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idk_indigo's reviews
621 reviews
Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur
funny
lighthearted
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
2.75
I did the audiobook. I'm not sure if it's the author, but this series has been taking me a super long time to get into. The first book took me 3-4 tries to actually read it without DNF'ing, and with this one it was tedious trying to get me to read it (granted, I did misplace my airpods twice during, but still. If there is a will, there is a way).
The 3rd act breakup was warranted for sure, but Anniefreaking out about him asking for a rain check for a date with the girl he cancelled on for her was silly and I was like oof girl... not a good look! Annie's character felt very stiff and nondescript, I feel like there wasn't much to her personality beyond indecision and hating her job. Which, like, fair but still. No hobbies.
I did feel like the MC's had nice chemistry, and I love a good rendezvous with the best friend's brother. However, Annie was boring and overly jealous (especially of Elle, but then they were like friends but also this storyline was not developed at all they just went thrifting together).
I also really liked that Darcy & Elle were such a big part of the story! I loved seeing their relationship develop from the last book, and Darcy's and Brendon's relationship as sibs was really fun to see especially since we got some insight about their childhood and then their mom was a bit of a character as well. I'm guessing the next book is about Margot?
I'm taking off 1/4 of a star in my rating because Brendonproposes to her in Disneyland . I was tempted to take off 1/2 but like eh.
The 3rd act breakup was warranted for sure, but Annie
I did feel like the MC's had nice chemistry, and I love a good rendezvous with the best friend's brother. However, Annie was boring and overly jealous (especially of Elle, but then they were like friends but also this storyline was not developed at all they just went thrifting together).
I also really liked that Darcy & Elle were such a big part of the story! I loved seeing their relationship develop from the last book, and Darcy's and Brendon's relationship as sibs was really fun to see especially since we got some insight about their childhood and then their mom was a bit of a character as well. I'm guessing the next book is about Margot?
I'm taking off 1/4 of a star in my rating because Brendon
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
adventurous
tense
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? Yes
3.0
This book took me a really long time to read. It wasn't bad, and I quite enjoyed it when I was able to read for stretches of time. The pacing was all over the place, the first 1/4 felt alright, then the 2nd 1/4 was so slow I thought I might never finish it, then the 3rd 1/4 picked up, then the last few chapters I sort of just checked out. I think the author took "show not tell" to the extreme but instead of showing us or telling us she did neither. I was very confused at times, but also I am partially chalking that up to the fact that, again, it took me a really long time to read.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Abandonment, Gaslighting, Blood, Adult/minor relationship, and Animal death
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
funny
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
4.5
First things first, the audiobook was amazing! The narrators had such amazing chemistry together, and it was unlike other M/F books with duo perspectives because I feel like they interacted with each other in their prospective chapters. I feel like I could hear them interact together, and it made the development of their relationship all the more real to the audience!
The book itself was so much fun! A bit gory at times for sure, but like what do you expect, they are serial killers' serial killers! Their love story was really sweet, and I loved that Sloane was able to overcome her fears of being unlovable, and that they both were able to find someone who shares their interest, despite being a bit niche. I love MC's who have shared hobbies!!!
The spicy scenes were definitely on the rougher side from what I typically read, but tbh I didn't mind ;)
Overall, an easy read and I enjoyed it a lot!!
The book itself was so much fun! A bit gory at times for sure, but like what do you expect, they are serial killers' serial killers! Their love story was really sweet, and I loved that Sloane was able to overcome her fears of being unlovable, and that they both were able to find someone who shares their interest, despite being a bit niche. I love MC's who have shared hobbies!!!
The spicy scenes were definitely on the rougher side from what I typically read, but tbh I didn't mind ;)
Overall, an easy read and I enjoyed it a lot!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Murder, Death, Violence, Blood, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cannibalism and Vomit
Minor: Pedophilia and Torture
Twisted Love by Ana Huang
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I literally just hate Alex, he sucks and is hella scary. The book also felt like it was trying to be too many things at once... brother's mafia-adjacent billionaire best friend meets the sunshine-y college-aged art student who hates him, she begs him to open up but he won't can't, he helps her reveal the mystery of a traumatic near-death experience, also he's into rough sex but wait she's into it too, he kills multiple people ya know.... standard stuff. It lowkey started to feel a bit like poorly written fanfic, and I'm almost surprised that Ava wasn't sold at some point. There's also a princess, for some reason.
