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kalaclarke's reviews
17 reviews
A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
If I had read this soon after A Touch of Darkness, I suspect I would have been more bored? Also, apparently reading a spicy romance entirely from the MMC POV gives me the ick.
Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
emotional
funny
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC.
Second-chance romance is not one of my preferred tropes but Mazey Eddings' writing sucked me in and made me care about a saucy, Aubrey Plaza type FMC and a words of affirmation, non-toxic MMC - with great pan and bi representation! I appreciated how Riley shut down Eva's spiral and desire to push him away during the conflict (I hate a dumb miscommunication final conflict and this was not that). This one got me in the feels!
Second-chance romance is not one of my preferred tropes but Mazey Eddings' writing sucked me in and made me care about a saucy, Aubrey Plaza type FMC and a words of affirmation, non-toxic MMC - with great pan and bi representation! I appreciated how Riley shut down Eva's spiral and desire to push him away during the conflict (I hate a dumb miscommunication final conflict and this was not that). This one got me in the feels!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia
Moderate: Bullying and Death
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
Emberclaw by L.R. Lam
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
Thank you to Daw Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
I loved falling into the worlds of Lumet and Celene Vere and am sad to leave them.
LR Lam pulled together many of my favourite fantasy tropes (a magical university games/tournament, university setting, magic based in elements, I could go on!) while also helping me appreciate those I have not liked in the past (fated mates, multiple perspectives). I really loved Lam's use of "any"/ they/ They and pronouns in this duology--their attention to diverse loved experiences extended into intimate scenes with a lot of care.
I really enjoyed the epistolary frame of the two books and found the ending to Emberclaw hit the perfect tone/ pacing for me--I wasn't left wondering about any characters, things were not tied up too neatly as to be unbelievable.
I hope someday Lam returns to Lumet to explore the next chapter of dragons and humans, but until then, I'll remember 2025 for introducing me to their world.
I loved falling into the worlds of Lumet and Celene Vere and am sad to leave them.
LR Lam pulled together many of my favourite fantasy tropes (a magical university games/tournament, university setting, magic based in elements, I could go on!) while also helping me appreciate those I have not liked in the past (fated mates, multiple perspectives). I really loved Lam's use of "any"/ they/ They and pronouns in this duology--their attention to diverse loved experiences extended into intimate scenes with a lot of care.
I really enjoyed the epistolary frame of the two books and found the ending to Emberclaw hit the perfect tone/ pacing for me--I wasn't left wondering about any characters, things were not tied up too neatly as to be unbelievable.
I hope someday Lam returns to Lumet to explore the next chapter of dragons and humans, but until then, I'll remember 2025 for introducing me to their world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, and Torture
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Abandonment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
I loved Teddy and Gus' story. I loved Teddy's arc, her relationships with Riley, Emmy, and her father. My heart. The author's afterword regarding her own father kept my tears flowing. Also, "saddle up" made me cackle with glee.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
The Wiener Across the Way by Amy Award
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Was this Taylor and Travis Fanfic with more plus sized folks? Yup! Was I here for it? Yes! It probably would have been a 4 star for me but I listened to it as an audio book (duet style) and got the ick when the male voice narrator put on a "female" voice, especially in intimate scenes. I did love Wiener the Pooh.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Dragonfall by L.R. Lam
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
sad
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? No
4.5
I didn't think I was going to like the two characters together but Elle Kennedy had me so invested in Diana and Shane -- also, this might be the kinkiest spice she's written to date? Either way, I laughed, cried, and really enjoyed The Dixon Rule.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Stalking, and Death of parent
Exes and O's by Amy Lea
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed Amy Lea's Set on You but enjoyed Exes & O's even more. I loved the FMC's quest to reconnect with each of her exes because her favourite romance novel trope is second chance romance; I loved her refusal to dull her shine or change her personality for her partners. The MMC was swoon-worthy and I think the only reason I didn't give it a full 5 is because he seemed too good to be true at various points?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content and Gaslighting
Worth Fighting For by Jesse Q. Sutanto
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Hyperion Avenue for this ARC.
This was my first Meant to Be novel and I really enjoyed it! Look, did I rewatch Mulan more than any other Disney movie? Yes. Was I hesitant about this adaptation because the first few chapters said "finance bro" a lot? Yes. Did reading characters named Mulan and Mushu also throw me? Yes. But by 45 pages into the book I was hooked.
I did not expect there to be a ranch setting for Mulan's attempts to prove her masculinity (note: she doesn't take on the identity of her father, acting as a man, but rather his name and title as the owner of the firm) to the misogynistic uncle and cousin bros who make up part of the Wutain Gold family company. That being said, I love a ranch setting and was thrilled.
Shang's characterization was so good, even recalling and echoing little movements the animated character did (his jaw tightening, for example). I loved that they pushed beyond his background in martial arts and role in the whiskey company to showcase him as a loving son, who isn't afraid to cook and clean/ take care of his surroundings. Closed door romance.
A mark of a great romance for me is that even when I can spot the conflict coming a mile away, I still feel nauseated and upset for the characters.
The novel also echoed key moments in Mulan's relationship with her father and I found myself getting teary.
Such a good novel and Sutano's afterword about how important writing this novel was to her and her family was so lovely and touching.
This was my first Meant to Be novel and I really enjoyed it! Look, did I rewatch Mulan more than any other Disney movie? Yes. Was I hesitant about this adaptation because the first few chapters said "finance bro" a lot? Yes. Did reading characters named Mulan and Mushu also throw me? Yes. But by 45 pages into the book I was hooked.
I did not expect there to be a ranch setting for Mulan's attempts to prove her masculinity (note: she doesn't take on the identity of her father, acting as a man, but rather his name and title as the owner of the firm) to the misogynistic uncle and cousin bros who make up part of the Wutain Gold family company. That being said, I love a ranch setting and was thrilled.
Shang's characterization was so good, even recalling and echoing little movements the animated character did (his jaw tightening, for example). I loved that they pushed beyond his background in martial arts and role in the whiskey company to showcase him as a loving son, who isn't afraid to cook and clean/ take care of his surroundings. Closed door romance.
A mark of a great romance for me is that even when I can spot the conflict coming a mile away, I still feel nauseated and upset for the characters.
The novel also echoed key moments in Mulan's relationship with her father and I found myself getting teary.
Such a good novel and Sutano's afterword about how important writing this novel was to her and her family was so lovely and touching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Alcohol
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Xenophobia and Death of parent