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rachelisathomas22's reviews
340 reviews
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
4.25
Experienced by Kate Young
adventurous
emotional
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
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I gave this book a 3/5 stars.
Bette is in the relationship of her dreams after finally coming out-until she isn’t. Her girlfriend encourages their relationship to take a break so Bette can have more experiences with other women. The casual dating and sex journey that follows is filled with humor, friendship, cringe, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
The friendships Bette has and starts to cultivate were my favorite parts of the book. I loved Ash and her group of friends, and I loved Ruth’s group of friends as well. How each group of friends interacted and took care of each other was where I felt like Young’s writing shined the most, letting the nuances of interpersonal relationships shine with each encounter.
The premise of figuring out what she wanted was an interesting concept, but felt like it dragged on too long for me. I feel like Bette’s development plateaued after a few of the dates/hookups and then suddenly jumped again towards the end of the book. There were one too many repetitive encounters and thoughts from Bette that one of the big reveals toward the end of the book felt like a sudden shift instead of an arc. There were wonderful moments throughout Bette’s journey, but I felt like since this was the main plot of the book the lacking weighed more for me than the promise and the good moments.
Still an enjoyable book, and I feel like folks who enjoy an adult romance that still feels like a coming-of-age story will enjoy this book more than I did.
I gave this book a 3/5 stars.
Bette is in the relationship of her dreams after finally coming out-until she isn’t. Her girlfriend encourages their relationship to take a break so Bette can have more experiences with other women. The casual dating and sex journey that follows is filled with humor, friendship, cringe, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
The friendships Bette has and starts to cultivate were my favorite parts of the book. I loved Ash and her group of friends, and I loved Ruth’s group of friends as well. How each group of friends interacted and took care of each other was where I felt like Young’s writing shined the most, letting the nuances of interpersonal relationships shine with each encounter.
The premise of figuring out what she wanted was an interesting concept, but felt like it dragged on too long for me. I feel like Bette’s development plateaued after a few of the dates/hookups and then suddenly jumped again towards the end of the book. There were one too many repetitive encounters and thoughts from Bette that one of the big reveals toward the end of the book felt like a sudden shift instead of an arc. There were wonderful moments throughout Bette’s journey, but I felt like since this was the main plot of the book the lacking weighed more for me than the promise and the good moments.
Still an enjoyable book, and I feel like folks who enjoy an adult romance that still feels like a coming-of-age story will enjoy this book more than I did.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
emotional
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
5.0
Dust Storm by Maggie C. Gates
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.0
The Dare by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
The Play by Elle Kennedy
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.75
The Risk by Elle Kennedy
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
The Chase by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Stalking, and Death of parent
Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli
adventurous
emotional
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