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slow-paced
Thank you Colored Pages Book Tours and Bloomsbury YA for the gifted copy.
VARIED THOUGHTS.
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I went up and down with this book y’all. I will put at the top of this review though that I would love to try another series by this author. I think there’s potential for some great reads, even if I was mixed on this conclusion.
I loved a lot about Saoirse. Her dedication to her sister and how much she LOVED her. I loved the protective nature and the strength and will to survive in a land that doesn’t want her. I wish Saoirse had shown a little more growth in being able to trust others and not to lean so heavily (for the entire book) on scheming and manipulation. At least with those close to her.
The romance lacked chemistry and aspects felt forced. I wanted to love the forbidden and heated interactions, yet, the sporadic nature of their proximity didn’t build up the fragile connection they started with. I was way more invested in Saoirse’s story line with Carrick.
I liked the side characters. They added complexity and turmoil, politicking and good betrayals throughout. I feel like that whole group held up the book for me. The book lacked some direction and pacing became an issue too.
Like this review entails, I was back and forth on things I loved/struggled with. It’s still a book I would recommend and now that it’s a completed duology an even better time to try this out!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: heated make-outs with light touching
- Violence: high
VARIED THOUGHTS.
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I went up and down with this book y’all. I will put at the top of this review though that I would love to try another series by this author. I think there’s potential for some great reads, even if I was mixed on this conclusion.
I loved a lot about Saoirse. Her dedication to her sister and how much she LOVED her. I loved the protective nature and the strength and will to survive in a land that doesn’t want her. I wish Saoirse had shown a little more growth in being able to trust others and not to lean so heavily (for the entire book) on scheming and manipulation. At least with those close to her.
The romance lacked chemistry and aspects felt forced. I wanted to love the forbidden and heated interactions, yet, the sporadic nature of their proximity didn’t build up the fragile connection they started with. I was way more invested in Saoirse’s story line with Carrick.
I liked the side characters. They added complexity and turmoil, politicking and good betrayals throughout. I feel like that whole group held up the book for me. The book lacked some direction and pacing became an issue too.
Like this review entails, I was back and forth on things I loved/struggled with. It’s still a book I would recommend and now that it’s a completed duology an even better time to try this out!
Overall audience notes:
- YA Fantasy Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: heated make-outs with light touching
- Violence: high
fast-paced
NOT QUITE CLICKING.
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I wish I could put a finger on what exactly wasn’t working for me here but I will do my best to explain. There was something about the writing style that wasn’t working. The inner dialogue was kind of repetitive and the celebrity aspects of this weren’t my favorite. I am hard to please on that trope and this was clear for most of the book to be troublesome.
Also, the amount of references to Notting Hill (which I haven’t seen…) were wayyy to many. It felt odd to mention how similar their relationship was to the movie? And I feel like too many of the plot aspects were not tied up, I’m still thinking about a few holes to the story that needed filled.
There were some cute scenes. And I liked Briggs and Presley well enough. I still love the summertime vibes brought out in this series and it was a sweet read.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Content Warnings: loss of a step-dad (recounted)
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I wish I could put a finger on what exactly wasn’t working for me here but I will do my best to explain. There was something about the writing style that wasn’t working. The inner dialogue was kind of repetitive and the celebrity aspects of this weren’t my favorite. I am hard to please on that trope and this was clear for most of the book to be troublesome.
Also, the amount of references to Notting Hill (which I haven’t seen…) were wayyy to many. It felt odd to mention how similar their relationship was to the movie? And I feel like too many of the plot aspects were not tied up, I’m still thinking about a few holes to the story that needed filled.
There were some cute scenes. And I liked Briggs and Presley well enough. I still love the summertime vibes brought out in this series and it was a sweet read.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Content Warnings: loss of a step-dad (recounted)
fast-paced
3.5-4 stars?
WELL.
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I’m of two minds. On the one hand, I think this has some great themes, is good for a younger audience and is a quick read. I liked the messages about staying true to yourself and making mistakes and learning from them. On the other hand, this is the same YA contemporary I’ve read at least 10 times. Which led me to having a harder time moving through this because nothing felt new. And since that’s entirely a me thing, it could easily be a book for others.
There is a little bit of language, but the romantic content is kisses only with no innuendo. It’s definitely a true to young adult book and that is its biggest strength. I did like the character growth from Juliana (even though it came a bit late). She stood up for herself and made the tough decisions facing a lot of nuanced aspects in her life.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary + Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Content Warnings: loss of a father (cancer, recounted)
WELL.
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I’m of two minds. On the one hand, I think this has some great themes, is good for a younger audience and is a quick read. I liked the messages about staying true to yourself and making mistakes and learning from them. On the other hand, this is the same YA contemporary I’ve read at least 10 times. Which led me to having a harder time moving through this because nothing felt new. And since that’s entirely a me thing, it could easily be a book for others.
There is a little bit of language, but the romantic content is kisses only with no innuendo. It’s definitely a true to young adult book and that is its biggest strength. I did like the character growth from Juliana (even though it came a bit late). She stood up for herself and made the tough decisions facing a lot of nuanced aspects in her life.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary + Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Content Warnings: loss of a father (cancer, recounted)
slow-paced
Thank you to Get Underlined for the gifted ARC.
I’LL READ THE SEQUEL.
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I was sucked in by an amazing cover and an interesting synopsis. And I liked it! I loved the combination of my favorite regency time period with some fantasy/paranormal aspects. The phantoms were creepy and brought in that haunted atmosphere well.
Merrick was a FMC I slowly learned to love. I liked that she had strong loyalty and was brave and kind. I wish some of the romantic aspects had been built out a little better. With so much focus on other pieces of the plot the romance got lost in the shuffle and was a tad predictable rather than swoony. BUT I do genuinely think this will be remedied in how book two has been set-up.
The politicking and betrayals were a great enigma and if you’re a fan of purple prose, this is definitely one to try out. I enjoyed it enough that I have plans to see this through and know where the next book is going.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Historical Paranormal Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: loss of a parent, murder, blood/gore depiction, creature attacks
I’LL READ THE SEQUEL.
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I was sucked in by an amazing cover and an interesting synopsis. And I liked it! I loved the combination of my favorite regency time period with some fantasy/paranormal aspects. The phantoms were creepy and brought in that haunted atmosphere well.
Merrick was a FMC I slowly learned to love. I liked that she had strong loyalty and was brave and kind. I wish some of the romantic aspects had been built out a little better. With so much focus on other pieces of the plot the romance got lost in the shuffle and was a tad predictable rather than swoony. BUT I do genuinely think this will be remedied in how book two has been set-up.
The politicking and betrayals were a great enigma and if you’re a fan of purple prose, this is definitely one to try out. I enjoyed it enough that I have plans to see this through and know where the next book is going.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Historical Paranormal Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: loss of a parent, murder, blood/gore depiction, creature attacks
fast-paced
Thank you to the author for an eARC!
ABSOLUTELY CREEPY.
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This is the first book in a long time that I can remember feeling genuinely creeped out by. I loved this haunted house and its many layers. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and built the scene so well I felt it. I was wrapped up in this gothic tale waiting to see what would happen next.
It’s a short book so the pacing moves quickly which keeps the entire situation from being bogged down. I would have loved just a little more build up of the characters backgrounds and relationships but that was my only minor issue.
This was lyrical and cinematic. As someone who doesn’t read a lot of the horror genre I think this is a great balance of scary with still being able to read it at night. I loved trying to solve the secrets of Brier Hall and the mysteries that it held. It’s incredibly eerie and made me crave all things autumn.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Horror
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
ABSOLUTELY CREEPY.
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This is the first book in a long time that I can remember feeling genuinely creeped out by. I loved this haunted house and its many layers. The writing was incredibly atmospheric and built the scene so well I felt it. I was wrapped up in this gothic tale waiting to see what would happen next.
It’s a short book so the pacing moves quickly which keeps the entire situation from being bogged down. I would have loved just a little more build up of the characters backgrounds and relationships but that was my only minor issue.
This was lyrical and cinematic. As someone who doesn’t read a lot of the horror genre I think this is a great balance of scary with still being able to read it at night. I loved trying to solve the secrets of Brier Hall and the mysteries that it held. It’s incredibly eerie and made me crave all things autumn.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Horror
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
slow-paced
Thank you to Berkley for the finished copy.
WELL.
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Do thrillers and I not compute? I want to love them. For whatever reason I now struggle. I think the fact that every main character and the bigger side characters are all just people doing bad things, until one of them dies, and then it’s figuring out who finally snapped. While I love a formulaic romance, it’s not working for me in this genre.
I was only surprised by one thing and it was one of the twists towards the end. I thought it was a good moment and saved me from giving this two stars. I also would like to know why so much of this book was our FMC sneaking around watching people bang? It happens WAY too often and it was weird and awkward and cringy.
The audiobook was well done and I’m not upset I tried this author, I just also think this won’t be an author I pick up again.
Overall audience notes:
- Thriller
- Language: moderate
- Romance: multiple brief voyeur type scenes
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: murder, stalking, infidelity recounted
WELL.
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Do thrillers and I not compute? I want to love them. For whatever reason I now struggle. I think the fact that every main character and the bigger side characters are all just people doing bad things, until one of them dies, and then it’s figuring out who finally snapped. While I love a formulaic romance, it’s not working for me in this genre.
I was only surprised by one thing and it was one of the twists towards the end. I thought it was a good moment and saved me from giving this two stars. I also would like to know why so much of this book was our FMC sneaking around watching people bang? It happens WAY too often and it was weird and awkward and cringy.
The audiobook was well done and I’m not upset I tried this author, I just also think this won’t be an author I pick up again.
Overall audience notes:
- Thriller
- Language: moderate
- Romance: multiple brief voyeur type scenes
- Violence: moderate
- Content Warnings: murder, stalking, infidelity recounted
medium-paced
I LOVED IT.
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This is one of my new favorite second chance romances. I loved the anxiety rep with Eli. That was easily some of the best moments for me.
I didn’t know how I would feel about the wedding antics but I think the side characters set the right vibe for all the shenanigans, and while they were ridiculous I started to love them too. I loved the subtle flashbacks and seeing the communication start to flow.
The banter and tension were fantastic. Gosh I was just smitten with Eli. And I loved seeing growth from Georgia too. And the paper rings??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 3+ open door
- Content Warnings: parental abandonment and divorced recounted, anxiety and panic attacks
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This is one of my new favorite second chance romances. I loved the anxiety rep with Eli. That was easily some of the best moments for me.
I didn’t know how I would feel about the wedding antics but I think the side characters set the right vibe for all the shenanigans, and while they were ridiculous I started to love them too. I loved the subtle flashbacks and seeing the communication start to flow.
The banter and tension were fantastic. Gosh I was just smitten with Eli. And I loved seeing growth from Georgia too. And the paper rings??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME.
Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 3+ open door
- Content Warnings: parental abandonment and divorced recounted, anxiety and panic attacks