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cortanasreadingnook's reviews
367 reviews
The Savior's Book Café Story in Another World (Manga) Vol. 1 by Reiko Sakurada, Oumiya, Kyouka Izumi
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
It has a really good premise for an Isekai novel, but the story feels rushed, making it lack the character that would keep me reading this. It's a cozy fantasy adult manga that has really good potential, but the pacing feels too fast for my liking. There's not much to work with as a reader so I don't recommend this.
First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
This was the perfect romcom to start my 2025 and end my January 🧡📻
Thanks so much to Penguin Random House for the complimentary review copy. Just a few more days until Aiden & Lucie are available on shelves :D Mark your calendars for February 11, 2025!
B.K. Borison’s upcoming adult romcom novel is to DIE FOR. Besides the charming, illustrated cover, it delivers a passionate romcom about second chances and finding love. Inspired by 90s romcom Sleepless in Seattle, this is a single-mom, grumpy x hopeless romantic novel that tugs at your heartstrings.
Why don’t my situationships end like this?
Aiden is so much like me and his anti-romantic perspective was honestly quite scary. His feelings were a mirror of mine and I finally realized that it was how I came off to people (not that I care lol). Lucie on the other hand is 90% of the people surrounding me, so I adored her sappiness and hopeless romanticism (I feel so much affection for characters like Lucie because I feel like they’re a part of myself I’ll never get back). If I were to describe this book as a song, it is without a doubt NIKI’s Tsunami, which I firmly believe is the song that plays in your head when you realize you’re officially fucked and in love. Aiden and Lucie both complimented each other so well and their chemistry was so deeply wholesome and genuine. They were actually lovers from the beginning and it felt so profoundly intimate to read about the type of love that you feel has been written in the stars already and is just waiting for the right time for the pieces to fall into place. Not a lot of romcoms have made me feel this way so I appreciate this a lot. It’s reflective, hopeful, and hilarious. And the rest of the characters were all so sweet! I can’t wait for the future of Heartstrings!
Thanks so much to Penguin Random House for the complimentary review copy. Just a few more days until Aiden & Lucie are available on shelves :D Mark your calendars for February 11, 2025!
B.K. Borison’s upcoming adult romcom novel is to DIE FOR. Besides the charming, illustrated cover, it delivers a passionate romcom about second chances and finding love. Inspired by 90s romcom Sleepless in Seattle, this is a single-mom, grumpy x hopeless romantic novel that tugs at your heartstrings.
Why don’t my situationships end like this?
Aiden is so much like me and his anti-romantic perspective was honestly quite scary. His feelings were a mirror of mine and I finally realized that it was how I came off to people (not that I care lol). Lucie on the other hand is 90% of the people surrounding me, so I adored her sappiness and hopeless romanticism (I feel so much affection for characters like Lucie because I feel like they’re a part of myself I’ll never get back). If I were to describe this book as a song, it is without a doubt NIKI’s Tsunami, which I firmly believe is the song that plays in your head when you realize you’re officially fucked and in love. Aiden and Lucie both complimented each other so well and their chemistry was so deeply wholesome and genuine. They were actually lovers from the beginning and it felt so profoundly intimate to read about the type of love that you feel has been written in the stars already and is just waiting for the right time for the pieces to fall into place. Not a lot of romcoms have made me feel this way so I appreciate this a lot. It’s reflective, hopeful, and hilarious. And the rest of the characters were all so sweet! I can’t wait for the future of Heartstrings!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Abandonment
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
After a dreadful cliffhanger in One Dark Window, I couldn’t resist getting to its sequel so here we are. I am free of my slump! Two Twisted Crowns dragged me out and I couldn’t be more grateful. Gillig gave this duology a bittersweet and equally heartfelt conclusion. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters, but I devoured everything. The addition of different POVs truly gave this book further character and allowed more depth on enjoying the story. I am honestly sad about Nightmare though because his relationship with Elspeth was articulated in a fatherly manner and I knew he really cared for her. I like how Gillig wrote it that way (made it harder for me to say farewell but ok). Lastly, Elm & Ione 100% carried this book on their backs and I don’t care because they are perfect! Ravyn and Elspeth felt a bit of side characters (the yearning got me rolling on the floor), but I guess it’s because the story was being directed to a new beginning which made it wholesome and genuine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Violence
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It was my year to read The Shepherd King duology and I enjoyed every bit of it! This is a story of dark magic, revenge, and a terrifying illness brutal enough to kill. Rachel Gillig’s writing is incredible and absolutely captivating. It is very descriptive, and captures a dark atmosphere ridden with magic. She smoothly laid out the world-building and the folklore that controls this story. She tells an amazing tale of retribution, balanced with a beautiful, slowburn romance in the background (and more :D). Elspeth and Ravyn are amazing characters, and their chemistry was through the roof! The tidbits of affection that they shared in this novel was perfect. Lastly, for fans of found family, we also have a prickly brute and an ice princess roaming the pages (this is a sign telling you to read it).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual assault
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
My thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a complimentary copy through Edelweiss! I was very excited for this book since it’s my first by this author so I had high expectations. Out on January 7, 2025!
