tab_reads's reviews
806 reviews

Spice Me Up by J.F. Miev, Aria Clark

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Goalie Interference by Piper Vaughn, Avon Gale

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Reclaimed by Seth Haddon

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adventurous 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? No

4.0

4⭐️ 1🌶️
MOOD: adventurous, emotional
TROPES: enemies to friends to lovers,
GENRES: sci-fi/fantasy, lgbtq romance
FAV QUOTE: Unfortunately, Saba wanted to live. This had always been his misfortune.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Saba Vasili and Luan Zek

THE GOOD: I have been waiting for Luan's story since finishing Reborn - this is really Saba's story with Luan in it but I'll take it. The back and forth between these two characters - their backgrounds, history, goals - is both enjoyable and, at times, frustrating to read. Beyond their relationship, all of the side characters feel like real people sometimes annoyingly so given what happens and what is revealed over the course of the story. This can also be read as a reflection of the current political climate of certain areas of the world and the Saba's people but if you don't want to read into that - then don't. I somehow still didn't read Reforged, cause I started with Reborn, but think this was a good ending to the series.
THE NEUTRAL: I really love this series it just takes me a long time to read these books. There's always a lot going on - characters, locations, numerous gods - and that's what makes them so good but it's a lot of information so not always easily digestible.

CW (from the author): discussions of mass death, ableism, violence, body dysmorphia, gender dysphoria, internalized transphobia, mention of suicidal ideation
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

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Tempting by Saxon James

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Off the Ice by Piper Vaughn, Avon Gale

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emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Content Warnings

The Cobbler and His Elves by CB Wren

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lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

4⭐️ 1.5🌶️
MOOD: lighthearted, mysterious
TROPES: enemies to lovers (lite)
GENRES: omegaverse, lgbtq+ romance

MAIN CHARACTERS: Milo Hart, Jack Sterling, and Elijah Sterling

THE GOOD: This is a really cute and quick read. It has a cozy mystery and a fairly low-angst romance plot.
THE NEUTRAL: This would probably be better to read after reading book 1 in the series, These Shoes Weren't Made for Stalking but it was a fine read as a standalone.
THE MEH: Nothing that I can think of.

CW: violence, sexual content
DISCLAIMER: I received an advance review copy. This is my honest review.

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For I Have Sinned by Crea Reitan, Crea Reitan

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challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4⭐️ 2.5🌶️

MOOD: challenging, hopeful, emotional

TROPES: bi-awakening, forbidden romance

GENRES: small-town romance, lgbtq+ romance

FAV QUOTE: He doesn’t look up at first. I get the feeling he’s ignoring me, which can’t be right. Priests don’t ignore people.

MAIN CHARACTERS: Zaiden Nyles and Ellsworth Sanna

I originally read this in the Shatter Me anthology. I did not realize that when I picked it up so, yes, I have a horrible memory and, yes, I have very specific tropes & themes that I like to read. Still a good read, still a little heartbreaking, still needs more lube. Will I read it again in another year? Probably. It was my fav out of the anthology - which I do have - so I'm glad I got this standalone version from the library and didn't accidentally buy it too. If you also read it in the anthology I'm not really sure the epilogue makes it worth a whole re-read, even though it was cute and did go with the rest of the story, unless you liked the story the first time around which I did.

CW: sexual content, death, homophobia

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