unsuccessfulbookclub's Reviews (916)

Patriarchy Blues: Reflections on Manhood

3.5

challenging hopeful informative medium-paced

While there were parts of this book that were really impactful, for the most part I don’t think I was the right audience and that’s okay! I do think that there is a need for cis men to wrestle with the patriarchy and how it affects us all. I also think that there is a need for books that provide “on-ramps” for others who might be starting their journey into feminism, anti-racism, anti-capitalism and social justice work, and this book would be a good choice for someone on that road.

Patriarchy Blues is structured as personal essays, letters and poems. The essays that worked the best (for me) were the ones where Joseph was digging deep into his lived experiences without tossing around words like “cishetero patriarchy.” The specific examples from his life were more impactful reading than some of the more esoteric essays.

An Affair Before Christmas

Eloisa James

5.0

emotional funny hopeful fast-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

This book is super unusual in its style, and the main couple is fighting almost the whole book and yet I absolutely loved it and couldn’t put it down. I was even interested in the chess plot and Villiers!! Must be Christmas magic.

Content Warnings

Scent

Minx Noir

3.75

emotional hopeful fast-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: No

Content Warnings

An Impetuous Interlude

Leah Trent

4.0

lighthearted fast-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: No

Sometimes being a slut really pays dividends…again, and again. Really wish Leah had chosen a word other than “rosebud” but otherwise very very hot.

Content Warnings

Secrets With The Marquess - Regency in Color Book 10

Cecilia Rene

3.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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

Content Warnings

Some Winter's Evening

Erin Langston

5.0

emotional funny 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: Yes

Starchy barrister Gavin and governess Emilia make an explosive combination. I loved how Emilia brought out the best in Gavin and Gavin helped Emilia grow into her confidence as well. I also absolutely adored the cameos from Nate, Cora, Tess and Leo (and now baby Theo!)

from Forever Your Rogue.

I loved the plot in this and the exploration of class difference (one of my FAVORITE themes in hissy RoNos), I am also absolute trash for a starchy boi who is completely undone by his love interest, and Gavin is that x10000

Content Warnings

The Captain's Midwinter Bride

Liana De la Rosa

3.75

emotional hopeful 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

Content Warnings

A Little Magic

Lindsey Lanza

4.5

emotional hopeful inspiring 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

An absolutely adorable childhood friends to lovers/brother's best friend romance featuring immaculate winter vibes and a lil Hanukkah story retelling. Ellie, our FMC, has lupus and her illness figures heavily in this story as does her (FRAUGHT) relationship with her mother. Theo is the sweetest of the sweet and must be protected at all costs.

Snowed in vibes and a very intentional wink wink at only one bed.

CW: death of parents, chronic illness, fraught family relationships

Content Warnings