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emmreadsbooks's Reviews (1.28k)
adventurous
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Lana Harper can have my little witchy heart and keep it in Thistle Grove because *ooooof*. Nina and Morty are precious and must be protected at all costs. I enjoyed seeing into the Blackmoore family, as we've seen Gareth act like a big tool in the past few books, and gain an understanding of what their dynamic is like. (It is not good.)
Add in Morty suddenly gaining magical powers and the instant chemistry between him and Nina? Yes please. This book finally questions the sources of magic in Thistle Grove and why they insist on such secrecy. And consequently how that secrecy affects the town around them. Can't wait for Delilah's book!
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Add in Morty suddenly gaining magical powers and the instant chemistry between him and Nina? Yes please. This book finally questions the sources of magic in Thistle Grove and why they insist on such secrecy. And consequently how that secrecy affects the town around them. Can't wait for Delilah's book!
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Holly Jackson, you've done it again. Or more appropriately, this is the first doing? I'm a sucker for a murder mystery party, especially one that doesn't end in a bloodbath. And getting to see how Pip got set on the case that skyrocketed her to fame (and danger) was awesome. Plus Bailey Carr just absolutely smashes it, even in such a short amount of time. If you're missing the AGGGtMverse, this is the perfect quick read.
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
THIS BOOK. After waiting 4 years for this fucker, I was blown away. Nothing felt unnecessary, we get to sink into the lore of Yale's secret societies, and most importantly... WE GET MORE OF PAMELA DAWES. God bless.
The action, the plot, the betrayals - it's all there! We get to see Alex really sink into her trauma (though she's not entirely processing it yet), and finally confront some of her demons. Hell Bent really feels like the stakes have been raised in comparison to Ninth House, and it gives me the delightful heart palpitations that only Leigh Bardugo can dole out. This book is best enjoyed over a bowl of warm soup, preferably homemade, with no one around to interrupt you. Here's hoping we don't have to wait 4 years for the next one. (Because oh yes, it's another devastating cliffhanger)
The action, the plot, the betrayals - it's all there! We get to see Alex really sink into her trauma (though she's not entirely processing it yet), and finally confront some of her demons. Hell Bent really feels like the stakes have been raised in comparison to Ninth House, and it gives me the delightful heart palpitations that only Leigh Bardugo can dole out. This book is best enjoyed over a bowl of warm soup, preferably homemade, with no one around to interrupt you. Here's hoping we don't have to wait 4 years for the next one. (Because oh yes, it's another devastating cliffhanger)
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Rape, Suicide attempt
adventurous
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I don't know why it took me so long to read this book. Possibly because of all of the ~*hype*~, or that I'm just generally averse to historical fiction books - but regardless, I finally dove in. And it's damn good.
Not only is it raw and hard-hitting, you get to truly understand Evelyn's motivations as she navigates the Hollywood scene. This woman is used, abused, and everything in between, though she's not necessarily intrinsically likable herself. Be warned, this book is FULL of triggers as we hear Evelyn's life story. But we also get the contrast of Monique's (relatively) normal life and the appreciation that she gains for it after hearing Evelyn's tale. This book is full of heart and heartbreak, and quite possibly the reason for my most recent depressive episode. You've been warned.
Not only is it raw and hard-hitting, you get to truly understand Evelyn's motivations as she navigates the Hollywood scene. This woman is used, abused, and everything in between, though she's not necessarily intrinsically likable herself. Be warned, this book is FULL of triggers as we hear Evelyn's life story. But we also get the contrast of Monique's (relatively) normal life and the appreciation that she gains for it after hearing Evelyn's tale. This book is full of heart and heartbreak, and quite possibly the reason for my most recent depressive episode. You've been warned.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Hello Bergman family, sorry I'm late. This book is a warm hug with a side of Swedish massage, plus enough banter to leave you sated for at least a year. I came to this series after reading Two Wrongs Make a Right and am so glad I did.
7 stories for 7 siblings, all with varying tropes? How can you resist? I snagged this one on Hoopla and devoured it. Willa is a downright spitfire with delicious soccer thighs and Ryder is a giant lumberjack who you'll want to climb like a tree. Plus we also have a glorious dialogue on Ryder's journey with being hard of hearing. The plot was a little weird (because the last 50 pages felt like a whole bunch of sex to make all of the slow burn story you'd spent reading worth it), but still super enjoyable. I can't wait to read Ren's story next!
7 stories for 7 siblings, all with varying tropes? How can you resist? I snagged this one on Hoopla and devoured it. Willa is a downright spitfire with delicious soccer thighs and Ryder is a giant lumberjack who you'll want to climb like a tree. Plus we also have a glorious dialogue on Ryder's journey with being hard of hearing. The plot was a little weird (because the last 50 pages felt like a whole bunch of sex to make all of the slow burn story you'd spent reading worth it), but still super enjoyable. I can't wait to read Ren's story next!
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A slow burn sapphic romance with an ASMR subplot, all about processing your trauma and respecting boundaries? Y-E-S. Like... how could I not be head over heels for this book? Rose and Ash are compelling characters in their own right, but the chemistry they have is next level. This book feels like an exercise in edging, building up all of the tension and then letting it just SIT there while the drama plays out. Also, I just need to say that we STAN a book with no 3rd act break-up. It isn't necessary for this book at ALL!! But that isn't to say that there aren't some truly devastating twists along the way. I can't wait to read more from Karelia Stetz-Waters.
*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Graphic: Sexual content, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Medical trauma, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's an unfairly cute YA romance, full of mental health dialogue and one of my new favorite tropes - friends to enemies to friends to lovers. What a mouthful! I can't entirely speak to the accuracy of the OCD representation, but it felt true to my secondary experiences and was treated with utmost care. I enjoyed the orienteering competitions, Celine's conspiracy theories on TikTok, and revenge plots. While this was my first Talia Hibbert novel, I'm so excited to read her backlist now! The wit and pacing are on point. Plus I loved the alternating narrators on the audiobook, it really helped me remember which PoV we were in and gave more characterization to Celine and Brad.
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I swear, sometimes I just wanted to shake Evangeline and be like "JAX LOVES YOU, YOU IDIOT". Because it was seriously obvious throughout... That being said, I really enjoyed the plotlines in this book, especially the clusterfuck that is the ending. I did think it was a duology at first, but I've since seen that Stephanie Garber has announced a 3rd. And honestly with that ending, it HAD to be a trilogy. It also makes sense as it parallels Caraval's series development. I enjoyed the focus on villains in this book as Evangeline has no options but to align with the Fates. I just wish she was a little less love-blind. (Oh and as always, the descriptions of fashion are EXCELLENT)
Graphic: Blood
There's nothing more I can say about this book apart from that it's heartbreaking and beautiful. Chanel Miller went through so much and continues to shape her trauma into art. It's dark, it's hard, but it's a must-read.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is some glorious campy Grady Hendrix goodness and I absolutely cannot wait to watch the movie adaptation. That isn't to say that it isn't chock full of trigger warnings, including but not limited to animal death, abuse, self harm, and the works. However it is a horror book and these aren't added in just for thrills. I'd categorize this as a guilty pleasure book, especially as a 90s baby, because it feels like this perfect mix of Mean Girls with demonic possession (Or She's All That if she turned into the devil when she took off her glasses). That being said, I can't in good conscience recommend this for the faint of heart. But if you're like me and like reading the synopses of horror movie Wikipedia articles, I'd say you'd really enjoy.
Graphic: Animal death, Self harm, Vomit, Medical content
Moderate: Child abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Gore