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jlreadstoperpetuity's Reviews (309)
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
[NOTE: This is the second book to The Bonds That Tie]
I am still reeling from this one. I almost DNF'd this series after the first book but dang, the second book was way way much better. I mean, I hated Oleander lesser this time, lol. The characters are more developed and the plot is now more constructed. A little bit of spice was also introduced but it is a functional steamy scene. Functional meaning it served as an introduction to another explanation of what bonded mates means.
FMC is still surrounded egotistic Alpha Males but she was also given more backbone on this book. I am really curious about the role of the "Resistance" and why they torture the "Gifted" people. That being said, moving onto book three.
I am still reeling from this one. I almost DNF'd this series after the first book but dang, the second book was way way much better. I mean, I hated Oleander lesser this time, lol. The characters are more developed and the plot is now more constructed. A little bit of spice was also introduced but it is a functional steamy scene. Functional meaning it served as an introduction to another explanation of what bonded mates means.
FMC is still surrounded egotistic Alpha Males but she was also given more backbone on this book. I am really curious about the role of the "Resistance" and why they torture the "Gifted" people. That being said, moving onto book three.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay so let me point it out that I am really trying not to curse while writing this review (unlike this book that's so full of it). While the premise is really promising and intriguing for a reverse harem PNR novel, this first book is just so full of the FMC POV (and plot premise) that can be summed up into two sentences:
a. FMC lives in a world where one person can have multiple bonded mates and said bond needs to be sealed by archaic actions if mating
b. FMC has this deep dark secret about her extreme powers that made her run from her bonds (mates) and in turn, her bonds treat her like sh*t about it
Filling in the above sentences will comprise of testosterones being a super dick heads and the FMC being compliant about it - although, some would argue FMC is not all that but she is. At least 3 out her bonds are modicum tolerable, 1 is an outright a-hole and 1 seems to be this cool headed Councilman put in as a character to serve as a mediator for the rest.
I badly needed to like this one as a lot of other people do but I just find it full of nonsensical theatrics. Seems like I just read a typical college life of a seemingly powerful female lodged with overbearing alphas. I am going to pace myself before I read the second book as I don’t want to be continuously disappointed by the lack of baselines for the plot.
At least the cover is pretty neat, lovely.
a. FMC lives in a world where one person can have multiple bonded mates and said bond needs to be sealed by archaic actions if mating
b. FMC has this deep dark secret about her extreme powers that made her run from her bonds (mates) and in turn, her bonds treat her like sh*t about it
Filling in the above sentences will comprise of testosterones being a super dick heads and the FMC being compliant about it - although, some would argue FMC is not all that but she is. At least 3 out her bonds are modicum tolerable, 1 is an outright a-hole and 1 seems to be this cool headed Councilman put in as a character to serve as a mediator for the rest.
I badly needed to like this one as a lot of other people do but I just find it full of nonsensical theatrics. Seems like I just read a typical college life of a seemingly powerful female lodged with overbearing alphas. I am going to pace myself before I read the second book as I don’t want to be continuously disappointed by the lack of baselines for the plot.
At least the cover is pretty neat, lovely.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
After King of Wrath, I have a little bit if preview on a running theme for Ana Huang's novels. MC could either be a CEO, powerful and rich but is depicted as brooding, semi heartless and set on his ways. FMC is a little tricky to categorize but she would have had hints of variable sense of independence. This book, however, had some twists I least expected.
[Blurb]
"Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen—but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear."
Sure, the same characterization was observed and the plot twists were a little bit underwhelming but the aftermath of said twists more than made up for it.I was so happy that for a romance novel, the "I made a mistake, forgive me" phase did not came easy for the MC, and for a good reason too. The groveling left me satistfied a little, made the situation somewhat realistic and relatable. MC is still an as**ole but at least he is a loveable a-hole 🤭
[Blurb]
"Theirs is a love that was never supposed to happen—but when it does, it unleashes secrets that could destroy them both…and everything they hold dear."
Sure, the same characterization was observed and the plot twists were a little bit underwhelming but the aftermath of said twists more than made up for it.I was so happy that for a romance novel, the "I made a mistake, forgive me" phase did not came easy for the MC, and for a good reason too. The groveling left me satistfied a little, made the situation somewhat realistic and relatable. MC is still an as**ole but at least he is a loveable a-hole 🤭
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Okay, so where do I start with this book. I mean, I read countless of books that is themed about music but somehow the concept of this book is a first for me.
[Blurb] Violette Romèu’s sense of self is slipping away. Having lost control of her ability to see sound as colour in the cacophony of Paris, the freelance designer retreats to her childhood home in the French Pyrenees. New beginnings seem possible in the peaceful mountain village, especially when she meets an old friend, a master piano tuner with a beguiling intensity impossible to resist.
