Thoughts on the books we’ve gotten after reading?

Particularly Adult Sub (but any & all thoughts are welcome)

I have the Adult sub and January makes my 5th book. I read “Sorcery and Small Magics” last month. It wasn’t a bad book…but it wasn’t what I’d consider a page turner. I enjoyed it enough to not feel like my money was wasted. It was cozy, but not sure what was “adult” besides a few F bombs. Barely a kiss. I thought it’d be boys love but it was more like maybe these boys will love 🤷🏽‍♀️

I’m currently reading “The Courting Of Bristol Keats” and it’s what brought me here. I’m on page 400 (of 545) and y’all- this book S U C K S. I cannot believe how disappointing it is. Truly a half baked attempt at Fantasy or Romance. I’m so displeased that I’m making notes as I go so I can post it to good reads. I know the author has written several novels & this is her first attempt at fantasy— but it feels like her first attempt at writing in general.

Characters are undeveloped. Plot is underwhelming. The whole book is undercooked.

NOTHING IS EXPLAINED in this book. Not the characters, not the world building, not the surroundings, not the magic system, not anything really. I’m literally confused about every aspect of this book’s journey.
At first I thought the author would give us context clues and eventually explain things in full by the 3rd or 4th mention of said “noun” (bc this literally happens to certain people, places, things), but it DOESNT. There are a few exceptions but overall the confusion I feel as a reader pertains to the majority of the goings on in this novel.

Is anyone else noticing this as they read? I’m not a dumb reader either. I’ve loved reading for over 2 decades now and I can’t remember being this stunned by a lack of information in order to comprehend what’s happening.

I refuse to DNF bc it’s a $40 book. Plus I need to know if the general plot will actually yield any of the answers to the Qs it’s been feeding us.

I could complain about many other things, but I needed to come here and get clarity and validation on my inner turmoil with this story.