romancereadinglist's Reviews (417)

Freed by the Marquess

Stevie Sparks

4.25

dark emotional hopeful sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Fret Me Not

Sarah Estep

3.25

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I like Estep’s writing a lot but this one didn’t work super well for me.

The good: The sex scenes were hot and I liked the FMC.

The not-so-good: the MMC was kind of a jerk and his character didn’t feel well explained/explored. The side characters took over at points and lastly (very aware this will not be a popular opinion) I didn’t care for the dog content. 🫣

So Flocked

Sarah Estep

4.25

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

I loved the majority of this book - it is sweet and charming and hot - but felt it didn’t quite stick the landing so walked away slightly disappointed. Still very glad I read it; both main characters were wonderful (with the MMC a superb himbo).

You Had Me at Hola

Alexis Daria

4.5

emotional inspiring tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Our Own Light

Logan Sage Adams

4.0

emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Whisky Business

Elliot Fletcher

4.25

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Much Ado About Hating You

Charlie Lane

4.25

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Delightful novella with excellent, witty banter.

Despising the Duke

Stevie Sparks

4.5

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book was super emotional and super hot. A great example of second chance done well, with lots of emotional development happening through the sex scenes. Stevie Sparks doesn’t make you dwell in the agony of their hatred-misunderstanding-betrayal too long, thank god. Definitely check the CWs.

Content Warnings