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amanda_reads13's reviews
461 reviews
The Stand-In by Lily Chu
lighthearted
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
4.0
Gracie is hired to be the stand-in for Fangli, a famous movie star.
This story is cute and funny, but the author manages to include some heavier topics such as mental health, Azheimer's, sexual harassment, and some politics. I think that the author approached these subjects with care and empathy.
Gracie has just been fired, but is desperately trying to get her mother moved to a better home. Luckily for her, she looks a lot like world famous movie star Fangli. So when she is offered a job to play the role of Fangli's stand-in, she can't turn it down. Gracie is a people pleaser, but throughout the book she learns to stand up for herself and go after what she wants - to create her own app and to be with Sam.
Fangli has had a lot of pressure put on her to be "perfect", after all she is a reflection of her family and her country. But she has been suffering from depression in secret. I love that this is not just shoved under the rug, but we are shown the reality of what depression looks like. We find out that there is reason thatthe women look so alike. Turns out they are sisters! Their mother left China and Fangli with her father when she found out she was pregnant with her second child. She stayed in Canada and went on to meet and marry Gracie's dad.
Sam and Gracie start off at each other's throats, but the chemistry is completely undeniable and their banter is so good. He is such a compassionate, supportive, and kind man. He does everything he can to protect his best friend while facing his own battles. I hate that it is miscommunication thattears them apart temporarily. Ugh I hate the miscommunication trope.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake "dating"
This story is cute and funny, but the author manages to include some heavier topics such as mental health, Azheimer's, sexual harassment, and some politics. I think that the author approached these subjects with care and empathy.
Gracie has just been fired, but is desperately trying to get her mother moved to a better home. Luckily for her, she looks a lot like world famous movie star Fangli. So when she is offered a job to play the role of Fangli's stand-in, she can't turn it down. Gracie is a people pleaser, but throughout the book she learns to stand up for herself and go after what she wants - to create her own app and to be with Sam.
Fangli has had a lot of pressure put on her to be "perfect", after all she is a reflection of her family and her country. But she has been suffering from depression in secret. I love that this is not just shoved under the rug, but we are shown the reality of what depression looks like. We find out that there is reason that
Sam and Gracie start off at each other's throats, but the chemistry is completely undeniable and their banter is so good. He is such a compassionate, supportive, and kind man. He does everything he can to protect his best friend while facing his own battles. I hate that it is miscommunication that
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake "dating"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ophelia is a necromancer who has to enter a deadly competition and survive the nine levels of hell to find her sister. There, she makes a deal with Blackwell, a phantom, to help her survive the competition.
The narrator of this book was phenomenal. I want her to narrate every single book I read. All of her voices and accents were convincing and so well done. This book wasn't necessarily the best book I've ever read, but it was such a good time. I blew through this audiobook so fast. I didn't love that it was in 3rd person.
Ophelia is a necromancer with OCD. I appreciate the way that the author talked about the reality of OCD and the different ways it can effect a person. It is very complex and can present itself in so many different ways. For Ophelia it presents as a "voice" in her head that is constantly belittling and threatening her.
I really liked the banter between Ophelia and Blackwell, they had so much chemistry.
I really enjoyed the story up until the last 1/5 or so. I found the ending very confusing. When we went back in time to see how Blackwell ended up at phantasma, I felt like it wasn't explained very well and I didn't really understand what was going on. I had to jump on tiktok to have somebody explain to me what was going on. We find out the Blackwell is actually Salem, the Prince of Hell. He was banished to phantasma because he fell in love with a mortal. His lover was killed but her soul was reincarnated in Ophelia. The line of women in her family was entrusted with a locket, a heart with a key inside, this locket is what what will free Blackwell from phantasma..
We are left with a bunch of unanswered questions in the end, but hopefully they will all be answered in her sister's book.
Tropes: forbidden, deadly trials, forced proximity
The narrator of this book was phenomenal. I want her to narrate every single book I read. All of her voices and accents were convincing and so well done. This book wasn't necessarily the best book I've ever read, but it was such a good time. I blew through this audiobook so fast. I didn't love that it was in 3rd person.
Ophelia is a necromancer with OCD. I appreciate the way that the author talked about the reality of OCD and the different ways it can effect a person. It is very complex and can present itself in so many different ways. For Ophelia it presents as a "voice" in her head that is constantly belittling and threatening her.
I really liked the banter between Ophelia and Blackwell, they had so much chemistry.
I really enjoyed the story up until the last 1/5 or so. I found the ending very confusing. When we went back in time to see how Blackwell ended up at phantasma, I felt like it wasn't explained very well and I didn't really understand what was going on. I had to jump on tiktok to have somebody explain to me what was going on.
