beesreadingshelf's reviews
390 reviews

Here To Stay by Mark Edwards

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challenging dark mysterious tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Whisper Man by Alex North

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense 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

4.25

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

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challenging dark sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

The Sword of Kaigen: Deluxe Edition by M.L. Wang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

4.5

All About You by Shaina Veronica

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.25

All About You follows Jaslene who believes she has just possibly met the love of her life in the best meet cute to exist, the bookstore. As the ever-hopeless romantic that she is, Jaslene believes that this is her one chance to have the romance of her dreams, one to rival her parents, however, there’s just one problem. Jaslene has been betrothed to the son of her mum’s best friend, Marlon since birth and their mothers are convinced that they are endgame. Another problem? Jaslene can’t stand him. She soon realises that she won’t ever get to have her happy ever after unless their families stop trying to set her and Marlon up. There is only one solution, right? Fake date, break up and show their families that they truly don’t belong with one another.

This was so much fun.

There is something so special about reading a book that is set in Australia. I don’t live in the state where this takes place but it still felt nostalgic in the way that I could feel and see myself walking down the same streets and the same places that the characters visited throughout this book. It added such a fantastic element to my reading experience.

There was something so endearing about the characters. They felt authentic, raw and imperfect. They felt human.  Were there times when I wanted to grab Jas and Marlon by the shoulders and shake them? Yes, but I think that’s what made them human to me.

I am personally obsessed with Ria and I need a book about her immediately. I am headcannoning her as queer btw. That’s my beloved.

All About You is a fun, feel-good book that I just know I will need the physical copy for as soon as possible so I can cherish it and reread it whenever I want.

Shaina, I am so beyond proud of you and I am so excited to see everyone read this book so they too can feel how much love and joy that you have poured into this. 

Thank you to Shaina for providing me with this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 
Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Angels Before Man by rafael nicolás

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adventurous challenging dark 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

4.0

Penpal by Dathan Auerbach

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

The Black Girl Survives in This One by Saraciea J. Fennell, Desiree S. Evans

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Muneera and the Moon by Sonia Sulaiman

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adventurous challenging dark fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75