Scan barcode
indieandajean's reviews
422 reviews
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
The queen of enemies to lovers does it again!
This is the perfect short, sweet, and cozy winter romance to start the season, and I'm not even sorry that I'm reading it before Thanksgiving.
If you're looking for boy next door goodness, a touch of spice, and snowed in tropes, this is the read for you!
This is the perfect short, sweet, and cozy winter romance to start the season, and I'm not even sorry that I'm reading it before Thanksgiving.
If you're looking for boy next door goodness, a touch of spice, and snowed in tropes, this is the read for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Alcohol
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
4.0
Short, sweet, and cozy with just the right level of spice.
This book made me want to go spend some time on a lake and eat my weight in sweets.
Highly recommend this one if you're looking for a cozy romance with minimal drama and maximum sweetness.
This book made me want to go spend some time on a lake and eat my weight in sweets.
Highly recommend this one if you're looking for a cozy romance with minimal drama and maximum sweetness.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Will I ever get tired of Ali Hazelwood writing about women in STEM falling in love with BIG dorky men who drink their respect women juice? Absolutely not.
Loved the video game industry "inside baseball" in this one. I always enjoy the way Hazelwood's books give the reader a glance into industries and fields they may be unfamiliar with. It made me want to replay some old favorite video games and think on what their development processes may have been like. (The digs at Fallout 76 are totally justified, btw, get your shit together Bethesda).
For me this read was beyond cozy. I very much appreciated that there was no attempt to shoehorn a third act conflict in the tight space of the novella. This is nothing but top tier pining, misunderstanding, sweet romance, and spice. My only complaint is that I honestly wanted more with this one. I often find resolutions of novellas to be unsatisfying, and while I wasn't fully disappointed by the HEA, I felt like we needed a short epilogue of Viola and Jesse working together.
All in all though, this was a solid 4 star read for me.
If you love gaming and want a light, cozy, wintry romance read with no major conflict, this is the novella for you.
Loved the video game industry "inside baseball" in this one. I always enjoy the way Hazelwood's books give the reader a glance into industries and fields they may be unfamiliar with. It made me want to replay some old favorite video games and think on what their development processes may have been like. (The digs at Fallout 76 are totally justified, btw, get your shit together Bethesda).
For me this read was beyond cozy. I very much appreciated that there was no attempt to shoehorn a third act conflict in the tight space of the novella. This is nothing but top tier pining, misunderstanding, sweet romance, and spice. My only complaint is that I honestly wanted more with this one. I often find resolutions of novellas to be unsatisfying, and while I wasn't fully disappointed by the HEA, I felt like we needed a short epilogue of Viola and Jesse working together.
All in all though, this was a solid 4 star read for me.
If you love gaming and want a light, cozy, wintry romance read with no major conflict, this is the novella for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, Misogyny, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Have you ever wished that Ryan Bergara was the tall glasses wearing one and that Shane Madej was a blue haired woman and that they fell in love with each other? Me neither.
But if it sounds like a fun romance premise to you: you can sit with us.
Honestly this book did all the things right for me as a cryptid lover and BuzzFeed Unsolved/ Watcher Ghost Files fan. The tropes present here were delightful, and the story of healing in this story was one I didn't know I needed.
The book honestly had me going back and forth between laughing, tearing up, and feeling that combination heart/stomach butterfly thing at all the spicy bits.
If you like hot romances where the characters move past trauma together while also providing lots of laughs and spicy moments this book is for you.
But if it sounds like a fun romance premise to you: you can sit with us.
Honestly this book did all the things right for me as a cryptid lover and BuzzFeed Unsolved/ Watcher Ghost Files fan. The tropes present here were delightful, and the story of healing in this story was one I didn't know I needed.
The book honestly had me going back and forth between laughing, tearing up, and feeling that combination heart/stomach butterfly thing at all the spicy bits.
If you like hot romances where the characters move past trauma together while also providing lots of laughs and spicy moments this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Cursed Objects: Strange but True Stories of the World's Most Infamous Items by J.W. Ocker
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
A fun, quick read about cursed objects and the beliefs people have surrounding them. The book balances factual information about the provenance of the items, the theories people have about them, and interjects a good serving of humor throughout. I very much enjoyed this book!
Adventure Time #2 by Lucy Knisley, Ryan North, Zac Gorman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A Spindle Splintered by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
A delightfully weird retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story.
Imagine Sleeping Beauty as a hero, a dying girl, a space princess, a best friend, a viking, or as the enchantress. Imagine her with agency. Imagine her defying her own story and trying to help others do the same.
That and more is what this book gives you.
Highly recommend this quick read to lovers of fairytale retellings.
Imagine Sleeping Beauty as a hero, a dying girl, a space princess, a best friend, a viking, or as the enchantress. Imagine her with agency. Imagine her defying her own story and trying to help others do the same.
That and more is what this book gives you.
Highly recommend this quick read to lovers of fairytale retellings.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Misogyny, and Terminal illness
Minor: Ableism, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Blood, Kidnapping, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Excellently narrated, still a delightful read the second time!
The Tea Dragon Festival by K. O'Neill
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5/5 Stars for this second entry in the Tea Dragon series.
This book takes all of the best components of the first book in the series and adds in more components of the Tea Dragon lore, extends the universe, and shows us more of Hesekiel and Erik's backstory without taking away from the story of childhood friendship that is at the heart of the stories in the series.
Despite following some similar plot and theme beats from the previous book (young person entering the age for apprenticeship, someone who is missing memories after failing a task of great importance, the restoration of memory, etc.) the story still feels fresh, exciting, and different while maintaining the cozy feel the books excel at providing.
The illustrations are gorgeous, the characters are lovable, and the stakes are low which makes for a comforting and relaxed read.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cozy read, to children who love dragons and to those like me who wish that the world was just a little bit more magical.
This book takes all of the best components of the first book in the series and adds in more components of the Tea Dragon lore, extends the universe, and shows us more of Hesekiel and Erik's backstory without taking away from the story of childhood friendship that is at the heart of the stories in the series.
Despite following some similar plot and theme beats from the previous book (young person entering the age for apprenticeship, someone who is missing memories after failing a task of great importance, the restoration of memory, etc.) the story still feels fresh, exciting, and different while maintaining the cozy feel the books excel at providing.
The illustrations are gorgeous, the characters are lovable, and the stakes are low which makes for a comforting and relaxed read.
I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a cozy read, to children who love dragons and to those like me who wish that the world was just a little bit more magical.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Injury/Injury detail