We are left with a bunch of unanswered questions in the end, but hopefully they will all be answered in her sister's book.
Tropes: forbidden, deadly trials, forced proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
After a solar flare and being sucked through a wormhole, June finds herself 85 years in the future. Out of nowhere her phone starts working and connects to one number - her coworker Mikey.
Yes this is far fetched, but it was so cute. I loved the cast of narrators, it was so immersive and engaging. I enjoyed seeing Mikey and June's relationship(s) develop throughout the book. I liked seeing the two sides of June and how much she changes as she learns to trust others and begins to develop her self confidence. Mikey is such a considerate, compassionate, and empathetic man who was willing to sacrifice himself so that June wouldn't be alone.
Tropes: coworkers, friends to lovers
Yes this is far fetched, but it was so cute. I loved the cast of narrators, it was so immersive and engaging. I enjoyed seeing Mikey and June's relationship(s) develop throughout the book. I liked seeing the two sides of June and how much she changes as she learns to trust others and begins to develop her self confidence. Mikey is such a considerate, compassionate, and empathetic man who was willing to sacrifice himself so that June wouldn't be alone.
Tropes: coworkers, friends to lovers
The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
After a breakup and losing her job, Maya is set to return home. A chance encounter throws her ex Sam back into her life.
This is a very sweet and funny romance about getting a second chance with your first love. Sam and Maya were super cute together. I liked how even when they "hated" each other, they were still supporting each other.
When they were younger, Sam and Maya were almost an item. After an argument, Maya sees Sam kissing her friend Cat, effectively ending any chance they had. Years later they find out that it was actually Cat's lies and manipulation that tore them apart.
Sam has spent years in an abusive relationship with Cat. After years of being with a narcissist, Sam is struggling to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. I appreciate that they talk about Sam wanting to get counselling and he and Maya getting couples counselling. Too often this is just ignored on books.
Maya's father has high expectations for her and will often compare her to her high achieving sister. Maya hates accounting and wants to be a ski instructor, something her father looks down on. She struggles with self confidence, people pleasing, and conflict avoidance, so she always tries to make her dad happy. Throughout the book, we see her gain the confidence to go for and take what she wants no matter anyone else's opinion.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book and am looking forward to reading Livs book!
Tropes: second chance.
This is a very sweet and funny romance about getting a second chance with your first love. Sam and Maya were super cute together. I liked how even when they "hated" each other, they were still supporting each other.
When they were younger, Sam and Maya were almost an item. After an argument, Maya sees Sam kissing her friend Cat, effectively ending any chance they had. Years later they find out that it was actually Cat's lies and manipulation that tore them apart.
Sam has spent years in an abusive relationship with Cat. After years of being with a narcissist, Sam is struggling to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. I appreciate that they talk about Sam wanting to get counselling and he and Maya getting couples counselling. Too often this is just ignored on books.
Maya's father has high expectations for her and will often compare her to her high achieving sister. Maya hates accounting and wants to be a ski instructor, something her father looks down on. She struggles with self confidence, people pleasing, and conflict avoidance, so she always tries to make her dad happy. Throughout the book, we see her gain the confidence to go for and take what she wants no matter anyone else's opinion.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book and am looking forward to reading Livs book!
Tropes: second chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Own Me by K.A. Tucker
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Abby is an innocent 21-year-old who finds out her fiance has been cheating on her. She accepts a job at a Wolf hotel in Alaska in an attempt to escape her situation. There she's thrown into the deep end when she becomes becomes Henry Wolf's personal assistant.
This is a review for the entire series. I liked the narrator of the first four books, but for some reason they switched the narrator in the fifth book and it completely threw me off. This series could have been a lot shorter and edited down. The plot seemed to go by the wayside during majority of the story with a huge focus on the smut angle. Yes, a big part of their relationship was seeing Abby push her boundaries and learning what she likes, but IMHO, it was too much. I actually found myself skipping some of it so I could get to the actual story.
Abby is extremely annoying for majority of the series, she spends a lot of time whining. She was raised in extremely religious household where she was expected to marry the pastor's son, Jed. Upon arriving in Alaska, we see just how naive she really is. She lacks any confidence in herself and she feels inferior to others. This leads her to make some extremely stupid decisions that put her in very precarious situations. She never stands up for herself, she just lets people steamroll her all the time including her mother and Henry. Yes, we see some growth within the book, but she never stops being kind of annoying.
Henry is extremely overbearing. He's a billionaire who's used to getting his own way and being in control all the time. He uses intimidation and his wealth to get what he wants when he wants. There's no doubt that he loves Abby, but he does use his power over her to control her in ways. In the beginning he comes across as a complete asshole. I liked the he addition of Violet because we get to see a bit of a softer side of Henry come out.
I loved her relationship with Connor and Ronan. I wanted her to end up with Ronan, he is the type of person she makes sense with. He is just as depraved as Henry is, but he is calm, empathetic, and supportive. He is honestly the only character I really cared about in this series.
Tropes opposites attract, age Gap, billionaire
This is a review for the entire series. I liked the narrator of the first four books, but for some reason they switched the narrator in the fifth book and it completely threw me off. This series could have been a lot shorter and edited down. The plot seemed to go by the wayside during majority of the story with a huge focus on the smut angle. Yes, a big part of their relationship was seeing Abby push her boundaries and learning what she likes, but IMHO, it was too much. I actually found myself skipping some of it so I could get to the actual story.
Abby is extremely annoying for majority of the series, she spends a lot of time whining. She was raised in extremely religious household where she was expected to marry the pastor's son, Jed. Upon arriving in Alaska, we see just how naive she really is. She lacks any confidence in herself and she feels inferior to others. This leads her to make some extremely stupid decisions that put her in very precarious situations. She never stands up for herself, she just lets people steamroll her all the time including her mother and Henry. Yes, we see some growth within the book, but she never stops being kind of annoying.
Henry is extremely overbearing. He's a billionaire who's used to getting his own way and being in control all the time. He uses intimidation and his wealth to get what he wants when he wants. There's no doubt that he loves Abby, but he does use his power over her to control her in ways. In the beginning he comes across as a complete asshole. I liked the he addition of Violet because we get to see a bit of a softer side of Henry come out.
I loved her relationship with Connor and Ronan. I wanted her to end up with Ronan, he is the type of person she makes sense with. He is just as depraved as Henry is, but he is calm, empathetic, and supportive. He is honestly the only character I really cared about in this series.
Tropes opposites attract, age Gap, billionaire
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Kate by Tate James
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
In this finale of the series, we wrap up all loose ends with MK and the boys.
Even though this was not the best written book, I was still sucked in the entire time. Could this series have been edited down shorter? Yes. But it was a fun ride nonetheless.
We find out who has put out the hit on MK.It's her cousins husband. She is the only blood relative of her familys diamond mine and fortune, so he puts a hit on her so he can inherit it. We also find out who her stalker is. It's her mother's twin brother who actually didn't die. Extra gross because he also stalked and raped his twin sister. I found these reveals to be kind of anti-climatic..
We get the kind of HEA that would be expected from a RH story.MK stays married to Archer, but he dissolved there pre-nup so that he does not get anything from her. All 4 stay together in an RH relationship.
We are set up to find out who Hades is... But we are left on a cliffhanger!
Even though this was not the best written book, I was still sucked in the entire time. Could this series have been edited down shorter? Yes. But it was a fun ride nonetheless.
We find out who has put out the hit on MK.
We get the kind of HEA that would be expected from a RH story.
We are set up to find out who Hades is... But we are left on a cliffhanger!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Naked Love by Jewel E. Ann
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Avery needs to get back to LA with her sisters dog, but her car is trashed and she has no money. She ends tagging along with Jake on his annual camping trip to the west coast.
Ok, so not my favourite of her books. Yes, there were some cute and funny moments, but I actually hated both MCs for most of the book. Avery was a walking sterotype of a vapid golddigger and Jake was just a judgemental asshole.
I think the most unbelievable thing about this book is how quickly Avery's personality changed. Like a few weeks with Jake and she is basically a different person. She has no backbone and, though he did help her develop one, he is it is such a mean and rude way. He broke her down at every turn and made her believe she wasn't good enough. We don't all need to be the same people Jake, difference is a good thing.
Jake needs serious therapy. He is a walking red flag with a boat load of issues. He picks a woman who triggers all of his insecurities and then blames her for triggering him. You. Need. Therapy. He lashes out in childish ways and then is hurt when Avery is mad at him? Asshole. And what's with his inappropriate tshirts. That's not cute.
I hate thatit is an unexpected pregnancy that brings them back together. Ugh my least favourite trope. She doesn't forgive him for the right reasons.
The best character in this book was Swarley and I am mad for what happened to him. Minus stars for that.
Tropes: road trip, opposites attract, enemies to lovers,unexpected pregnancy
Ok, so not my favourite of her books. Yes, there were some cute and funny moments, but I actually hated both MCs for most of the book. Avery was a walking sterotype of a vapid golddigger and Jake was just a judgemental asshole.
I think the most unbelievable thing about this book is how quickly Avery's personality changed. Like a few weeks with Jake and she is basically a different person. She has no backbone and, though he did help her develop one, he is it is such a mean and rude way. He broke her down at every turn and made her believe she wasn't good enough. We don't all need to be the same people Jake, difference is a good thing.
Jake needs serious therapy. He is a walking red flag with a boat load of issues. He picks a woman who triggers all of his insecurities and then blames her for triggering him. You. Need. Therapy. He lashes out in childish ways and then is hurt when Avery is mad at him? Asshole. And what's with his inappropriate tshirts. That's not cute.
I hate that
The best character in this book was Swarley and I am mad for what happened to him. Minus stars for that.
Tropes: road trip, opposites attract, enemies to lovers,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
After hooking up with the handsome pirate at her friends Halloween party, Win finds out that she is pregnant.
This book was so adorable, probably my favourite of this author. I loved the representation in this book: Win was born with one smaller arm and Bo lost a leg tocancer . I love how the author approaches sensitive topics head on with honesty and compassion. She doesn't shy away from discussing mental health, disabilities, illness, abortion, and complex relationships.
Win and Bo are so cute together. I giggled, cried, and smiled my way through this entire book. Their banter is hilarious and their chemistry is absolutely fire. I loved the open communication and mature approach they had to their situation and relationship.
I adore her relationship with her best friend, they are so close and supportive of one another.
Tropes: one night stand to lovers, unexpected pregnancy
This book was so adorable, probably my favourite of this author. I loved the representation in this book: Win was born with one smaller arm and Bo lost a leg to
Win and Bo are so cute together. I giggled, cried, and smiled my way through this entire book. Their banter is hilarious and their chemistry is absolutely fire. I loved the open communication and mature approach they had to their situation and relationship.
I adore her relationship with her best friend, they are so close and supportive of one another.
Tropes: one night stand to lovers, unexpected pregnancy
Fake by Tate James
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Like the second book, this one was a bit up and down. A lot of it could have been cut out and I think book two and three could have been combined. This one did at least have a bit more action than book 2, so I feel like it kept me a little more engaged and drawn in.
Like the other two books, this one ends on a major cliffhanger. We know that we're looking for two different people, a stalker and someone who called a hit on MK. we think we know who MK's stalker is after they find evidence in Scott's home. But at the end it's revealed that they got the wrong guy right before Steele is shot. I thought him being the stalker was too easy of an answer.
I think I liked this one a little bit more because we get a little more depth with the guys. Archer finally stops being an asshole long enough to be sort of likeable. The banter between Steele, Cody, and MK is seriously hot. I liked that we got more relationship development within this book.
Like the other two books, this one ends on a major cliffhanger. We know that we're looking for two different people, a stalker and someone who called a hit on MK.
I think I liked this one a little bit more because we get a little more depth with the guys. Archer finally stops being an asshole long enough to be sort of likeable. The banter between Steele, Cody, and MK is seriously hot. I liked that we got more relationship development within this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Liar by Tate James
dark
tense
fast-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? Yes
3.5
So the bombshell ending was totally worth getting through the repetitive plot that was this entire book. This book is a cycle of MK hating the guys, forgiving two and hooking up with them, trying to hook up with Archer, than getting mad at them again and repeating the cycle.
This could have been a novella, it was just so repetitive. All the important stuff happens within the last couple chapters anyways. Kody's ex Drew had a plan to drug MK, but MK ended up drinking Drew's drink which was spiked with fentanyl. She ends up having a fentanyl overdose. It turns out that her stalker had found out Drew's plan and stepped in. He gave MK narcan, which saved her life, and he killed Drew. We then find out that the boys are keeping a bombshell of a secret from MK. Kane reveals that MK was actually sold by her dad to Archer and she is actually Archer's wife. WTF!
Tropes: enemies to lovers
This could have been a novella, it was just so repetitive. All the important stuff happens within the last couple chapters anyways. Kody's ex Drew had a plan to drug MK, but MK ended up drinking Drew's drink which was spiked with fentanyl. She ends up having a fentanyl overdose. It turns out that her stalker had found out Drew's plan and stepped in. He gave MK narcan, which saved her life, and he killed Drew. We then find out that the boys are keeping a bombshell of a secret from MK. Kane reveals that MK was actually sold by her dad to Archer and she is actually Archer's wife. WTF!
Tropes: enemies to lovers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail