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medium-paced
Thank you The Nerd Fam for the gifted ARC.
SPICE > PLOT.
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I’m not a fan when that happens.
The initial idea of this story was good. I liked the idea of OCD rep within a fantasy world. I loved the deadly competition (gave me The Serpent and the Wings of Night x Caraval vibes – specifically for the competition). And, it turns out, this is a standalone for the couple with potential for another couple in the sequel.
The romance started off well. A human and a phantom? Sure why not? I thought there was good banter and I love a bargain. But then things started to lose me as the story went on. I spent more time in the second half skipping pages than I did reading. And while sometimes I don’t have a problem with that because the plot is next level, this was not the case. There was even one scene that gave me the ick.
I can’t pinpoint quite what was my issue with the plot. I think a lot of it felt…generic? Each character behaved specifically as planned. There weren’t any dynamic qualities to the side characters that added to the plot. I liked Ophelia’s sister, but she was hardly in the book. Mostly, this was unbalanced.
I don’t know that I’ll pick up the next book if the idea around spice over plot is the same.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 5+ open door
- Violence: high
- Content Warnings: elements of horror (gore, torture, blood), loss of life, OCD rep, alcohol use, suicide and depression
SPICE > PLOT.
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I’m not a fan when that happens.
The initial idea of this story was good. I liked the idea of OCD rep within a fantasy world. I loved the deadly competition (gave me The Serpent and the Wings of Night x Caraval vibes – specifically for the competition). And, it turns out, this is a standalone for the couple with potential for another couple in the sequel.
The romance started off well. A human and a phantom? Sure why not? I thought there was good banter and I love a bargain. But then things started to lose me as the story went on. I spent more time in the second half skipping pages than I did reading. And while sometimes I don’t have a problem with that because the plot is next level, this was not the case. There was even one scene that gave me the ick.
I can’t pinpoint quite what was my issue with the plot. I think a lot of it felt…generic? Each character behaved specifically as planned. There weren’t any dynamic qualities to the side characters that added to the plot. I liked Ophelia’s sister, but she was hardly in the book. Mostly, this was unbalanced.
I don’t know that I’ll pick up the next book if the idea around spice over plot is the same.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 5+ open door
- Violence: high
- Content Warnings: elements of horror (gore, torture, blood), loss of life, OCD rep, alcohol use, suicide and depression
slow-paced
Thank you to GetUnderlined for the gifted copy!
MAKE IT STOP.
The insta-love killed the whole vibe of this book for me. And it even happened TWICE (there’s a love triangle, you’ve been warned). I do admit that it got better in the second half but I did also let out a scoff when these passionate love confessions came out. I tried y’all.
The plot itself isn’t bad. There’s some good bones there. If the FMC, Ying, had been a little less naive about everything I would have really liked her. I kept waiting for that movie montage moment of her gaining some common sense but alas, I was left [mostly] wanting.
It is a standalone, and I know that can be a nice feature for a lot of people. I went in having high hopes and I’m left feeling meh by the journey. The audiobook was good though. I liked the narrator if you want to try out that avenue.
Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: heated make-outs with touching; vague fade to black
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: loss of life, war themes
MAKE IT STOP.
The insta-love killed the whole vibe of this book for me. And it even happened TWICE (there’s a love triangle, you’ve been warned). I do admit that it got better in the second half but I did also let out a scoff when these passionate love confessions came out. I tried y’all.
The plot itself isn’t bad. There’s some good bones there. If the FMC, Ying, had been a little less naive about everything I would have really liked her. I kept waiting for that movie montage moment of her gaining some common sense but alas, I was left [mostly] wanting.
It is a standalone, and I know that can be a nice feature for a lot of people. I went in having high hopes and I’m left feeling meh by the journey. The audiobook was good though. I liked the narrator if you want to try out that avenue.
Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: heated make-outs with touching; vague fade to black
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: loss of life, war themes
fast-paced
Thank you to the author for an eARC.
SMITTEN.
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Oh this book took over my evening. And then suddenly it was 1 AM and I was puddle finishing this beautiful story. I loved the way two difficult topics (mentioned in the content warnings below) were handled. The honest and hard conversations were had with raw human emotion and a clear strength of soul.
And let me tell you, this book screams FALL IN NEW YORK. I’ve honestly never had big designs on going to NY but this book might have just convinced me. The setting is beautifully landscaped and had me wishing I was wearing a sweater right now.
THE ROMANCE. Gosh. This is how you write that instant kind of connection. There’s a fantastic slow burn with immediate chemistry. I was all for Bella and Wyatt from the get-go. These two souls who feel so broken about some deep things in their lives and how they finally found that person who seems them as a whole.
There was just the right level of family drama too. I was intrigued and drawn into this family. I loved the journey. I loved this book. Read it!!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: 2 open door scenes; low explicit
- Violence: low
- Content Warnings: erectile dysfunction, miscarriage (recurrent theme), cheating (FMC’s ex-husband), brief physical altercation, grief and depression
SMITTEN.
