The Poet X is a seriously fantastic coming of age story. The tale itself is heartfelt and emotional. But writing it all in poetry form? Somehow that made it all that much more powerful and intense. The emotions leap of the page with every line, capturing your heart and pulling you in.
This is the second Acevedo book I’ve read, and there is something powerful and intense about her words. I love how strongly each and every choice resonates and echoes within the heart. From the first line, I felt connected, and this feeling just grew and grew throughout the story.
The Poet X for me is all about the journey to find oneself in a world that is just not always kind. It is about growing up and finding out who you are when there are so many things stacked up against you. Rising, in spite of those who want to keep you down.
I’ve only ever seen slam poetry performed through videos. But somehow Acevedo’s words really bought to life the passion and intensity of the performative aspects of this. The strength of emotional connection increased the power of each and every poem. Delivering them like bullets to the heart.
Title: The Marriage Vendetta Author: Caroline Madden Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Humour, Mystery Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2025
The Marriage Vendetta was hilarious, dark and strangely difficult to put down. I was a bit hesitant to read it to begin with, and just used it to fulfill a reading challenge prompt. But then, as the story unfolded and I was entertained more and more, well, I couldn’t put it down. This was hilarious and brilliant. And, like I mentioned, seriously dark in moments. Kind of exactly what I needed in the moment (when my own long-term relationship with the father of my children was breaking apart). An extremely cathartic book that I just could not get enough of.
One of the many things that I loved about this story, was that it kept taking me to places that I did not expect. I mean, the whole story is basically Eliza careening to one insane choice after another. But, even though I knew something wonderfully bizarre was about to show up, I still couldn’t predict it. And, again, reading this at the time in my life that I did, it actually gave me a humorous lens through which to view my own imploded relationship and all of the toxic choices that we had both made. Don’t get me wrong, I definitely didn’t go the extremes that Eliza did, but it was still a good reflection.
One of the things that hardly anyone tells you about motherhood is how much of your own sense of self and identity you lose. I love that Madden was able to explore some of this through Eliza’s fixation on her child, loss of self and struggles to find her place in life. The fact that she crossed the line into some smothering behaviours in this, and why she did so, was a really beautiful way to explore something that is challenging for many mothers, and not talked about nearly often enough. Yet, it also spoke of the deep and consuming love that Eliza has for her daughter, and how she prioritises her with all of the love in her heart.
Alongside all of the soul searching and insane shenanigans, I loved the mystery aspect of constantly trying to figure out just what Richard was up to. It was obvious that he was doing something kind of dodgy and scheming, but, as the insanity got more and more intense, it also was fun to question reality and try and figure out what was delusion, and what was real. I love that the unhinged insanity of Eliza’s therapist drove all of this, to create a beautiful, strong ending with a spin that I just did not see coming…
I loved the teasers of Tanner and Lucy towards the end of My Cone and Only, so I’m not really sure why it took me so long to dive into their story. But, I’m glad that I eventually did, I really enjoyed reading about their romance and all of the different challenges that they have to overcome. I also enjoyed their little cameo in Kilt to Order, so it was fun to go back to the beginning when they first get together. But, as with everything that I have high hopes for, I was a little reluctant to truly get into this. It turns out that I really didn’t need to be. This was fun and brilliant and I couldn’t put it down.
Something I really enjoyed about reading Cream and Punishment was reading about two different people who have incredibly toxic families. I love how quickly Tanner is able to recognise and acknowledge the toxicity of his work / family life, and chooses to strike out on his own. His strength of self and ability to actually stand on his own two feet is adorable, and kind of enviable. I also love how it gives a bit of insight into the complexities of toxic family relationships, and the King family in particular – although, when I looked at it and realised that only three books have been published… I was kind of gutted. I mean, there is so much potential for chaos and complex familial relationships in the future!
Unlike Tanner, Lucy takes a little bit longer to realise just how toxic her familial bonds are. But, I also found them to be far more passive and insidious. Particularly her mother, that level of coercive control felt icky from the beginning, and it was really hard to read about Lucy just… dealing with it. Yet, this very level of discomfort was what made it all that much more powerful when Lucy finally starts to recognise the unhealthy patterns she is a part of. Plus, for me, it made her a stronger and more loveable character – one who is able to overcome some seriously challenging odds to embrace her happily ever after.
Cream and Punishment is a great second chance romance which really felt like it was focusing on attachment styles and the internal struggles we all face when trying to commit to one another. Nixdoesn’t make it easy for Tanner and Lucy to find their way to one another, but the battle and growth that they both have to go through to get there make it all that much more beautiful and enjoyable. Now I can’t wait to read Pint of Contention and find out about the next King sibling to fall in love.
Title: Dial A for Aunties Author: Jesse Q. Sutanto Series: Aunties #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Humour, Mystery Pace: Fast Format: eBook, Novel Year: 2021
Holy crap, this book was freaking amazing. And totally unforgettable. There was just something about it that made me fall head over heels in love from the very first page. I mean, it is pure insanity and hilariously unhinged. But, I love that in a good book. Unhinged in real life isn’t great, but reading about it. Particularly when that unhinged comes from a place of love? That works wonderfully. Which, considering this is really a love story about four aunts and their niece, meant that I thought this was the most delightfully and chaotically unhinged story that I’ve read in a long while.
As I mentioned, there is the romance between Meddy and her past flame, but for me, the biggest love story is Meddy and her aunties. They just don’t hesitate to dive right in and help her out, regardless of just how bad the situation is. Which is particularly hilarious when they are literally trying to hide a dead body. I mean, honestly, the incredibly foolish and ill-conceived decisions just keep coming. And they had me laughing outloud throughout the entire novel. But, the fact that this all came from a place of love and care? It made what was actually quite macabre to be absolutley beautiful and kind of heart melting.
To begin with, there are the multiple timelines in this novel. Starting with the chaotic choices made by Meddy’s mum and leading to the whole body situation. But then, you flash back to Meddy’s past. This doesn’t happen throughout the entire story, but it occurs enough to giv eyou a background not only into Meddy’s past relationship, but also to just where some of her discontent sits. I love though, that when that smaller arc from the past is completed, you are just plunged into the present full time. driven along with the knowledge of some of Meddy’s past, and the reasons why she is not quite happy in life the way it is.
Dial A for Aunties crossed a whole lot of genres in the most enjoyable manner. It felt a little like a mystery, a like sattirical, a little contemporary / contemporary romance and a whole lot of familial love. I basically spent the entire time reading this laughing and giggling – there was just something ridiculously fun and light about this. Which was particularly surprising when there was literally a dead body at the centre of this story…
I had absolutely no idea what to expect from this book – I’ve never read anything by Emmeline Duncan, and I really only read this for the Popsugar 2025 Reading Challenge. And boy am I glad that I did, I pretty much read this from cover to cover and loved every single minute of it. There was something fun and light about it, even whilst dealing with murder and mayhem. The fact that this cozy mysteryalso centred on coffee in a lot of ways just made it all that much better. I freaking love coffee, and I seriously enjoyed the process of creating and making throughout. Duncan has such an attention to detail within this, and it was just absolutely fantastic and drool-inducing.
One of the aspects of this cozy mystery that I absolutely adored was the detail which Duncanwas able to impart throughout. She created this world and structure to her story that you are plunged into immediately. Then, as the story unfolds, you get drawn deeper and deeper into the world of coffee and a fledgling food truck business. I could almost smell all the different foods in the Rail Yard. I know that the focus of the story is really the mystery aspect, but I definitely focused in on the food aspect a whole lot.
I loved how, throughout this, there are so many Red Herrings. The murderer could have literally been any one of a number of characters within the Rail Yard. Not only was the victim someone who had wronged or annoyed a number of those characters, then there’s Sage’s family and all of the complications there. I was not really sure who the villain was going to be right up until the reveal. Duncan just did such a brilliant job at entangling literally everything, so that it was almost impossible to figure out what was actually going to happen. Which is probably why I just adored reading this cozy mystery so much – I just couldn’t guess what was going to happen next.
This would’ve been an amazing story without the complications of Sage’s family. But there are so many more nuances and hints of more complications and horrors in the future. I mean, Sage’s Mum is quite possibly insane, and I have a feeling that there will be more surprises in the shape of Gabby in the future. I may be wrong, but I love that there is so much potential layered into this story, what a brilliant way to start off a series! I can’t wait to dive in again and read more!
Meeting Norman and getting hints of Lois in Dewey Belong Together meant that I was incredibly excited when I started reading Checking You Out. I love how their whole story is interconnected with Max and Jonathan, but they also have their own start. They meet online, create a relationship, and then Lois gets a Dear Jane letter to completely break her heart. As with most second chance romances, on the surface, the initial break up / misunderstanding seems incredibly harsh, and I still question Norman a little. But, ultimately, they are a gorgeous couple and I really enjoyed reading this story!
Not only do Lois and Norman reconnect through kismet and their mutual connections, but I love how Max, Jonathan, Lois and Norman manage to make a pretty unstoppable foursome. They are wonderfully suited to each other as a group. And the fact that this all takes place around Christmas just makes it all that much better. I love that they manage to celebrate together, and make the festive season particularly special for Agoraphobic Rose, and Lois (who is missing her daughter a whole lot). The romance between the two leads might be the main driver of this story, but the building of the community between the four of them is all that much more special to my mind.
With all of the space between Norman and Lois’ first and second chance, there is obviously going to be a whole lot of other history. I love how realistic Whynot is about Lois’ feelings towards her ex husband. Rather than it just being about him realising that he’s gay and being true to himself, she has a whole mess of other feelings. Feelings of abandonment, rejection and betrayal all due to the ways in which he goes about it. I love that towards the end, when she finally confronts him for some of his less than stellar behaviour, she highlights that it’s actually not about him coming out – it’s about the way in which he chose to go about it. Her ex made a choice, and there are consequences to it.
I love when romance authors deal with chronic conditions which have an impact on someone’s everyday experiences and lives. In the case of Checking You Out, Whynot is able to emphasise the ways in which chronic pain can have a daily impact. The risks (and often experiences) of substance abuse to deal with the pain. And then the multitude of ways in which to live with such a condition. The fact that a chronic condition can change your daily experiences and impact every decision you make. The realism is wonderful and I seriously enjoyed taking this walk in someone else’s shoes.
Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1 is a seriously dark and twisty graphic novel. I mean, it starts with a domestic violence homicide and then just… spirals from there. And honestly, this is exactly how I seem to like my graphic novels. Dark, twisty and filled with a surprising amount of violence. It also left me thinking. A lot. After I turned the final page. And I think that that too is the mark of a good graphic novel for my shelves.
At its core, Sisters of Sorrow Volume 1 is all about women who are filled with feminist rage. Honestly, there’s a reason why I liked it so much – these are women who are 1000% done with the system and the lack of protection that it offers. It is about a group of women who have been so brutalised that they have zero fucks left to give. And, honestly, I was right there beside them. The feminist rage that screamed and yelled in the pages, I felt that down to my very soul.
Even though I loved how this feminist rage was displayed, it did make me kind of sad to read this. Because I feel like it is such an accurate reflection of the world as we know it at the moment. I wish that this felt like a fantasy. But honestly, the older I get, the more society seems to be moving into a direction that protects the aggressors. And, as much as I enjoyed this, it made me sad to read this story. People senselessly losing their lives because of a system and social injustices that are rife in the world.
To match the incredible darkness of this story, the images and artwork in this graphic novel is gloriously dark. There is a little gore, and everything is done in dark tones. I can’t wait to read more in this story to see how this gorgeous artwork continues to tell this dark tale.
Tastes Like Shakkar is funny, clever and full of heart. I really enjoyed reading Dating Dr. Dil. But, if anything, I enjoyed Tastes Like Shakkar even more. Maybe because Dating Dr. Dil was introducing me to a whole world and viewpoint that I have had literally no experience with, but I felt more enmeshed in this reality upon this read through. It might also just have been because I absolutely adored Bobbi and her many spitfire ways. Her level of drive and commitment, not just to her work, but also to holding a grudge, was fantastic. And I really loved how she went toe to toe with the many challenges thrown into her path. Without backing down or showing any kind of fear.
I’m always a big fan of a prequel that shows a couple’s first interactions, and then dives forward into the present day. In this case, it jumps from Bobbi and Bunty’s first meeting during Kareena and Prem’s courtship, and then dives headfirst into their frequent interactions in their wedding preparations. I loved this jump around as it perfectly sets up the initial animosity between the couple. But, rather than painting either of them as the fool, or the person who is at fault for their difficulties getting along, it is obvious just how they have both ended up in this position. Then, there’s the fact that this also helps to round out more of Prem and Kareena’s story.
As with Dating Dr. Dil, I’m not familiar with the original Shakespeare that this story was based upon. But, it made me actually halfway interested to read some more of Shakespeare’s works. Not necessarily because I’m excited by The Bard’s words, but because Sharma does such an amazing job of retelling the tale in a way that colours me intrigued. Plus, she’s not chosen Macbeth, King Lear or Romeo and Juliet – the three that I feel like are constantly retold and rehashed. The fact that this story also helps to tell of Sharma’s only reality as part of an immigrant family makes it even better and more enjoyable.
Although I loved reading about Bobbi and Bunty falling in love, as with Kareena and Prem’s story, it’s really the aunts that steal the show. I mean, they are hilarious, powerful and just all around joyful. Everyone needs Aunties like this in their lives to help them out of a tough spot. And although I haven’t had women of this calibre involved in my own life, I love the thought of them being involved in my daughter’s life. Plus, they might be considered Kareena’s Aunties, but they are also 100% there for Bobbi. This kind of love reminds me that there are so many good things in the world. Good people and a whole lot of love. Plus, they’re just outright hilarious to read about.
Amongst all of the other multiple joyous parts of this book, I really liked getting to know how a South-East Asian wedding take place. I spent the entire time trying to guess just who the Shaddi Saboteur was, and this, along with the new experiences left me feeling intrigued and happy. I absolutely adored this RomCom inspired insight into an entirely new world. And now I can’t wait to round out my reading of this trilogy with Marriage and Masti.
This was not the story I was expecting to be completely honest, I knew that it was a forced proximity romance and had a bit of a second chance romance vibe. But what I got was, quite honestly, even better. For starters, the second chance aspect of reconnecting as adults was due to entirely unexpected factors. Primarily, in Gideon feeling that he had betrayed Andi, and Andi moving far away as a consequence of childish actions. I do love though that they very quickly are able to reconnect as best friends, and then build on this to the romance and lust filled portion of the story.
As the story unfolds, and Gideon’s past comes to light, it became a whole lot of emotionally wow. Gideon’s parents and their use of religion to justify abuse was truly horrifying. I don’t often see individuals as “evil” in a black and white sense, but in this circumstance, I 100% did. It also gives a very unique conflict in their past – a lot of Gideon’s guilt at the past is viewed through the lens of an adult. As a child, it is completely justifiable to see where his actions came from. But it would most certainly be harshly judged as an adult. I also love that his love for Andi and their growing relationship is what finally allows him to put some better boundaries in place with his family.
The more I found out about Gideon throughout this story, the more I loved him. He took a traumatic and guilt-ridden event from his past and decides to change his ways. Rather, he comes full circle and supports his two younger brothers in their own gender and sexual identities. Those which would make many of this religious insanity absolutely baulk. I just found this whole situation to be beautiful. Normally I connect really strongly with the women in a story, but in writing this review and thinking back on the story, my focus is solely on Gideon. Andi is also an amazing female lead and I really loved her. But it’s easy to be kind and accepting when that’s what you’ve grown up with. It’s so much more powerful to shuck a lifetime’s worth of prejudice, and be a better human off your own back.
I was expecting this story to be filled with conflict caused by Gideon’s family. I thought he would be likely to have a massive crisis of identity, and then finally come full circle at the end. I love that this is not the case at all. Gideon and Andi have both already done all of the work as individuals and become better people. Finding each other and ending up together is really about forgiving themselves (internally) for the past and enjoying their future together. It also meant that the character development (which is something I always love Noirfor) is seriously focused on their own issues and letting go of the toxicity in their lives. Not about the conflict between the couple.
Not only was this a wonderful story, I also just loved the reMeet Cute. Andi is chained to a tree in a blizzard and seriously questioning her own sanity. Gideon is wondering why he has to go and save the crazy woman and questioning her decision making. It makes for a hilarious start to a story. And all of the light moments throughout help to diffuse the intensity of some of the more emotionally fraught moments. I adore Noir’s work and this is a perfect example of why.
Brandon and Jennifer have a great Meet Cute in Volatile. It is full of flirty, somewhat lustful banter. And it makes you think that they are immediately going to connect in a very intimate way. Until he arrests her for having bombs in her car. Which is the beginning of this story, and a beginning I completely adored and could get behind. Volatile then continued to keep building from there in a way that made it almost impossible to put down. I absolutely adored this adventure, and it has made me really keen to read the other Carina Alyce series, and also Burn Card, the next book in this MetroGen series.
I really enjoyed Jennifer as a character, she was the absolute sunshine in this sunshine – grump romance, but she was also the aggressor. I love that she spends the entirety of this story pushing Brandon outside of his comfort zone. Rather than just letting his excuses slide, he is constantly encouraging and pushing him into new territories. Not in an overbearing way, but in the format that she is helping him expand his horizons. The end of this story and the point of highest conflict is a great example of this. Jennifer is able to help Brandon reach his full potential, with a healthy push, one that really makes him stop and think.
Although Jennifer is the aggressor, Brandon is a great support for her. He does eventually become a little more aggressive with his own romantic / sexual intentions. But, I love that, professionally, Brandon has no issue with standing back and letting Jennifer lead the investigation. Rather than being all macho and moronic about it. He happily follows her lead, and also consistently reminds others that she is the lead. Particularly in a situation in which he could very easily take over (it’s his town and his people), he still supports Jennifer and hands the reigns over.
I was really intrigued to how the romance / sexuality of this story was going to play out. I’ve read two Carina Alyce novellas, and I know that she’s been involved in writing Grey’s Anatomy (because of her bio). But I wasn’t sure how that would translate into on-page intimacies. This was definitely well written. And there were some scenes that I most definitely would not be reading in a public space. It was not vanilla sex and it was the kind of writing that had me fanning myself a few times whilst reading it. Which just makes me want to dive into some more of Alyce’s works – there was great steam, and great character development, and a really gorgeous relationship at the centre of it all.
Earth and Skye 