jennireadsmaybe's Reviews (678)

This is the first book in a long time to have me full on sobbing through most of it. Angeline Boulley has a talent unlike anyone else; knowing this was her debut makes me think I'm not at all prepared for the emotions I will have reading the follow up in the series. 

Representation is never a monolith, but the representation in Firekeeper's Daughter is not only lived but also a look at the horrors caused by settler colonialism in America. Daunis's community was at once heartfelt and compassionate and wracked with corruption. 

Y'all when I say this book was chock full with plot twists and surprises. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time reading it. If you're into mysteries, atmospheric writing, and stories that are a gut punch, you should pick up Fire Keeper's Daughter

I read Luster as apart of my local in person book club. I'm still not certain how I feel about it. Leilani's prose is certainly my favorite part of the book because it oscillated between laugh out loud hilarious, gut-punchingly relatable, and outright hurtful at some points. I also enjoyed Edie's entire early twenty-something struggle in life, because most books I've read featuring twenty-somethings are not as honest with the struggle. If you're into literary fiction/trauma porn/not-completely-likable characters I would recommend this. 

When I tell y'all that I don't think I'll ever recover from the way The Feeling of Falling in Love wrecked me and restored me, I'm not lying. Mason Deaver beautifully weaves together the story of a messy, lonely, teenage trans boy who's terrified of falling in love. This is the sort of book that teenage Jenni would have devoured and felt so seen while doing it.

Deaver explores so many important themes throughout the book with kindness, care, and compassion. At it's heart, this is main character Neil's coming of age. It truly felt like a warm hug to read this book. It serves as a reminder that a person came feel lonely but not be alone. That lgbtq+ kids and teens are worthy of love, community, belonging, and so much more. I really think that everyone should read this. And a special thanks to @atmreads and @bookish.millennial for the amazing recommendation!! 

If you're going to talk about yearning and you don't talk about Just for the Cameras, don't. Luka, Kian, and Jordanne are all so in love with each other that it was genuinely sickening (/pos) at times. Every smut scene was not only hot as hell but also served as a strong factor is the development of their relationship which I absolutely loved. Just for the Cameras is unapologetically queer, Black, fat, and pro sex worker. Begging queer romance lovers to pick this up!! 

CW: Mentions of an emotionally abusive parent; depictions of an emotionally distant parent; references to a character being left at the altar; references to an abusive relationship (as a past event); references to revenge porn (as a past event); references to a dead grandparent (as a past event); mention of addiction; dominance and submission; depictions of mild panic attacks; mention of a total hysterectomy; minor, social drug use (marijuana); alcohol consumption; and explicit sex scenes; unprotected sex, voyeurism, double penetration, daddy kink, and toy play.

Does this even begin to compete with my love for Darius the Great? No. But it was still a delightful contemporary romance (very light on the romance imo) following a gay boyband member. As a former boyband obsessed girly, this served up so much commentary on fandom, the disrespect that most people have for boybands, and the pressure that society puts on gay men to be the perfect wholesome, brunch going, gay man. 

I really love Hunter as a character and his struggles don't feel unique to him. Khorram also doesn't hesitate to speak to the privilege that Hunter has as a white cis man, especially when his bandmates and openers are BIPOC boys. 

Overall, I would recommend this to boyband lovers (past and present), people looking for the typical Adib Khorram charm, and anyone looking for a queer YA book. 

At this point, it’s pretty clear that I will read whatever Sara Cate writes. The Home Wrecker follows Caleb and Friar, a married couple whose relationship has become quite stagnant as they struggle with infertility, secrets, and communication. Dean, a young man from Caleb’s past, runs into some problems of his own and ends up having to stay in the couple’s garage apartment. 

I love that we meet all three characters when they are so obviously struggling; this fact makes them feel so much more real to me. I haven’t read many cheating books, but The Home Wrecker definitely has me wanting to read more. I enjoyed the exploration of Caleb’s sexuality and his relationship with his youngest brother. This is perfect for anyone looking for marriage in trouble with a sexy solution and a bit of emotional turmoil and guilt. 

I walked away with a much deeper appreciation for men’s underwear. Iykyk. Thank you to The Author Agency and Sara Cate for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

Monster romance steeped in religious imagery? A trans mmc? When I found out about Exodus 20:3 I was foaming at the mouth to read it!! This was bewitching, sensuous, and erotic in the best way. Though it’s short (only 83 pages), Exodus 20:3 packs a punch unlike anything I’ve read. 

I'm meant to just move on with my life after this ending? I have to live my life knowing what I do while still knowing so little about what's to come. I'm ruined. Sabaa Tahir ruined me. Further thoughts to come once I recover. 

When one of your favorite fantasy authors announces that they’re starting a contemporary romance series, you race to read it! She’s a Keeper is the most magnificently fun, contemporary romance I’ve read in a while. It’s centered around a family of zookeepers on this tiny island that is only busy during the summer months. The animals were all so much fun!! The atmosphere was ripe with descriptions and lived in knowledge. It made me want to pack my bags and go on a trip. 

Lark, my little, grumpy, chronically organized, bisexual queen, I freaking loved her!! She carries the weight of her own expectations on her shoulders and she’s so real for that! I truly think Logan was her match because of how much they balanced each other out. The build up and tension was just so hot imho. It made the spicy scenes that much hotter too. 

As always, Ali K. Mulford packs all the LGBTQ+ rep in. It’s really one of those everyone’s queer situations, and it feels like a warm hug. Looking forward to all the siblings getting their romances (especially Finch and Heron!!!). 

The Worst Kept Secret is a fun, fast, and steamy best friend’s dad romance. Q.B. Tyler’s books are always so fun. I really liked Avery because she was sassy + such a tease. She was going to get what she wanted no matter what. Just delightful. Theo is obviously a the swoon worthy, single dad, next door that romance lovers eat up. And a former NFL star!?! I was hooked from that first chapter. 

 

Woo boy!!! The audio!!! It was freaking hot to say the least 🥵 There was a hint of duet narration in a couple moments throughout the book that made it feel very lively. Definitely recommend going the audio route when it comes out for a fun, funky and fresh time!! 

 

Thank you to Forever and Always PR and Q.B. Tyler for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts <3