Doughty

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dark funny fast-paced

4.25

All Fours by Miranda July

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4.5

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson

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2.0

Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

"Promise Me Sunshine" is a poignant, slow-burn romance. The buildup between Lenny and Miles is expertly developed and feels so well-earned — both for them and us — when it finally happens. 

More than that, though, it's raw and honest. Cara Bastone has given us a beautiful example of grief and love and how complicated it can all be.

✨4.25 — rounded for Goodreads ✨

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Random House/Dial Trade for the advance copy in exchange for my review.
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