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bandherbooks's Reviews (3.65k)
Everything about this was sexy and lovely. I adore neighbors to lovers, the kid in the story was cute and so was their dynamic with the neighbor, and I just love a holiday romance that gives me the steam.
Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC
CW: spider/bugs/reptiles as pets
Thank you to Harlequin for the ARC
CW: spider/bugs/reptiles as pets
Amor Actually
Adriana Herrera, Sabrina Sol, Diana Muñoz Stewart, Alexis Daria, Zoey Castile, Mia Sosa, Priscilla Oliveras
DID NOT FINISH
I read the two Zoey Castile stories because I love her; the rest I'm going to save for the next holiday season. So glad I purchased this antho.
I made it to about 15% and everything was so flowery and twee, and I didn't feel like continuing on.
If you are ready for a poignant and so sexy romance, and are okay with the pandemic being a (small) part of the story, this novella is SO GOOD.
My favorite quote? "For her, he brought out the chaise."
My favorite quote? "For her, he brought out the chaise."
Super fun, especially in regards to the jobs of the main characters BUT WHO CARES with the sparks between them? Tight black t-shirt appreciation, helicopter, danger, yes please. Also I now have goals to be either a librarian who buys books for people to fill up their shelves OR to be able to hire someone like that for myself.
I hope to see more rom-suspense like this from Ms. Bev.
The narrator was also very good, and this was available via whispersync on KU for no additional charge.
I hope to see more rom-suspense like this from Ms. Bev.
The narrator was also very good, and this was available via whispersync on KU for no additional charge.
Actual rating ⭐⭐⭐.5
What I loved - the setting, the bake shop, how flipping adorable Ryan Kwok is for being a Hollywood star with abs for days. The family dynamics and exploration of grief, confronting parents' internal racism/trauma/grief in their relationships with the main characters and in their own lives, Ryan Kwok's DAD who had the best journey in the book imo, and all the food descriptions. Lindsay McCleod learning to open herself up to make a new friend and find love, all amazing! I was also very happy Jackie Lau's heat followed her to trade, and Ryan doesn't just like Lindsay's donuts I'm just saying!
What I wanted just a little bit more of was some depth to the emotions. This is a soft book in the sense I felt secure while reading it, my blood pressure didn't rise, the emotions were there but more explained than felt (for me). I find this often with the author, that I'm being told how everyone is feeling, but sometimes I personally want a little bit more punch to the heart.
That said, this was a lovely series debut, I'm excited for the roommate's romance (which I believe will be a second chance with a secondary character
What I loved - the setting, the bake shop, how flipping adorable Ryan Kwok is for being a Hollywood star with abs for days. The family dynamics and exploration of grief, confronting parents' internal racism/trauma/grief in their relationships with the main characters and in their own lives, Ryan Kwok's DAD who had the best journey in the book imo, and all the food descriptions. Lindsay McCleod learning to open herself up to make a new friend and find love, all amazing! I was also very happy Jackie Lau's heat followed her to trade, and Ryan doesn't just like Lindsay's donuts I'm just saying!
What I wanted just a little bit more of was some depth to the emotions. This is a soft book in the sense I felt secure while reading it, my blood pressure didn't rise, the emotions were there but more explained than felt (for me). I find this often with the author, that I'm being told how everyone is feeling, but sometimes I personally want a little bit more punch to the heart.
That said, this was a lovely series debut, I'm excited for the roommate's romance (which I believe will be a second chance with a secondary character
Not only super entertaining and insightful and poignant, this is an excellent place to start learning more about Romance in general and Black Romance in particular. If you do reader's advisory, please read.
Disclosure: I am mutuals with the editor and friends with one of the contributors, and follow most of the others on Twitter
Thank you to Library Journal and the publisher for the early copy; professional review to come in Library Journal
Disclosure: I am mutuals with the editor and friends with one of the contributors, and follow most of the others on Twitter
Thank you to Library Journal and the publisher for the early copy; professional review to come in Library Journal
I took my time reading Iron Widow, and wow I'm so glad. I wanted to immerse myself in the prose and needed a lot of headspace to parse the battle scenes especially. Iron Widow blew my mind. What violence, what power, what morally grey delicious rage.
The concepts of yin & yang, the different seats in the mechas for the fighters, the hunduns, the armor, how the author used acupuncture as a device for powering the big mechas. All of it was so creative and I understood it, without there being lengthy exposition. The way Xiran Jay Zhao builds Zetian's world is absolutely glorious, I've personally read nothing else like this. More please!
Also, I loved how the relationships were balanced between the fighting narratives. The having the three main characters form their polyamorous triangle was both romantic, sexy, and thrilling. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
That ending though, it kind of slayed my emotions. Maybe also why I was taking my dang time.
CW: brutal descriptions of abuse (feet binding, physical), battles, blood, alcoholism/drinking, rape (off page), toxic familial structures, needles, medical procedures, torture
The concepts of yin & yang, the different seats in the mechas for the fighters, the hunduns, the armor, how the author used acupuncture as a device for powering the big mechas. All of it was so creative and I understood it, without there being lengthy exposition. The way Xiran Jay Zhao builds Zetian's world is absolutely glorious, I've personally read nothing else like this. More please!
Also, I loved how the relationships were balanced between the fighting narratives. The having the three main characters form their polyamorous triangle was both romantic, sexy, and thrilling. I cannot wait to see what the future holds.
That ending though, it kind of slayed my emotions. Maybe also why I was taking my dang time.
CW: brutal descriptions of abuse (feet binding, physical), battles, blood, alcoholism/drinking, rape (off page), toxic familial structures, needles, medical procedures, torture
If you'd like a sort of Romancing the Stone meets a far less fraught than Whiteout snowy adventure, try Bold Fortune by M.M. Crane. Plucky, horny virgin STEM nerd tries to convince rugged Alaskan frontiersman he should listen to her conservation plan.
Steamy; one fur bed.
Professional reviewed audiobook for Library Journal; ALC provided by Library Journal and the publisher.
Steamy; one fur bed.
Professional reviewed audiobook for Library Journal; ALC provided by Library Journal and the publisher.
There is nothing I love more than a memoir narrated by the author, and this one is absolutely exceptional. Ashley C Ford brings her story to life, and the way she carefully deconstructs her feelings and memories without flinching was raw and hard to hear sometimes, but so very important.
Basically, I'll read/listen to whatever she writes.
Read as part of my 12 recs from 12 friends (Thank you Estelle); I had an early listening copy from LibroFM
Basically, I'll read/listen to whatever she writes.
Read as part of my 12 recs from 12 friends (Thank you Estelle); I had an early listening copy from LibroFM