_charliesbookshelf's reviews
288 reviews

Wolf Bitten by Jen L. Grey

adventurous challenging emotional

3.0

Wolf Mate by Jen L. Grey

3.0

Camera Shy by Kay Cove

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Overall Thoughts:
This book has all the good vibes—romance, personal growth, and spice! Kay Cove gives us a relatable FMC in her 30s, navigating real-life struggles, plus a dedication with an all-female playlist. I’m already loving the girl power vibes! With Finn’s supportive, non-toxic energy and Avery’s journey to self-worth, this one’s a joy to read.

Pros:
✨ The dedication and all-female playlist? Love it. We’re here for the girls’ girl energy!
💖 Finn and Avery’s interactions are adorable. Finn’s all about lifting her up, calling her “queen,” and never pushing her—he’s the sweet, supportive MMC we need.
🔥 We love a curvy, boss-lady FMC in her 30s. It’s refreshing to read about a woman tackling real-life issues and not just another 21-year-old!
🌶️ Finn teaching Avery… let’s just say the spice was definitely there, and it was fun to read.
🙌 Watching Avery take out the trashy and realize her worth was so satisfying.

Cons:
😤 Her ex, Mason, was awful—probably the most hateable ex ever, but maybe that’s intentional?
⏳ The beginning took time to set up, but the second half picked up speed and delivered.
💔 Avery’s miscommunication toward the end was frustrating, especially since Finn was so respectful. I get why the scene was included, but it could’ve been done differently.
👎 The focus on Avery’s body issues was sometimes too much. While it connects to her confidence, it felt a bit overplayed at times.

Favorite Quotes:

• “You’re beautiful. You’re worthy. Don’t you dare let any man treat you like garbage. Don’t let any man tell you you’re lacking. If he doesn’t see you as sexy, he’s not using his eyes.”
• “If a man doesn’t give, he doesn’t get. End of story. Don’t waste your time on selfish assholes.”
• “Your lips are starting to feel like home.”

The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Just finished: The Pumpkin Spice Café by Laurie Gilmore, and I have so many feelings! Here's a quick breakdown of what I loved and what I didn't: 

Pros: 

•  The playlist at the start added bonus and was extremely appreciated, thank you!
•  The way Logan and Jeanie think and talk about each other is so cute.
•  Cute city girl and a sexy farmer boy with Gilmore Girls vibes? Yes, please. Such a cozy read!!
•  Cute little stakeouts, sneaking around, secret looks, and public declarations - Logan and Jeanie are adorable!

•
 
Their shy moments, blushes, and smiles are heart-
 
melting.
 
The book club reading spicy books? Absolutely
 
loved it!
 
Farm animals named after popular pop artists?
 
That's a whole vibe.
 
Cons:
 
The pacing dragged at times, but there were enough cozy moments to keep me going.
 
• I was hoping for more Grumpy x Sunshine vibes, but Logan isn't really grumpy-just hurt with some abandonment issues. Honestly, though, he's such a sweet MMC.
 
The mystery and its resolution were a bit underwhelming.
 
There was miscommunication between the main characters, which was frustrating. Thankfully, the MMC's best friend helped snap him out of it.
 
Logan's trust issues due to his past dragged on too long for my taste.
 
• Not really a con, but I expected more spice! It was more light and fluffy than spicy.
 
Tropes & Recommendations:
 
•
 
Cozy small town
 
Ambitious city girl x farmer boy
 
Grumpy X Sunshine

Flip by Briana Michaels

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted tense medium-paced

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

4.25

 

📚 Just finished Flip by Briana Michaels, and I have so many feelings! Here’s a quick breakdown of what I loved and where I struggled: 

 

Pros: 

 

• The cutest single mum romance I’ve ever read! 

• Trey is such a good MMC—seriously, he stole my heart. 

• A great continuation from Book One, but totally works as a standalone. 

• The spicy scenes? So good 🔥 

• Loved seeing the couple from the previous book make an appearance! 

• Trey’s relationship with Erin’s son was just so wholesome. 💖 

 

Cons: 

 

• Not long enough! I need more! 