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Oh this book took over my evening. And then suddenly it was 1 AM and I was puddle finishing this beautiful story. I loved the way two difficult topics (mentioned in the content warnings below) were handled. The honest and hard conversations were had with raw human emotion and a clear strength of soul.
And let me tell you, this book screams FALL IN NEW YORK. I’ve honestly never had big designs on going to NY but this book might have just convinced me. The setting is beautifully landscaped and had me wishing I was wearing a sweater right now.
THE ROMANCE. Gosh. This is how you write that instant kind of connection. There’s a fantastic slow burn with immediate chemistry. I was all for Bella and Wyatt from the get-go. These two souls who feel so broken about some deep things in their lives and how they finally found that person who seems them as a whole.
There was just the right level of family drama too. I was intrigued and drawn into this family. I loved the journey. I loved this book. Read it!!
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: 2 open door scenes; low explicit
- Violence: low
- Content Warnings: erectile dysfunction, miscarriage (recurrent theme), cheating (FMC’s ex-husband), brief physical altercation, grief and depression
fast-paced
Thank you Jenny Proctor for the eARC.
WHAT A CRUSH, WHAT A RUSH.
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I’m running with these lyrics and can’t be stopped.
ANYWAYS.
Jenny Proctor is officially my favorite author when it comes to celebrity romance stories. I love them. She reminds me that any trope can work if done correctly, and hot dang is it done WELL in Once Upon a Boyband. I loved it. I’m obsessed with the whole Midnight Rush band I will accept nothing less than a romance about each one of them.
I loved the relationship dynamic between Adam and Laney. The trajectory was different than the standard romance check list and I could not get enough. There were multiple moments where I was like YES, THIS IS HOW YOU ROMANCE. Because it just felt truly authentic and real and sweet and tender. I loved that they truly felt adult too and had the hard conversations that led them to be able to move forward.
It’s such an easy book to fly through. It is a little bit heavier than JP’s usually books but don’t let that deter you. The themes are amazing and pull at your heart strings. I loved Adam’s journey to healing and allowing himself to not be weighed down by everything he was trying to carry alone. I loved the friendships and small town and going to my favorite fictional farm again.
I’m aware I’m rambling, TRUST ME READ IT OKAY.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: heated kisses
- Content Warnings: loss of mother (recounted, recurrent theme; cancer)
WHAT A CRUSH, WHAT A RUSH.
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I’m running with these lyrics and can’t be stopped.
ANYWAYS.
Jenny Proctor is officially my favorite author when it comes to celebrity romance stories. I love them. She reminds me that any trope can work if done correctly, and hot dang is it done WELL in Once Upon a Boyband. I loved it. I’m obsessed with the whole Midnight Rush band I will accept nothing less than a romance about each one of them.
I loved the relationship dynamic between Adam and Laney. The trajectory was different than the standard romance check list and I could not get enough. There were multiple moments where I was like YES, THIS IS HOW YOU ROMANCE. Because it just felt truly authentic and real and sweet and tender. I loved that they truly felt adult too and had the hard conversations that led them to be able to move forward.
It’s such an easy book to fly through. It is a little bit heavier than JP’s usually books but don’t let that deter you. The themes are amazing and pull at your heart strings. I loved Adam’s journey to healing and allowing himself to not be weighed down by everything he was trying to carry alone. I loved the friendships and small town and going to my favorite fictional farm again.
I’m aware I’m rambling, TRUST ME READ IT OKAY.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: heated kisses
- Content Warnings: loss of mother (recounted, recurrent theme; cancer)
slow-paced
DON’T COME AT ME.
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Four stars is totally a valid rating and it also hurts me to feel more inclined to give this one four stars rather than five. I did physically read this installment vs. audiobook like I did for the previous books. I don’t know if that changed my perception but it must have to some degree.
My issues that I noticed were around some of the plot aspects. I feel like there were a few holes and things that kind of sprung up out of nowhere.
But. That aside, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. It was top tier. I loved the slow build and growth between Fate and Blythe. I loved getting to see Signa and Death again. The story line was good in the grand scheme. I liked picking this up and reading. I look forward to whatever stories Grace writes next.
Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy Romance
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: one vague open door
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder
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Four stars is totally a valid rating and it also hurts me to feel more inclined to give this one four stars rather than five. I did physically read this installment vs. audiobook like I did for the previous books. I don’t know if that changed my perception but it must have to some degree.
My issues that I noticed were around some of the plot aspects. I feel like there were a few holes and things that kind of sprung up out of nowhere.
But. That aside, I loved the enemies to lovers romance. It was top tier. I loved the slow build and growth between Fate and Blythe. I loved getting to see Signa and Death again. The story line was good in the grand scheme. I liked picking this up and reading. I look forward to whatever stories Grace writes next.
Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy Romance
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: one vague open door
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: loss of life, attempted murder
slow-paced
Thank you to Harper Perennial for the gifted book.
WHAT A JOURNEY.
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The Poisonwood Bible was one of the only books I enjoyed in high school and I thought it was about time I picked up another Kingsolver book. It did not disappoint. While not my usual genre, or preference (hello yes I love romance books), I love when I find something outside those circles that I love. This was that book.
