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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
dark
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:
Yes
Brothers best friend
Getting over someone
Forced proximity
Roomates
Secret dating
Work romance
Getting over someone
Forced proximity
Roomates
Secret dating
Work romance
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Okay, here’s my review for Mine for a Moment by Catharina Maura:
I really enjoyed the angst and longing in this book! The “right person, wrong time” trope has always been a favorite of mine, and Mine for a Moment captured that perfectly with Archer and Serenity’s story. The tension between them, the missed opportunities, and the longing that lingers throughout had me hooked. I loved how much Archer and Serenity genuinely cared for each other, and how they were willing to sacrifice things they never would have in any other situation. The depth of their connection really stood out and made their relationship feel so heartfelt and intense.
That said, I did feel like their longing came out of nowhere.. They're known each other for many years and yet now suddenly they notice one another? Also, there was a lot happening in the story, and at times, it felt a little overwhelming, especially given that the book wasn’t very long. There were so many layers to Archer and Serenity's lives, but it felt like the pacing was a bit rushed, and some moments could’ve been flushed out better. I also felt like I was dropped into the story without enough context or buildup—like I was supposed to know more about the characters' backgrounds than what was shared.
For example, Archer would take Serenity on trips, but we only get to read about one trip in detail. Then later in the book, it’s casually mentioned that they visited Venice and Paris, and I found myself wishing I could have seen those moments unfold, as they would've added so much more depth and bonding to their relationship.
Overall, I really loved the angst and emotion that Archer and Serenity brought to the story, and while I wish certain aspects had been explored more deeply, I still found myself captivated by their journey. Definitely worth a read if you’re into emotional, tension-filled romance with a bittersweet edge.
I really enjoyed the angst and longing in this book! The “right person, wrong time” trope has always been a favorite of mine, and Mine for a Moment captured that perfectly with Archer and Serenity’s story. The tension between them, the missed opportunities, and the longing that lingers throughout had me hooked. I loved how much Archer and Serenity genuinely cared for each other, and how they were willing to sacrifice things they never would have in any other situation. The depth of their connection really stood out and made their relationship feel so heartfelt and intense.
That said, I did feel like their longing came out of nowhere.. They're known each other for many years and yet now suddenly they notice one another? Also, there was a lot happening in the story, and at times, it felt a little overwhelming, especially given that the book wasn’t very long. There were so many layers to Archer and Serenity's lives, but it felt like the pacing was a bit rushed, and some moments could’ve been flushed out better. I also felt like I was dropped into the story without enough context or buildup—like I was supposed to know more about the characters' backgrounds than what was shared.
For example, Archer would take Serenity on trips, but we only get to read about one trip in detail. Then later in the book, it’s casually mentioned that they visited Venice and Paris, and I found myself wishing I could have seen those moments unfold, as they would've added so much more depth and bonding to their relationship.
Overall, I really loved the angst and emotion that Archer and Serenity brought to the story, and while I wish certain aspects had been explored more deeply, I still found myself captivated by their journey. Definitely worth a read if you’re into emotional, tension-filled romance with a bittersweet edge.
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Cute quick story. Loved the chemistry between Archer and Serenity. I wished she had more of a backbone to be honest. I wish there was more depth as I had more questions about Tyra, Theo and that other friend. They just seemed forgotten as well. Usually hate 3rd act breakups but I do enjoy them when this author writes them.
the ANGST.
You think this is going to be a billionaire forbidden workplace romance but it's NOT.
There is an entire subplot that will leave you reeling.
Another Catherine Maura book to adore.
You think this is going to be a billionaire forbidden workplace romance but it's NOT.
There is an entire subplot that will leave you reeling.
Another Catherine Maura book to adore.
emotional
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 / 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was such a good brother’s best friend and forbidden romance. Characters were easy to relate to and the plot was realistic. It was sweet and emotional. My only complaint ever is that I want more. This is a short read and I definitely would’ve enjoyed more, but that’s more personal preference - I don’t feel that we’re missing anything at the end and the author wrapped up the story beautifully. I really loved this.
