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ryan_isreading's Reviews (195)
High Level Review: I’ve now stayed up well past my wishful bedtime finishing all 3 Abby Jimenez books I’ve read and with zero regrets. Abby covers heavy topics well. I feel like there’s a certain level of education and therapy I receive from sitting with and processing my own emotions alongside her characters.
Plot: Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.
-Amazon listing description
Praise: I love the unique set up of this premise including two traveling nurse friends. I appreciate the effort that the character of Justin puts into date ideas. As always, these characters are facing some hard, real life shit, and is written with great sensitivity.
Critiques: A little insta-lovey, but also to devil’s advocate myself - SOME PEOPLE really do fall hard and fast y’all. Note to self: Maybe just don’t read a bunch of contemporary romance back to back.
Content Warnings:
abandonment, PTSD, mental illness, incarceration, grief, child abuse, toxic parental relationship, vomiting, gaslighting, fire
Plot: Justin has a curse, and thanks to a Reddit thread, it's now all over the internet. Every woman he dates goes on to find their soul mate the second they break up. When a woman slides into his DMs with the same problem, they come up with a plan: They'll date each other and break up. Their curses will cancel each other’s out, and they’ll both go on to find the love of their lives. It’s a bonkers idea… and it just might work.
-Amazon listing description
Praise: I love the unique set up of this premise including two traveling nurse friends. I appreciate the effort that the character of Justin puts into date ideas. As always, these characters are facing some hard, real life shit, and is written with great sensitivity.
Critiques: A little insta-lovey, but also to devil’s advocate myself - SOME PEOPLE really do fall hard and fast y’all. Note to self: Maybe just don’t read a bunch of contemporary romance back to back.
Content Warnings:
abandonment, PTSD, mental illness, incarceration, grief, child abuse, toxic parental relationship, vomiting, gaslighting, fire
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very solid thriller. I love when I don’t see plot twists coming and there were several.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Unfortunately another stuff your kindle day fail for me. I think I’m done with SYK.
Not for me. Primary gripes:
Not for me. Primary gripes:
- MMC thinking the best way to earn FMC’s interest is to literally sexually harass her in the work place by making her job impossible until she agrees to talk to him. Big ick. I assumed this big of a respect-lacking move wouldn’t happen again and I was correct. But I don’t love when authors write this kind of a thing as cute
- Ocean eyes and blue irises - just say eyes sometimes
- Got very sick of love as the pet name
- In love? That fast? They are still learning such basic things about each other late in the book
- gets 2 stars instead of 1 because I did finish it. But I thought about not finishing several times and I don’t intend to read more of the Orchid Beach series
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In a futuristic war time China, humans are battling non-human beings called hunduns. The only way humans stand a chance is to use mechanical war machines suits that are piloted by two people and powered by human Qi.
Our main character Wu Zetian is a woman from a rural area who signs up for the war effort. But not for honor, for revenge.
This book was emotional and covered some pretty awfully sad topics. I’m surprised anyone calls it YA. Overall, I really like the uniqueness of the story.
If I could change one thing, it would be adding more character development! I really liked the three mains, but wanted even more from them individually and dynamically.
The physical copy has some really cool concept art in the beginning. And listening to the audio (I got it on Libby) was very helpful for getting a better understanding for pronunciation.
I will definitely read book two, Heavenly Tyrant.
Our main character Wu Zetian is a woman from a rural area who signs up for the war effort. But not for honor, for revenge.
This book was emotional and covered some pretty awfully sad topics. I’m surprised anyone calls it YA. Overall, I really like the uniqueness of the story.
If I could change one thing, it would be adding more character development! I really liked the three mains, but wanted even more from them individually and dynamically.
The physical copy has some really cool concept art in the beginning. And listening to the audio (I got it on Libby) was very helpful for getting a better understanding for pronunciation.
I will definitely read book two, Heavenly Tyrant.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
If you’re looking for an actually Christmas-y but spicy novella to devour, look no further. I would have read this in one sitting if I could have.
A London lawyer, Hannah, is at her family’s French Alps chalet when she is surprised to learn that her favorite spicy adult voice actor has tagged along with her brother as a guest.
I saw two glowing reviews for this one over a few days, and needed a diversion from my TBR. I convinced three more people to dive in before I even finished it. I truly give this five stars and have no notes.
I loved the pacing, the tension, the characters, the tension, the spice, the charming banter, and THE TENSION.
I also was so darn smitten with the actual Christmas traditions and family moments too!
A London lawyer, Hannah, is at her family’s French Alps chalet when she is surprised to learn that her favorite spicy adult voice actor has tagged along with her brother as a guest.
I saw two glowing reviews for this one over a few days, and needed a diversion from my TBR. I convinced three more people to dive in before I even finished it. I truly give this five stars and have no notes.
I loved the pacing, the tension, the characters, the tension, the spice, the charming banter, and THE TENSION.
I also was so darn smitten with the actual Christmas traditions and family moments too!
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I almost gave up on this book multiple times. I struggled between rating it 2 or 3 stars, but I was honestly just so dumbfounded at the lack of Christmas considering the vibe the cover gives off.
The writing was good enough to give it 3 stars. I don’t regret reading the book, I just wish it wasn’t marketed how it is. It could have taken place any time of year. The plot and premise were all over the place, but I had enough fun anyway!
The writing was good enough to give it 3 stars. I don’t regret reading the book, I just wish it wasn’t marketed how it is. It could have taken place any time of year. The plot and premise were all over the place, but I had enough fun anyway!
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Everyone that isn’t a terrible bigot would really love this reading experience. It is a cozy fantasy, but it does take place in a world similar to ours, just with fantasy creatures and magical persons. So, you’re going to relate to the prejudice these characters face.
I loved every second of following our grumpy main character Linus the case worker on his journey.
Once you meet the children and caretakers of the next case that Linus is assigned, you will probably keep a permanent grin on your face whenever you are reading.
TJ Klune wrote the childlike wonder and curiosity as masterfully as he wrote the angry “othering” mob mentality seen in the villagers.
Don’t you wish you were here? Why yes, yes I do.
I loved every second of following our grumpy main character Linus the case worker on his journey.
Once you meet the children and caretakers of the next case that Linus is assigned, you will probably keep a permanent grin on your face whenever you are reading.
TJ Klune wrote the childlike wonder and curiosity as masterfully as he wrote the angry “othering” mob mentality seen in the villagers.
Don’t you wish you were here? Why yes, yes I do.
