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amandas_reading_nook's Reviews (371)
After seeing all the discourse surrounding the ethics of trad published Dramione fanfiction in 2025, I was hesitant to read this book. Ultimately, the FOMO won out once I started seeing a bunch of rave reviews for it, and here we are.
Having not read The Auction, I was curious to see just how much this felt like an HP fanfic, and the answer is: Yes, this was very obviously once a Dramione fic (in my very humble opinion, as someone who is intimately familiar with the original IP). Honestly, that didn't bother me; it might've even been beneficial to me as the reader, seeing as there was a distinct lack of world-building.
My actual grievances with this book are with some of the overall themes. I understand that sex/magic trafficking is a major part of this story, and while I was concerned with how that was going to be portrayed, I still chose to pick it up. But what I really had an issue with was the emphasis on virginity. Using the term virgin to refer to someone who hasn't had sex is whatever, but there were definitely some purity culture undertones that gave me the ick.
I was also annoyed by some aspects of Briony's character. I've seen other reviewers call her a weak FMC, but I don't feel like that's a very fair assessment. She's been through something horrifically traumatic and is uncertain about her position and who she can trust. I actually felt that she had done a fair job trying to get her bearings and gain some semblance of agency. Instead, what frustrated me about her was how naive she was (concerning sex). Again, I understand that she was supposed to save herself for the potential of a political marriage (gross *see above complaints about purity culture*), but she was also 25. It feels very unbelievable to me that a 25-year-old woman would be so unknowing about even the basics of sex in any made-up world. I really hate that the author infantilized an otherwise very smart and powerful woman that way.
Even with all of the issues that I had with this, I can't deny that I still devoured every word. There was something so addictive about this story that I just couldn't put it down. This series is my new guilty pleasure, and I fear I will be continuing it.
Having not read The Auction, I was curious to see just how much this felt like an HP fanfic, and the answer is: Yes, this was very obviously once a Dramione fic (in my very humble opinion, as someone who is intimately familiar with the original IP). Honestly, that didn't bother me; it might've even been beneficial to me as the reader, seeing as there was a distinct lack of world-building.
My actual grievances with this book are with some of the overall themes. I understand that sex/magic trafficking is a major part of this story, and while I was concerned with how that was going to be portrayed, I still chose to pick it up. But what I really had an issue with was the emphasis on virginity. Using the term virgin to refer to someone who hasn't had sex is whatever, but there were definitely some purity culture undertones that gave me the ick.
I was also annoyed by some aspects of Briony's character. I've seen other reviewers call her a weak FMC, but I don't feel like that's a very fair assessment. She's been through something horrifically traumatic and is uncertain about her position and who she can trust. I actually felt that she had done a fair job trying to get her bearings and gain some semblance of agency. Instead, what frustrated me about her was how naive she was (concerning sex). Again, I understand that she was supposed to save herself for the potential of a political marriage (gross *see above complaints about purity culture*), but she was also 25. It feels very unbelievable to me that a 25-year-old woman would be so unknowing about even the basics of sex in any made-up world. I really hate that the author infantilized an otherwise very smart and powerful woman that way.
Even with all of the issues that I had with this, I can't deny that I still devoured every word. There was something so addictive about this story that I just couldn't put it down. This series is my new guilty pleasure, and I fear I will be continuing it.
There were a lot of aspects of this book that I enjoyed, but the romance was just missing that initial attraction for me. Once they started spending more time together and were getting to know one another, I could feel the chemistry between them, but even still, at the end of the book, I didn't feel like they had enough of a connection to warrant the drastic decision that Ben makes.
That aside, I did like how sex positive the FMC was, and I really enjoyed her journey through grief. It added some much-needed depth to the story.
That aside, I did like how sex positive the FMC was, and I really enjoyed her journey through grief. It added some much-needed depth to the story.
This is easily the best thriller I've read all year!
It's the Fourth of July, and while everyone in the small town of North Falls is looking up to the sky, watching the fireworks, two fifteen-year-olds, Madison and Cheyenne, are kidnapped, sending the entire town into a frantic search. Under the guidance of her father, the sheriff, Officer Emmy Clifton is in a race against the clock to find the two girls alive after blowing off Madison minutes before the kidnapping. But as they dig into the case and the secrets of the young girls are revealed, Emmy will have to face the role that the town played in their kidnapping by turning a blind eye to the questionable actions of others.
I thought this book was so well written and thought out. There were so many revelations throughout the story that I could not have guessed every twist and turn if I tried. But, if you go back and look, all of the clues are there, which is exactly how I like my thrillers- I'm not much of a fan of when twists come out of left field because I feel like they always leave plot holes behind. Beyond the writing, I loved everything about this book- the characters, the setting, the premise. It didn't take long for me to grow a soft spot for Emmy, and I am so glad that this is meant to be a series because I cannot wait to read more about her. We definitely left some things unresolved in the Clifton family, and I can only imagine what it'll be like when they finally hash it out.
I highly recommend this book to any thriller fan, but especially if you love crime fiction, dysfunctional families, and small-town politics.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's the Fourth of July, and while everyone in the small town of North Falls is looking up to the sky, watching the fireworks, two fifteen-year-olds, Madison and Cheyenne, are kidnapped, sending the entire town into a frantic search. Under the guidance of her father, the sheriff, Officer Emmy Clifton is in a race against the clock to find the two girls alive after blowing off Madison minutes before the kidnapping. But as they dig into the case and the secrets of the young girls are revealed, Emmy will have to face the role that the town played in their kidnapping by turning a blind eye to the questionable actions of others.
I thought this book was so well written and thought out. There were so many revelations throughout the story that I could not have guessed every twist and turn if I tried. But, if you go back and look, all of the clues are there, which is exactly how I like my thrillers- I'm not much of a fan of when twists come out of left field because I feel like they always leave plot holes behind. Beyond the writing, I loved everything about this book- the characters, the setting, the premise. It didn't take long for me to grow a soft spot for Emmy, and I am so glad that this is meant to be a series because I cannot wait to read more about her. We definitely left some things unresolved in the Clifton family, and I can only imagine what it'll be like when they finally hash it out.
I highly recommend this book to any thriller fan, but especially if you love crime fiction, dysfunctional families, and small-town politics.
Thank you to Netgalley and William Morrow for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this thriller! I thought the premise was super unique, and at no point in the story did I have the entire ending figured out. When everything was finally revealed, there were some parts that I thought were far-fetched, but I was willing to overlook them because of how entertained I was.
Kennedy Ryan has knocked it out of the park again! I have been curious to see how she was going to write a love story for Hendrix that felt authentic to her character. Hendrix is one of my favorite characters in this series, and much like her character, I was worried that being in a committed relationship would stifle some of her strong, independent spirit. But of course, the perfect man for her would be a generous, supportive, proud-of-her billionaire. I was just as obsessed with their relationship as Maverick was with Hendrix, and I loved how he loved to spoil her.
There was so much heart in this story. From Hendrix struggling with her mother's deteriorating condition to the issues that came up in Hendrix's professional life, Kennedy Ryan just knows how to blend real life into her books so well. The characters in this series feel like real people, and it has been such a joy to watch them all find their happily ever afters.
There was so much heart in this story. From Hendrix struggling with her mother's deteriorating condition to the issues that came up in Hendrix's professional life, Kennedy Ryan just knows how to blend real life into her books so well. The characters in this series feel like real people, and it has been such a joy to watch them all find their happily ever afters.
This was such a fun romance!
Former pop princess, Mackenzie Waters, and rival punk rock bad boy, Sam Blaze, used to play enemies onstage, leaning into the "will they, won't they" energy that their fans loved. But offstage, the tension simmered into something that threatened to end the rivalry for good. Just when they both seemed ready to finally cross that line, unexpected circumstances led to both bands calling it quits. Two years later, they're both ready to step back into the limelight as solo artists, but their label has decided that the only way to garner enough interest is for them to have a comeback as a duo. Now they'll have to figure out how to work together even as old flames are rekindled and new sparks fly.
