xandriaisreading's reviews
152 reviews

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

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

5.0

Oh wow. This book was so good and such a unique and enveloping story!

The author wasn't kidding when she said this has a true enemies to lovers trope. Both Kidan and Susenyos are terrible people with blood on their hands. At first it's hard to root for either of them but as the story unfolds, I found my hard-and-fast judgments start to giveway. I ended up going on the same journey as Kidan did in her Dranacti course; my sentiments were just towards the main characters.

The world building was well done and pretty easy to follow. Every time I picked up this book I was so dialed in that I would read for hours at a time. I'm looking forward to correcting this 2 - 3 am bedtime habit I accidentally picked up while reading this book...

The book gets pretty intense and violent. There's a "win at all costs" attitude with the FMC that definitely stirs some shit. The reveals and twists got me. I couldn't predict much far in advance and that's automatic star when I read.

Overall, loved this book and it's a great read to get lost in. I can't wait for the rest of the series!

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How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The Wiener Across the Way by Amy Award

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A light fluffy romance with amazing body positivity rep!
How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

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challenging emotional funny reflective sad 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

4.25

A story that's equally about love and grief. It made me reach out to my brother and tell him I love him.
The Summer Pact by Emily Giffin

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

4.5

loved this book! The characters felt true and like the friend group you wish you had in college. I liked that the story was told from each to their perspectives. The pace was great and the banter and dialogue made this a fun read.

A story of a found family that promises to be there for each other after experiencing unimaginable grief in college.

10 years later they put this promise to the test. While the circumstances are unfortunate, this provides the friends the opportunity to take stock of their individual lives and find what they need to get back on track.

Settle in because each character goes on an emotion journey. The themes in this book are serious and quite heavy. From suicide and grief to alcoholism, cheating to coming out, and a brief mention of sexual assault, these characters are out through the wringer. The themes were handled with care and it felt like you got real insight into how people navigate these issues. From their messy missteps, unhealthy coping habits, to acceptance.


Thank you Random House Publishing for providing me with a copy via NetGalley for an honest review.

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Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Coming of age with some magic! 
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio

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adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective fast-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? Yes

5.0

I really liked this one it was fun and I couldn't tell what was going to happen at all. I wish I had a magical attic that just gave me husbands whenever I wanted them!
The Next Best Fling by Gabriella Gamez

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

5.0

Gabriella Gamez put crack in this book. I do not know what to tell you! I started this book and could not stop. The fact that it's based in San Antonio makes it all the better. The fact that she represents San Antonio and gets all the facts right is even better! 

The plot was so fun and I related to Marcella so much and I love her as a character. Her complicated relationship with her best friend, Ben, the way that she handled everything and over thought about things and was so in her head, relatable!
The fact that she was able to grow and move on and create this relationship with Theo was just chef's kiss!
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo

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informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.5

Like listening to your best friend giving you a pep talk.
We Do What We Do in the Dark by Michelle Hart

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emotional reflective sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was an interesting one in that the main character used her relationships with women to escape her grief but at the same time was hesitant to be open or self-accepting of her sexuality. This is especially seen with her neighbor's mother and the woman she has an affair with in college. 

You can see why this escape that is subsequently self-isolating is appealing to the main character. However, once the safety of those relationships starts to be pulled away from her, you can really see how damaging they were to her growth as an individual. But at the same time they did make an impact on who she ultimately becomes.