lattes_lipstick_literature's reviews
404 reviews

 *I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

Finck's book is not only extremely funny, but it's very relatable for me. In case you're wondering (Probably not) I am a mother to a toddler. That's what consumes my life right now. I didn't know that I needed to read (along with drawings) someone else to show me that they go through the same thing, it makes the loneliness of motherhood feel not so stifling. I really enjoyed the drawings in How to Baby, while not the most detailed it added to the ridiculousness and humor of it. 

Finck talks about all things baby, from conception to birth, to the insane pressure society puts on women to fit into the mom bubble while praising fathers for the bare minimum (or to simplify 'The Double Standard). It's all done in a very tongue-in-cheek way. This book will make you laugh and nod a long while constantly thinking 'That's exactly how it feels' 

Overall, a delightful book for mothers or future mothers (or people who maybe just want to laugh at motherhood?) 

 As fantasy graphic novels go, this was very well done. In fantasy, you typically see Orcs as the antagonists and in 'The Hunger and The Dusk' it seems like it was how it was before the Vangol started invading. Fighting for land and resources, now they must ally to fight and survive. The alliance is of course fragile as they don't trust each other. The story while seen before, is incredibly well done, and you just absolutely want to make sure the characters survive and what happens throughout. The artwork is amazing, each character is distinct and memorable, with the background being detailed as well. The fight scenes are done amazingly and while fast-paced are easy to follow. 

 *I received an advanced digital copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I was really looking forward to this book and read it pretty quickly, however, it didn't achieve what I thought it would. I will start by saying that I do appreciate the flashback chapters and how it gives us a glimpse at Luca and how his life was while pairing it with Naomi's search for him. I also surprisingly liked the enemies-to-lovers trope in the context of this book, a trope I don't usually like, but Marchetti made it interesting. 

Unfortunately, most of the plot and characters fell flat to me and I didn't understand Naomi's need to go searching for Luca. I also really disliked Anne, Naomi's friend, she was extremely annoying and I was really hoping she wouldn't have that prominent of a role but she did. All the nicknames, also, felt unnecessary. Honestly, I just think maybe, this book just wasn't for me as I just felt most of the writing choices Marchetti made were not my cup of coffee.

Overall, not for me but might be for you. 

 

*I received an advanced digital copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Reader,

When Elizabeth, an archeologist, gets passed up to get her own dig for her ex-boyfriend, she calls up her best friend Colette, and goes out for drinks. This is where Elizabeth decides to do something she's never done before, have a one-night stand. The next morning she sneaks out convinced she is never going to see him again, of course, she's wrong. She will now be working very closely with him. 

One thing I liked was that Morrey was not afraid to let time pass so that Elizabeth and Finn could establish an actual connection. I do wish we got a little more than snippets of Elizabeth doing her job, especially since she apparently does nothing else but work so it's a huge part of her life, yet it's not explored enough. The entire time I was reading I kept just waiting for something to happen, and when something did finally happen it felt underwhelming and just absolutely out of place especially for Finn. I did like that this is what finally caused Elizabeth to grow into herself and be more confident even if it was somewhat glossed over. Also, I wish she would have made Finn grovel more. 

Overall, a pretty standard romance. 

 *I received an advanced digital copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

So I was so excited about this book, I've heard nothing but great things about Emma Lord's books and fake dating is one of my absolutely favorite tropes. Now, while I don't usually love books I do tend to enjoy them. The Break-Up Pact, unfortunately, not so much. If I had to put my finger on it, it would have to be the disconnection I felt from the Main Characters, especially June. She was just really bland and I guess nice but come on, she was just a mess and not even a hot mess. 

I do understand that her sister has died and she's trying to save her failing business, but I still couldn't empathize. Levi was also just not my cup of tea. He was a cup of lukewarm day-old water. I also just didn't feel their chemistry, we were told multiple times that they were steamy together but I didn't even feel like I got one drop of condensation from them. Maybe it's just me and the whole friends-to-lovers trope just isn't for me. 

Overall, just not one for me. 

 

*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers?

Why do I like realistic and flawed characters when you're supposed to use books to escape real life? Well, I loved the characters in Jackie Lau's  Loves, Lies, and Cherry Pie. Emily is great, I wish we were BFFs, and she may now be in my top 5 female romance characters list. She just seems so real and someone I would absolutely love to go on food friend dates with. Mark Chan (you must always say his first and last name) was absolutely great. I love his logical thought process and how it was a juxtaposition to Emily's more emotionally minded one. 

This was a bit of a slow burn which I really appreciate. Lau let the chemistry between Emily and Mark build and I like that it was instant attraction (although who wouldn't fall in love at first sight with a man who wears sweater vests?). I was surprised by Part Two and the change up by adding Mark as a narrator. I was not expecting it, but I liked Mark's 'voice' and reading things from his perspective. This does not mean I didn't love Emily's POV because I absolutely did but it was an added treat and sort of refreshed the book in a way. Emily's family was also great, and I absolutely adore Emily's mother. Normally meddling family grates on my nerves but I did not mind this time. Lau is officially on my must-read author list because I just loved this book so much. 

Overall, an absolutely great read!

 *I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

I've read many fairy tale retellings, but this felt like a breath of fresh air. A fun new take on the princess fairy tales we all grew up with, rather than picking a story and trying to modernize it London decided to do a 'What if'. Rosamund is an interesting character whose fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty, we are all very much knowledgeable about and the side characters are all princesses (and princes) whom we've all grown up reading about so seeing them all actually gets personalities. 

The plot was slow at first as, like Rosmund, we are learning about a whole other world and the HEA. It did not pick up quite how I wanted it to, but for any middle-grade child who is reading it, then the pace might be perfect. I like the message that The Princess Protection Program is trying to tell, and London did a great job conveying that you can absolutely break out of the story you think is intended for you and have a different happily ever after. 

Overall, a great children's book for any kid who likes to ask 'Why?' 

 *I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*

Hello Fellow Readers,

Morgana and Oz is a story about a witch who can't really control her magic and a vampire she accidentally turned into a cat. This would probably be an easy fix if Morgana's family were currently feuding and on the verge of war with Oz's vampire clan. So, Morgana has to somehow fix this mistake without letting anybody know about her feline friend's true nature. I thought the story was going to be fun and easy tale filled with hijinks and funny situations but the overarching story is very interesting and I can't wait until we get to the true meat and politics of it all. 

Morgana is super cute and relatable, you really can't help but sympathize with her. Oz seems very badass (even as a cute cuddly cat) and their interactions with each other are interesting. I like watching Oz realize certain things about the witching world and Morgana's family that he didn't know before. I also like seeing them learn about each other. I can't wait to see how this story develops and just where Morgana and Oz's relationship evolves.

Overall, interesting and I can't wait to read more. 

 *I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Readers,

First of all, Evelyn is a BMF. I had hoped going into this she would be and after reading Branches & Bone it only cemented that fact. Secondly, the mixing of Fantasy, Horror, and Western may be one of my favorite blending of genres. They just seem to go so well together, or it could be that Langillejust knows what they are doing. Either way, I must get my hands on more. 

Evelyn goes through so much, from the very first story to the final chapter you can't help but root for her. I do wish the book was longer, or maybe we can get a prequel detailing Evelyn's life before the events of Branches & Bone where we see how she becomes a Pinkerton and more of her relationship with Raymond. The Ending does make me excited to see what happens in this world that Langille has created and to see what happens with Theresa. 

Overall, a fast-paced story for those who love BAMF characters. 

 

*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.*

Hello Fellow Readers,

There's just something about mangas that feature food that just calls me to read them. They are always entertaining and leave me nothing but hungry, relaxed, and happy. There's always this wholesome feeling when sharing a good food story with others and seeing the characters appreciate and enjoy the (fictional) food. In Otherworldly Izakaya Nobu the characters find comfort and pleasure as they eat and it is delightful to read, but also a bit wonderous. It isn't hard to tell that the restaurant and food are from modern-day Japan, but the customers were of European descent from the past. How did this come to be and are we going to meet others from different areas and times? of course, this is the first book so it's mostly to introduce the shop, but I would eventually love to learn the answer to these questions.