paradisebibliophile's reviews
149 reviews

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

This book is funny, beautifully written, and deeply moving. It made me laugh, tear up, and reflect on the value of love and human connection. The story offers a practical, heartfelt view of romance—showing love not as a fantasy, but as something real, messy, and deeply good. It left me hopeful and reminded me to cherish the moments that make life meaningful. A truly special read.
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional informative 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? It's complicated

4.5

I loved AND hated this book. It was so good but hard to read because of its mirror to reality. It’s a take on the American penal system. While you root for the characters you can’t ever unsee or forget how terrible their circumstances are - which is the point. I thought it was beautifully and uniquely written. I also thought the author did a great job of tying everything in throughout the book. I didn’t finish it feeling like I had questions left unanswered. The end was brutal. To me, it symbolized how we are stuck in a system of punishment instead of rehabilitation. The FMC is caught in a lose lose disguised as a win. I’d highly recommend this book if you can handle it 
Verity by Colleen Hoover

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Whew. This book was crazy. I’m not a CoHo fan but I finally read this one and I can understand the hype. I couldn’t give it five stars because some of it just seemed a bit too realistic but the mystery of it all and the dark nature of it was gripping. I THINK I’m team Manuscript (iykyk) but I’ll have to think on it a bit more lol. It had me so locked in I finished it in one sitting. Definitely would recommend. 
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This series is goooood. I am starting to understand the hype. This one definitely picked up the pace compared to the first one. I predicted a bit of the end but it was exciting to read nonetheless. I really enjoy the characters, the love triangle, the world building, and the mystery of it all. The FMC is bad ass and I can’t wait to see her take over. 
A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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

I liked this series and this book. The only reason I felt like I couldn’t give it five stars was because I felt like some of the characters backgrounds had a lot of potential and weren’t fully capitalized on. There were aspects of their upbringings that I wanted more info on and never got. But overall I liked it 
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was okay overall. While I found some parts confusing, particularly the characters decisions and the FMCs self-loathing, the tension between the characters kept me engaged. Despite those points, I LOVED reading about Black vampires. Recognizing yourself in characters that look like you or feelings that come from experiences of color is often overlooked and in this fantasy world I loved “seeing” Black faces in all aspects. 

 think future books in the series may provide more context and clarity to the story and characters, which could improve the experience. For now, it was a decent read with potential for growth in the series.
Losin' Control by Ladii Nesha

Go to review page

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

4.0

I was pleasantly surprised by Losing Control. The story had me fully invested, especially in the main female character, whose emotional journey felt like a rollercoaster I couldnt step off. I was rooting for her the entire way. I love reading a story about a man so in love that the stakes feel immensely high. The character development was realistic but hopeful at the same time. Nesha does an incredible job of telling a powerful, engaging story, and it’s so important to support Black authors sharing Black stories. This book kept me hooked from start to finish, and I’m glad I picked it up.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful medium-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

4.5

I absolutely loved Just for the Summer. The characters were so well-written, with incredible depth that made them feel real and relatable. Their struggles were authentic and easy to connect with, which is no small feat for any author. The story itself felt believable, and I was fully invested in the characters and their journey from start to finish. Abby Jimenez has an incredible talent for creating emotional, grounded stories, and I will definitely be reading more of her work.
Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I actually loved the start of this series. Celaena Sardothien, the badass assassin at the center of the story, is a compelling lead with strength, wit, and unexpected vulnerability. The world-building is had everything I’d want in it: dark secrets and a touch of magic. I can see why fantasy readers like the series. 

Us Dark Few by Alexis Patton

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark 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

3.75

I liked the concept of this book alot. The characters were intriguing. I’m not always a fan of a post apocalyptic story but this was really good. It was nice how the ending wasn’t 100% predictable. Excited to see where the main characters go and what they uncover about the secrets of their world in the next book.