That being said, I feel like the outrageous is sort of standard in this type of romance. I don't read dark romance much, but I feel like, while a bit too overdrawn from the list of Dark Romance Tropes, there wasn't anything too out there. However, it is not my thing; I think the over-the-top just starts to feel lazy... random unhinged plot twists don't make up for bad writing and a poorly developed plot.
Alex just also sucks, he's scary and menacing. Like, going fromvery cruelly announcing that he never loved Ava and was only using her to avenge the murder of his entire family to stalking her to London, then following her everywhere until she agrees to look his way (like, seriously, does this dude have absolutely no hobbies? Friends? Movies to watch? Food to eat? Dumps to dump? Get a grip dude, take a note from Ms. Sabrina Carpenter & stop relating to desperation) not to mention he kills her father like girl I-
I also just hate the "he hates everyone but her" trope because what's to stop Alex from doing that shit to her? What happens if she needs a break from the over "protection" and the bordering-on-psychopathic possessiveness and then he likekills her too ? Be so fr because why is that attractive at all, he threatened to murder someone because he brushed her waist, like what next? Is he going to give their waiter a black eye because he smiled at her? Will headlines read Local Walmart Cashier Found in Parking Lot With 4 Bruised Ribs because she needed help with a return?
Also, and understandably my least favorite part of this book, was the fact that the female narrator sucked. She wasn't terrible, but I do think she would be better suited as a car saleswoman, or maybe the needy, middle-aged side character in a Nickelodeon family sitcom who needs better boundaries with her neighbor's kids. I do not think she was the right person for the gig.
It was enjoyable. The sex was not as slay as it could've been. But I can see why this is hyped up.
That being said, I feel like the outrageous is sort of standard in this type of romance. I don't read dark romance much, but I feel like, while a bit too overdrawn from the list of Dark Romance Tropes, there wasn't anything too out there. However, it is not my thing; I think the over-the-top just starts to feel lazy... random unhinged plot twists don't make up for bad writing and a poorly developed plot.
Alex just also sucks, he's scary and menacing. Like, going from
I also just hate the "he hates everyone but her" trope because what's to stop Alex from doing that shit to her? What happens if she needs a break from the over "protection" and the bordering-on-psychopathic possessiveness and then he like
Also, and understandably my least favorite part of this book, was the fact that the female narrator sucked. She wasn't terrible, but I do think she would be better suited as a car saleswoman, or maybe the needy, middle-aged side character in a Nickelodeon family sitcom who needs better boundaries with her neighbor's kids. I do not think she was the right person for the gig.
It was enjoyable. The sex was not as slay as it could've been. But I can see why this is hyped up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Kidnapping, Gun violence, Stalking, and Suicide
The C*ck Down the Block by Amy Award
funny
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
3.75
While this book was super cute, the pacing felt weird/off, like at times it was zooming by but at other times it was dull and a little bit boring. I had to speed the audiobook narration up, like, 3x towards the middle because it was dragging on so much. But then the whole book seemed to take place over the span of, like, 2 weeks.
I am typically not the hugest fan of friends to lovers, and this honestly is so exception, but I loved their rapport and the relationship they built before becoming romantic. The sex scenes were slay-tastic, but I will be honest the fact that the FMC was a virgin made me want to rip my hair out, like, I cannot...
Honestly, the entire book felt like it should have been taking place among high schoolers, like a high school football team, and a large part of it even was set in a high school setting, with the same mean girls and aliteral prom high school reunion and its planning committee...
Not to mention, I'm sorry to say it but I think the mean girl trope is old, it's outdated, it's unrealistic, and frankly is just not any good. Tbh it turns me off so much from romance novels when there is an antagonist who is a straight-up villain because, again, are we in high school?
Between the virgin FMC, the high school reunion, the football/jock setting, the mean girl, the girl next door romance, and the childhood friends to lovers, I honestly felt like... this book could have been about actual teens and the plot would not have needed to change one bit for it to be realistic, obviously sans the sex (not because teens don't have sex, but because teens don't have sex for adults to read about/watch/engage with, y'all are fkn weird and if I see one more "discourse" video about this I'm going to lose it and then report y'all to all of the authorities. Stop being weird!!!! ffs). Also the jock dates the bookish girl trope, like, the high school drama literally writes itself.
