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TagBIPOC Representation

Bound Spirit by H.A. Wills

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
November 10, 2018
B

Series: The Bound Spirit

Release Date: July 27, 2018

<strong>Synopsis</strong>
Seventeen year old, Callie thought climbing out of her hell of an abusive home life was going to be her biggest struggle, but it’s only the beginning. Starting over in a small nowhere town in Oregon with an aunt she didn’t know existed until a week ago, she makes five new guy friends that are each something otherworldly. Something supernatural– and they say she is too. As if high school wasn’t hard enough.

In this captivating and vivid, paranormal reverse harem, join Callie on her journey of healing from the horrors of her past, while discovering that the world is far weirder than she could’ve possibly imagined.

Warning:

This book contains graphic violence, adult language, underage drinking, mild sexual content, and deals in sensitive issues such as abuse, suicide, and PTSD. Reader discretion is advised.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Black main character
• Hispanic main character
• Bisexual main characters
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> Yes
• Heroine has been emotional, physically and psychologically tortured by her father (flashbacks and memories)
• Murder of whole family (and one of the heroes)
• Violence
• Significant PTSD
• Suicide ideation
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW: most of the heroes, except for the ghost, have an OW. Also, the series will eventually have M/M relationships in the harem.
• 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.

Format: Kindle

Rating: 4/5 stars

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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

<strong>Synopsis</strong>
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.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Hispanic main and supporting characters
• Gay side characters
• MM side couple
• Attempts to address fatphobia… but doesn’t do it successfully.
<strong>Possible Triggers:</strong> No
• No abuse.
• No OTT sad parts.
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> 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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From Lukov with Love by Mariana Zapata

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
March 15, 2018
F

Series: Standalone

Release Date: February 1st, 2018

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
If someone were to ask Jasmine Santos to describe the last few years of her life with a single word, it would definitely be a four-letter one.

After seventeen years—and countless broken bones and broken promises—she knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close.

But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything.

Including Ivan Lukov.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Hispanic main and supporting character
• LGBTQIA+ supporting characters
• Main character with learning disability (dyslexia)
• Addresses ageism
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• No OTT sad parts
• No abuse
• The Heroine has a really bad relationship with her father. He undermines her whole career and doesn’t acknowledge her dyslexia.
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No OW
– It’s never clarified if the Hero dated/slept with his last partner.
• Does have OM
– The Heroine’s ex-BF was also her ex-skating partner. He tries to make things right at the end, but the Heroine isn’t having it.
• 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: 4/5 stars

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He Said, She Said by Kwame Alexander

By Sarah
In 3-stars, Book Review
November 3, 2014
H

Series: Standalone

Release Date: November 19th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>

Insert Here

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Black main and supporting characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Gun violence
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Not Safe
• Does have cheating
– The Heroine finds out from someone else that the Hero cheated on her
• Does have a descriptive sex scene with OW
• 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: 3.5/5 stars

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A Different Blue by Amy Harmon

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
September 30, 2014
A

Series: Standalone

Release Date: March 23rd, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Blue Echohawk doesn’t know who she is. She doesn’t know her real name or when she was born. Abandoned at two and raised by a drifter, she didn’t attend school until she was ten years old. At nineteen, when most kids her age are attending college or moving on with life, she is just a senior in high school. With no mother, no father, no faith, and no future, Blue Echohawk is a difficult student, to say the least. Tough, hard and overtly sexy, she is the complete opposite of the young British teacher who decides he is up for the challenge, and takes the troublemaker under his wing.

This is the story of a nobody who becomes somebody. It is the story of an unlikely friendship, where hope fosters healing and redemption becomes love. But falling in love can be hard when you don’t know who you are. Falling in love with someone who knows exactly who they are and exactly why they can’t love you back might be impossible.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
No strong representations of the following:
• Native American biracial main character
• Hispanic side characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Sexual abuse
• Drug addicted parent
• Allusion to molestation (flashback)
• Abandonment
• Teen pregnancy
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Not Safe
• Kinda cheating
– The Hero kisses the Heroine and is in love with her while dating the OW (so the Heroine is kind of the ‘other woman’)
• Does have OW drama
– The Hero has a childhood friend who he’s in a physical relationship with–the Heroine sees them kissing and believes they are a couple
• No OM
– The Heroine sleeps with OM but the sex isn’t detailed
• 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: 4.5/5 stars

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The Here and Now by Ann Brashares

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
August 11, 2014
T

Series: Standalone

Release Date: April 8th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
An unforgettable epic romantic thriller about a girl from the future who might be able to save the world … if she lets go of the one thing she’s found to hold on to.

Follow the rules. Remember what happened. Never fall in love.

