Genevieve

This one’s a little tough for me to rate. I liked it, just not as much as the first two. The pacing felt a bit slow in the beginning, it dragged a little for me, but things definitely picked up toward the end. That ending? Jaw dropping. I’m still fully invested in the series and can’t wait to see what happens in book 4!

I’ll be honest, I was a little skeptical after reading Block Shot, but Hook Shot completely won me over. Keenan and Lotus’s love story was beautiful and deeply moving. I especially appreciated seeing a Black male lead shown in such a positive, vulnerable light. Keenan is a divorced father navigating heartbreak, healing, and fatherhood while opening himself up to love again, and it was done so well. An emotional, powerful read! Check your triggers cause there are some heavy topics in this one.

This wasn’t my favorite Kennedy Ryan book. While her writing is always strong, I had a hard time connecting with the male character, his overly sexual behavior was just a little too much for me, and got old real fast. The story had its moments, but overall, it was just okay. Still, I’m glad I read it and will always show up for Kennedy’s storytelling.

Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan took me by surprise. I went in blind without reading the synopsis, and it was much darker than I expected. But wow… the writing is absolutely incredible. It’s a powerful story of pain, survival, and ultimately, empowerment and love. Beautifully written and deeply moving. Beautifully written and impossible to forget.

I read the ebook while listening to the audio, and it definitely kept me entertained! The creepy vibe was well done, and having the story told through a child’s perspective, it made everything feel more tense, more real. However, I was let down by the ending. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it left me feeling like… oh, that’s it? Still, a solid 4-star read!

3.75⭐️ This started off a bit slow for me, and it took a while to really pull me in. The world-building was interesting, and once the story picked up, I found myself more invested. While it didn’t quite live up to all the hype for me personally, it’s still a solid fantasy read. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next in book two!

This book was intense. Octavia Butler is a genius and truly way ahead of her time. Crazy how real the story is to today’s issues. Not an easy read, but a powerful one that sticks with you. I enjoyed this one more than the Parable of the Sower.

Wow! Take My Hand is a powerful historical fiction based on true events. It tells the story of the Williams sisters, their family, and their nurse in 1973 Montgomery, Alabama. This book made me angry, cry, and left me completely shocked. It’s a heartbreaking and horrific tragedy that is beautifully written and deeply moving. I’ll definitely be researching the real life Relf sisters who inspired this story. Everyone needs to read this.

S.A. Cosby does it again! My favorite thriller author. King of Ashes was fast-paced and had my attention from page one. I couldn’t put it down. The characters felt raw and real, and that ending, was absolutely unforgettable. While Razorblade Tears still holds the top spot for me, King of Ashes comes in as a very close second. Cosby knows how to write an action pack thriller like no one else. If you’re not reading him yet, you’re missing out.

3.75⭐️That ending?! Wow. I was engaged the whole time and definitely didn’t see that twist coming. Read while listening to the audio. Just when I thought I had it figured out… nope! It wasn’t perfect, but it kept me turning the pages and guessing the whole way through. Solid read!

I love S.A. Cosby, he’s an incredibly talented writer and I’ve devoured his other books. But I just didn’t like this one. You can tell this was his first book. Honestly, none of the characters were memorable. One thing that really got to me was how every woman in the book was either someone the main character slept with or referred to in a derogatory way. I’m still a huge fan of Mr. S. A. Cosby, but this one just wasn’t for me.

I absolutely love everything A.E. Valdez writes, she’s one of my go-to authors for a reason. This was such a beautiful, heartfelt continuation of Acyn and Harlow’s love story. It was emotional, passionate, and felt like pure perfection. ❤️

I really enjoyed this book! It was fast-paced, addictive, and I couldn’t put it down. This is my second book by Noelle W. Ihil and she’s becoming a favorite. I also read the 6 page novella After the Dark, ( gotten from her instagram linktree link) it wasn’t necessary to understand the story, but it was an interesting little bonus read. Can’t wait to pick up more of her books!

This book has been on my TBR since November, and I finally gave it a shot. It was a slow burn and felt way too long—I didn’t really get into it until around 70%, and there were a few moments I almost DNF’d. Listening to the audiobook definitely helped me push through. Not a favorite, but I see the potential. The ending did leave me curious enough to consider book 2.

This was my first Riley Sager book, and I really enjoyed it! It was a slow start, but I found myself suspicious of every character. Once the twists started rolling in, I was genuinely shocked. There was even a moment when I gasped, and had to close the book. Sager did a great job building tension towards the end, and keeping you engaged until the very last page.

Wow!! Just finished this book, and it was absolutely amazing. I listened to the audiobook while reading, and having Trevor Noah narrate his own story brought it to life in such a powerful way. He gives a raw, honest glimpse into his life growing up in South Africa towards the end of apartheid. I knew a little about the topic, but hearing about colorism and systemic injustice from his perspective opened my eyes in a way I didn’t expect. And can we talk about his mom?! She’s hilarious, strong, and had me laughing out loud more than once. This memoir is both heartbreaking and beautiful. One of the best I’ve read, and one I’ll be recommending to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the eARC!

Our Vicious Oaths started strong, the storyline had great potential and really pulled me in. That said, the spice was a little too heavy for my personal taste, and at times it pulled me away from the depth of the story. I found myself wanting more focus on the plot and the magical elements. This was my first N.E. Davenport book, and overall an okay read. I’m still excited to check out Blood Trial and Blood Gift!

I went into this book completely blind, just trusting a friend’s recommendation and wow. I was hooked from the very first chapter. This story took me on an emotional roller coaster I did not see coming. It’s beautifully written, and as my first Jennifer Hartmann book, it absolutely won’t be my last. The way it explores healing and finding love after deep trauma is both powerful and unforgettable.

This book was beautifully written, and the premise was powerful. However, the writing style didn’t fully click for me. I got to Chapter 10 and realized I wasn’t fully grasping it, so I started over and even bought the audiobook to help me through. I appreciated the emotion and depth, but overall, it just didn’t land for me the way I hoped. Still, I’m glad I gave it a chance.

This was one of my book club’s June picks, and honestly I did not enjoy this as much as I wanted. The book started off decent, but the pacing was way too slow to be classified as a thriller. The storyline got pretty confusing at times, and by the end, I was just kinda over it. This is a no for me.

Just finished Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell, thank you NetGalley & Atria Books for the early ARC 🙌🏾⁣ in exchange for an honest review. This book is told in different POVs and sometimes was confusing. I really wish the chapters were labeled by character, so that we could keep up with their POV. This seemed more like a dramatic lifetime movie rather than a psychological thriller. Immediately after reading, I gave it a 4⭐️, but after waiting to post my review I’m dropping it down to 3.5⭐️. The plot was a little predictable, but her writing pulls you in, definitely still worth the read.

“The Black God’s Drums” was an outstanding read. A short novella that captivates you from the start. The author blended magic, history, and Afro-Caribbean spirituality together with great detail. This short book has amazing characters and world-building. I read the physical book as I listened to the audiobook. The narrator bought everything to life. If you’re into fast-paced fantasy, with rich cultural roots and a powerful voice, this is 100% worth the read.

I stumbled across this book in a bookstore, and since it focused on Haiti, I knew I had to pick it up to learn more about my culture. It’s definitely a heavy and intense read. At times, it felt a bit too long and slow-paced, but the writing was beautiful, especially the vivid scenes and descriptions of the war. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the historical context, even if the pacing didn’t fully hold me the entire way through.

A powerful read. It follows nine or ten characters connected by the 2010 Haiti earthquake, and each POV adds something emotional and real. The writing was beautiful, and the grief felt so raw. Myriam J. A. Chancy did a great job showing the grief and despair the Haitian people went through.

This book was the first book I read in verse, and at first I was like I’m not going to like this. This was such a powerful story, Ibi Ziboi and Yusuf Salaam have truly written a masterpiece that opens your eyes to the injustices that black and brown people of color deal with. It’s raw, inspiring, and beautifully written. I 100% recommend it if you're looking for something that truly moves you.