Now, that being said, again I liked the spicy scenes, I liked their rapport together, I liked their relationship, and I liked the lack of a miscommunication that leads to the 3rd act breakup. I loved the plus size baddies group (where can I sign up to be a Cowgirl?) and I loved the fact that they were instantly such a support system for her and how well they clicked instead of being jealous or at her throat or whatever. Also the fake dating was obviously lovely, my otl <3 and the fact that He Falls First and he Falls Harder is obviously like yassss fat queen I love that for Trixie <3 <3 <3 SLAY
I am typically not the hugest fan of friends to lovers, and this honestly is so exception, but I loved their rapport and the relationship they built before becoming romantic. The sex scenes were slay-tastic, but I will be honest the fact that the FMC was a virgin made me want to rip my hair out, like, I cannot...
Honestly, the entire book felt like it should have been taking place among high schoolers, like a high school football team, and a large part of it even was set in a high school setting, with the same mean girls and a
Not to mention, I'm sorry to say it but I think the mean girl trope is old, it's outdated, it's unrealistic, and frankly is just not any good. Tbh it turns me off so much from romance novels when there is an antagonist who is a straight-up villain because, again, are we in high school?
Between the virgin FMC, the high school reunion, the football/jock setting, the mean girl, the girl next door romance, and the childhood friends to lovers, I honestly felt like... this book could have been about actual teens and the plot would not have needed to change one bit for it to be realistic, obviously sans the sex (not because teens don't have sex, but because teens don't have sex for adults to read about/watch/engage with, y'all are fkn weird and if I see one more "discourse" video about this I'm going to lose it and then report y'all to all of the authorities. Stop being weird!!!! ffs). Also the jock dates the bookish girl trope, like, the high school drama literally writes itself.
Now, that being said, again I liked the spicy scenes, I liked their rapport together, I liked their relationship, and I liked the lack of a miscommunication that leads to the 3rd act breakup. I loved the plus size baddies group (where can I sign up to be a Cowgirl?) and I loved the fact that they were instantly such a support system for her and how well they clicked instead of being jealous or at her throat or whatever. Also the fake dating was obviously lovely, my otl <3 and the fact that He Falls First and he Falls Harder is obviously like yassss fat queen I love that for Trixie <3 <3 <3 SLAY
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia
Minor: Eating disorder, Body shaming, and Death of parent
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Okay, guys... hear me out but... I think the character Jerome might be black... I could be wrong though, please don't cancel me
Mr Mercedes was my first finished Stephen King novel, and I think maybe a combination of the very white author constantly using racial slurs and the very white narrator constantly saying them, just turned me off so much. I felt like Jerome could not be mentioned once in the entire book without reference to the fact that, yes, he's black. But wait, guys, it's okay that he's black cause he's applying to Harvard and Yale. Like, everyone who meets him points this out and it's constantly brought up as, like, part of his character and I genuinely don't think "Jerome" was ever alone in a sentence without "black." Like, girl...
Sort of similar to Hodges being fat, though there weren't so many comments about weight, but like I don't think I've heard so many fat jokes in a single book before. Like, Hodges fucking hates himself and cannot even talk to his girlfriend without being like "Woe is me, I'm so fat, how could you ever love me?" Or to his neighbor Jerome without a couple self-deprecating jokes about needing to lose 50 pounds. And like how old he is, too, but then he mentions being 62 at some point and I'm like, where is the old?? I felt sort of like Hodges was meant to be a grumpy old man character-turned heartfelt fatherly figure bc of the love from his community, which we all know I love <3 Maybe this trope doesn't work too well with the genre because I was like, girl shut up, you're ugly. And fat too, apparently. Don't care. I hated his character, he drove me nuts & was hella sexist and even openly admits to not taking women seriously because they're "crazy" and women. Then at the end hefucking has a heart attack, probs because he's so fat
The villain/antagonist/perp (not too familiar with the genre, so what's the correct term here?) was I think influenced by like Ted Bundy and other serial killer types, complete with killer Freudian mommy issues. He was very unlikable, which I guess is one thing King did right bc I am sick and tired of these characters being "undercover misunderstood good guys."
Overall.... idk what to tell you. I'm glad I tried out a King novel. However, I believe I will stick to girly horror from now on.
Mr Mercedes was my first finished Stephen King novel, and I think maybe a combination of the very white author constantly using racial slurs and the very white narrator constantly saying them, just turned me off so much. I felt like Jerome could not be mentioned once in the entire book without reference to the fact that, yes, he's black. But wait, guys, it's okay that he's black cause he's applying to Harvard and Yale. Like, everyone who meets him points this out and it's constantly brought up as, like, part of his character and I genuinely don't think "Jerome" was ever alone in a sentence without "black." Like, girl...
