aly36's reviews
2177 reviews

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I really enjoyed this audiobook.  I listened to this the most when I wanted a bit something different in my day.  Adeline and her shadow were not a matched pair but things change.  I think this book has harsh language in it and adult content. In chapter 41 the narrator Teddy Hamilton repeats a phase, I think just a part missed in editing but overall a great story.  I like the differences in voices instead of one narrator doing both male and female vocals.  The story itself pulled me in from the beginning.  I wondered who the shadow was and what he wanted with Adeline. I wanted to learn more about the shadow and through the story line we learn more.  I was not disappointed.  This author was a new author, for me, and I think I will see what else H.D. Carlton writes. Great book and good performances.

Demon at My Door by Michelle A. Valentine

dark emotional hopeful medium-paced

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

5.0

I really enjoyed this book.  Natalie Sugarman sold her soul years ago when she was little to save her mom.  Now at 21 years old that debt is coming due. Will she find a way to save her soul?  Does she decide to be one of Satan’s helpers?  I liked that there is more books in this series and I am excited to learn more about these characters as they grow in the series.

Midlife Vampire Hunter by Shannon Mayer

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

This book was just as great as the rest of the series. I really liked the ending but the author did have me concerned for a minute. I am glad Crash and Bree found each other. I was glad to go on another adventure with them. What does this Vampire spell do? Can Bree help make sure it doesn't happen? I love this series and hope the author has more great ideas for more books that are this good. 

The Sandman by Apryl Baker

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

The Sandman was a great book.  I love how the author used something we thought we knew 'The Sandman' and it become something a bit different in this book. I enjoyed catching up with all the characters and following along on the adventure. Ella is such a great person and all her friends and family have a special bond. I know I plan to keep following Apryl Baker anywhere she wants to go with these series!  I love the living reapers Ella and Mattie/Emma Rose and I think all the series including these two great characters, their friends and family is a must read. I hope Apryl Baker has as much fun writing these books as I have reading them!

The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey

challenging dark medium-paced

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

4.0

This book is the second book in a series but lucky for me it could stand on it's own. I did not read the first book. I really enjoyed this book. It was a unique read for me. I really like good mysteries and this book was just that. It grabbed me and kept me wanting to read more. *This book was given to me for free at my request from NetGalley and I provided this voluntary review.*

Free as a Bird by Hailey Edwards

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I really have enjoyed this series!  I love the humor and being a part of the Yard Bird's story.  The characters are great! It is hard when you get older, so I've heard, but these ladies pull it off alright in my book! Ellie and her friends get into a bit of trouble when they accept a case.  They want to try to help find some missing witches.  What a mess that is! I had a fun ride with this book and I hope we get more from this series.

Puzzle House by Duncan Ralston

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

I enjoyed this book.  I would say it reminds me of an escape room and a Saw movie combined.  I really enjoyed not knowing why the people were invited to the house that was a mystery we had to learn about them.  I enjoyed following along with each room and how they solved it.  The ending for me was a bit of a let down.  I feel it fell a bit flat for me, I think it leaving me wondering about what would happen next but this could be the author's point. Overall I enjoyed this book very much!

The Brown House by Christy Sloat

challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

4.0

Brylee moves to a new house where her neighbors become fast friends. She even finds a boyfriend but the house she moved into is haunted. Brylee has a gift to see and hear ghosts.  Can she help the people in her house move one? This book was good but I think the ending was a bit sad, for me, but now I have to read the next book in the series to see what happens next. If you like ghost books, check this one out! This book has ghosts and a mystery too.

The Body Reader by Anne Frasier

challenging dark emotional slow-paced

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

4.0

Meet Jude Fontaine, a detective that has been kidnapped and held hostage for 3 years. Once Jude escapes, the book begins to get good, for me.  Emily Sutton-Smith did a great job narrating this book and I enjoyed the audiobook very much.  Jude has to learn how to rejoin the world once free and she decides to go back to being a detective.  I liked the story and the mystery Jude is a part of in this book. Uriah Ashby is her partner but can she really trust anyone after what she has been through?  If you like mysteries and who-done it books, this series if a must read.  I enjoyed it and the ending was good because I was not sure until the end if I had figured out who did it!

Dead as a Dodo by Hailey Edwards

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

Ellie and Wally have a small problem in their marriage since he is cursed to a vintage toy for a body. The Yard birds have other problems in this book to deal with. Shifters are being attacked but not sure who or what is doing it.  I love the humor and adventurous old ladies in this book.  I think this author is a good author with some fun ideas for books. Try this series and see what you think!