FMC has a condition called synesthesia (when you experience one of your senses through another. For example, you might hear the name "Alex" and see green) Haven't heard about this at all so it intrigued me right away. As a music obsessed individual, this book evoked different levels of emotions and imagery that I feel like I have synesthesia myself.
As a whole, the book combined surreal fantasy and imaginative reality exquisitely. With the exemption of a weak character development, I can let the unusual barrage of highfalutin words pass. The incorporation of classical and modern musical theories served as the scientific explanation of the otherwise mystical allusions of the plot twists - which might be what made me sit and read this book until the end.
[Blurb] Violette Romèu’s sense of self is slipping away. Having lost control of her ability to see sound as colour in the cacophony of Paris, the freelance designer retreats to her childhood home in the French Pyrenees. New beginnings seem possible in the peaceful mountain village, especially when she meets an old friend, a master piano tuner with a beguiling intensity impossible to resist.
FMC has a condition called synesthesia (when you experience one of your senses through another. For example, you might hear the name "Alex" and see green) Haven't heard about this at all so it intrigued me right away. As a music obsessed individual, this book evoked different levels of emotions and imagery that I feel like I have synesthesia myself.
As a whole, the book combined surreal fantasy and imaginative reality exquisitely. With the exemption of a weak character development, I can let the unusual barrage of highfalutin words pass. The incorporation of classical and modern musical theories served as the scientific explanation of the otherwise mystical allusions of the plot twists - which might be what made me sit and read this book until the end.
dark
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well, the title is apt for the book. I was expecting gore and total mafia-esque kind of story but I encountered a bunch of kidnappers with the moral code of a gentleman.
[Blurb]
Sloan: Our fates were spun the night he tried to kill me and now he’s back to destroy me for good. It’s always been us versus them. The Calabresis against the Romeros.This city is ours but they vowed to take it from us. And when they couldn’t, they took me instead.
Rocco: She’s mine. I could take her life, her body or her heart if I wanted to. But my brothers refuse to believe me. So when they bet I can’t make the little principessa fall in love with me, of course I step up to the challenge. And when she’s down on her knees, pouring her heart out, I’ll crush it in my fist.
I was really curious to see how the romance will develop after reading the premise. First half of the book talked about the FMC's life being controlled by her misogynistic father for literally everything, including arranging her marriage to someone he molded in his image. Second half focused on the kidnapping situation of the FMC with MC and his two supposedly scary yet dorky brothers. I was kinda floating reading through it until we get to the last 50 pages where suddenly, shit hit the fan.
After built up s*xual tension, both leads suddenly realized they love each other, declared their love for one another, of course the FMC's father made an entrance again to cause havoc. And then the bomb drop at the end
[Blurb]
Sloan: Our fates were spun the night he tried to kill me and now he’s back to destroy me for good. It’s always been us versus them. The Calabresis against the Romeros.This city is ours but they vowed to take it from us. And when they couldn’t, they took me instead.
Rocco: She’s mine. I could take her life, her body or her heart if I wanted to. But my brothers refuse to believe me. So when they bet I can’t make the little principessa fall in love with me, of course I step up to the challenge. And when she’s down on her knees, pouring her heart out, I’ll crush it in my fist.
I was really curious to see how the romance will develop after reading the premise. First half of the book talked about the FMC's life being controlled by her misogynistic father for literally everything, including arranging her marriage to someone he molded in his image. Second half focused on the kidnapping situation of the FMC with MC and his two supposedly scary yet dorky brothers. I was kinda floating reading through it until we get to the last 50 pages where suddenly, shit hit the fan.
After built up s*xual tension, both leads suddenly realized they love each other, declared their love for one another, of course the FMC's father made an entrance again to cause havoc. And then the bomb drop at the end
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Few minutes after reading this sequel, I had to pause and think back when I started reading it up until when I finished reading it. I only do this if the book tumultuously heaved me back and forth with layers upon layers of events. While the the main goal of the sequel is to tell the story how Shiori returned the dragon pearl to it's rightful owner, the series of adventure and aftermath of the fact were so interwoven together that after finishing the book, I felt lost.
[Blurb]
She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
This description right here is a very promising summation of adventures and it did live up to a certain extent. What I did not like is the repetitive scenario where Shiori braves forward (keyword being brave only with no Plan B's in mind), gets captured, finds a way to be freed. It got a little bit boring mid-story that I had to resort to reading a different book before the frustration starts settling in.
While the fast paced action scenes were written well, the ending did not make any sense. After battling a demon to ensure her country is safe afterwards, she ended up freeing the demons that her Stepmother swore to seal on the mountains. I get that this might be a transition to a future book three perhaps but it was a little bit muddled and felt rushed.
[Blurb]
She must journey to the kingdom of dragons, navigate political intrigue among humans and dragons alike, fend off thieves who covet the pearl for themselves and will go to any lengths to get it, all while cultivating the appearance of a perfect princess to dissuade those who would see her burned at the stake for the magic that runs in her blood.
