1.84k reviews by:

caseythereader

challenging dark emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thanks to Atria Books for the free advance copy of this book.

 - OMG, this book! I think YOU MADE A FOOL OF DEATH WITH YOUR BEAUTY is going to be divisive, but count me firmly in the "loved in" camp.
- Trust in Emezi to write a painful, messy, literary romance novel, full of intense feelings and complicated relationship dynamics, all draped in decadence.
- My one quibble is that it veers real close to insta-love, but everything else about the book is spectacular: the setting, Feyi and Joy's friendship, the queerness, the connections sparking off the page. 

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Thanks to the Dial Press for the free advance copy of this book.

 - BRACE FOR IMPACT is a beautiful blend of queer discovery, relearning who you are away from your family, and peek into the wild and wonderful world of roller derby.
- This memoir is not for the faint of heart, given that it covers eating disorders, emotionally abusive parents, and horrific sports injuries, but following along as Montesanti grows more at home with herself is more than worth the trip. Plus, it's chock full of excellent derby player names.
- The joy of finding your queer home is so wonderful, I'm glad books like this one showcase that experience so lovingly. 

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adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-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

 - I fully expected to have to slog through THE WITCH'S HEART, as I have little interest in Norse mythology. However, I read the entire thing in one day and one sitting, completely drawn in to Angrboda's story.
- The writing reads like oral tradition, flowing on and on.
- While many of the plot developments were telegraphed in advance, taking Angrboda longer to catch on that it probably should have, I still found myself quite immersed in the story. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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: Complicated

Thanks to Forever for the free advance copy of this book.

 - Oh, my heart. A LADY FOR A DUKE is one of the best romance novels I've ever read. It's full of the best banter and the deepest feelings, and it's so fantastically queer.
- I absolutely adore that while Viola is of course worried about transphobia, it's not the entire plot of the book. Everyone she comes out to accepts her fully and without question, smoothly using her correct name and pronouns while working to give her the support she needs.
- Viola and Gracewood are the sweetest pair, each helping each other understand and deal with their traumas, untangle their feelings, and love each other wholly. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful reflective 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: Complicated

Thanks to Atria Books for the free advance copy of this book. 

 - CHEF'S KISS is totally precious. Simone and Ray are a great grumpy/sunshine pairing, whose care for each other shines from the page. The Not-Bon-Appetit company they work for is a rich setting, filled with a vibrant cast and so much delicious sounding food.
- The highlight of this book for me was the section where Simone is caring for Ray after their top surgery. I have never seen top surgery depicted in fiction like this, as part of a love story. It's my and my spouse's story right there on the page. It never gets old to see a piece of your life, especially one outside most peoples' experiences, included like this.
- I do want to note that this is yet another romance featuring a nonbinary person whose entire plotline revolves around transphobia. And a lot of Simone's journey was about learning how to ally at a basic level and to stop centering herself. So, yes I recommend it, but I would also like to see different stories, please. 

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