theblackafrican's reviews
51 reviews

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

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emotional hopeful 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

3.5

As I was reading, I thought it was a very cliché and typical cheating trope. I was  definitely I underwhelmed but also captivated just by her writing. However, I think what saved the book ultimately was the ending.. It did surprise me a little. So ultimately, I wouldn’t say this was the best book I’ve ever read, but I also wouldn’t say it was the worst. 
Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad medium-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

4.5

Truly, truly a remarkable and powerful book. Reminds me of any ancestral tribute like this Sojourner Truth or Harriet Tubman movies. These books remind me why we pay homage to ancestors. I thank them for all that they did.
Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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

Such a great read, with  also a refreshing twist. The author does a great job depending that love isn’t always perfect, it has flaws, but I love the burn of their deep connection and Josiah was my favorite character
A Piece of Cake by Cupcake Brown

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

5.0

Memoirs are always gonna touch you a little differently esp cause it's someone's story. But I can't lie bruv... her story was remarkable. Honestly, she shouldn't have made it..but she did. Cookie is a living testimony to discipline, faith, God's power, and work. I really enjoyed her revealing her truths, flaws, shortcomings, and etc. It felt so relatable to her. I am so happy she was inspired to share her life.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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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

2.0

My review: Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhh. I don't know why so many people enjoyed this book. Seriously. Why? 

I expected so much more to happen with the "7 Husbands" and for there to be a spontaneous/capturing turn-around but it wasn't. I felt like the connection of it all did not make sense. 
I was midway through the book and still felt underwhelmed by the plot. 

Lastly, I particularly despise when authors also hurry up the ending almost making it feel unbelievable to a certain extent. I was not impressed. Sorry :/
The Art of Scandal by Regina Black

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a fun and exhilarating read. Each chance I was free, I desired to go back and read. They had such an invigorating love story that I truly wanted to end the way it did. I also appreciated the intense vernacular that the author chose to use to write her story.
Verity by Colleen Hoover

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dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

This book was great because it was elusive to read and quite unpredictable. No one talks about the real problems that women face during postpartum. I feel like more women have actually experienced this type of situation with their partners/babies that they will never be proud to speak upon. I wasn’t a fan of the ending because I don’t believe it was necessarily the truth, but it was a very quick and adaptable read. I read it in one day.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

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dark mysterious 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

5.0

I’m a huge fan of psychological thrillers, but this one definitely gets added to my top five list. Just when you thought you knew what was about to happen, the author sent you a wrenching plot twist. I really enjoyed this book from start to finish and I’m moving onto the next one! 
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

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challenging emotional sad medium-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

3.0

The book was much better than the show, although I  read the book 1st. I enjoyed the imagery that was depicted, the details that were outlined, and overall such an embarking read. However, I feel like some chapters were unnecessary and I wish the ending wrapped up sooner. It's a great read on how a mother leaves her secrets behind for her children to figure out while also learning much more about themselves on the contrary. This book felt very relatable with the idea of cultures being so strict that their options to survive are very limited and rigid.
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

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informative inspiring reflective 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? No

4.5