My first thought upon seeing this book was its blurb being highly similar to The Butterfly Circle by Caroll Leoson, a book I loved in 2023 (also highly recommend this). I had no idea that the US popularized homes for pregnant women and teenagers out of wedlock in the 1940s and that they were run by churches/nuns/religious sects due to the stigma of pregnancy among “troubled women”. Witchcraft and magic aside, it was very informative as a non-American on the experiences of unwed women forcibly institutionalized for unplanned or unsupported pregnancies.
MEN NEED TO D!E MORE
This book was honestly so emotionally draining and it’s precisely why it took me a few days to absorb the sledgehammer that battered me when I finished this. This story was marketed as horror, AKA the everyday lives of women. This book is a painful and stark reminder of how hateful society is towards us. We have always been the victim of men’s sick behavior but somehow we are the ones paying for it. I don’t know what’s more horrifying when I was reading this: the injustice of the girls’ circumstances, the forced institutionalization and the abusive environment that they were subjected to, or how misogyny is so deeply rooted in the strengthening of the patriarchy that men have collectively decided to condemn women for their lack of self-control and bigotry, blaming their corrupted mentality on our bodies and our identities.
We are NOT baby-making machines for men. Stick your dicks somewhere else, TYSM!
There is SO MUCH to unpack in this book. I have poor expectations in men writing stories about women, but I can say that he’s definitely done ample research in creating Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. It’s a heavy and painful book. Please see TWs/CWs above before reading this. The author has carefully handled these themes, but it put me in a depressive state so BE WARNED (read it though I hope y’all get me)
My first thought upon seeing this book was its blurb being highly similar to The Butterfly Circle by Caroll Leoson, a book I loved in 2023 (also highly recommend this). I had no idea that the US popularized homes for pregnant women and teenagers out of wedlock in the 1940s and that they were run by churches/nuns/religious sects due to the stigma of pregnancy among “troubled women”. Witchcraft and magic aside, it was very informative as a non-American on the experiences of unwed women forcibly institutionalized for unplanned or unsupported pregnancies.
MEN NEED TO D!E MORE
This book was honestly so emotionally draining and it’s precisely why it took me a few days to absorb the sledgehammer that battered me when I finished this. This story was marketed as horror, AKA the everyday lives of women. This book is a painful and stark reminder of how hateful society is towards us. We have always been the victim of men’s sick behavior but somehow we are the ones paying for it. I don’t know what’s more horrifying when I was reading this: the injustice of the girls’ circumstances, the forced institutionalization and the abusive environment that they were subjected to, or how misogyny is so deeply rooted in the strengthening of the patriarchy that men have collectively decided to condemn women for their lack of self-control and bigotry, blaming their corrupted mentality on our bodies and our identities.
We are NOT baby-making machines for men. Stick your dicks somewhere else, TYSM!
There is SO MUCH to unpack in this book. I have poor expectations in men writing stories about women, but I can say that he’s definitely done ample research in creating Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. It’s a heavy and painful book. Please see TWs/CWs above before reading this. The author has carefully handled these themes, but it put me in a depressive state so BE WARNED (read it though I hope y’all get me)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Thanks to Penguin Random House for the DRC through Edelweiss!
