a_wilson's reviews
10 reviews

Night Shift by Annie Crown

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

Reading this was due to being at a Barnes & Noble cafe doing work and thinking I could just ignore the bookshelves (I bought three books, this being one of them) 

But what a fun read!! I loved that this book didn’t take itself too seriously and did shoutouts to the various tropes in the romance space. I think the surprising thing about this book was the spice scenes since I thought it would be like one chapter and then move on but it was more like here is one scene over three or four chapters. 

If you are looking for a fun, quick read with spice then this book will be a great weekend afternoon read!! 

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

I FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK!! 

I’d first like to say that my lack of finishing reading this book had nothing to do with the actual novel and more with my inability to focus and devote a good amount of time to the task. Nevertheless, we persisted and I’m so glad I did because the second half of this book?? I’ll say it definitely had me blushing. 

Tangent aside, I loved the flow of this book as I don’t think I’ve read a dual timeline/dual pov story with this structure before but I think it fit well in showcasing the type of second-chance romance this was. Ending Spoiler:

I think the end was also really well done in that it recognized the growth of the characters while also being sensitive to the fact that these two characters might not get married (and that decision is okay and doesn’t mean they love each other any less!!)

The Pop Star and the Devil: A Short Story by Rektok Ross

mysterious sad fast-paced

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

1.0

no comment… (and a star for taylor swift references) 

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

Finishing the last few chapters took a while cause life kept getting in the way LOL 

But another cute, fun read by Ali! The story was fun and I enjoyed the cameos from her other books (hi Adam + Olive!!) 

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous dark emotional tense 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

3.75

WTF?? 

Without spoilers, I’m just gonna say that this book did not flow as well as the first one and i think part of it could have definitely lived as another book in the series, but I did enjoy learning more about the world in this one. 

And my first statement is literally only in regards to like the last 1/4 of the book cause what in the actual world is gonna happen now?? Guess I am now waiting like everyone else for Book 3 :) 

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

emotional hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

3.0

The way I completely devoured this book (even though I’m trying to finish three other books lol) is insane. 

Time-loop tropes are definitely something I need to read more of because this is my second one and the pace makes them such fun reads. Emilie and Nick were very fun characters to get to know and the pop culture references (swifities will for sure love) in this book were such fun easter eggs to come across while reading. 

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Welcome to the Fourth Wing!! 

After finishing book one, everything I’ve heard about this book on TikTok makes sense. This book was a fun fantasy read and, by how quickly I finished, very attention grabbing. 

I agree with every review that says the world-building is a little on the light side, but with everyone keeping secrets from the female lead, it would make sense that some of that is lacking. I hope that the later books in the series tell more though because the politics of how we got here would be interesting to know more about. 

Lastly, for all those look for romantasy and enemies to lovers, it’s there but I wouldn’t say the first book shows them as the power couple they may, or may not, end up becoming. 

As individuals however, Xaden’s character is one I wish I got more of his POV and hope the later books turn more Dual POV style. His demeanor and abilities are For Violet, while certain parts had me annoyed at how she handles situations, I can understand where the naivety and lack of action come from. (ALSO HOPING TO GET STRONGER SIDE CHARACTER PLOTS!! even if they do end up hurting me “thank you for being my shadow…thank you for being my friend.”) 

Note: Read this as an audiobook 

Fourth Wing (Part 1 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation) by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I borrowed this book thinking it was the whole thing so now I have to continue to the normal audio book, but I definitely plan to read part two. 
I think the story read with a full cast and the sound effects really brings you in so given the option, I would def choose to read this version over the normal audiobook 

Emergency Contact by Anthony Ledonne, Lauren Layne

hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

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

3.0

Late finish on the second holiday read so it’s now the first read of the new year! 
Emergency Contact is a second chance romance set around the holiday season. I think the book could have been a little faster paced as the chapters got a little repetitive and drawn out in the middle, but the ending was cute! 

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

3.5

I had a lot of fun reading this book, especially during winter to get the full holiday vibes and cheer. The

pregnancy trope

is not a personal favorite of mine, but all the other featured tropes like found family and forced proximity made this book for me. A great holiday read and 3/5 spice level, in my opinion. Happy Reading!!