emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)

This is one of the weirdest books that I've ever read. I found myself confused, oftentimes appalled, and I couldn't put it down. As a woman in STEM, I identified heavily with Eliza and found many of her interactions with her coworkers sadly relatable. Adding in the perspective of an omniscient hive mind only furthered the confusing but lovely tone of the book. It was as though the mind was at war with itself, unsure whose side it was taking. Overall a strange book for strange readers.

*Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the complimentary copy*

I have never read a sapphic romcom before and it seriously needs to be more popular. This is a sex-positive romp that touches on topics like imposter syndrome and abusive relationships, all while promoting an organic fake dating romance. The sense of community and steam in this book won't leave you wanting more... Satisfaction guaranteed.

*Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Forever for the complimentary copy*

I loved the premise of this book, as reunions always tend to bring out the worst in people. I enjoyed the alternating chapters in the past and present, while we tried to suss out the truth. However I feel as though some elements of it weren’t handled the most carefully (TW: rape, suicide).

This book was phenomenal both as a standalone novel and as an interpretation of the mythos of Ariadne and Phaedra. While their tales are wracked with tragedy, I found that the prose flowed so beautifully and didn't shy away from topics like rape, postpartum depression, and suicide. This is perfect for fans of Circe, as it's a female-focused mythology book, but also for those who just enjoy the fantasy genre.

Hooooooooly cow y'all!

I really enjoyed A Song Below Water, but I think that A Chorus Rises blows it out of... well... the water. We have an enormous presence of social justice, a strong commentary on intersectionality, and a dialogue on the dangers of the internet and social media. Plus we get to focus on Naema as she deals with the fallout from last year's prom. And believe me, she earns her redemption arc. The narration on the audiobook is flawless and I'd go as far to say that it's even better on audio. You can really hear the ever-present sass and emotions in her words, truly embodying Nae. If you want an urban fantasy that focuses on real-life issues, this is a fantastic choice.

*Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This is a decadent thriller that will have you both rolling your eyes at the rich and wishing you were on a yacht. Told in alternating timelines, the story unravels as we follow Belle, an aspiring actress who was invited on a birthday boat trip. But everything is not what it seems on this boat, and Belle finds herself in (as the title suggests) The Lion's Den. The book features an interesting cast, gorgeous scenery, and an out-there plot that'll leave you gasping.

*Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the complimentary copy*

This book is queer perfection! Spencer is dealing with the perils of high school, like dating and fitting in, all while being transgender. I loved that this book focused on his life after transition, showing what a supportive community and family looked like. Too often authors victimize their characters with traumatic homophobic plot points, but I was happy to see that absent here. You won't want to put this beautiful book down.

This is a tasty (& STEAMY) romance with a classic friends with benefits twist. It would be well-paired with a dark chocolate lava cake and some dessert wine, because it's equally sweet and decadent. One flaw I found was that the dialogue seemed a bit cheesy and there wasn't much semblance of a plot outside of the romance, but I can overlook that. If you need a feel-good romance about following your dreams, this is the one for you.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

We've got fake dating and forced proximity, and I am in LOVE! Taylor was so ambitious yet stubborn and I loved watching her come into her own. I've never read a book about a personal trainer and this one seemed well-researched and non-triggering. Plus when the steam hits, all of the tension that built up is tooootally worth it! But beware, because this book is unputdownable.. so cancel your plans, grab some lentil chips, and enjoy!

*Thank you to Forever for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I liked the idea of this book and really wanted it to succeed. However it felt as though all of the tension was sucked out of the book with the frequent time shifts and predictable characters. I did enjoy the final ending for Emma's case, but found the endings for all of the other characters lacking.