I’m not sure I even have the right words to put into a review besides saying, read it. These kinds of stories are important and hard and one that is worth the thoughts it will bring. The moments that will be unforgettable and how much havoc can be reaped in one’s life.
The audiobook was amazing. I found the narrator easy to listen to juxtaposed to the story that I had a hard time listening to, but also could not put down. I read this much quicker than I expected because I had to know where Demon’s story wound take him. There’s many, many complex characters and the book is just made to be felt.
Overall audience notes:
- Fiction
- Language: moderate-high; throughout
- Romance: a few open door scenes
- Violence: high
- Content Warnings (there are a lot and I might miss some so please look up more lists if you are concerned): drug abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, foster abuse, physical abuse, racism, child hunger and poverty
WHAT A JOURNEY.
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The Poisonwood Bible was one of the only books I enjoyed in high school and I thought it was about time I picked up another Kingsolver book. It did not disappoint. While not my usual genre, or preference (hello yes I love romance books), I love when I find something outside those circles that I love. This was that book.
I’m not sure I even have the right words to put into a review besides saying, read it. These kinds of stories are important and hard and one that is worth the thoughts it will bring. The moments that will be unforgettable and how much havoc can be reaped in one’s life.
The audiobook was amazing. I found the narrator easy to listen to juxtaposed to the story that I had a hard time listening to, but also could not put down. I read this much quicker than I expected because I had to know where Demon’s story wound take him. There’s many, many complex characters and the book is just made to be felt.
Overall audience notes:
- Fiction
- Language: moderate-high; throughout
- Romance: a few open door scenes
- Violence: high
- Content Warnings (there are a lot and I might miss some so please look up more lists if you are concerned): drug abuse, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, foster abuse, physical abuse, racism, child hunger and poverty
fast-paced
WELL THIS WAS FUN.
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I know you could throw me a handful of reasons why you didn’t like this book or what it was missing, etc. etc. BUT, I gotta say, I love that this takes me out of my usual and brings me a good smile and chuckle. The banter was still amazing and I loved the nuanced aspects of this series. It was swoony with a fantastic slow burn and I absolutely loved having multiple points of view.
I wasn’t sure where the plot was going to go because it starts off fast from the previous and kind of settle that score (for the moment). I ended up loving the progression and found myself increasingly invested and wanting more. This is quirky and just brings me joy.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: heated make-outs with touching
- Violence: moderate
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I know you could throw me a handful of reasons why you didn’t like this book or what it was missing, etc. etc. BUT, I gotta say, I love that this takes me out of my usual and brings me a good smile and chuckle. The banter was still amazing and I loved the nuanced aspects of this series. It was swoony with a fantastic slow burn and I absolutely loved having multiple points of view.
I wasn’t sure where the plot was going to go because it starts off fast from the previous and kind of settle that score (for the moment). I ended up loving the progression and found myself increasingly invested and wanting more. This is quirky and just brings me joy.
Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: heated make-outs with touching
- Violence: moderate
slow-paced
3.75ish
Thank you to the author for an eARC.
GOOD BONES.
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Once upon a time I DNF this author’s first book, but found myself saying yes to reading an ARC of this because I was happy to give this story a chance. I am currently in my cowboy era and was intrigued by this second chance romance. There are a lot of good bones and themes here. Of forgiveness, and the strength to carry on. Making hard choices and to let go. And even getting a chance to fall in love all over again.
I loved the ranch setting and all of the boys. Some of the dialogue choices (like “bruh” and “cap”) just didn’t feel necessary even if that’s how some teens speak today. It’s like in a book I want to disassociate from that? They were sweet guys though and I loved the idea of a boys ranch to help them find a safe space to be and grow.
There’s plenty of good swoony moments between Jasper and Mia. I loved that they got to know each other again and had the right kind of arguments and conversations to get there. It’s the kind of non-linear story I enjoy most. The touch of suspense was good and I liked how the ending brought everything together.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: kidnapping, domestic violence (recounted; physical, emotional, verbal)
Thank you to the author for an eARC.
GOOD BONES.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
Once upon a time I DNF this author’s first book, but found myself saying yes to reading an ARC of this because I was happy to give this story a chance. I am currently in my cowboy era and was intrigued by this second chance romance. There are a lot of good bones and themes here. Of forgiveness, and the strength to carry on. Making hard choices and to let go. And even getting a chance to fall in love all over again.
I loved the ranch setting and all of the boys. Some of the dialogue choices (like “bruh” and “cap”) just didn’t feel necessary even if that’s how some teens speak today. It’s like in a book I want to disassociate from that? They were sweet guys though and I loved the idea of a boys ranch to help them find a safe space to be and grow.
There’s plenty of good swoony moments between Jasper and Mia. I loved that they got to know each other again and had the right kind of arguments and conversations to get there. It’s the kind of non-linear story I enjoy most. The touch of suspense was good and I liked how the ending brought everything together.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: kidnapping, domestic violence (recounted; physical, emotional, verbal)