libbyslibrary's reviews
368 reviews

The Friendship Study by Ruby Barrett

emotional reflective 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

3.0

I loved all of the rep in this book and the angsty, emotional vibes but unfortunately for me, the MCs had more chemistry on the cover than they did in the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail

Let's Make a Scene by Laura Wood

emotional funny 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? No

5.0

Laura Wood is officially an auto-buy author for me now. This had so much charm and wit but didn’t skimp out on the yearning and the chemistry. I’m going to have the biggest book hangover  😭

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content

Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment

The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women by Kate Moore

emotional informative sad slow-paced

4.5

Incredibly thorough but still full of heart, it truly honors all of the women. My only complaint was the narration, it was so slow, I had to turn it up to almost 2x speed  just to get to a normal speaking pace. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Misogyny, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Gaslighting

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

dark emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was beautifully written and parts absolutely captivated me but overall I could not get into this. I had to force myself to finish it. I love V.E.’s writing but this one just didn’t hook me like the others. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury

King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

dark emotional mysterious 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

5.0

Cosby never disappoints. This was a wild ride. And the Razorblade Tears Easter eggs?! Perfect. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Body horror, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder

Citizen Illegal by José Olivarez

emotional reflective fast-paced

5.0

Poetry is not a genre I usually pick up so I was a little hesitant but I absolutely loved this.

Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie Mare

adventurous emotional 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? No

3.0

This was sweet but the pacing was a struggle for me. It felt really slow in parts but then we’d breeze right through other parts. I also felt like there were too many characters- I just couldn’t get invested in that many side characters and then giving them all mini chapters just bogged down the flow for me. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by Tourmaline

emotional informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Grief, Suicide attempt

Slipstream by Madge Maril

emotional 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

3.0

Overall this was just okay, sweet but okay. I had some issues with the pacing and some of the plot points. To me, the fake dating stakes never really made sense. I feel like it would’ve worked better if this was just a forced proximity/enemies to lovers. That said though, I enjoyed it and think I finally found a sports romance genre I can get behind!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Abandonment

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This kicked me in my little NASA loving, fellow auntie-mom heart 😭

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Misogyny, Grief