This is the story of seventeen-year-old Prenna James, who immigrated to New York when she was twelve. Except Prenna didn’t come from a different country. She came from a different time – a future where a mosquito-borne illness has mutated in a pandemic, killing millions and leaving the world in ruins.

Prenna and the others who escaped to the present day must follow a strict set of rules: never reveal where they’re from, never interfere with history, and never, ever be intimate with anyone outside their community. Prenna does as she’s told, believing she can help prevent the plague that will one day ravage the earth.

But everything changes when Prenna falls for Ethan Jarves.

From Ann Brashares, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now is thrilling, exhilarating, haunting, and heartbreaking – and a must-read novel of the year.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HFN
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Asian biracial main character
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Deathly mosquito virus
• Death
• Murder
<strong>Mature Themes</strong>
• Sex
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4/5 stars

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Out of Play by Nyrae Dawn and Jolene Perry

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
July 7, 2014
O

Series: Standalone

Release Date: August 6th, 2013

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
Rock star drummer Bishop Riley doesn’t have a drug problem. Celebrities – especially ones suffering from anxiety – just need a little help taking the edge off sometimes. After downing a few too many pills, Bishop wakes up in the hospital facing an intervention. If he wants to stay in the band, he’ll have to detox while under house arrest in Seldon, Alaska.

Hockey player Penny Jones can’t imagine a life outside of Seldon. Though she has tons of scholarship offers to all the best schools, the last thing she wants is to leave? Who’ll take care of her absentminded gramps? Not her mother, who can’t even be bothered to come home from work, let alone deal with their new tenants next door.

Penny’s not interested in dealing with Bishop’s crappy attitude, and Bishop’s too busy sneaking pills to care. Until he starts hanging out with Gramps and begins to see what he’s been missing. If Bishop wants a chance with the fiery girl next door, he’ll have to admit he has a problem and kick it. Too bad addiction is hard to kick … and Bishop’s about to run out of time.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• LGBTQIA+ supporting character
• Native Alaskan main character
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Drug addiction
• Alzheimer’s
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• 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: 4/5 stars

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Defy (Defy, #1) by Sara B. Larson

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
June 23, 2014
D

Series: Defy

Release Date: January 7th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king’s army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince’s guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can’t prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she’s sworn to protect?

<strong>Ending</strong>

 Cliffhanger
<strong>Representation</strong>
• POC main and side characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Allusion to rape
• Death of family
• Grief
• PTSD
• Violence (Blood, gore and use of fire)
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe
• No cheating
• No OW
• Does have OM
– The Heroine’s best friend is in love with her
• 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: 4.75/5 stars

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Collaboration (Backlash, #1) by Michelle Lynn and Nevaeh Lee

By Sarah
In 4-stars, Book Review
April 7, 2014
C

Series: Backlash*

Release Date: January 24th, 2014

<strong>Synopsis:</strong>
This is not your typical rock star romance. For one, the “rock star” is a rapper. And not just any rapper. Trace is the hottest ticket in the music industry right now, regardless of which definition of “hot” you choose.

Taryn Starr is not the girl-next-door who unknowingly meets a celebrity. Known as “America’s Sweetheart,” the reigning country music princess and world-renowned superstar knows exactly who Trace is … or does she?

Their worlds collide when the musicians whose paths were never destined to cross are forced by their joint record label to collaborate on a song. The sparks fly and ignite a fire that blazes hotter with every minute they spend together – for better or worse. One thing’s for certain, the two media magnets can’t deny their explosive chemistry, but will life in the spotlight ultimately bring Trace and Taryn together or force them apart?

This contemporary romance new adult novel is for mature audiences. The language alone would make a sailor blush (the guy’s a rapper, remember?) so 18+ only, please.

<strong>Ending</strong>

HEA
<strong>Representation</strong>
• Black main and supporting characters
<strong>Possible Triggers</strong>
• Drug addiction
• Violence
• Blackmail
• Abortion
<strong>Safety Rating:</strong> Safe with Exceptions
• No cheating
• Does have OW and OM drama
– An OM in the Heroine’s band wants to date her
– An ex-boyfriend from the Heroine’s high school blackmails the Heroine
– The Hero constantly goes to after-parties with OW who want to sleep with him. One night he gets really drunk and passes out on his bed, he wakes up and finds an OW in bed with him–he’s 100% sure he didn’t sleep with her though.
– A different OW claims that she’s pregnant with the Hero’s child and goes to the media. The child ends up not being his, but it could have been. The Hero met (and slept) with the OW before he met the Heroine.
• No descriptive sex scene with OW/OM
• Does have the Hero and Heroine pushing away
• Does have many separations between the Hero and Heroine
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars

*Each novel in the series is Standalone

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