littleredmacks's reviews
508 reviews

This book was a deeply emotional read for me, especially given my current circumstances. Anything dealing with death lately really pulls on my heartstrings, so I was prepared for an emotional journey. But even with that this book really delivered on the feels. The slow-burn was so beautifully crafted and had the perfect build up. All the moments really felt earned. 

That said, the beginning of the book was a bit slow for me and took some time to really get into the rhythm of the story. But once it did pick up, it did so with intensity. I do have the lingering question about her deadline? Her boss was, for obvious reasons, not in the office, but it just seemed weird that no one followed up with her AT ALL, especially given the 24 hour timeline. It almost felt like the deadline moved or wasn't really as pressing as it was meant to be. Not sure, but still bugged about it honestly. 

The book was still a rollercoaster of emotions and definitely brought on tears. It was sappy and corny but in the best way. There's this charm to it that makes it difficult not to love. 

I’ll be honest—I’ve never really read this genre before, so I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into when I picked up But Not Too Bold. That said, I found it to be an interesting experience. The book brings a lot to the table, particularly with its sapphic elements, which I really enjoyed. 

That being said, I’m realizing that this genre may not be for me, and that’s totally okay. While I appreciated the depth and heart of the story, I just didn’t connect with it in the way I expected. It’s clear that many will love it, especially if you’re a fan of character-driven narratives with strong romantic elements. 

Overall, it was a good read and I’m glad I gave it a try, even if it’s not my go-to genre. If you enjoy sapphic romance and exploring identity in a unique context, this book is definitely worth checking out! 

This is a great conclusion to A Dowry of Blood. I loved seeing these characters grow apart and find their own way in the world only for them to grow back together again. It was quite beautiful. 
Switching up the POV threw me off a bit but I loved seeing Alexi's thought process, especially after seeing how Constanta believed he thought about her. 

This book is a beautifully crafted fantasy novel that intertwines magic, romance, and feminist themes in a way that feels intentional and though provoking. The idea that women must give up their magic upon marriage by wearing a collar is portrayed in this heartbreaking way. We see women who have been conditioned by society and are all too happy to don the collar because they have been taught their entire life that this is their purpose. I feel like anyone who has left a strict religious upbringing (specifically christianity as that's all I can really speak to) may find this particularly resonant - the idea that a woman's role is to be a good wife, have babies, and obey her husband. And because this is framed as a calling from god we are all to happy to play our part. But then we have Beatrice and her friend who reject this path. They want their magic and a life free from the control of a man. 

One of the things I appreciated the most about the MMC was that he doesn't immediately abandon his ingrained beliefs. I feel like many romance novels can rush the transformation of the characters, turning the love interest into a perfect ally overnight. But this felt more realistic. So, while the two were very much in insta love they still had to overcome his ingrained biases which led to many meaningful conflicts. This slower shift in his character arc felt much more authentic. 

Now, as I said, it is a bit insta love. However, it works here (and this is coming from someone who hates insta love). They are instantly drawn to each other but they still struggle with the relationship (which I feel is part of why it works). The FMC is resistant to marriage, even with this man who she very much likes and wouldn't be unhappy with. However, she still wants to do magic and he initially struggles to grasp why this matters. Their love story isn't just about their chemistry but about learning, understanding, and making choices that go beyond their relationship to challenge the world around them. 

This book deserves so much more attention. It is such a compelling, emotionally rich story that challenges societal norms. This is only my second C.L. Polk book, but I can confidently say that I am a fan of this author. 

This story is a powerful collection of short stories that can easily be read over time (ie one short story a day) and capture the resilience, grief, and resistance of life under occupation. Each story offers a deeply personal glimpse into the struggles of Palestinians. 

One of the stories contains the quote "History is always repeating itself, not necessarily in the same form, but it brings the same deformity to us." We continue to bear witness to these stories and yet the oppression evolves and persists. 

This story is a must read for anyone who believes in amplifying silenced voices. 

These poems were powerful and it challenges you to sit with the discomfort, grief and anger. I shed more than one tear. 

As a side note, why is it that every poetry ebook, the format is wonky? I would recommend a physical copy if you can. 

Dracula’s bride 

Letter format 

Lyrical writing 

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR WAS PHENOMENAL 

 

This book explores power dynamics, manipulation, gaslighting, manufactured consent, and how hard it is to leave these abusive relationships. 

 

The author is very intentional with their word choices and it shows and it has an impact on the context and the way you understand the relationship. 

 

  And one thing I love about this book, is even though she is Dracula’s bride, we never hear his name. And she says, and I quote “You did not let me keep my name, so I will strip you of yours.”

This was such a quick and powerful listen. 

First of all, to whoever added this to the SAPPHIC book requirement in the Diverse Baseline Reading Challenge, I hope your pillow is never cold. I went into this expecting a sapphic romance, and let me tell you, that was not what I got. There’s a sapphic side pairing, but it’s so minimal that I don’t think it qualifies as a sapphic romance. So, yeah, my expectations were a little skewed.

That being said, I loved this book. Even if someone lied about it being a sapphic romance. As a former dancer, that was what initially intrigued me about the story, but I was completely unprepared for how much it would SHATTER my heart. The characters were so real that when I put the book down, I honestly felt like I lost them.

This book tackles love and loss in such a beautiful way. I remember the turning point for me because I had to rewind it several times, just to make sure I heard what I thought I heard.

My favorite quote from the book is: “If you get very, very lucky in this life, then you get to love another person so hard and so completely that when you lose them it rips you apart. I think the pain is the proof of a life well lived and well loved.”

And if I'm not being pressured to pick just one then this one too: “The problem with broken hearts isn’t that they kill you, it’s that they don’t.”

Even though this wasn’t at all what I expected, it’s a story I’ll never forget.

The premise of this book had so much potential, especially once you know the secrets of both main characters. However, the execution left a bit to be desired. The connection between the characters felt superficial, driven mostly by lust, and I found their personalities to be pretty bland. They mostly fit the stereotypes they were meant to represent, which was disappointing.

The middle of the story really dragged, and the spice, while present, was just meh at best. I did enjoy the clever tie-in with the Loch Ness monster and loved the Scottish history throughout. However, I felt that the characters needed more depth to truly carry the weight of the story.