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abbyluvsfrogs444's reviews
305 reviews
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
All Lyla Sage books get 5 stars, even before I read it. I can't even tell y'all how much I love her and her books. This one blew me out of the water. I became obsessed with Teddy and Gus from book one, so finally reading their story was just, ugh, perfect. First things first, I ADORE Teddy Andersen. She is the funniest, most firery character in the Rebel Blue Ranch series and I can't get enough of her. And Gus. Listen, I disliked him at first for being such a jerk, but I'm glad Lyla gave him the backstory he deserved. I knew that Teddy and Gus would balance each other out and this books proved me right. It was so good to watch. They both deserved each other. And Gus? Phew, what a man. He is the only man that deserved Teddy. I also loved the dynamic between Teddy and Riley, Gus's daughter. Teddy fit into their family so easily. She became the perfect step mother to Riley. And I loved watching Teddy believe that she could be a mother, and a good mother too. I just love this series and this family and I don't want to say goodbye. Luckily we have one more book, so I don't have to say goodbye yet. Also I would love and ARC for the next one if The Dial Press is listening because I have tried for Lyla's past two books and failed. Please grant an ARC on a loyal Lyla Sage reader. I will NOT let you down.
Love from Scratch by Kaitlyn Hill
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.5
This was so cute, but not extraordinary. It was a fun, easy book to read to help me get out of my reading slump but I wouldn't read it again. I did find the characters unique and relatable at the same time. I appreciated the discussions of sexism in the workplace. It's a good book, but that's about it.
Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Oh wow. I have so many words to say about this book but I don't know where to start. I'm blown away by Frankl and his insights. I can't even imagine going through something like he did and coming out of it with a renewed hope and joy in life. I don't know how he did it. All I know is this, the meaning of life is purely individual and personal for each person. My reason is different than another's reason. But, life does have meaning. It always does. And Frankl does an excellent job at drilling that into our minds. And if a Holocaust survivor says it's true, then I believe it. I finished this book with renewed hope. Hope is so rare in today's world, but I found it in Frankl's words. I love this book. It should be required reading for everyone. So fantastic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, War
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content
Rinkmates by Nova Banks
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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 Love Notes PR for the ARC!
Wow. This was amazing. This romance was so much fun to watch develop. I was rooting for these characters the whole book. They became so real to me. This is my first hockey romance and y'all, I loved it. I don't know why I waited so long to read a hockey romance, but I'm glad I did and I'm glad it was Rinkmates by Nova Banks. She outdid herself. What a wonderful romance with so much heart and depth. I so loved this one.
Wow. This was amazing. This romance was so much fun to watch develop. I was rooting for these characters the whole book. They became so real to me. This is my first hockey romance and y'all, I loved it. I don't know why I waited so long to read a hockey romance, but I'm glad I did and I'm glad it was Rinkmates by Nova Banks. She outdid herself. What a wonderful romance with so much heart and depth. I so loved this one.
Death by Dumpling by Vivien Chien
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was so freaking good. I was hooked from page one. The mystery had me going back and forth the whole book. And the hints of romance between the detective and Lana had me giggling. It was so good. I am cracking open the next book as soon as I'm finished writing this.
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, 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, 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.