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ginniereads's reviews
272 reviews
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark
dark
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, and Stalking
Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Twin Star Exorcists: Onmyoji, Vol. 1 by Yoshiaki Sukeno
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue
4.0
This was a cute enemies-to-lovers ish, low angst novella. I had fun with this one. Bailey is a kindergarten teacher who despises the father of a boy who is in her class. He has a reputation of having relationships with all the teacher and staff at his sons school and cutting them off at a certain point.
Bailey was a fun character. I enjoyed her personality, spunk, and the little banter between her and Jake. I loved her as a teacher and the relationship she had with Jake's son. As a teacher myself, I loved seeing that part portrayed in the story.
As for Jake, he was a misunderstood character with a sad backstory. He also built a bad reputation, which he brought on himself by serially dating teacher's in his son's school. I love me a misunderstood character. I felt he totally lacked the grumpy part, hence the title of the book. I really didn't see the grump at all, though Bailey was trying hard to make it seem that way. Instead what I did see, was a caring father who is dealing with grief the best way he can, which was not talking about it. As a (single) mom myself, I totally understood why he was the way he was when it came to dating and the women he brought around his son. I did however feel like his reasoning for ending things with Bailey was a bit much, but again as a parent I can understand.
The romance in this book was cute and definitely had some steamy parts. I needed a little more enemies-to-lovers vibes though. I felt it was a lacking in that. I did love seeing their relationship blossom and grow, which was believable. I also liked the attraction and the sexual tension they secretly had for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Though it had a few things missing and moved rather quick, that is expected from a novella. However, it left me satisfied and wishing to have more of Bailey and Jake's story.
Bailey was a fun character. I enjoyed her personality, spunk, and the little banter between her and Jake. I loved her as a teacher and the relationship she had with Jake's son. As a teacher myself, I loved seeing that part portrayed in the story.
As for Jake, he was a misunderstood character with a sad backstory. He also built a bad reputation, which he brought on himself by serially dating teacher's in his son's school. I love me a misunderstood character. I felt he totally lacked the grumpy part, hence the title of the book. I really didn't see the grump at all, though Bailey was trying hard to make it seem that way. Instead what I did see, was a caring father who is dealing with grief the best way he can, which was not talking about it. As a (single) mom myself, I totally understood why he was the way he was when it came to dating and the women he brought around his son. I did however feel like his reasoning for ending things with Bailey was a bit much, but again as a parent I can understand.
The romance in this book was cute and definitely had some steamy parts. I needed a little more enemies-to-lovers vibes though. I felt it was a lacking in that. I did love seeing their relationship blossom and grow, which was believable. I also liked the attraction and the sexual tension they secretly had for each other.
Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Though it had a few things missing and moved rather quick, that is expected from a novella. However, it left me satisfied and wishing to have more of Bailey and Jake's story.
Unfu*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life by Gary John Bishop
4.0
Review coming soon on my YouTube channel. Subscribe so you don't miss it.
The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
1.0
After being 375 pages in, I had to DNF this book... I just couldn't get into it. I couldn't connect with the characters. They're all pretty boring to me. I did like the LGBT+ representation. I wasn't interested in the world. I kept wanting there to be some action, especially since she a THICC one, but rarely got it. I really wanted to like this one. I am still not sure if I will pick it up again in the future... I doubt it though.
