_charliesbookshelf's reviews
288 reviews

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

This story follows Paige a 25, autistic, female and has runaway with the help of her best friend Amber. Paige is Nonverbal and uses her phone to communicate to others.

Paige’s friend Amber rescues her from an unsafe environment and lets her stay at her place, only catch is.. Amber has a tall handsome older brother, Brody and Paige has to promise not to sleep with him. 😏

(Personally I absolutely love the best friends brother trope)

I have to admit at the start when we’re first introduced to Brody I didn’t like him. Buff gym guy with a massive porn collection.. Ehh not my thing, but that’s what makes this situation perfect for Paige because she has an obsession with sex and having never “had the big O” this is time for her to “study” sex.

Diving deeper into the story there’s more going on than you realise. There’s Brody and Paige are bonding in ways Amber would disapprove of (If she knew), Amber’s bad habits, learning it’s not always about sex and orgasming and the finding out what is Paige running from. — Also myself learning not to judge a character too quickly, Brody turns out to be a protective, caring, teddy bear 🧸💗

This story was a rollercoaster, I’d be laughing, crying and hanging on the edge on my seat reading in suspense for was going to happen next. I read this in one sitting and was enthralled with the story. It was emotional but an enjoyable read. I also loved how the books mentions how asking for help is okay and that it supported therapy.

Being neurodiverse myself, I definitely appreciated the diversity of the main character and all of the situations/issues that Paige has. I personally have been in a lot of the situations that Paige has been in and while lot of neurodiverse people aren’t represented well when written about and I feel as though Raina Ash (Author) did an excellent job writing Paige.

Overall I loved this book and think it’s definitely worth the read!

Trigger Warning! I’d like to advise people interested in reading this book that there are some sensitive topics talked about in this book. Please at any time during this book you feel uncomfortable or triggered, please take a break, stop reading, talk to a friend or seek help.

Some of the TW’s include:

Physical abuse

Family/domestic violence

Sexually explicit scenes

Drug & Alcohol abuse

Mentions of attempted unaliving.

Many thanks to NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Content Warnings

Sweet Surrender: The Epilogue by L.M. Fox

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

This is the novella/epilogue for The Bitter Rival. While is says it’s an epilogue it’s more like a sequel but that’s definitely not a bad thing as I loved reading more about Bella and Sebastion.

I found this story had more character depth than the first which I found interesting. In the first book there were diverse characters and medical conditions but in this book I found it more centred around the MC’a settling into there relationship and their miscommunication problems.

What I really enjoyed with this book was that the relationship between Sebastion and Austin. Their bond is special, Sebastion steps into the role as Austin’s father but it’s more than that. Seeing everything Sebastion does for Austin was so heartwarming and inspiring.

Content Warnings

The Bitter Rival by L.M. Fox

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adventurous emotional informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Sebastian Lee (MMC) is a sexy arrogant playboy surgeon (wow that’s a mouthful) and being a surgeon Sebastion works hard but he plays harder. He’s always looking for his next hook up but never wants more.

Bella (FMC) is a divorced single mother in her thirties (love the representation 👏). Studying medicine Bella doesn’t want or have time for a relationship but after a flaming hot one night stand things change.. 🔥🔥

This book isn’t what I was expecting but I’m not disappointed. It was a nice quick read for me and while I LOVED the representation and diversity of the characters I thought there could have been more moments of the actual couple spending time together and them falling. I felt like it was a little rushed in that aspect, a lot of it was them either arguing or banging… Buuuuuut I really did enjoy reading the scenes when they were together.

Content Warnings

Highest Bidder by Sara Cate

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

Firstly I want to say that it’s so good to be back in the world of SPC and I LOVED how the Sara (author) included a recap for the previous books. This was such a small detail but it was so thoughtful and awesome to read!!!!

Now that’s out of the way let’s get to talking about the actual story. After a bet goes wrong Fmc Daisy finds herself on the auction block at SPC. Not expecting any interest Daisy is surprised when there’s a bidding war between to men for an hour date with her.

Ultimately billionaire Ronan Kade wins the auction. Interesting because he’s the reason she’s working at the club. Daisy goes looking for answers and gets so much more. Once getting to know Ronan, Daisy finds out he’s not what she expected.

As with all the SPC books I throughly enjoyed this book too. Sara Cate has an amazing ability of merging spice, drama and whirlwind emotions/situations together in a way that’s not only entertaining, seamless but it’s leaves you wanting more. I really enjoyed exploring the new side of kinks within this series, loving when “Daddy” Ronan helps Daisy to explore her sexuality and how Daisy gets a taste of the extremely sought after pleasure dom.

While I find most SPC books can be read as individual books this one does have spoilers about the previous books so I’d definitely recommend reading the others first. That being said I adored reading this book and I’d certainly recommend reading it and the series if you like taboo romance. 🔥

🔞 Warning this book contains explicit content and tropes not everyone may like. My page is a no-hate zone. Don’t ick someone’s yum.

Tropes include but aren’t limited to:
- Age gap (30+ Years)
- Daddy kink
- Insta-love/attraction

Content Warnings

Spreading Her Wings by Meg Becker

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adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

The fmc (Katie) is a new homeowner who loves wine, baking and her routines. Feeling finally accomplished by buying her own house she’s starting to settle back into following her predictable routines…If she can get her dyer working all will be well.

Enter Auston Johannson, her best friends infuriating twin brother, the one she’s bickered with since they’ve met. He’ll help Katie set up her dryer but it costs her a favour.. Be his fake girlfriend for a night. Fake dating seems all fun and games until nicknames, pizza/movie nights and burning the brownies starts to happen.

One of the best things I loved about this book is that it’s in dual pov. We get a front row seat to the journey of these two riveting characters. Katie’s character growth is inspiring, realising that sometimes giving up control and “safe choices” is what might make the best choice.

Auston has to be my favourite character. His fall for Katie is fast but it is so incredibly beautiful. He remembers the small things about her, like how she loves pepperoni and olives on pizza, he’s there for her on her bad days and he makes Katie feel alive. It’s enthralling watching Auston and Katie constantly challenge each other to do things that scare them.

To sum up my thoughts I want to say that I’ve read Meg Becker books before and I found her work brilliant (With A Broken Wing being my favourite book in November 2022) and while reading this I was yet again impressed with Meg’s writing, how Meg understands and writes her characters is incredible. While it is a cute romance it does have mature themes/content. 🔥🔥

This book is apart of a series but can most definitely be read as a stand alone. I loved this book and this series.

I want to say thankyou to @katieandbreypa and @authorMegbecker for the amazing opportunity to be on tour and for m advanced copy.

Content Warnings

Different, Not Less: A Neurodivergent's Guide to Embracing Your True Self and Finding Your Happily Ever After by Chloé Hayden

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

"Instead of being afraid, I will become something to fear"

It has been TOO long since l've read a YA Fantasy book that actually has everything I'm looking for. This has just the right amount of action, drama, suspense and of course a little sprinkle of romance.

I buddy read this book with the amazing @lightltup and I loved it so much!

Within the first chapter the story jumps into action and transported me into the world of Faerie.

Jude is an excellent fm, she's smart, strong and witty. Being a mortal human Jude endures being bullied by her classmates and she's determined to win her place in Faerie and prove herself.

The Cruel Prince is extremely captivating. The characters even while being flawed in there own ways are extremely enjoyable to read (I think that's what makes them so interesting). You can't trust anyone because they're either a spy, hiding secrets and/or they'll betray you.

While it does end on a cliffhanger, the series is thankfully finished. I cannot wait to see what happens next!
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Side note... If this has been on your shelf for over a year (like me), please pick it up and read it!

Content Warnings

Kissing the Coronavirus by M.J. Edwards

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adventurous challenging slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Clearly this book is satire and oh my god.

I can't comprehend how hilarious, weird and confusing this book is, and that's exactly how it made me feel.

It has now forever tainted my Goodreads and Storygraph

Please send help. 🥲🫠

Content Warnings

My Double Life by Angela Pearse

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I really enjoyed this fun, quirky romcom!

The story is set in Edinburgh following the life of Emma.

Emma is a librarian but with promotions and pay raises denied, Emma finds herself struggling to pay for her apartment.

This results in her finding not only a secret second job (Life Modelling) but she also has to get a new sexy flat mate. One that her pedantic, rude and arrogant boyfriend disapproves of. (I really don't like him)

What I found really interesting and exciting was that everyone in this book has a secret and of course by the end all the secrets are out.

I loved reading about the hilarious predicaments Emma gets into trying to uncover everyone's secrets and while hiding her own.

Overall I loved the humour, wittiness and the romance of the story. Nathan is definitely book boyfriend material. My Double Life was an entertaining and enjoyable read that I'd highly recommend if your looking for a quirky romcom!

Content Warnings

Call Me Daddy by Jade West

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Content Warnings

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_charliesbookshelf's reviews 288 reviews

_charliesbookshelf's reviews
288 reviews