francesmthompson's Reviews (976)

Iron Widow

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.5

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Enjoyed this a lot more than I expected and not just because of the fabulous bi rep.

Bellies

Nicola Dinan

5.0

challenging emotional 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

This is the first book to completely break me in a long, long time and I was crying long after I read the last words. Which is to say, I loved it.

Zoe Brennan, First Crush

Laura Piper Lee

4.25

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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: Complicated

Come for the blindfolded sapphic three-way, stay for the cute and comedic moments...

Firstly, a little commotion for the cover!?!?!? Love it!

Secondly, I think I'm finally admitting to myself that butch/femme romances are my current catnip and so this scratched all my itches in all the right ways.

A slickly written, and hella queer, contemporary romcom Zoe Brennan, First Crush had lots to offer. Loved how deeply researched the wine side of the story was and although I did spend the first chunk of the book wishing Zoe's crush was actually her nemesis Rachel (I'm a sucker for a true enemies to lovers), by the end of the book it was very clear Laine was the woman for Zoe.

Yes, this book had lots of light, comedic moments but there was also depth to the story too, especially in regards to dealing with loss and grief, and learning how to confront the past and practise forgiveness.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Book Lovers

Emily Henry

4.25

Will be forever grateful to this book for giving me the phrase Last Page Ache to perfectly describe that feeling when you finish a good book and have to say goodbye.