• Erin’s drama felt a bit much at times—like, girl, get over yourself—but it was written really well. 

• Wished for more spicy scenes and a little less drama. 

• Erin’s son could’ve played a bigger role, physically being around more in the story 

The House of the Wicked: A romantic suspense novel by Oona Arlo

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I just finished: The House of the Wicked by Oona Arlo and OMFG, I have so many feelings! Here’s a quick breakdown of what I loved and where I struggled:

Pros:

🔥 Playlist inspo — yes please, I was living for it!  

💥 A super detailed *trigger warning page* (so thoughtful and needed).  

🌶️ The *Dicktionary*... trust me, you'll want to see this for yourself.  

🙌 Loved the female main character. While her growth wasn't huge in this book, I know she's on the edge of something BIG in the next one. Oona Arlo, I’m ready!  

🍽️ The tension and character building between the leads…. I ate it up.  

💥 Hidden secrets and a MASSIVE cliffhanger —the last chapter left me gasping!  

✨ The male lead? OBSESSED. I can’t wait to see where this goes!

Cons:

⏳ Ugh, now I have to wait for the next book!  

⌛ *Pacing* was a bit slow in spots, but it picks up when it counts.  

🤔 Wish the FMC had figured out the secret a little sooner to give us more time in the drama!  

😬 *Adam was an ick*. I won’t say more than that, but you’ll know what I mean.

Overall, I adored this book, and I'm SOOOO KEEN for the next one. If you love Mafia, secrets, tension, and cliffhangers that leave you begging for more—grab this one ASAP!  

I want to say thankyou to @bookfunnel & @oonaarloauthor for the opportunity to read this ARC, and it all right that my thoughts and opinions are my own. 🫶🫶

Twisted Devotion by Poppy St. John

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.25

I liked this book, it was an average fast spicy read and I enjoyed it. Although, for everything I enjoyed there was something I didn’t vibe with. 

I hated the FMCs father but I loved her best friend. Hated the communication between side characters but I adored the tension and fighting between MCs. 

I loved this book until about 50% - 60% and then I started noticing things that I didn’t like  more often. 

I would recommend this book if you enjoy:

✅ Dark Romance

✅ Mafia

✅ Possessive MMC 

✅ Stalker

✅ Kidnapping

✅ BDSM Club 

🔥 Spicy 🔥

Glitch by Briana Michaels

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.25

Being gaming buddies for long time with the opposite sex is fun but it’s also the start of our main characters love story. Meet Ara (FMC) and Sean/Glitch (MMC), these gamers have never met before but are both secretly lusting over one another.

Glitch is the gamer boyfriend of my dreams. 

I mean what’s not to love…?

He’s incredibly smart, a bit insecure, has tattoos, is caring and protective of his family (and Ara ofc )….Annnnnnnd has a sexy deep voice that he uses to record Spicy audios 👀👀👀

Ara’s an artist who has been put through the wringer and needs a break. Mother passed away, deadbeat dad and the addition of multiple red flag ex boyfriends who make her feel insecure is not a vibe but….

That’s all about to change when she meets glitch. 

“If I could filter her voice, and only hers, I’d mute the rest of the world.”

I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy:

✅ Online Gamer Buddies

✅ Curvy FMC

✅ Touch her and I’ll 💀 you vibes 

✅ Instalove

✅The MMC falls first

🔥 Spicy 🔥

Intoxication by Charlene Namdhari

adventurous challenging emotional tense medium-paced

3.5

This was a really great read with a nice amount of spice. I absolutely loved that the MMC fell in love first and he fell hard (book boyfriend material right here 

👈)

Between the super cute pet names, the spicy tension and the family/love triangle drama, there wasn't much I didn't like. I ate this book up and left no crumbs. 

I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy: 

✅Family drama 

✅Love triangles 

✅Age gaps 

✅One night stand 

✅The MMC falls first 

✅Taboo/forbidden romance 

✅Spice 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content

The Dalwick Demon by Ashley Bennett

adventurous hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.5