Sort of similar to Hodges being fat, though there weren't so many comments about weight, but like I don't think I've heard so many fat jokes in a single book before. Like, Hodges fucking hates himself and cannot even talk to his girlfriend without being like "Woe is me, I'm so fat, how could you ever love me?" Or to his neighbor Jerome without a couple self-deprecating jokes about needing to lose 50 pounds. And like how old he is, too, but then he mentions being 62 at some point and I'm like, where is the old?? I felt sort of like Hodges was meant to be a grumpy old man character-turned heartfelt fatherly figure bc of the love from his community, which we all know I love <3 Maybe this trope doesn't work too well with the genre because I was like, girl shut up, you're ugly. And fat too, apparently. Don't care. I hated his character, he drove me nuts & was hella sexist and even openly admits to not taking women seriously because they're "crazy" and women. Then at the end he
The villain/antagonist/perp (not too familiar with the genre, so what's the correct term here?) was I think influenced by like Ted Bundy and other serial killer types, complete with killer Freudian mommy issues. He was very unlikable, which I guess is one thing King did right bc I am sick and tired of these characters being "undercover misunderstood good guys."
Overall.... idk what to tell you. I'm glad I tried out a King novel. However, I believe I will stick to girly horror from now on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Incest, Death, Murder, Racial slurs, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death of parent, Homophobia, Mental illness, Sexism, and Stalking
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Rape scene, I'm only 50 or so pages in, but I'm not sure if the rest of the book will stay on the same track & hey life is too short and my TBR too long to be reading books that might trigger me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death of parent
The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace
adventurous
hopeful
slow-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
3.5
Jo was a sweet and cute MC, and I loved her insight on random facts, plus her love interest was oh-so adorable; I really wish we'd seen more of him and his sweet, romantic ADHD self. I much preferred Jo's POV and wish we'd gotten more of it, at least compared to how much we see McAdams in the book. I got sick of him, he wasn't a bad character but definitely didn't hold my interest enough to be, like, 80% of the POV. I missed Jo, and I got so excited whenever she came back in the scene :)
The book was also really great autism rep; it made me so happy! However, I'm knocking off a few stars for a couple of reasons: 1) the mystery aspect of this mystery novel was lacking quite a bit. The conclusion was very meh for me, and lowkey I cared less about Sid's death than about Jo's deep dive into her own family history. I hated the wholesex trafficking victim-turned-murderous villain, like genuinely what the f*ck was that? I honestly love an autistic character as a MC for a cozy mystery, but I do wish the mystery had been better organized. 2) The pacing was all the way off, and 3) as mentioned above, McAdams started to piss me off a bit.
I would honestly think a series like this would be so cute? Like, either Jo or another autistic MC in cozy mysteries solving crimes and info dumping. ILY JO!!! <3<3<3<3<3
The book was also really great autism rep; it made me so happy! However, I'm knocking off a few stars for a couple of reasons: 1) the mystery aspect of this mystery novel was lacking quite a bit. The conclusion was very meh for me, and lowkey I cared less about Sid's death than about Jo's deep dive into her own family history. I hated the whole
I would honestly think a series like this would be so cute? Like, either Jo or another autistic MC in cozy mysteries solving crimes and info dumping. ILY JO!!! <3<3<3<3<3
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Gun violence
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Such a cute little story! I cried, so automatic 5 stars.
It got quite a bit slow towards the middle, but the ending with Marcellus was so touching! I cried, it was very sweet and I have a newfound love of octopi (cue me looking up fun octopus facts? We'll see :D). There were quite a few laugh-out-loud moments for me also, and we all know that I'm such a sucker for grumpy old widow/er meets found family and becomes optimistic that life can and will be good again... throw in a marine animal and sorry babes but I'm sold!!
Also, I just finished Ugly Betty & I was like... Marc St James, is that you?? Michael Urie was so perfect for Marcellus :)
It got quite a bit slow towards the middle, but the ending with Marcellus was so touching! I cried, it was very sweet and I have a newfound love of octopi (cue me looking up fun octopus facts? We'll see :D). There were quite a few laugh-out-loud moments for me also, and we all know that I'm such a sucker for grumpy old widow/er meets found family and becomes optimistic that life can and will be good again... throw in a marine animal and sorry babes but I'm sold!!
Also, I just finished Ugly Betty & I was like... Marc St James, is that you?? Michael Urie was so perfect for Marcellus :)
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Addiction, Abandonment, Death, and Suicide
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
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? No
4.0
Cute little love story :)