I could not read this book fast enough. Sylah, Noor, Jood, Hassa, the Elders - their adventures, strained relationships. And of course The Wife. El-ArI could not read this book fast enough. Sylah, Noor, Jood, Hassa, the Elders - their adventures, strained relationships. And of course The Wife. El-Arifi casts a spell and holds me in their grasp. So many great themes - race, gender is just a thing as is sexuality, complexity of family/found family, the parting of Sylah and Noor continues to break my heart as they continue their path. ...more
Oh people the tension between these two women is FIERCE! Charlotte and Brighton - strong women finding their own place and success in the world; smartOh people the tension between these two women is FIERCE! Charlotte and Brighton - strong women finding their own place and success in the world; smart, witty, loved the supporting characters and their own stories. Also speed dating but lengthy Two Turtledoves, all of the tropes hit in this narrative but done so well. Messy, chaos and fun. Great setup, loved the background as a way to move the plot forward though not always inherent. The dual time line was chunky at times. ...more
I read this in a day! This is the Queer, Guilty Pleasure, Trashy, Family, Romance, Oh SNAP, WTF book I have been waiting for! Desperate to catapult heI read this in a day! This is the Queer, Guilty Pleasure, Trashy, Family, Romance, Oh SNAP, WTF book I have been waiting for! Desperate to catapult her career, Eden convinces her naive cousin to join the Garden State Goddesses reality show. Told from various perspectives, the vicious and loving plot keeps a hard pace. Intense attraction. Sapphic. I pre-ordered a copy I loved it so much....more
Lennon's life has been acceptable for years - her passive acceptance leads to her engagement party when reality can no longer be denied. After a phoneLennon's life has been acceptable for years - her passive acceptance leads to her engagement party when reality can no longer be denied. After a phone call from herself in some other dimension, Lennon accepts the test to enter a prestigious academy. Students from specific bloodlines are tracked for admittance - taught how to use their "other" skills, those essentially creating them outcasts in society. Some good twists and a good read. ...more
Alfred was wronged by his college friends - they owe him. They owe him big. The time to cache in is now. After twenty years from graduation - a group oAlfred was wronged by his college friends - they owe him. They owe him big. The time to cache in is now. After twenty years from graduation - a group of college friends are invited to their friend's Hitchcock Hotel. Always pretentious and oh so knowledgeable about "Hitch", Alfred has a cannot lose plan. They know something is going on - yet each of them are pulled back into the game by twisting guilt. Pretty good twists and an enjoyable read....more
I had to read this book in increments. Intense. Horrifying. Reality of life. Giles offers much to take away from this book - it will stay with me for I had to read this book in increments. Intense. Horrifying. Reality of life. Giles offers much to take away from this book - it will stay with me for some time. Cade is tired of the big black guy everyone backs away from. Trying to avoid one of those situations brings him to an enchanted - or cursed, pawnshop. With the Patriots championship ring on his finger, Cade's life alters. That normal fear - of heights to protect his sister from falling off the roof, students at this vastly majority white and wealthy students from spewing hateful speech, disappears in Cade's presence. A slow build horror to the visceral ending. My first by this author - running out to buy the backlog....more
The world building, caste system, based on cultural myths and legends had me up late reading. One of my top reads of 2024 - easy! The characters, the The world building, caste system, based on cultural myths and legends had me up late reading. One of my top reads of 2024 - easy! The characters, the struggle, lack of choices, representation. Our first love transition. Slow build with massive plot structure to continue throughout the series. Explosive ending. I am so glad I waited to read until all three books were out - and in my hands! ...more
I loved this book so much I bought a copy. Intense. Creative. Creepy. Cringe. Definitely one of the best horror I've read this year. Viv escapes via hI loved this book so much I bought a copy. Intense. Creative. Creepy. Cringe. Definitely one of the best horror I've read this year. Viv escapes via horror games - Locked In her newest thrill. It unravels her life - one dark secret shared and her life is no longer her own....more
**spoiler alert** I have no idea what I just read. A fantastical exposure of mental health treatment, lack of value and concern for our brethren. Plus**spoiler alert** I have no idea what I just read. A fantastical exposure of mental health treatment, lack of value and concern for our brethren. Plus an extinct spider who whispered the secrets of the universe. A husband signs away his wife - custody given to Dr Cull and his innovative, unorthodox treatment of mental health. In 1923. On the Moon. Veronica is assessed, treatment planned and waiting. Social time means outside in the garden - a man who attempted to kill himself and his family acts as the only sane patient. Telling truths....more
I loved the richness of Harlem, the clear racism and classism. The writing just went to all over the place for me. Lots of repetition- Layla's anger iI loved the richness of Harlem, the clear racism and classism. The writing just went to all over the place for me. Lots of repetition- Layla's anger is a major focus of the plot but overdone....more
I very much enjoyed this enemies to lovers, close proximity romp. Starts strong lags in some places but overall great read! Dylan and Derrick find eacI very much enjoyed this enemies to lovers, close proximity romp. Starts strong lags in some places but overall great read! Dylan and Derrick find each other sharing an apartment- forced to get over their preconceived notions of each other. Rich with realism - family issues, body image, self confidence, life balance....more
I was addicted to this audio - I cleaned for hours to keep it going. I loved the women's issues weaved into the story- that's what made it a five star I was addicted to this audio - I cleaned for hours to keep it going. I loved the women's issues weaved into the story- that's what made it a five star read for me. Subtle ways women talk about autonomy away from men. Loved these characters, family history and drama....more
This book went on forever. Lucy - a teenager in love with her governess. Mina desperately hopes to marry well. Lucy tries to stay out her courting genThis book went on forever. Lucy - a teenager in love with her governess. Mina desperately hopes to marry well. Lucy tries to stay out her courting gentlemen clutches. Elle - tells her story to Vanessa. The years struggling to be a vampire and have purpose. Iris just wants to live her life, struggling against the confines of her family's legacy and cult....more
Quill did not quit - and I loved her for it. She showed up. For the women who needed her. Those missing, those lost. Her daughter bears witness- does Quill did not quit - and I loved her for it. She showed up. For the women who needed her. Those missing, those lost. Her daughter bears witness- does she even have the luxury of innocence? No. It terrifies her. But this is her mother's, the women's legacy- bear witness for the lost women. So well written....more
Creeped me the ##ck out. Gunn does a brilliant job using the woods as a villian. I loved every moment. I could have finished in a sitting but gah it wCreeped me the ##ck out. Gunn does a brilliant job using the woods as a villian. I loved every moment. I could have finished in a sitting but gah it was so creepy I needed breaks. A family struggling with the tragic loss of a child becomes the target of whatever lurks in the woods. Their oldest daughter and her friends bring it into town - starting a whirlwind demise....more
Brenda Marie
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