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mollybonovskyanderson's review
1.0
DNF at 33%.
I liked the setting; rainy, misty Pacific Northwest. There are some lovely descriptions of the woods and the sea. I needed a pallet-cleanser after reading some too-heavy non-fiction and picked up this up from our "little-free-lending library." The cover caught my eye, but after reading the synopsis, I knew this might not be for me. I don't read much fantasy anymore, specifically not urban fantasy, or romance--at all. But I thought I'd give it a try. There weren't enough goblins in my opinion, and too much trite and/or banal dialogue, and a definite over-use of the word "sexy." I also thought that Skye was going to be "depressed" after her encounter with the goblins, not rendered nearly mute, someone who could not smile or laugh, and could only echo people, yet still somehow held down her job as a barista. As soon as she stopped talking and began communicating by little nods and pouts, she seemed infantile, which was compounded by the fact that she barely came up to Grady's shoulder, which just made it seem like he was lusting after a petulant, mute child. Their texting conversation across a table was kind of the limit for me. It just wasn't my thing. I'm going to re-shelve it for someone else to discover, and hopefully appreciate more than I did.
I liked the setting; rainy, misty Pacific Northwest. There are some lovely descriptions of the woods and the sea. I needed a pallet-cleanser after reading some too-heavy non-fiction and picked up this up from our "little-free-lending library." The cover caught my eye, but after reading the synopsis, I knew this might not be for me. I don't read much fantasy anymore, specifically not urban fantasy, or romance--at all. But I thought I'd give it a try. There weren't enough goblins in my opinion, and too much trite and/or banal dialogue, and a definite over-use of the word "sexy." I also thought that Skye was going to be "depressed" after her encounter with the goblins, not rendered nearly mute, someone who could not smile or laugh, and could only echo people, yet still somehow held down her job as a barista. As soon as she stopped talking and began communicating by little nods and pouts, she seemed infantile, which was compounded by the fact that she barely came up to Grady's shoulder, which just made it seem like he was lusting after a petulant, mute child. Their texting conversation across a table was kind of the limit for me. It just wasn't my thing. I'm going to re-shelve it for someone else to discover, and hopefully appreciate more than I did.
bookish_emily's review
4.0
The Goblins of Bellwater is a magical (literally) romance set in a small town near Puget Sound. The Sylvain cousins and the Darwen sisters are all drawn to the forest, and they end up getting more than they bargained for in the process. One way or another, a goblin curse will change the course of their lives forever - will they prevail or will the course destroy them?
It is refreshing to read books featuring twenty-somethings amidst a seeming dichotomy of either teens or thirty-to-forty-somethings in existing literature. Fans of the new adult genre will enjoy the relatable relationships in Ringle's book. It's also a great read for the fantasy crowd, with a well-developed magical creature plotline. A fun story that kept me turning the pages to the end!
It is refreshing to read books featuring twenty-somethings amidst a seeming dichotomy of either teens or thirty-to-forty-somethings in existing literature. Fans of the new adult genre will enjoy the relatable relationships in Ringle's book. It's also a great read for the fantasy crowd, with a well-developed magical creature plotline. A fun story that kept me turning the pages to the end!
bree_h_reads's review
I really thought the intro was so strong. I was really enjoying the world and vibes and descriptions. It drew me in so well.
And then I got to chapter two and EVERY character but Livy became insufferable. Skye was RIDICULOUSLY stupid, Kit gave mild creep vibes, and Grady was INSANELY entitled and self-absorbed. I couldn’t stand a single one of them. Which is SUCH a bummer because I was REALLY looking forward to the book.
And then I got to chapter two and EVERY character but Livy became insufferable. Skye was RIDICULOUSLY stupid, Kit gave mild creep vibes, and Grady was INSANELY entitled and self-absorbed. I couldn’t stand a single one of them. Which is SUCH a bummer because I was REALLY looking forward to the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual assault
allyreadsromance's review
4.0
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Fun new take on Fantasy through Goblins. This was a very enjoyable short read. I've become accustomed to the world of beautiful faeries, and goblins are not the same at all. When it comes to recommending it to students I believe it would be fine for older high schools students. I agree with it being named New Adult fiction since there is casual sex, but nothing is described in detailed. There is also some swearing when characters are upset, but nothing filthy. Characters are drawn together in a very instinctual way that is romantic. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
Fun new take on Fantasy through Goblins. This was a very enjoyable short read. I've become accustomed to the world of beautiful faeries, and goblins are not the same at all. When it comes to recommending it to students I believe it would be fine for older high schools students. I agree with it being named New Adult fiction since there is casual sex, but nothing is described in detailed. There is also some swearing when characters are upset, but nothing filthy. Characters are drawn together in a very instinctual way that is romantic. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author.
marieintheraw's review
3.0
It's not everyday that you read books with goblins especially in an urban fantasy setting. And as someone whose always down for a good retelling, one of the Goblin Market, was sure to be one that peaked my interest. This book was atmospheric and managed to be just the right levels of creepy. But, overall, it was the sexual content in this one didn't work for me as they felt oddly placed within the story.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through Netgalley; however, all opinions are my own.
lunaballz's review
5.0
I picked this up on a whim, since it's set in my home state. I was not disappointed. I really loved that the magic creatures all had magical rules that needed to be followed, and the maliciousness of some of them. I'm always a sucker for a dark fae story. Whenever I wasn't reading it I was thinking about it, and when I was reading it I didn't want to put it down!
Definitely recommend if you like stories with malicious faery types and happy endings
Definitely recommend if you like stories with malicious faery types and happy endings
debtat2's review
2.0
I was originally drawn to this book firstly by the cover and secondly the book description.
I wanted to love this book so much that I have tried reading it on several occasions but unfortunately I just couldn't finish it.
Not for me personally but if you like a lot of romance with a splash of magic then its certainly a book worth a try.
I wanted to love this book so much that I have tried reading it on several occasions but unfortunately I just couldn't finish it.
Not for me personally but if you like a lot of romance with a splash of magic then its certainly a book worth a try.
knittyreader's review
4.0
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
To me, 'The Goblins of Bellwater' perfectly brought the atmosphere of faery-lore into a modern romance. The goblin-dwellings were a kind of marvellous and cool, in a sinister and creepy way. The 'locals' were kind of classical-but-odd. I liked the use of the four elements, and the underlying 'be good to nature, and it might be good to you too. Or not, but it probably will somehow.
Yes, there was some kind of insta-love involved in this book, which is slightly awkward to like, since insta-love is a dead-beaten path in bookland. However, the way it was twisted in this tale, it was okay.
Mostly this is a book that is great to read, reads fast and easy, while it gives a lingering feeling of strangeness to everything normal. Awesome!
To me, 'The Goblins of Bellwater' perfectly brought the atmosphere of faery-lore into a modern romance. The goblin-dwellings were a kind of marvellous and cool, in a sinister and creepy way. The 'locals' were kind of classical-but-odd. I liked the use of the four elements, and the underlying 'be good to nature, and it might be good to you too. Or not, but it probably will somehow.
Yes, there was some kind of insta-love involved in this book, which is slightly awkward to like, since insta-love is a dead-beaten path in bookland. However, the way it was twisted in this tale, it was okay.
Mostly this is a book that is great to read, reads fast and easy, while it gives a lingering feeling of strangeness to everything normal. Awesome!
kelly_reads_books's review
3.0
I was given this book to read for an honest review.
This book was slow to begin but as the story evolved it got very interesting.
The characters were well written and described
This book was slow to begin but as the story evolved it got very interesting.
The characters were well written and described
nikki_b's review
I really wanted to like this book. The summary, the cover... my expectations were high. But from the start, I didn't like any of the human characters at all. Especially once I got to the middle and the relationships started. The setting was beautiful and the goblin aspect was interesting. I wanted to know everything about Kit's family and the deal with the goblins. But, I didn't like Kit. Or Livy. Or Skye. Or Grady. And Skye/Grady really made me uncomfortable. The characters felt flat - especially Livy and Grady. Skye had some interesting moments, especially in the beginning with the descriptions of her struggling with the Goblin curse. So, with that said and lovely writing aside, I had to put this away and not finish it.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.