This description right here is a very promising summation of adventures and it did live up to a certain extent. What I did not like is the repetitive scenario where Shiori braves forward (keyword being brave only with no Plan B's in mind), gets captured, finds a way to be freed. It got a little bit boring mid-story that I had to resort to reading a different book before the frustration starts settling in.
While the fast paced action scenes were written well, the ending did not make any sense. After battling a demon to ensure her country is safe afterwards, she ended up freeing the demons that her Stepmother swore to seal on the mountains. I get that this might be a transition to a future book three perhaps but it was a little bit muddled and felt rushed.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
My first Anna Huang novel and I have mixed feelings 😂
Okay, so marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, little bit smutty and little bit misunderstanding kind of book. Plot is not really new - independent woman forced by her father to marry this hot, brooding billionaire in the name of family. Said woman took her final stand with her family and ended up with the billionaire at the end with a one of a kind engagement ring and the perfect wedding. Said woman, fell first but he fell harder - so yes, grovelling check.
As I said, the plot is not new but at least the irritating pieces of prolonging unnecessary misunderstanding and making liars out of characters was not thoroughly observed so that's a plus.
Characters. Hmmm, i don't hate them nor do I love them. FMC took chapters upon chapters being this badass CEO but spineless towards her father. Took her quite awhile to get their and the showdown at the end was mildly satisfying. The MC, well, no new characterizations I can think of. Both characters have almost flat personality but their blatant honesty about each other somehow made up for it. The build up was not that slow, so again that's what separated the this to other romance books of the same tropes.
Okay, so marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, little bit smutty and little bit misunderstanding kind of book. Plot is not really new - independent woman forced by her father to marry this hot, brooding billionaire in the name of family. Said woman took her final stand with her family and ended up with the billionaire at the end with a one of a kind engagement ring and the perfect wedding. Said woman, fell first but he fell harder - so yes, grovelling check.
As I said, the plot is not new but at least the irritating pieces of prolonging unnecessary misunderstanding and making liars out of characters was not thoroughly observed so that's a plus.
Characters. Hmmm, i don't hate them nor do I love them. FMC took chapters upon chapters being this badass CEO but spineless towards her father. Took her quite awhile to get their and the showdown at the end was mildly satisfying. The MC, well, no new characterizations I can think of. Both characters have almost flat personality but their blatant honesty about each other somehow made up for it. The build up was not that slow, so again that's what separated the this to other romance books of the same tropes.
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The drama in Neverland is never ending 😂
The title for this third book is already a giveaway that something might have had happend to Darling. During the first book where the FMC was introduced, Peter Pan and the rest of the gang already mentioned something is different about the new Darling. Though the second book explored the new relations of the side characters, this one somehow tallied the history of each.
I mildly enjoyed the development of the sub plots and to understand how each twist came to be but the intrigue is starting to get lost on me. Sure, the steamy scenes are still steamier than the last but unnecessary POVs and introduction of new sub plots made it look like the author is extending the series unnecessarily - and oh, the book ended on a cliffhanger so there's that. Again.
The title for this third book is already a giveaway that something might have had happend to Darling. During the first book where the FMC was introduced, Peter Pan and the rest of the gang already mentioned something is different about the new Darling. Though the second book explored the new relations of the side characters, this one somehow tallied the history of each.
I mildly enjoyed the development of the sub plots and to understand how each twist came to be but the intrigue is starting to get lost on me. Sure, the steamy scenes are still steamier than the last but unnecessary POVs and introduction of new sub plots made it look like the author is extending the series unnecessarily - and oh, the book ended on a cliffhanger so there's that. Again.
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
OH.MY.GOD!
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
We all know the classic tale of Peter Pan who does not have a shadow, lives in Neverland with the Lost Boys, have a trusted friend in Tinker Bell, lures Wendy to the land where boys don't grow up- reverse harem that sh*t and you have this.
Okay, so wow. I was already expecting something sinister about this Peter Pan reimagine but I did not expect that it will be coming from the FMC 😅 Usually on dark romance books, the MC is the one with a lot of baggage and though the FMC has a lot too, she was more cunning than the MC, lol.
It was a quick read with less than 200 pages. Not bad for an introduction for the upcoming books although the plot is still a little bit muddled. A twist was dropped nearing the end of the first book so a great hook up from the author for the reader to read the next one.
Okay, so wow. I was already expecting something sinister about this Peter Pan reimagine but I did not expect that it will be coming from the FMC 😅 Usually on dark romance books, the MC is the one with a lot of baggage and though the FMC has a lot too, she was more cunning than the MC, lol.
It was a quick read with less than 200 pages. Not bad for an introduction for the upcoming books although the plot is still a little bit muddled. A twist was dropped nearing the end of the first book so a great hook up from the author for the reader to read the next one.