Finding Gene Kelly: A Book Review

I’m going to preface this by saying I’m not sure I’m the right audience for this book. It’s HEAVY on the endometriosis rep, so much so that it takes up the plot, character development, romance development, and basically every other aspect of the story. As someone who is lucky enough to have never dealt with endo, I found the endo rep to be a bit overwhelming. (But that’s probably the point because from what I can tell, endo is pretty overwhelming and inescapable.)

Basically, I’m having a hard time reviewing this. If you like the guy-taking-care-of-the-sick-girl trope, then you’ll definitely want to read this one. Cause that’s at least 50% of this romance. If constant mentions of pain and bodily functions bothers you in romance, then maybe skip this. 

I had a few other issues about this book. I couldn’t really connect with Evie very much. She actually annoyed me for a lot of the book. I also had issue with how the toxic-mom issue resolved, and I found the constant punning to be a bit too annoying for me. And the third-act breakup was extremely predictable.

Overall, it was a cute enemies-to-lovers romance. And I think it will connect with readers who have endo. I just don't think it was for me.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 4
Plot/Movement: 3
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Torie Jean, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: endometriosis, chronic pain, toxic mom, swearing, makeouts, one brief open door(ish)

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

One Dark Window: A Book Review

Wow, this book just got better and better as it went along! It really is perfect for fans of For the Wolf, Legendary, and Uprooted. It had all the dark magic vibes with a broken kingdom, magic cards, secrets, a race to save the world. AND it has the most incredible slow-burn romance ever with a man who reminded me of Mr. Darcy. Every small touch or small smile from him made me SWOON. 

Another thing I love about this book is Elspeth. I love the dynamic of her having a Nightmare in her head, talking to her, protecting her, and slowly taking over her. She is the perfect character for this story: secretive, determined, and tough-as-nails even through her fear. 

I can't wait to read the sequel because THAT ENDING was a cliffhanger. So be warned. But I really, really enjoyed this. It has lovely, atmospheric writing that transports you into the world, and it has a complex magic system with its own lore. I highly recommend to my dark adult-fantasy lovers!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 5

Thank you, Orbit Books, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: possession, violence, one open door scene, swearing

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee (Young Readers Adaptation): A Book Review

I’m having a hard time rating this book. The information provided deserves five stars. But the execution as a book for “young readers” is three stars. I found the beginning of the book fascinating and captivating, and then it slowly tapered off into politics and laws and movements. Not that this is bad at all, but I don’t think many young readers would make it all the way through this book. It's honestly quite boring. The audience is clearly for adults still, which is a shame.

This book also tried to be too many things at once: history textbook, journalism, and memoir. It’s jumbled all together, and I had a hard time understanding how the memoir bits fit into the rest. The stories just didn’t engage me.

Treuer’s goal, as he states, is to paint a less tragic picture of Native life in America, which I’m not sure he achieved. I think he did a great job at going through the detailed history, but he still focused on tragedy. I think sharing less politics and more stories of intimate Native American lives could have helped (and would have connected more with young readers).

All in all, I wanted more story and more emotion for a young readers adaptation. Instead I got a history textbook with bits of memoir and journalism thrown in. This book wasn’t horrible by any means, but I think my expectations were a little too high.

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Content: 5
Inspiration/Value: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Penguin Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: (all of these are noted, but usually not in great detail) war violence, racism, genocide, abuse, substance abuse, rape, murder

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Night of the Raven, Dawn of the Dove: A Book Review

I really enjoyed reading this book! I loved the ancient Indian world with a focus on spiritual energy as magic, and I loved all the politics driving the plot. I've discovered that I LOVE politics in my fantasy books, especially when they move the plot along quickly. This story had so many twists and turns; it truly was a joy to read! 

There is also the cutest romance, but be warned—it is a SLOW burn. But the payoff is totally worth it. I loved the character development too. Katyani makes huge strides in her growth, and she is a great character to follow through the story. I also loved the inclusion of Indian myth monsters and creatures.

I do wish that the spiritual energy/magic part was developed a bit more, and I wish the romance wasn't as much of a slow burn. But honestly, this was a solid YA fantasy that I enjoyed. I would definitely recommend if you liked The Tiger at Midnight, Poppy War, and Daughter of the Moon Goddess. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, torture, monster attacks, war violence

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Bluff: A Book Review

The Bluff is my second Emma St. Clair book, and idk. I don't think her writing is for me? But I say that hesitatingly because I can imagine liking her writing if I'm in the mood for a silly, fluffy romcom, which apparently I wasn't in the mood for this week. But anyways. Her silly metaphors drive me insane, and I'm kinda getting annoyed of the Graham family and how mushy they are. I need some grit in my romance, so this all just felt too fluffy for me. 

I did like the character growth of both James and Winnie. I just didn't like how it didn't happen together in their relationship. The third-act break up was a bit dumb too, and I kept getting frustrated with James and how he handles things throughout the book. I liked the grump/sunshine trope, but James was too much of a grump with little-to-no redeeming qualities. 

That being said, the plot was entertaining, and I did feel like James and Winnie had great chemistry. I didn't hate this book—I just felt annoyed while being entertained at the same time. Is that possible? I still plan to read more Emma St. Clair books to give her another try. Hopefully my mood will be more forgiving next time!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 2
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 3
Overall: 3

Thank you, Emma St. Clair and NetGalley, for the review copy!

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

The Bodyguard: A Book Review

This book was unlike any other romance I've read before! It was cute, funny, and unexpected. 

What I loved:

– Texas ranch backdrop

– Female bodyguard protecting a famous & swoony actor

– Fake dating

– Slow-burn, adorable romance that was closed door

What I didn't love:

– Author's choice to have the MC speak directly to the reader like a conversation (it pulled me out of the story)

– MC's tendency to complain about her job ten pages after saying how much she loves her job

– Some plot points threw me for a loop, like the book was trying too hard to be silly in a serious situation

Overall, I thought it was a fun and enjoyable read. It did toe the line of being too much for me at first—too much complaining, too much silliness, too much awkward speaking to the reader, but the cute romance made up for it. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 5
Overall: 4

Thank you, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Trigger/Content Warnings: stalker, car accident death, gun violence threat, suicide threat

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!

Coven: A Book Review

I love the idea of graphic novels, but I'm always disappointed with the execution. IDK if I'm just not finding the right ones or this genre just doesn't vibe with me. Either way, I didn't love this one. 

My biggest issue was the pacing. It was so slow and had tons of talking scenes. I would've loved to see more magic and action scenes, especially from a graphic novel. I also didn't really see a lot of character growth. The MC just did what her new teenage friends told her to do. And I also wish the world was expanded a bit more. It's a fascinating concept with secret covens of witches who have different powers, but it still felt lackluster. Alas, this one wasn't for me. 

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 3
Plot/Movement: 2
Character Development: 2
Overall: 2

Thank you, Penguin Teen and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Content/Trigger Warnings: death and injury due to magic

For more ratings and reviews and to see what I'm currently reading, visit my Goodreads page here!