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abbyluvsfrogs444's reviews
300 reviews
Sunshine by Michaela Jean Taylor
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you so much to Michaela Jean Taylor for the ARC!
Wow. This book. I'm in love. I was not expecting any of the things that happened in the book but I loved every minute of it. I truly did not know that this would be so emotional and heartfelt.
These characters. They felt so real to me. I felt like a fly on the wall in their lives. Everything they experienced and felt, I experienced and felt right alongside them. This was the ultimate slow burn of slow burns. It was so frustrating at times, but I understood why it was so hard for these characters to commit, considering all that they've been through. But when they let it happen, oh my gosh. It was so good. I fell in love with Wells right alongside Layla. And oh my, was Wells the most perfect book boyfriend. What a man. Do they make him in a factory or what? Cause I want one. BAD.
Overall, what a joy of a book. Everything flowed together so perfectly and the characters were so easy to live. I need to get my hands on a physical copy ASAP!!!
Wow. This book. I'm in love. I was not expecting any of the things that happened in the book but I loved every minute of it. I truly did not know that this would be so emotional and heartfelt.
These characters. They felt so real to me. I felt like a fly on the wall in their lives. Everything they experienced and felt, I experienced and felt right alongside them. This was the ultimate slow burn of slow burns. It was so frustrating at times, but I understood why it was so hard for these characters to commit, considering all that they've been through. But when they let it happen, oh my gosh. It was so good. I fell in love with Wells right alongside Layla. And oh my, was Wells the most perfect book boyfriend. What a man. Do they make him in a factory or what? Cause I want one. BAD.
Overall, what a joy of a book. Everything flowed together so perfectly and the characters were so easy to live. I need to get my hands on a physical copy ASAP!!!
Built to Last by C.G. Murray
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you so much to Love Notes PR and C.G. Murray for the ARC!
This book has so many good things in it. It has reverse grumpy x sunshine, chronic illness representation, a golden retriever love interest, a fantastic cast of side characters, a cozy coffee shop, and a romance that will melt your icy heart.
I had so much fun reading this. I saw a lot of myself in Rose. Her imposter syndrome, chronic illness, and love for art were all things I could relate to. I really understood her as a character and was cheering her on the whole book. Phillip was a near perfect man and love interest. He was so kind and committed to Rose. He was so understanding of Rose's chronic illness and insecurities. He never pushed her but always made sure she felt heard and seen. I admire the man Phillip is. He is a true golden retriever.
Overall, I really liked this book. What a great debut! I look forward to reading more of Murray's work.
(A note to the publisher: There were some typos and grammatical errors in this book that made it a little unpleasant to read. Some of the sentence structure was confusing and didn't flow well. While I was still able to enjoy the book, it would have been near perfect had these issues not been overlooked.)
This book has so many good things in it. It has reverse grumpy x sunshine, chronic illness representation, a golden retriever love interest, a fantastic cast of side characters, a cozy coffee shop, and a romance that will melt your icy heart.
I had so much fun reading this. I saw a lot of myself in Rose. Her imposter syndrome, chronic illness, and love for art were all things I could relate to. I really understood her as a character and was cheering her on the whole book. Phillip was a near perfect man and love interest. He was so kind and committed to Rose. He was so understanding of Rose's chronic illness and insecurities. He never pushed her but always made sure she felt heard and seen. I admire the man Phillip is. He is a true golden retriever.
Overall, I really liked this book. What a great debut! I look forward to reading more of Murray's work.
(A note to the publisher: There were some typos and grammatical errors in this book that made it a little unpleasant to read. Some of the sentence structure was confusing and didn't flow well. While I was still able to enjoy the book, it would have been near perfect had these issues not been overlooked.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Cursing
Give Me a Sign by Anna Sortino
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was so freaking cute. I adore this book. I honestly was drawn in by the cover because hello? it is so beautiful. But I stayed for the story. I easily fell in love with these characters. I was rooting for all of them, but especially Lilah and Isaac. They are just so cute together. Their love is pure. They are such caring people. I loved watching them fall in love. This whole book was just perfect. I loved it so much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: Blood, Vomit, and Alcohol
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was so much fun! I loved it so much. I was hooked from page one. I loved this cast of characters; not just Cassie and Nick but all the side characters too. They added so much to the story and really made me love the little small town of Boneyard Key.
This book is so full of heart. I loved how much these characters loved each other. You can feel that oozing from the page. I also loved the supernatural aspect of this book. It made it so much more interesting and added so much to the book. I was just as invested in ghosts as I was in the romance. It was all so well done. I enjoyed it so much.
This book was so much fun! I loved it so much. I was hooked from page one. I loved this cast of characters; not just Cassie and Nick but all the side characters too. They added so much to the story and really made me love the little small town of Boneyard Key.
This book is so full of heart. I loved how much these characters loved each other. You can feel that oozing from the page. I also loved the supernatural aspect of this book. It made it so much more interesting and added so much to the book. I was just as invested in ghosts as I was in the romance. It was all so well done. I enjoyed it so much.
The Phantom Prince: My Life with Ted Bundy, Updated and Expanded Edition by Elizabeth Kendall
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
I don't have many words about this book. All I can say is that I'm so glad Elizabeth and Molly Kendall have spoken up and shared their stories. I admire their vulnerability and honesty. I can't imagine how hard it was to relieve these traumatic experiences to write this book but I'm glad they did. As hard as this book was to read, it was very well done. I could honestly and truly understand Elizabeth and Molly and their lives as well as their heartbreak and grief. I hope they are living their best lives and they have found peace. And I hope Ted Bundy is rotting in hell.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
I loved it! So clever and funny. I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time. The plot was so well thought out and had me so interested from page one. Very good book.
Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Thank you so much to Farrar, Straus and Giroux and NetGalley for the ARC!
I have loved Drew for years now. She is so hilarious and confident and has inspired me to be the best version of myself. So when I found out she was writing a book I was so excited. And then I got my hands on an ARC and I got even more excited. Listen y'all, this book is fantastic. I was cackling the whole time. It is full of humor, heart, and wit. I felt so validated as a woman. I felt validated in my anger at the patriarchal world we live in today. Drew has a way of explaining things in an intelligent but accessible way so that we all can understand. I appreciate all the things she took time to explain. I learned a lot in reading this book.
Overall, I loved it! I absolutely adore Drew and her voice shines through in this book!
I have loved Drew for years now. She is so hilarious and confident and has inspired me to be the best version of myself. So when I found out she was writing a book I was so excited. And then I got my hands on an ARC and I got even more excited. Listen y'all, this book is fantastic. I was cackling the whole time. It is full of humor, heart, and wit. I felt so validated as a woman. I felt validated in my anger at the patriarchal world we live in today. Drew has a way of explaining things in an intelligent but accessible way so that we all can understand. I appreciate all the things she took time to explain. I learned a lot in reading this book.
Overall, I loved it! I absolutely adore Drew and her voice shines through in this book!
Just Another Groomsman by Aja Jorgensen
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The pacing was off, the romance felt forced, the sentence structure was strange, and some of the wording just made zero sense. It was not really that fun to read. So much of it felt really off, like something was missing. It's a shame though, it had a lot of potential to be good but just didn't hit the mark for me.
Cross the Line by Simone Soltani
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!
This book was so cute and fun! I know nothing about F1 or the racing world but I really did enjoy reading this book. It's funny, swoony, and full of heart. I so loved Dev and Willow. They are written so well. They are both so easy to root for.
I have a few qualms though. The pacing was a little weird. Romance books usually follow a specific formula that makes sense and ends exactly when it needs to. But this one was maybe 30 pages too long. The whole ending was drawn out too long and could've been shorter. Another thing that was frustrating was Oakley and his influence over Willow and Dev. It was a little too dramatic for me. I have an older brother that is plenty protective of me that would never act the way Oakley acts. The fear Dev and Willow had the entire book over Oakley and his aversion to Willow being involved with anyone was overdone. It's not that serious. And normal brothers are protective, yes, but not to the extent Oakley was. Like grow up bro, your sister is a full adult who can decide who she wants to be with. It just seemed overdone and over-dramatic. It's like the author doesn't even have an older brother.
Anyway, ranting aside, I did like this book. The romance itself was well-done and believable. It was fun to read about.
This book was so cute and fun! I know nothing about F1 or the racing world but I really did enjoy reading this book. It's funny, swoony, and full of heart. I so loved Dev and Willow. They are written so well. They are both so easy to root for.
I have a few qualms though. The pacing was a little weird. Romance books usually follow a specific formula that makes sense and ends exactly when it needs to. But this one was maybe 30 pages too long. The whole ending was drawn out too long and could've been shorter. Another thing that was frustrating was Oakley and his influence over Willow and Dev. It was a little too dramatic for me. I have an older brother that is plenty protective of me that would never act the way Oakley acts. The fear Dev and Willow had the entire book over Oakley and his aversion to Willow being involved with anyone was overdone. It's not that serious. And normal brothers are protective, yes, but not to the extent Oakley was. Like grow up bro, your sister is a full adult who can decide who she wants to be with. It just seemed overdone and over-dramatic. It's like the author doesn't even have an older brother.
Anyway, ranting aside, I did like this book. The romance itself was well-done and believable. It was fun to read about.