This was such a good brother’s best friend and forbidden romance. Characters were easy to relate to and the plot was realistic. It was sweet and emotional. My only complaint ever is that I want more. This is a short read and I definitely would’ve enjoyed more, but that’s more personal preference - I don’t feel that we’re missing anything at the end and the author wrapped up the story beautifully. I really loved this.
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
did not feel like i was reading one of catherina’s works; it just felt so diverse and different form the rest of the books she has written or am i just to used to the winsor series? oh well. great book. it got a bit boring at the end because of the repetition, but none the less, still a great read.
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“i just stare at her, unable to comprehend that i get to have her, that she’s mine, even if only for a moment.”
okay, here’s the deal. i was extremely excited for this book, i saw people loving it and hyping it up, which may have been my first mistake. i don’t influence easily, and i think i should’ve reminded myself of that beforehand, but here we are.
there are pieces of this book that i definitely liked and enjoyed, which is why i highlighted and tabbed a lot of things, but let’s get into the issues i had with it. first, i felt like the plot was so entirely lost pretty early in. i would have liked to see more background on the main characters, especially about their pasts and how they all came to knew each other. second, serenity has two hobbies which are obsess over her brother’s best friend and paint. she could have been written and developed so much better! archer on the other hand is a billionaire, but i still don’t know what he does career-wise and i read the entire book. the two main characters are very insecure when it comes to their feelings, and i can appreciate overthinking because i do a lot of it, but this kind of overthinking and jumping to conclusions was crazy.
this book felt very wattpad-esque and i can’t get over it. serenity is a 20 something year old virgin who is hung up on her best friend that started dating their other friend and she’s driven herself crazy with coping with the whole situation.
all in all, i think there were a lot of plot holes and things that needed to be added, as well as things that could have been left out. if i’m being honest with myself, i’m rating this book on quotes and spice alone because i was lost for a majority of the book as to how we went from zero to one hundred in about twenty pages.
i’m all for giving authors a second chance, so i will probably check out other books written by catharina maura, but this one was definitely not my cup of tea.
okay, here’s the deal. i was extremely excited for this book, i saw people loving it and hyping it up, which may have been my first mistake. i don’t influence easily, and i think i should’ve reminded myself of that beforehand, but here we are.
there are pieces of this book that i definitely liked and enjoyed, which is why i highlighted and tabbed a lot of things, but let’s get into the issues i had with it. first, i felt like the plot was so entirely lost pretty early in. i would have liked to see more background on the main characters, especially about their pasts and how they all came to knew each other. second, serenity has two hobbies which are obsess over her brother’s best friend and paint. she could have been written and developed so much better! archer on the other hand is a billionaire, but i still don’t know what he does career-wise and i read the entire book. the two main characters are very insecure when it comes to their feelings, and i can appreciate overthinking because i do a lot of it, but this kind of overthinking and jumping to conclusions was crazy.
this book felt very wattpad-esque and i can’t get over it. serenity is a 20 something year old virgin who is hung up on her best friend that started dating their other friend and she’s driven herself crazy with coping with the whole situation.
all in all, i think there were a lot of plot holes and things that needed to be added, as well as things that could have been left out. if i’m being honest with myself, i’m rating this book on quotes and spice alone because i was lost for a majority of the book as to how we went from zero to one hundred in about twenty pages.
i’m all for giving authors a second chance, so i will probably check out other books written by catharina maura, but this one was definitely not my cup of tea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Kidnapping
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Another winner from Catharina Maura. If you enjoy her books, you’ll like this one.
I enjoyed the pace of this book, the relationship wasn’t rushed and it was well-developed. The side characters were good and the only ones I didn’t have a good handle on were her parents.
I enjoyed the pace of this book, the relationship wasn’t rushed and it was well-developed. The side characters were good and the only ones I didn’t have a good handle on were her parents.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping