thelovelylibrarylady's Reviews (1.1k)

Razorblade Tears is an action-packed novel that I just could not put down. When their sons are murdered, Ike and Buddy Lee are determined to find their killers and make them pay for their heinous actions. Their feelings are partially motivated by vengeance, but also by regret. The fathers realize that they treated their sons poorly because of their sexuality and see this mission as a way to apologize for their previous actions. Ike and Buddy Lee are both really well-written. Cosby, the author, did an excellent job showing their emotional growth throughout the story. The characterization in this novel is what ultimately made me give this one a perfect rating. Going forward, I will definitely be recommending this title to other mystery and thriller readers. 

Hopepunk has a unique format with dual storylines. One is of the present day and one is a sci-fi novella. Eventually, this format makes sense, but it made the book confusing and took me some time to get comfortable with. In addition to this, the characters in the story came across a lot younger than their stated ages. This really impacted how I connected with each of them and their journeys. Despite these issues, I did enjoy the novel. Norton, the author, tackles the issue of conservative Christian households and their relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. Hopepunk is a story of love overcoming hate which is something that I felt inspired by. 
(PUB DATE: 01/11/2022)
(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Bromfield, an author of Afro-Jamaican descent, wrote this beautiful story set in Jamaica. While it is not the main focus, I learned a lot about the island and Jamaican culture by reading this novel. Hurricane Summer is a bit of a slow starter. I found the early chapters to be a little boring, but once the plot picks up, it doesn't stop. Many heavy topics are addressed in this novel including (but not limited to) colorism, sexual assault, the sexualization of girls of color, and classism. I would recommend this book to others, but also make sure that they were ready to tackle such an emotionally taxing story before they started this one.
(PUB DATE: AVAILABLE NOW)
(I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed above are my own.)

Convenience Store Woman is an odd, but compelling read. Murata includes commentary about conformity in society by creating the story of Keiko, a woman who fails to "fit in" with her peers. Keiko works in a convenience store and cannot conceive herself beyond her job. She feels safe in her position because it is the one place where she knows how to do things "correctly". I enjoyed reading this title and only wish that it had been longer. The ending was very abrupt and really affected my reading experience. 

I really enjoyed reading While We Were Dating, the most recent addition to The Wedding Date series. Both of the main characters, Anna and Ben, were so well written and I just loved them together. If you are a fan of the fake dating trope, you will definitely like this title. While the books in this series can be read as standalones, I have had fun reading them in order and immersing myself in the universe Guillory has created. 

Late To The Party is an underrated queer coming-of-age story about self-discovery and the importance of friendship. Seriously, this novel has less than 5,000 ratings and 1,000 reviews on Goodreads and I don't know how the book community let this book slip past us! Quindlen, the author, wrote the main character, Codi, beautifully and really fleshed out the side characters in this novel. Each character brings something to the story thanks to the diverse identities Quindlen created for them. Do not disregard this book just because it is YA. I actually think I enjoyed and understood this title more now than I would have when I was in the targeted age group. Do yourself a favor and add Late To The Party to your reading list!

This memoir focuses on Al-Kadhi's identity as a gay man and how that identity is not supported by his family or his faith. I have never read a book with this type of representation and was eager to jump in. However, parts of Unicorn are just so sad. I am glad that the author felt comfortable enough to write and share his story with the public because I am sure readers who share parts of his identity will see themselves in this book. I caution other readers who may pick up this title looking for a story all about drag - as Drag Queen is in the title. While Al-Kadhi does write about his drag persona, "Glamrou", and the community he has found doing drag, it is not as big of a focus as you might think.

Side Effects May Vary is my favorite book Murphy has written so far. With that being said, this title will not be for everyone. Alice, the main character, is extremely unlikeable, but in a way that makes sense. She has gone through something truly agonizing, and while that does not excuse her behavior, it starts to explain it. If you don't like moody, unlikeable characters, this may not be the book for you. In fact, if I had to describe this book in three words they would be intense, traumatic, and emotional. So if you are ready to commit to having your heart ripped out and going through a fair share of tissues, this would make an excellent read.