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karenmsecrest's reviews
307 reviews
Leslie F*cking Jones by Leslie Jones
emotional
funny
fast-paced
5.0
Get. The. Audiobook!!!
Leslie Jones in her own words and voice is funny and poignant and ridiculous and all of the things. The audiobook is 16 hours long, because Leslie literally goes off book and her storytelling is just as off the wall as you’d expect.
Leslie Jones in her own words and voice is funny and poignant and ridiculous and all of the things. The audiobook is 16 hours long, because Leslie literally goes off book and her storytelling is just as off the wall as you’d expect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Not in the mood for a dirty contemporary story with all of the representation. Why does everyone have a tragic back story?!?!
The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Starts out fun and the concept is good, but I got bored with the Manic Pixie dream girl + most understanding guy ever characters. Obviously they like each other, why don’t they just admit it? And WHY can’t she just be honest with her super flakey roommate?!?
The only reason I lasted 3 hour was the narrator: Zachary Webber.
The only reason I lasted 3 hour was the narrator: Zachary Webber.
The Perils of Pleasure by Julie Anne Long
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A wild romp beginning with an escape from the hangman’s noose and ending with a countryside declaration of love. First in a series and I can’t wait to read the rest.
Witty banter
Only one bed (or no bed!)
Some steam
Witty banter
Only one bed (or no bed!)
Some steam
Lady Derring Takes a Lover by Julie Anne Long
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The grovel! Reader, I swooned.
This book is witty, charming, romantic, and entertaining despite the lackluster cover. Grumpy sunshine, verbal sparring, strong female friendships, and a wacky cast of characters. The writing is sharp and enjoyable. Possibly the best first kiss in all of literature.
This book is witty, charming, romantic, and entertaining despite the lackluster cover. Grumpy sunshine, verbal sparring, strong female friendships, and a wacky cast of characters. The writing is sharp and enjoyable. Possibly the best first kiss in all of literature.
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I understand why people love it, but, this book isn’t for me.
Hannah is a sexual assault survivor and the fallout and recovery from the attack are central to the plot.
Side note: I read “Icebreaker” immediately before this book, and there are so many similarities: college campus, FMC on a scholarship, her singing/figure skating partner sabotages her, MMC is a hockey stud with a controlling/abusive father, she’s poor, he’s insanely rich… the twinning nature of these two books might influence my rating. (FYI - I enjoyed Icebreaker more than The Deal).
Hannah is a sexual assault survivor and the fallout and recovery from the attack are central to the plot.
Side note: I read “Icebreaker” immediately before this book, and there are so many similarities: college campus, FMC on a scholarship, her singing/figure skating partner sabotages her, MMC is a hockey stud with a controlling/abusive father, she’s poor, he’s insanely rich… the twinning nature of these two books might influence my rating. (FYI - I enjoyed Icebreaker more than The Deal).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
Hannah was drugged and assaulted at a high school party that happened before the events of this book. Her recovery from that trauma is integral to the plot.
How to Tame a Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long
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
5.0
Lorcan St. Leger is a privateer and Daphne is a well born lady whose father is deeply in debt. They fake a marriage to take shelter in a genteel inn during a multi-day storm, and spend the length of the storm sharing smoldering glances, witty banter, and the most delicious orange in all of fiction.
What We Kept to Ourselves by Nancy Jooyoun Kim
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
All Chained Up by Sophie Jordan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
The heroine is so boring; the hero has too much inner monologue about jacking off. I’m over it.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
It’s fun, entertaining, and spicy. The characters are college student athletes, so there are plenty of college antics… but also a level of maturity and straight forward communication that is sometimes missing from older books in the romance genre. I liked it!
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book has the best features of a contemporary romance:
- Good communication/emotional maturity
- Hot steam
- Representation
- Smut
- Fresh twists in classic tropes
- Sex positive attitude
- Spice
- Strong female characters
- thoughtful male characters
It’s fun, entertaining, and spicy. The characters are college student athletes, so there are plenty of college antics… but also a level of maturity and straight forward communication that is sometimes missing from older books in the romance genre. I liked it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Toxic friendship
There is a controlling relationship which includes a restrictive eating plan. Multiple references to disordered eating. Anastasia’s partner tries to control her with an unhealthy eating plan, and part of her character growth is deviating from that plan learning to appreciate cooking and eating. She is successful!