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taliabasma's reviews
860 reviews
Bananapants by Penny Reid
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
4.75
I have 0 knowledge on bipolar disorder but the book didn’t sound like it handled it inappropriately so that’s good!
Outside of that omg DES WAS SO IN LOVE WITH AVA AND AVA WAS SO IN LOVE WITH DES this is the kind of (childhood) friends to lovers im obsessed with because it’s not “instalove” but everyone is all gushy hehe
Im impressed how engaged I was for the full book. It’s 16 hrs long as an audiobook so I really did think it was gonna feel like a drag but there was a good balance of “drama” and romance and just good vibes.
I think the way Des and Quinn had to figure their ish out played wonderfully. I think usually the parent is either 100% wrong or the child is 100% wrong but here there was that very realistic shade of life being messy and complicated.
One thing that isn’t a flaw but I’m just unsure about is Ava. I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to understand her as demisexual or just that in love with Des that love was hard for her otherwise.
Overall silly book with very realistic and complex characters. I kinda wish I had recently read the knitting series for all the Easter eggs bc it have been years.
Outside of that omg DES WAS SO IN LOVE WITH AVA AND AVA WAS SO IN LOVE WITH DES this is the kind of (childhood) friends to lovers im obsessed with because it’s not “instalove” but everyone is all gushy hehe
Im impressed how engaged I was for the full book. It’s 16 hrs long as an audiobook so I really did think it was gonna feel like a drag but there was a good balance of “drama” and romance and just good vibes.
I think the way Des and Quinn had to figure their ish out played wonderfully. I think usually the parent is either 100% wrong or the child is 100% wrong but here there was that very realistic shade of life being messy and complicated.
One thing that isn’t a flaw but I’m just unsure about is Ava. I couldn’t tell if we were supposed to understand her as demisexual or just that in love with Des that love was hard for her otherwise.
Overall silly book with very realistic and complex characters. I kinda wish I had recently read the knitting series for all the Easter eggs bc it have been years.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Kidnapping
Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
3.75
Hmm it’s definitely dark and while I didn’t hate it the tone is so much more aggressive that the first few books (at least from what I remember) and so in comparison to the others it’s not a 4 but if it was a stand alone dark romance maybe my expectations would have been more aligned with the plot.
Otherwise, their relationship was majorly effed for about 50% of the book — more effed than any of the other books preceding this one lol
Otherwise, their relationship was majorly effed for about 50% of the book — more effed than any of the other books preceding this one lol
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
Did not finish book. Stopped at 1%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 1%.
Idk the start of the book has a tone I’m not really in the mood for.
Spiral by Bal Khabra
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Much better than book one for some reason but this book does run a tad longer than needed in my opinion.
Cute duo though!
Cute duo though!
Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I am pretty disappointed by the cheating and how it’s handled in this book. I can “see” the “logic” behind its use but I do think it could have been a 4 star book.
Tim stealing her work does not absolve her cheating because she was cheating without knowing he was doing that at all.
Overall I liked their trip and such but I was disappointed it this book bc their love felt “cheated” with how the cheating plot plays out. I genuinely think her being friends and maybe having a crush on Tim could have carried the same weight without the infidelity.
Overall I liked their trip and such but I was disappointed it this book bc their love felt “cheated” with how the cheating plot plays out. I genuinely think her being friends and maybe having a crush on Tim could have carried the same weight without the infidelity.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
A Court This Cruel and Lovely by Stacia Stark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Hmm is it the best book in the world? No. Was I fully invested in the plot and storyline? Yes.
On to book 2 lol
On to book 2 lol
Fake Flame by Adele Buck
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
HONESTLY I really enjoyed the first bit but I started reading come other books on my Kobo and just as not feeling this one now.
If I find the audiobook or something, I’d be down to finish it probably within 24 hours.
If I find the audiobook or something, I’d be down to finish it probably within 24 hours.
Aphrodite and the Duke by J.J. McAvoy
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
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 enjoyed this book overall, I do think my biggest gripe is the “formatting”.
I liked that the relationship was half the courting and other half them married as I love the idea of more romances of “couple vs life”. But there was Damon’s POV and the part one and two set up left the book’s pacing to feeling off.
That said, I loved how I was invested in EVERY character. I’m eager to read the next books!
I liked that the relationship was half the courting and other half them married as I love the idea of more romances of “couple vs life”. But there was Damon’s POV and the part one and two set up left the book’s pacing to feeling off.
That said, I loved how I was invested in EVERY character. I’m eager to read the next books!
Her Night with the Duke by Diana Quincy
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.0
This was the first of the series but I read it last and ironically liked it the least.
I really enjoyed Leela and her overall personality. She said / thought a lot of things that for real had me laughing out loud. I also enjoyed this as a less chaotic version of Bridgerton season 2 bc I loved the enemies to lovers but the way the sister was literally abt to marry him was messy and this was a little less messy.
That said, I wasn’t fully hooked to this one as the others and the duke, while he had his moments, still read a bit eh sometimes. For example, he would talk about her Arab family as if they were chaos and trouble, maybe it was supposed to be teasing but it did not read that way.
Also we kind of don’t get full answers to some things - Victoria never finds out the truth which I guess makes sense but feels off, the way he spoke to Leela’s brother left much to be desired and I already know they don’t get a long in the later books either so hmm idk this book as a bit disappointing compared to the others.
Good “first” book in how it sets the stage for the other couples but very subtly.
I really enjoyed Leela and her overall personality. She said / thought a lot of things that for real had me laughing out loud. I also enjoyed this as a less chaotic version of Bridgerton season 2 bc I loved the enemies to lovers but the way the sister was literally abt to marry him was messy and this was a little less messy.
That said, I wasn’t fully hooked to this one as the others and the duke, while he had his moments, still read a bit eh sometimes. For example, he would talk about her Arab family as if they were chaos and trouble, maybe it was supposed to be teasing but it did not read that way.
Also we kind of don’t get full answers to some things - Victoria never finds out the truth which I guess makes sense but feels off, the way he spoke to Leela’s brother left much to be desired and I already know they don’t get a long in the later books either so hmm idk this book as a bit disappointing compared to the others.
Good “first” book in how it sets the stage for the other couples but very subtly.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
I always enjoy Adams' books. They are perfectly fun and the FML is usually very relatable. Here Emily is the "responsible oldest sister" which I def related to.
Jack was cute in that rough but nerdy way and I was eating it up.
That said, this book did feel a bit off pacing wise and I think ran a tad too long. But who knows maybe social media just gave me the attention span of a rat.
Jack was cute in that rough but nerdy way and I was eating it up.
That said, this book did feel a bit off pacing wise and I think ran a tad too long. But who knows maybe social media just gave me the attention span of a rat.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief