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theartsybookwitch's Reviews (393)
lighthearted
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:
Yes
With Katie Chandler's debut comes Backhanded Compliments, a new spin (pun intended) on sports romance.
After Luca Kacic and Juliette Ricci end their match at the Australian Open and shake hands, their worlds turn upside down when they realize they're each others soulmates. Two top rival tennis players now forced with the realization they're soulmates.
I am a huge fan of tennis, and grew up playing, so when I saw this, I RAN. And it did not disappoint. This came out to be my top sapphic sports romances, and if not one of my top sports romance in general.
Seeing the impact of social media and the public on the two girls is so powerful, especially when stan twitter runs rampant with theories and shipping. Having the tweets shown in the novel was a fun aspect.
The twist of the soulmate!au is done so well and a unique take with romance novels. It reads more as a fanfic with that, and I love it. I enjoyed seeing the insecurities and different takes on romance, and even soulmate romance, and I cannot wait to see where the other characters go from here.
Tennis enthusiasts will truly appreciate this fantastical debut by Chandler.
OUT June 10, 2025
Tropes:
🎾 Rivals to lovers
🎾 Dual POV
🎾 Anxiety & Panic Attacks rep
🎾 Sapphic
🎾 TENNIS
🎾 soulmates!au
🎾 sports romance
🎾 BOTH are pro tennis players
A huge thank you to Atria Books, Katie Chandler and Edelweiss for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
After Luca Kacic and Juliette Ricci end their match at the Australian Open and shake hands, their worlds turn upside down when they realize they're each others soulmates. Two top rival tennis players now forced with the realization they're soulmates.
I am a huge fan of tennis, and grew up playing, so when I saw this, I RAN. And it did not disappoint. This came out to be my top sapphic sports romances, and if not one of my top sports romance in general.
Seeing the impact of social media and the public on the two girls is so powerful, especially when stan twitter runs rampant with theories and shipping. Having the tweets shown in the novel was a fun aspect.
The twist of the soulmate!au is done so well and a unique take with romance novels. It reads more as a fanfic with that, and I love it. I enjoyed seeing the insecurities and different takes on romance, and even soulmate romance, and I cannot wait to see where the other characters go from here.
Tennis enthusiasts will truly appreciate this fantastical debut by Chandler.
OUT June 10, 2025
Tropes:
🎾 Rivals to lovers
🎾 Dual POV
🎾 Anxiety & Panic Attacks rep
🎾 Sapphic
🎾 TENNIS
🎾 soulmates!au
🎾 sports romance
🎾 BOTH are pro tennis players
A huge thank you to Atria Books, Katie Chandler and Edelweiss for the ARC! All thoughts and opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is a manga prequel to Doku Musume (Toxic Daughter/Poison Girl), the 2024 Japanese horror film that brings Chi-chan to life. Telling the tale of Chi-chan and the events before her disappearance.
Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is my first manga by Shuzo Oshimi, and while the art style is gorgeous, it might be my last. While seeming like a horror manga, it still gives an air of unsettling and creepy feelings throughout.
I was not prepared going into Toxic Daughter, and was not expecting everything. Truly packing a punch, with storylines about adolescence, bullying, and more. It felt rushed, and while it is a prequel, I was just confused throughout. It starts with a horror-esque story, but, to me, fails in the end.
Kodai never sat well with me, and the way he persuaded Yua to make nice with Chi just rubbed me the wrong way.
There was so many different storylines to follow, and there was no answers.Why is she obsessed with bugs? What happened with her parents and family? I understand this is a prequel, but I have no interest in continuing.
There should be trigger warnings going into this, but there was none. Please read the reviews and proceed with caution going into the manga.
Overall, I would recommend for Japanese horror manga fans and fans of Doku Musume.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing this eARC!
Toxic Daughter: Chi-chan is my first manga by Shuzo Oshimi, and while the art style is gorgeous, it might be my last. While seeming like a horror manga, it still gives an air of unsettling and creepy feelings throughout.
I was not prepared going into Toxic Daughter, and was not expecting everything. Truly packing a punch, with storylines about adolescence, bullying, and more. It felt rushed, and while it is a prequel, I was just confused throughout. It starts with a horror-esque story, but, to me, fails in the end.
Kodai never sat well with me, and the way he persuaded Yua to make nice with Chi just rubbed me the wrong way.
There was so many different storylines to follow, and there was no answers.
There should be trigger warnings going into this, but there was none. Please read the reviews and proceed with caution going into the manga.
Overall, I would recommend for Japanese horror manga fans and fans of Doku Musume.
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing this eARC!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Every lie starts with a kernel of truth…or at least the longing for something more."
Play Pretend, Claire Brooks debut, and the first in the Cedar Ridge series, gives us the story of Ronan and Willow.
There's SO MUCH I can say about their story, but I will try not to spoil it all.
Everything about their relationship is amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them together. With the ups and the downs, and them realizing they're in love, in a random moment in time.
And all the other characters? Ronan's family and Grace? I need more.
I absolutely LOVED seeing the migraine representation with Willow, something you don't normally get to see in novels.
10/10 for me, and I cannot wait to see where Claire goes from here!
representation // OCD, migraine, PTSD, male mental health
tropes // sheriff x baker, neighbors, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, found family, age gap (33M, 27F)
tw // emotionally abusive parents, toxic parental relationship, burglary where FMC is in danger, mentions of a drugged sexual assault (not fmc), mentions of a suicide attempt (not fmc), kidnapping and assault, descriptive sexual content
Play Pretend, Claire Brooks debut, and the first in the Cedar Ridge series, gives us the story of Ronan and Willow.
There's SO MUCH I can say about their story, but I will try not to spoil it all.
Everything about their relationship is amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them together. With the ups and the downs, and them realizing they're in love, in a random moment in time.
And all the other characters? Ronan's family and Grace? I need more.
I absolutely LOVED seeing the migraine representation with Willow, something you don't normally get to see in novels.
10/10 for me, and I cannot wait to see where Claire goes from here!
representation // OCD, migraine, PTSD, male mental health
tropes // sheriff x baker, neighbors, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, found family, age gap (33M, 27F)
tw // emotionally abusive parents, toxic parental relationship, burglary where FMC is in danger, mentions of a drugged sexual assault (not fmc), mentions of a suicide attempt (not fmc), kidnapping and assault, descriptive sexual content
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
"Who knew spilling bear on a sexy Irish man was the lucky charm?"
When Brigid gets cheated on, she goes out on Saint Patrick's Day to the bars. Crossing paths with two Irish men, Finn and Liam, her night turns around for the better.
I'm a huge fan of Garcia's and her Festive ASF series is no exception.
And the fact she added the Irish accents? Total goner.
A quick, smutty holiday read that everyone needs to read.
When Brigid gets cheated on, she goes out on Saint Patrick's Day to the bars. Crossing paths with two Irish men, Finn and Liam, her night turns around for the better.
I'm a huge fan of Garcia's and her Festive ASF series is no exception.
And the fact she added the Irish accents? Total goner.
A quick, smutty holiday read that everyone needs to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
