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notsobinaryart's reviews
130 reviews
Playing for Love by Jeevani Charika
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Loved this cute, lighthearted romance centering video games and hidden identity romance!
The chemistry seemed to be slow going at first, but the context of each person falling for a different version of each other in an understandably confusing two person love triangle makes it almost necessary to the plot.
The hidden identity really added to the drama and plot without being too gimmicky. I loved seeing why the two main characters fell for the different sides of each other, but ultimately came to the conclusion that even if one version is a persona, even that has a bit of truth in who you really are.
I personally enjoy video games (albeit cozier ones), but I think this book is easily accessible to even those who hardly know virtually nothing while still not holding your hand through it for more experienced gamers. The game has minor violence in it being that part of the story takes place in a video game world, but it is not gorey in any way that should deter most people.
Overall enjoyed this book, but I wish we could have seen more development through the character’s personal flaws, especially Jake’s. This book was such a fun and easy read, I recommend to pick it up if you enjoy hidden identity, video games, small businesses, and Sri Lankan representation!
The chemistry seemed to be slow going at first, but the context of each person falling for a different version of each other in an understandably confusing two person love triangle makes it almost necessary to the plot.
The hidden identity really added to the drama and plot without being too gimmicky. I loved seeing why the two main characters fell for the different sides of each other, but ultimately came to the conclusion that even if one version is a persona, even that has a bit of truth in who you really are.
I personally enjoy video games (albeit cozier ones), but I think this book is easily accessible to even those who hardly know virtually nothing while still not holding your hand through it for more experienced gamers. The game has minor violence in it being that part of the story takes place in a video game world, but it is not gorey in any way that should deter most people.
Overall enjoyed this book, but I wish we could have seen more development through the character’s personal flaws, especially Jake’s. This book was such a fun and easy read, I recommend to pick it up if you enjoy hidden identity, video games, small businesses, and Sri Lankan representation!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Cancer, Misogyny, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol
Don't Hate the Player by Alexis Nedd
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Cursing, Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Infidelity, Transphobia, Violence, Sexual harassment
Yours, for Now by Leonor Soliz
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I was super hesitant to pick this book up with it being a billionaire romance, but I’m so glad I did.
Sometimes characters striving to reach high career goals like CEO can be for superficial agendas like power and money, but both latiné love interests had such sweet hearts and reasons for their ambitions. While the billionaire male main character has excess wealth, we don’t see it as a personality trait like in some billionaire romances; I sometimes forgot the magnitude of his wealth until there was a charitable giving mentioned or on the occasional use on the woman love interest, but in the least showy way possible.
The love the characters felt for each other was so clear in the way they tried not to step over the other’s dreams.
The author clearly put a lot of love and care to make sure this is as inclusive of a book as it can be. As a trans disabled person, I love the attention to detail of highlighting how accessibility needs to be a feature, not an afterthought. All of the language in this book is so gender inclusive, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a romance book — especially one not centered on a queer couple — this intentional.
I loved the overall message that work isn’t the only important thing in life, as that is something I’ve had to learn over time myself.
Sometimes characters striving to reach high career goals like CEO can be for superficial agendas like power and money, but both latiné love interests had such sweet hearts and reasons for their ambitions. While the billionaire male main character has excess wealth, we don’t see it as a personality trait like in some billionaire romances; I sometimes forgot the magnitude of his wealth until there was a charitable giving mentioned or on the occasional use on the woman love interest, but in the least showy way possible.
The love the characters felt for each other was so clear in the way they tried not to step over the other’s dreams.
The author clearly put a lot of love and care to make sure this is as inclusive of a book as it can be. As a trans disabled person, I love the attention to detail of highlighting how accessibility needs to be a feature, not an afterthought. All of the language in this book is so gender inclusive, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a romance book — especially one not centered on a queer couple — this intentional.
I loved the overall message that work isn’t the only important thing in life, as that is something I’ve had to learn over time myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content
Moderate: Gaslighting
Better Than Fiction by Alexa Martin
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Very cute easy read! Love the concept and how relaxing and chill the book was. I wouldn’t come into it looking for super deep plot, or big character and internal questioning or changes. I’m a sucker for a lighthearted romance, but the book being a bit more surface level made this a less memorable option for me.
Better Than Fiction had a big pet peeve of mine in the first chapter or two, which was using slang abbreviations in the internal monologue. I can forgive that in dialogue, but it feels forced to say super informal abbreviations like “obvi” while reading the text.
An additional issue I experienced is we don’t learn much about the love interest as a person, other than the fact he’s an author, hot, and obsessed with the main character immediately. No friends, family, hobbies, or flaws to be seen other than the third act breakup, which is less of a character flaw and more of a one time thing.
If you want a light, easy read with low amounts of thinking, this is a good book for you! Love the side characters, love how even with stressful topics like grief and family trouble that it never feels too heavy.
Better Than Fiction had a big pet peeve of mine in the first chapter or two, which was using slang abbreviations in the internal monologue. I can forgive that in dialogue, but it feels forced to say super informal abbreviations like “obvi” while reading the text.
An additional issue I experienced is we don’t learn much about the love interest as a person, other than the fact he’s an author, hot, and obsessed with the main character immediately. No friends, family, hobbies, or flaws to be seen other than the third act breakup, which is less of a character flaw and more of a one time thing.
If you want a light, easy read with low amounts of thinking, this is a good book for you! Love the side characters, love how even with stressful topics like grief and family trouble that it never feels too heavy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Sexual content, Blood, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Minor: Body shaming, Cancer, Infidelity, Torture, Sexual harassment
Only For The Week by Natasha Bishop
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Gaslighting, Alcohol
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief
Moderate: Death, Medical content, Death of parent, Alcohol
Kapaemahu by Joe Wilson, Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer
emotional
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Stunning story all around. Highly recommend listening to the narration while reading; it adds so much depth to the experience and allows you to appreciate the beautiful art while hearing the story both in English and a native Hawaiian language that fewer than 100 people now speak on the island of Niihau due to colonization.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation