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lauraleafromthelibrary's reviews
168 reviews
These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
You can’t throw in some Shakespeare quotes and call this a retelling — bitch, you forgot to write the undying love of Romeo & Juliet; you just wrote the dying part. As in, I’m dying from reading this book.
First Love, Take Two by Sajni Patel
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
How can a doctor be so freaking dumb? Preeti has got to be one of the worst protagonists of all-time. The ending of this book was literal trash.
Forever Wild by K.A. Tucker
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Ahhhh so good — such a cute holiday romance and great edition to the overall series. I was a little cringed out by a few things but honestly this is high 4 stars for me. I generally don’t love reading novellas or short stories but I very much enjoyed reading this (on Christmas Day too).
A Proposal They Can't Refuse by Natalie Caña
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This was not for me. Rom-com that was more outrageously silly than cute. I loved the Granda Killian — and the bro dies in the end. Just too many tropes shoved into one book. Smh.
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The beginning was a bit slow & confusing tbh but the rest was superb. Amazing m/m romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
A Perfect Equation by Elizabeth Everett
emotional
funny
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
Re-read (second time reading) — perfection.
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
3.0
A lot of social commentary for a Christmas romance novel but it was also funny as hell. Hated some stuff but loved others.
Wish You Were Here by Jodi Picoult
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This one was tough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Terminal illness, Dementia, and Death of parent
Hooky by Míriam Bonastre Tur
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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
The first 6 chapters bored me to tears — the writing was awful, the characters two-dimensional and annoying. I wanted to DNF pretty much right away BUT I didn’t give up on it. The moment in Chapter 7 when Nico gets turned into a pixie (tint guy) really started to change the dynamic of the plot. The story got loads better, more authentic, more original, more heartfelt. The characters really grew on me too — Nico being my favourite. The art was pretty good too. I also loved the side-kick animal characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Hate crime, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Abandonment, and War
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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? No
5.0
I have picked up and put down this book so. many. times. Like, it’s been years — but I finally completed it. It’s such a complex plot. The dates always got me flipping back and forward. Despite it taking half my life to finish, I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Violence, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Animal death