1-star – Talk Nerdy Book Blog

July 25, 2020

P

Series: Standalone

Release Date: June 11, 2020

Synopsis

‘THE BEAUTY MYTH’ FOR THE INSTAGRAM GENERATION
‘Rallying, radical and pitched perfectly for her generation.’ – Evening Standard

Women Don’t Owe You Pretty is the ultimate book for anyone who wants to challenge the out-dated narratives supplied to us by the patriarchy.

Through Florence’s story you will learn how to protect your energy, discover that you are the love of your own life, and realise that today is a wonderful day to dump them.

Florence Given is here to remind you that you owe men nothing, least of all pretty.

WARNING: CONTAINS EXPLICIT CONTENT (AND A LOAD OF UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS).

THE FEMINIST MEMOIR EVERYONE IS TALKING ABOUT.

Ending

• Empowering
• Self-reflective

Representation

Addresses each of the following:
• Queer sexuality
• Racism
• Transgender
• Transphobia
• Oppression of women
• Ableism
• fatphobia

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Rape
• Sexual assault

Mature Themes

Discussions of:
• sex and masturbation
• slut-shaming
• the objectification of women
• rape culture
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Hardcover

Rating: 4/5 stars

Trigger Warning: This review discusses topics that can be triggering for some. Please read the ‘Possible Triggers’ tab above for details.

Note: This novel is very similar to What a Time to Be Alone: The Slumflower’s Guide to Why You Are Already Enough by The Slumflower (Chidera Eggerue) which was published in 2018. Women Don’t Owe You Pretty was published in 2020. If Given’s book looks like something you want to read, I highly recommend reading What a Time to Be Alone first.

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Dear Aaron by Mariana Zapata

By Sarah

In 1-star, Book Review

August 16, 2018

D

Series: Standalone

Release Date: June 10, 2017

Synopsis

Ruby Santos knew exactly what she was getting herself into when she signed up to write a soldier overseas.

The guidelines were simple: one letter or email a week for the length of his or her deployment. Care packages were optional.

Been there, done that. She thought she knew what to expect.

What she didn’t count on was falling in love with the guy.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

• Hispanic main and supporting characters
• Gay side characters
• MM side couple
• Attempts to address fatphobia… but doesn’t do it successfully.

Possible Triggers: No

• No abuse.
• No OTT sad parts.

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• Does have OW/OM drama:
– Hero has had 20+ ex-lovers (so he was very promiscuous in the past)
– Hero and Heroine weren’t a couple ’til the end, so OW would constantly flirt with the Hero and he wouldn’t put a stop to it. The Heroine would get very upset and jealous as a result.
– Heroine was hung up on her brother’s BFF–they had sex but the OM said it was a mistake and to not tell her family the next day. The Heroine, as a result, has not dated or had sex since.
– The Hero convinced the Heroine to date in their letter exchanges. Those dates with OM never went further than a first date and kiss.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a significant separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle

Rating: 1.5/5 stars

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Black Spells and Twisted Souls by Cece Rose

By Sarah

In 1-star, Book Review

July 26, 2018

B

Series: Grey Witch

Release Date: July 16, 2018

Synopsis

Kayla Harlow is an unlucky witch.
A dead boss, a demonic kitty in her bathtub, and a smoking hot detective… If only he wasn’t trying to pin her for the murder.

Between a mysterious fae prince with no sense of modesty or boundaries showing up, having to call a vengeance spirit, and more demons than she ever expected or wanted to meet appearing in her living room, an iced latte spilled all over her new dress is suddenly the least of her worries.

When white magic won’t save her, and black magic will taint her soul, what’s a witch to do?

Ending

 HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers: Yes

• Sexual assault
• Murder
• No OTT sad parts.

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
– One of the Heroine’s ex lovers has many OW, though. He might be part of the harem.
• Does have the Heroes and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Heroes and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Format: Kindle

Rating: 1/5 stars

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Unmasked by Magan Vernon

By Sarah

In 1-star, Book Review

November 16, 2017

U

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 6th, 2017

Synopsis:

Can a hotshot snowboarder de-ice the ice queen?

At twenty-six, Blake Tremblay is one of the oldest snowboarders in the game. His sights are set on the gold medal, and he knows it’s now or never.

Kelly Johnson has spent her entire life skating and winning. She’s had no time for friends or an active social life, earning her the nickname “Ice Queen” – in and out of the rink.
Blake makes a bet without knowing all the terms. His ego won’t let him back out, even though his target is none other than the American Ice Queen herself.

What are the odds the dreadlocked playboy can warm the frosty figure skater when the real games are unmasked?

Let The Games Begin.

Ending

 HEA

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

• No abuse.
• No OTT sad parts.

Safety Rating: Safe

• No cheating
• No OM drama
• Does have OW drama
– The Heroine’s nemesis is an ex of the Hero
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does not have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 1/5 stars

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Branded (Sinners, #1) by Abi Ketner and Missy Kalicicki

By Sarah

In 1-star, Book Review

November 2, 2017

B

Series: Sinners

Release Date: June 27th, 2013

Synopsis:

Fifty years ago The Commander came into power and murdered all who opposed him. In his warped mind, the seven deadly sins were the downfall of society.

To punish the guilty, he created the Hole, a place where sinners are branded according to their sins. Sinners are forced to live a less than human existence in deplorable conditions, under the watchful eye of guards who are ready to kill anyone who steps out of line.

Now, LUST wraps around my neck like thick, blue fingers, threatening to choke the life out of me. I’ve been accused of a crime I didn’t commit, and the Hole is my new home.

Ending

 HFN

Representation

No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia

Possible Triggers

The heroine, Lexi, is branded and convicted of Lust which results in her continued victimization in the Hole, where she is faced with:
• Threat of Rape
• Attempted Rape
• Torture and violence
• Gaslighting
• Psychological abuse

Safety Rating: Safe with Exceptions

• No cheating
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have a separation between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 1/5 stars

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