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alxisrae's reviews
120 reviews
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? No
4.5
When Hearts Surrender by Victoria Lum
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
This next standalone romance is now focusing on the older brother Maxwell Anderson who is the definition of brooding and angsty. This story starts off with a bang with the opening scene and PLEASE….read the trigger warnings. It’s heavy. But that moment on I was hooked to this story. I could tell it was gonna be moody, it was gonna be angsty, and it was gonna bring on the pain!
I really enjoyed Annabelle, a LOT, and thought she was so witty and so strong and funny but was still vulnerable at the same time. When she was going through it and was in pain - as a reader I really felt that. I like how Victoria was able to write these characters together. It was this constant tug and pull between the two of them. Though it is a marriage of convenience the chemistry between Annabelle and Maxwell is HAWT 🔥
And the hot chemistry made the smutty scenes even hotter. Holy fuck these two had me setting the book down and taking a break a couple of times. Essentially…porn with a plot. Also Maxwell with his bre*ding kink…sir sit down and calm down please.
Outside of that I think Victoria did the topic of mental health beautifully here. The portrait of Maxwell and his anxiety was very, very relatable. You can’t help but connect with these characters and feel for them. And anxiety being at the forefront how it is with Maxwell was tone so good.
I really enjoyed Annabelle, a LOT, and thought she was so witty and so strong and funny but was still vulnerable at the same time. When she was going through it and was in pain - as a reader I really felt that. I like how Victoria was able to write these characters together. It was this constant tug and pull between the two of them. Though it is a marriage of convenience the chemistry between Annabelle and Maxwell is HAWT 🔥
And the hot chemistry made the smutty scenes even hotter. Holy fuck these two had me setting the book down and taking a break a couple of times. Essentially…porn with a plot. Also Maxwell with his bre*ding kink…sir sit down and calm down please.
Outside of that I think Victoria did the topic of mental health beautifully here. The portrait of Maxwell and his anxiety was very, very relatable. You can’t help but connect with these characters and feel for them. And anxiety being at the forefront how it is with Maxwell was tone so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Suicide, Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage, Car accident
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I am so happy I signed up for this on NetGalley! This book was truly a treat. The first thing that caught my attention about this book was it
A. Was a romance with Native representation
B. Super spooky haunted castle in the middle of Scotland?!? Sign me the fuck up 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
C. Enemies to Lovers - Author Rivals
Colby really gave me everything I loved with this one. Not only do we get the enemies to lovers romance but there is also the mystery that comes with the castle they go on a retreat from.
I really related to Pen. Off more than also being Native - the time we meet her and Neil at the authors panel I could feel and relate to her so hard. Like homegirl we have all made rash decisions we later regret. But that perfectly sets up the tension with her and Nick. I even related to Nick which I wasn’t expecting but I adored his character. Also how OBSESSED and damn near feral this man becomes for Pen…*chefs kiss*.
But the part that really hit me was how Pen talked about not feeling like she fit in due to being mixed and I have struggled with that too. Like you’re not “Native enough” cause of XYZ. And how Neil validated her in that moment really hit me in a good way.
”𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉” -Neil Storm (like fuck 🥹)
When it came to the romance I liked how the two MCs were forced to talk it out and come together despite the “hate” and rivalry going on. And how it didn’t take long from that to crumble with the forced proximity. Cause deep down they don’t hate each other - just misunderstood. Even the secondary romance was a joy and I loved learning the truth at the end. So sad but still so good!
A. Was a romance with Native representation
B. Super spooky haunted castle in the middle of Scotland?!? Sign me the fuck up 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
C. Enemies to Lovers - Author Rivals
Colby really gave me everything I loved with this one. Not only do we get the enemies to lovers romance but there is also the mystery that comes with the castle they go on a retreat from.
I really related to Pen. Off more than also being Native - the time we meet her and Neil at the authors panel I could feel and relate to her so hard. Like homegirl we have all made rash decisions we later regret. But that perfectly sets up the tension with her and Nick. I even related to Nick which I wasn’t expecting but I adored his character. Also how OBSESSED and damn near feral this man becomes for Pen…*chefs kiss*.
But the part that really hit me was how Pen talked about not feeling like she fit in due to being mixed and I have struggled with that too. Like you’re not “Native enough” cause of XYZ. And how Neil validated her in that moment really hit me in a good way.
”𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘, 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉” -Neil Storm (like fuck 🥹)
When it came to the romance I liked how the two MCs were forced to talk it out and come together despite the “hate” and rivalry going on. And how it didn’t take long from that to crumble with the forced proximity. Cause deep down they don’t hate each other - just misunderstood. Even the secondary romance was a joy and I loved learning the truth at the end. So sad but still so good!
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was an odd one for me. Because this felt like a lot was happening and at the same time nothing at all. It was just a story with an open ended ending. No answers. Just repetition about getting husbands from an attic
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Alcohol
Deck of Scarlets: The Scarlet Quill Series by Amanda Sinatra
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
I really really enjoyed this and the only reason it took me a moment to get done was cause of school. But oh my god this reached and scratched a niche that I love so much. Dark Romantasy with horrific monster, tension and angst! Yes give it all to me. This reminded me a lot of Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare but BETTER.
This story gives us Remi Watson, a young woman from New York that is about to start college at Columbia. Something requested to her by her deceased grandmother. And quickly Remi is thrown into a world of demons and demon slayers/secret society. And on top of that her best friend’s boyfriend is her guardian.
Forbidden love ☑️
Deception ☑️
Enemies ☑️
There is a little spice, one open door scene, and I love that we only really got one. It adds to the tension and the “forbidden love” into it. I was NOT expecting that ending and I appreciate we get a little piece Josh’s POV. I can’t wait for more of this series. It was like an action packed movie in my head as I read.
This story gives us Remi Watson, a young woman from New York that is about to start college at Columbia. Something requested to her by her deceased grandmother. And quickly Remi is thrown into a world of demons and demon slayers/secret society. And on top of that her best friend’s boyfriend is her guardian.
Forbidden love ☑️
Deception ☑️
Enemies ☑️
There is a little spice, one open door scene, and I love that we only really got one. It adds to the tension and the “forbidden love” into it. I was NOT expecting that ending and I appreciate we get a little piece Josh’s POV. I can’t wait for more of this series. It was like an action packed movie in my head as I read.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
2.75
I was slightly disappointed that I didn’t love this book as much as I loved Wildfire. I am sort of going backwards, with reading book 1 second but thankfully this series isn’t too dependent on order. I will say if I had read this one first….I don’t think I would’ve even looked at Wildfire as a possibility.
I found the story line for this one really predictable. When it came to Stassi and Nathan. And I found some of their antics really childish for a college romance. I found it borderline annoying. I found more interest in the background characters than the main couple. Also, the Aaron of it all…he felt like an annoying person that just wouldn’t go away. And was a asshole to just be an asshole.
This definitely isn’t a fave for the year - it’s in the “meh” category for me. It’s not the worst. I know everyone loved this so much when it came out…but🤷🏽♀️
I found the story line for this one really predictable. When it came to Stassi and Nathan. And I found some of their antics really childish for a college romance. I found it borderline annoying. I found more interest in the background characters than the main couple. Also, the Aaron of it all…he felt like an annoying person that just wouldn’t go away. And was a asshole to just be an asshole.
This definitely isn’t a fave for the year - it’s in the “meh” category for me. It’s not the worst. I know everyone loved this so much when it came out…but🤷🏽♀️
Warden's Reign (Essence of Ohr, #1) by Parris Sheets
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.5
WOW WOW WOW what an epic, beautiful start to a series.
In this story we meet Kole, a teenager learning to become a Shepard and tame wandering trees and protect his found family of other orphans. But soon the world he knew is destroyed and it’s up to him and his mentor, Russe to defeat the malevolent creatures.
The world that Parris gives us is so detailed and elaborate you’re able to picture it perfectly in your mind. Reading this gave me nostalgia of reading series like the Maze Runner or the Hungry Games. But at the same time I hadn’t read something like this where the world was so strange, weird, but intricate and captivating at the same time.
You’re really able to care for and know these characters. My heart was ripped out whenever someone was lost. I even cried a couple of times. But when the big epic fight scenes happened I was sitting on the edge of my seat! I really really enjoyed this story.
In this story we meet Kole, a teenager learning to become a Shepard and tame wandering trees and protect his found family of other orphans. But soon the world he knew is destroyed and it’s up to him and his mentor, Russe to defeat the malevolent creatures.
The world that Parris gives us is so detailed and elaborate you’re able to picture it perfectly in your mind. Reading this gave me nostalgia of reading series like the Maze Runner or the Hungry Games. But at the same time I hadn’t read something like this where the world was so strange, weird, but intricate and captivating at the same time.
You’re really able to care for and know these characters. My heart was ripped out whenever someone was lost. I even cried a couple of times. But when the big epic fight scenes happened I was sitting on the edge of my seat! I really really enjoyed this story.
Funny Story by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
as a fellow Michigander…my heart soared cause goddamn I could perfectly picture this small town right outside of Traverse City and I now want to own a cottage off the coast of Lake Michigan and live my best left there!!
I thought the story was just purely lovely. I really really liked the FMC Daphne. She’s close to my age which I think made me connect to her more than other FMC romance characters. The struggle she was going through about “surrounding her life around one person and growing into a new and happier version of herself” I think is something everyone can relate to. I am more a loner than Daphne, but god I got her. ESPECIALLY about her relationship with her father. Holy fuck - I’m happy hers got better and I cried during her epic speech on the phone. Cause wow.
Miles…Miles…when people said that he was “Nick Miller” coded I thought people were lying/exaggerating. As a fan of New Girl and someone who deeply loves Nick Miller…I see it! I do. Miles is just that guy that you end up just loving and can’t help yourself in doing so cause he’s just a good person with the best intentions. But deep down he’s suffering himself with childhood trauma that he’s learned to shove deep into a box and never touch.
I appreciated everyone being in their 30s for the most part! That’s another thing — look I love a good college/early twenties romance but ya girl is 32…and I really liked that they were older.
I thought the story was just purely lovely. I really really liked the FMC Daphne. She’s close to my age which I think made me connect to her more than other FMC romance characters. The struggle she was going through about “surrounding her life around one person and growing into a new and happier version of herself” I think is something everyone can relate to. I am more a loner than Daphne, but god I got her. ESPECIALLY about her relationship with her father. Holy fuck - I’m happy hers got better and I cried during her epic speech on the phone. Cause wow.
Miles…Miles…when people said that he was “Nick Miller” coded I thought people were lying/exaggerating. As a fan of New Girl and someone who deeply loves Nick Miller…I see it! I do. Miles is just that guy that you end up just loving and can’t help yourself in doing so cause he’s just a good person with the best intentions. But deep down he’s suffering himself with childhood trauma that he’s learned to shove deep into a box and never touch.
I appreciated everyone being in their 30s for the most part! That’s another thing — look I love a good college/early twenties romance but ya girl is 32…and I really liked that they were older.
Null & Void by R. Moody
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Mika has to be one of the darkest, complex, traumatized female character I have read about in a long time. Saying that she’s “been through it” would be an understatement. Friends, before reading this story please make sure to read trigger/content warnings. This is a dark romantic fantasy!
The world that Moody built for us has layers, and does a good job at make sure we’re reminded of where we are at. What characters are around and such. I think the world building in this was really creative! The family that were introduced to and go along this journey with is a family I would want to be apart of. You have Beans, who is just the big teddy bear of the group but also fiercely protective. Bitty was such a “innocent” light break to some of these really heavy parts. Riley is in fact a cinnamon roll (that needs therapy) and the romance between him and Mika was tugging and pulling at my heart. These two are a slow ass burn. And….jfc to that ending….like ride (😉)
I will say there were some parts that felt rushed through, and then there were parts that were repetitive. It was a lot of traveling, eating, sparring, repeat. But that is the small bit that I would say I didn’t like. And this story was so good that it didn’t bother me that much. This story is dark, beautiful, sad and magical. I love the interpretation of female rage and how that comes out toward the end - like holy fuck the creativity.
The world that Moody built for us has layers, and does a good job at make sure we’re reminded of where we are at. What characters are around and such. I think the world building in this was really creative! The family that were introduced to and go along this journey with is a family I would want to be apart of. You have Beans, who is just the big teddy bear of the group but also fiercely protective. Bitty was such a “innocent” light break to some of these really heavy parts. Riley is in fact a cinnamon roll (that needs therapy) and the romance between him and Mika was tugging and pulling at my heart. These two are a slow ass burn. And….jfc to that ending….like ride (😉)
I will say there were some parts that felt rushed through, and then there were parts that were repetitive. It was a lot of traveling, eating, sparring, repeat. But that is the small bit that I would say I didn’t like. And this story was so good that it didn’t bother me that much. This story is dark, beautiful, sad and magical. I love the interpretation of female rage and how that comes out toward the end - like holy fuck the creativity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Sexual content, Slavery, Violence, Alcohol
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Sexual harassment, Classism
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
Firstly this book exceeded my expectation. I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator did an amazing job. This book was a gothic dream with the mood throughout this book. Roos was so darling and naive - yet we got to see her grow through the book. I’m so saddened for her by the end of this book. Ruth is so so complex I really enjoyed her. This was Crimson Peak-ish vibes and this I could see just painted in my mind by not only the author but the narrator. The story between Agnus and Roos was also beautiful with a tragic sorrow at the end. But the ending leaves a small bit of hope for not only Roos but Ruth as well. Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Terminal illness
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence
Minor: Incest, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment