buffyreads's Reviews (575)

I was so excited when I heard we were getting another Trollkin Lovers novelette! I read it all in one sitting!

This novelette titled "Enchanting the Ogres Heart by Lyonne Riley is about Norgren, an ogre who left his home to find a human mate. On his travels he spies Tally and begins to build a home for them in the woods. After months of watching her and working on the house, he reveals himself to her and shows her all he's created for her, she runs off screaming. Eventually war and fate brings Tally back to his doorstep and the two start to bond...

The Good
I loved this story! I don't know how each addition to this series keeps making my heart ache and piece it back together over and over again. Tally and Norgren were so sweet together! I liked how their miscommunication was handled and how they sought out comfort in each other.

Tropes:
— Language Barrier
— Fated Mates
— Breeding

Horn Level: 5/5

The story continues!

I really liked the conversation about sexuality in the second volume. It really clarifies Rae's feeling and that she's only attracted to women. Some bl/gl media do this thing where they're like "I don't like xyz gender, I just like you" which I really dislike as a trope. I'm glad they strayed away from this and made it clear that Rae only likes girls.

I liked that we finally get a more playful mutual relationship between Rae and Claire! Claire also cared about her wellbeing later in the volume which I liked a lot.

Format: Physical Copy — Library

The Rating
I give this book a 5/5

Even though it's still halloween season, I wanted to read something else by Fae Quin and this book caught my eye!

Single dad and chatterbox Baxter is matched with fellow single dad Paxton in the community Christmas buddy drawing. Paxton can't stand Baxter's constantly cheery nature not knowing there is a lot going on beneath that shiny surface.

The Good
I was worried about the grumpy x sunshine because sometimes the grump is too mean for my taste but Paxton had an acceptable about of assholery. Most of his unkindness is limited to his own thoughts and it's obvious he is projecting based on his own trauma and bias. Baxter was such a complex character. He was filled with so much grief tucked inside him behind smiles and a positive attitude. Seeing him working to be his true self and not the perfect person he tried to be was really great. Baxter and Paxton's relationship was one of support and understanding. They both deserved love so much and it felt amazing to watch them fall in love with each other.

Tropes:
— Single Dads
— Small Town
— Grumpy x Sunshine

Horn Level: 4/5

I watched the Japanese drama adaptation of this early this year and now there's going to be a thai adaptation next year so I decided to read the manga!

I love this story so much from the bi protagonist to all the wonderful main character's storylines!!

Format: Physical Copy — Library

The Rating
I give this book a 5/5

I watched the anime adaption recently and decided to read the manga!

I love that we're finally getting a sapphic isekai story! I usually love villainess characters and end up defending them so Rei is just like me forreal! (lol) However, I do agree with other reviews that don't particularly like how aggressive she is in her affection. I think future character development will make this less obnoxious in the future.

Format: Physical Copy — Library

The Rating
I give this book a 4/5

This isn’t practicing. This isn’t fake. This man, in my arms, might be the most real I’ve ever felt. Without words, I try to let him know I’ve got him...

It's finally here! I've wanted to read this book since I finished Teacher of the Year!!

This book focuses on the love story between a talkative teacher who needs a date to his ex's Christmas eve wedding and a jewish custodian who needs a fake boyfriend to please his parents before they get a yenta involved.

The Good
I love grumpy x sunshine especially when the grumpy is more introverted grouch than asshole and Theo is exactly that. I loved both him and Sheldon's characters from the start. Sheldon is authentically himself and isn't afraid to show it even if he sometimes feels insecure about it. Their first interactions were awkward and sweet in a way that felt real which made their journey overall more enjoyable. I loved Theo's character development. I felt for him so much and after all he went through, he really deserved to be loved. I also liked Sheldon's growth. He had a lot of insecurities he battled and seeing him go from occasionally self-deprecating to feeling truly accepted was great.

The Bad
My only petty complaint is the nickname of 'booster'... All I could think of is a booster seat and it being a tease for someone short (which Sheldon is) but that's not why that's his nickname at all.

Tropes:
— Fake Dating
— Workplace Romance
— Grumpy x sunshine

Horn Level: 4/5

Highlights:
This is my first work of Freydís Moon and I was so excited to finally read something by them. Ethan is such an interesting character. From the start Ethan and Peter's relationship got me hooked. I loved that it felt real. It wasn't magically perfect but they loved each other so much. I loved their relationship with Nico as well. The build up was done very well and felt natural. I liked that there wasn't any negative jealously and they had honest conversations about their attraction to him. I loved the magic and fae in this book. It's not over explained, it's just exists and is a hidden knowledge of the world.

Lowlights:
I wanted more. I wanted to know more about Nico and his life before being injured. We got a little information but I wanted more.

Horn Level: 4/5

It's Orc-Tober! I'm obsessed with this series and needed to read this one immediately after the last!

This one follows lieutenant Agkar who was in love with Nera in the previous book. In this book he is transferred to the a neutral zone and is placed under the command of a human woman named Zirelle.

The Good
I liked Agkar and Zirelle as characters. Agkar was much angstier than the previous book after his defeat. Zirelle was someone trying to do her best in her position with a real fear of not being enough. I liked her journey in this story a lot and how she found meaning outside of her job.

The Bad
I didn't feel the instant chemistry/connection between Agkar and Zirelle like I did with previous couples. They did grow on me eventually though.

Tropes:
— Forced Proximity
— Forbidden Love
— Rejected Mates

Horn Level: 5/5

Highlights:
I really liked this book! Reece and Cyrus were both interesting characters. Reece had a lot of problems with monsters and his own father that made him lash out and be defensive. Cyrus was seemingly last remaining of his kind and depressed. Their meeting changed them both for the better and I loved their love story and development.

Horn Level: 5/5

Highlights:
I read the previous book in this series last month and absolutely loved it! I couldn't wait to start this one!! I love the language barrier trope in these! Blizzek was in the previous book and I loved him in this book too. Nera was sweet and so selfess. Even though they couldn't communicate, the chemistry was on fire. I liked seeing how the war effects peoples lives in each story. Agkar... I was so relieved to see the next book is about him.

Horn Level: 5/5