Read from: 01/08/24-01/14/24
Read from: 01/08/24-01/14/24
I was very excited for an Adrienne Young book since I’ve never fully explored this particular genre. However, I DNF-ed at 38%. I didn’t resonate with her writing, since it focused more on description and imagery than actually moving forward with the story (my main concern was how slow this book was) so it actually felt dragging because nothing much was happening. I was already in a slump so I doubted I was going to enjoy this, even though the blurb was quite intriguing. It’s an adult small-town murder mystery with a supernatural twist with a bit of romance on the side (for anyone curious!). Maybe one day I’ll pick it up again with more enthusiasm (I tend to do this a lot so fingers crossed).
For One Night Only by Jessica James
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
My thanks to Penguin Random House for sending me a complimentary copy through Edelweiss.
OKAY so I wish I had more courage to DNF this. But I will be clear about what I liked and didn’t like.
I was fond of the angst and longing between Valerie and Caleb. It felt like I was watching a movie where two strangers still so clearly in love with each other desperately try to run away from their feelings. It was quite hilarious to read about them going back and forth to fight the tension and lingering chemistry. I am a firm believer that you can’t be friends with your ex so their banter and dynamic together were fucking romantic.
However, I just wish that the other characters were more fleshed out. Considering that this book is about a former band getting back together, they felt a lot like side characters instead. They didn’t get enough page time for the readers to enjoy as we didn’t exactly have much to work with. There’s so many unresolved plot points in the other characters. I expected character development from all sides of the story and not just the two perspectives this book was told from. Valerie also annoyed the hell out of me because of how selfish and childish she was and I truly feel like this story should’ve ended differently. I had high expectations for this book but it was poorly written and unfortunately quite cringe to me.
OKAY so I wish I had more courage to DNF this. But I will be clear about what I liked and didn’t like.
I was fond of the angst and longing between Valerie and Caleb. It felt like I was watching a movie where two strangers still so clearly in love with each other desperately try to run away from their feelings. It was quite hilarious to read about them going back and forth to fight the tension and lingering chemistry. I am a firm believer that you can’t be friends with your ex so their banter and dynamic together were fucking romantic.
However, I just wish that the other characters were more fleshed out. Considering that this book is about a former band getting back together, they felt a lot like side characters instead. They didn’t get enough page time for the readers to enjoy as we didn’t exactly have much to work with. There’s so many unresolved plot points in the other characters. I expected character development from all sides of the story and not just the two perspectives this book was told from. Valerie also annoyed the hell out of me because of how selfish and childish she was and I truly feel like this story should’ve ended differently. I had high expectations for this book but it was poorly written and unfortunately quite cringe to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Abandonment
Last of the Talons by Sophie Kim
Wrath of The Talons is an exquisite fantasy story about pent-up female rage, grief, and loss. This story is narrated from the point of view of Shin Lina, Sunpo’s Reaper and is highly-trained fighter and assassin that does the bidding of the Blackbloods, the kingdom’s local gang that took everything from her. But when she suddenly angers Haneul Rui, the Dokkaebi emperor, her life is once more upended as she ends up in a deadly bargain with the king: kill or be killed.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
“Pierce my heart with one thousand daggers. Let the kingdom shine golden with my blood. You’ll find that I enjoy it.”
Wrath of The Talons is an exquisite fantasy story about pent-up female rage, grief, and loss. This story is narrated from the point of view of Shin Lina, Sunpo’s Reaper and is highly-trained fighter and assassin that does the bidding of the Blackbloods, the kingdom’s local gang that took everything from her. But when she suddenly angers Haneul Rui, the Dokkaebi emperor, her life is once more upended as she ends up in a deadly bargain with the king: kill or be killed.
What I liked about this book is that the story simply started as a tragedy. It didn’t sugarcoat grief and the desire to just fuck up everything around you. We see Lina’s life unfold in a manner where she carries a lot of anger and regret and these traits emphasize the story’s character. Moreover, the tragic nature of Lina’s story was a way of depicting this book as something that focuses on revenge but is also vaguely romantic in the tension and longing between the characters. I’m looking forward to where the sequel takes Lina and Rui <3
I saw that the trilogy was ending this year so I immediately decided to start the first book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, and Death of parent
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 2 by Mokumokuren
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 1 by Mokumokuren
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i can't believe some people think that this isn't Bl or when it's marketed as such... there's no straight justification for the amount of times yoshiki has blushed over hikaru and it's even not even the real one. there's already a lot of lore in the story and i'm excited to see how the mangaka will illustrate it for us. this is cozy horror in a smalltown japanese countryside. it reminds me so much of the anime another.. 8.5/10.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror