Category Archives: Uncategorized

Inconvenient Daughter: A Novel — Lauren J. Sharkey

Genre: Coming-of-age, Fiction
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Trigger Warnings: Dating/domestic violence, r*pe

I really liked the writing but didn’t fully get into the story. This book follows Rowan, a girl who was adopted from South Korea by white parents. We see her struggle with her identity, make dubious life choices, and then finally come back to herself.

I loved Rowan’s inner voice. Absolutely loved her as a character. I just couldn’t empathize with how she managed the situations she was in. I feel bad for all she went through by the end of the book, but I’m sorry, her mom still didn’t deserve that.

Overall, it’s a good book and I can’t wait to read more from Lauren J. Sharkey. I would recommend this book to people who liked “A Little Life” by Hanya Yanagihara.

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Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything — Raquel Vasquez Gilliland

Genre: Coming-of-age, YA Romance
Actual Rating: 3 stars
Content Warnings: Sexual assault, death

I thought I would like this book more than I did, and, honestly, may this review not discourage you from reading this beauty of a book. It is truly so wonderfully written. There were just so many little things about that plot that didn’t sit well with me, so I couldn’t, in good conscience, give it a higher rating.

This book follows Sia Martinez through her high school experience, having lost her mother to a desert after she had been deported and had decided to walk back. Having also been sexually assaulted. Having been paired up with a cute boy who she’ll eventually get to love.

What didn’t sit well with me was how hyper sexualized the narrative was (after she had been recently sexually assaulted). I could not relate with how Sia reacted after the death of one of the characters. But good for her for getting over things so quickly, I guess?

I would recommend this book to sci-fi lovers and people interested in space and alien life.

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A Woman Is No Man — Etaf Rum

“To want what you can’t have in this life is the greatest pain of all.”

Genre: Cultural heritage fiction
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Trigger Warnings: Death, domestic violence, r*pe

It took me a long time to finish this book, but only because it carried such a heavy message. It has absolutely no reflection on the masterpiece of a debut this book was.

“A Woman Is No Man” follows three generations of Palestinian women; all in different stages of their lives, all trying to do their best within their possibilities, all linked by the tragedy of being alive in a society that wants to silence them.

Every time the title of the book was mentioned within its chapters it just absolutely tore me apart. My heart broke for Deya, Isra, Fareeda, Sarah, and every woman that’s ever felt like they have no voice and no choice.

This book is an absolute must-read. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s so well written and it shares a story that isn’t showcased enough in mainstream writing. If you’re able to get a hold of this book, do it. I tried listening to an audiobook but it wasn’t the same. Reading the words to this book is absolutely necessary.

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You Had Me at Hola — Alexis Daria

Genre: Steamy, red-hot romance
Actual Rating: 5+ stars
Content Warnings: None I can think of right now

This book follows Jasmine, a latinx actress, as she starts filming a series with her grandmother’s favorite telenovela star, Ashton.

You Had Me at Hola gave me LIFE. As I type up this review, I already have A Lot Like Adios waiting for me at home. The storyline was pretty straightforward; it was not really a slow-burn but it wasn’t instant-love either. It was just right. And oh, did this book bang.

With her honest narrative, Jasmine wins over your heart in the first few chapters. I can’t wait to see where the sequel will take us.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes romance books (and who isn’t afraid of a book getting real spicy, real quick).

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