CONSUMING.

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Y’all. I sat down at 45% one night to read for the evening…proceeded to devour this book. The way that second half totally consumed me (I was enjoying the first half a lot too!). This has allllll the angst. I loved the broken marriage trope when it’s done well and this one was hard. A hard read with many shattered pieces that found a way to be glue back into something new, something stronger.

I loved how both parties, Jack and Miranda had things to work one. Of course there’s some blame moments, but also along the journey the separately acknowledged their own personal issues and things to work on. The moments of communication, laying it all out there, heart on the line, had me feeling all of the emotions.

Beautiful book. I loved how everything came together. I will definitely be reading Ashley Dill’s next book.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: low
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: low-moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: multiple miscarriages, divorce, domestic abuse, loss of a loved one 

 LOTS OF FEELS.

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This was my first book by Nicole Deese and will not be my last! I enjoyed this one a lot and the audiobook was fantastic too.

There were so many good themes and explorations throughout. Grief, forgiveness, losing a loved one, second chance love, gosh it’s all here. I loved the coastal setting and felt transported to all the summer vibes that I didn’t know I needed. The flashback chapters were a nice edition because I loved seeing how close these friends were. I loved the complexity of emotions. The non-linear path that grief creates and to work through those moments.

Woven in were scenes of joy and love and friendship. I loved the balance and the steady pace of the story. It was a beautiful book.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a loved one (drowning, cancer), depictions of grief and depression 

Thank you GetUnderlined #GetUnderlinedPartner for the free book.

PRETTY TWISTED.

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The first almost 100 pages of this is kind of a slog, prepare now, keep going, the book gets infinitely better. Once things got going though I found myself devouring the pages trying to figure out what had happened to Rachel Price. I found it full of good twists and turns. It’s that right level of corrupt without feeling like too much for me but also bringing all of the atmospheric vibes I love about a good thriller.

I loved that Bel landed in this gray zone about her choices and working to uncover the truth. I was absolutely following her into every snuck away moment and confrontation. She might come off as an unlikeable character, but I liked her plenty. I also really liked how messed up this family was. It worked for the plot and showcased a lot of morality choices that will leave you thoughts.

Holly Jackson is easily one of my favorite thriller authors and this was another great read for me. Unhealthy characters, an enigma of a plot and a few moments where my jaw was hanging open.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Thriller
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: moderate-high
- Trigger/Content Warnings: murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, imprisonment 

 A BIT LET DOWN.

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This wasn’t everything I hoped for when I saw the initial trope list and marketing.

It lacked in a lot of places for me. This didn’t feel like a romance. I honestly felt more connection between the Lystra and a side character than I did with the MMC, Elerek. Somehow they found love without much conversation or time together and I’m still trying to figure out how we got there. I think the curse only added to that because there were opportunities for tension I didn’t feel.

The inner monologues were repetitive about everything. And I kept waiting for the plot to DO something and nothing happened until the antagonist finally showed up at 88%. The lack of location change was felt too and I wish I had a better understanding of the world.

I don’t think I’ll be picking up book two.

Overall audience notes:
- Fantasy Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low-moderate 

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the free copy.

WHYYYYY.

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I thought this was going to be a solid four star. I’ve read a previous book by this author and enjoyed it. But then two critical scenes happened that glossed this book into 300 pages of gray area, emotional, turned physical cheating. And I just can’t don’t like those kind of stories. I know high school kids make mistakes, but the way it was handled and processed frustrated me a lot.

At the heart of the story was a soft second chance romance from two young people who were each other’s closest friend when they were little. I had such hope for the direction of this story. There were soft moments of remembrance and some insightful reconnection. Everything feels shadowed by the treatment and ignorance towards the girlfriend. Abigail deserved better.

Feeling flustered by this one y’all. I would love to try Schumacher’s next book and crossing my fingers the dynamic is better.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low-moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: house fire, mentions of child abuse 

 ENJOYABLY MESSY.

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When I read YA contemporary I can get frustrated with decisions and the attempt at problem solving. But sometimes it comes off really well and just feels human. This had that quality. I felt for the main character battling depression, an absent father and a mistake she truly didn’t mean to make. I loved the positive therapy rep and acknowledging the need for help and having the support system around you to make it to the next day. I LOOOOVED this found family with the band. They had ups and downs and you could clearly see how they came together to make it to those final pages.

I loved all of the music content and lists of songs throughout the book. There’s an obvious theme of the power of music and the effects it can have in someone’s life. The quiet moments were sweet and I loved how the romantic relationship developed. This was a solid young adult contemporary I thoroughly enjoyed.

Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: low-moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Trigger/Content Warnings: absent father, mentions of loss of a parent, depictions of anxiety and depression 

ALL THE STARS.

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Good heavens I could not put this book down, I LOVED IT SO MUCH. It’s that perfect level of sexy without being spicy. That reallll good sweet spot where gosh dang those kissing scenes were fire. FIRE. And I absolutely adored that this was dual POV. I loved both Holden and Wren. They were this beautiful blend of messy and heartfelt and human. And June??? Are you kidding me. Loved her too. The new little family they built MELTED MY COLD HEART.

And I loved the setting. I’m really into the mountain and woods and all things rainy and foresty. I must go cozy up in my own cabin now. This had the best small town vibes. No overwhelming drama, just some quirky side characters and antics but also how they all came together?! I can’t. Like I said, this book got me in the feels good.

Loved it all. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. This is an incredible gem of a read I’ll be begging others to pick up.

Overall audience notes:
- Contemporary Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: heated kisses 

Full review to come!

 3.5 stars

I CAN’T STOP.

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You know those series that really aren’t AMAZING but you keep finding yourself reading the next book because you feel compelled to do so? That’s me and this series. It feels like a hot mess, but yet I want to see how the romantic drama keeps unfurling. I think maybe by the end I was even into this a little bit????

This lacks in world building and any major sense of plot. And the FMC disappeared for a good chunk of the book too. I don’t understand everything happening but grateful that Kate Reading is the audiobook narrator because she can do no wrong.

Also it should be noted, this is absolutely not a young adult romance. The content is definitely new adult.

Overall audience notes:
- NA Fantasy
- Language: moderate
- Romance: 2-3 open door
- Violence: moderate 

Thank you to the author and publisher for the free book.

GLUED TO THIS.

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Decided to read a few chapters one day, proceeded to binge this book the entire afternoon. This was incredibly good. I loved that this was set in the 1920’s but had a bit of a different focus than I usually see in this time period. I loved all of the aviation aspects because I love to vicariously live through those who enjoy flying while I keep my feet firmly planted on the ground.

This had a unique take on the romance too. The way Warren and Geneva fought for themselves and each other was incredibly romantic. The whole dang book is romantic. I loved the swoon factor, the passion in reconnecting and the pursuit of truth. I could not get enough of these two and loved how much page time I got of them.

The mystery had me in a chokehold. I was literally making commentary out loud because I was INVESTED. The twists and reveals were perfectly timed and I loved how everything came together. This was a beautiful story woven with great themes and is my new favorite McDaniel book.

Overall audience notes:
- Historical Mystery + Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: closed door
- Violence: low
- Trigger/Content Warnings: attempted murder, arsenic poisoning, miscarriage