I am not normally one for romances with musicians, or that center around music, but this one worked for me, and I think it's because the song lyrics were contained to a single line here and there. I know some people really love songs in books, but for whatever reason, they give me secondhand embarrassment more often than not, so I liked that they were used very sparingly. But I really enjoyed this story, and I loved Mackenzie and Sam's characters! I thought they had excellent banter and great chemistry. I also loved the friendship dynamic between Mackenzie, Hannah, and Serena.
I only wish we had gotten more showing versus telling when it came to the memories of when Thunder Hearts and Candy Shards were touring together. Those scenes are recounted within Mackenzie and Sam's inner monologue, and I think I would have preferred more of an actual flashback or dual timeline. Specifically, I really wanted a first-hand account of the phone call that led to them not speaking for two years, rather than the vague summaries that we got.
Otherwise, I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I recommend it to anyone who lives for when musicians feud through their music!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Former pop princess, Mackenzie Waters, and rival punk rock bad boy, Sam Blaze, used to play enemies onstage, leaning into the "will they, won't they" energy that their fans loved. But offstage, the tension simmered into something that threatened to end the rivalry for good. Just when they both seemed ready to finally cross that line, unexpected circumstances led to both bands calling it quits. Two years later, they're both ready to step back into the limelight as solo artists, but their label has decided that the only way to garner enough interest is for them to have a comeback as a duo. Now they'll have to figure out how to work together even as old flames are rekindled and new sparks fly.
I am not normally one for romances with musicians, or that center around music, but this one worked for me, and I think it's because the song lyrics were contained to a single line here and there. I know some people really love songs in books, but for whatever reason, they give me secondhand embarrassment more often than not, so I liked that they were used very sparingly. But I really enjoyed this story, and I loved Mackenzie and Sam's characters! I thought they had excellent banter and great chemistry. I also loved the friendship dynamic between Mackenzie, Hannah, and Serena.
I only wish we had gotten more showing versus telling when it came to the memories of when Thunder Hearts and Candy Shards were touring together. Those scenes are recounted within Mackenzie and Sam's inner monologue, and I think I would have preferred more of an actual flashback or dual timeline. Specifically, I really wanted a first-hand account of the phone call that led to them not speaking for two years, rather than the vague summaries that we got.
Otherwise, I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I recommend it to anyone who lives for when musicians feud through their music!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is now the third book I've read by Peter Swanson, and I think I finally have to admit that his writing style just isn't for me. The plot of the book was fine, but I felt that it was missing that sense of suspense. There was very little that surprised me; I guessed the majority of the plot twists pretty early on. I guess I just didn't find it to be very thrilling.
I thought this was a beautifully written story. I loved the overall theme of what it means to share and be survived by your life's story. I also enjoyed the magical elements in this book and thought they were very unique. I was captivated by Yun's story and everything that she had to endure while working for the pencil company.
The only part of this book that didn't work for me was the relationship between Monica and Louise. I did not care for Louise's character or trust her feelings for Monica. By the end of the book, I still had not forgiven her and felt that the relationship had been left underdeveloped. I think the author should have either given their romance more page time or left the relationship platonic.
But I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or magical realism!
The only part of this book that didn't work for me was the relationship between Monica and Louise. I did not care for Louise's character or trust her feelings for Monica. By the end of the book, I still had not forgiven her and felt that the relationship had been left underdeveloped. I think the author should have either given their romance more page time or left the relationship platonic.
But I would still recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or magical realism!
It's official, Ellie K. Wilde writes the best book boyfriends! Zach really made this book for me. I loved his character and both his determination to not let Melody slip away again, and his patience as he proved to her that he would be nothing like her ex, as he showed her what true, unconditional love looked like. I will say, there were some parts of the "brother's best friend", or rather, "best friend's sister", aspect that felt a little icky to me, but overall, I had so much fun reading this book, and I am so excited for the third one to come out!
Overall, this series has been entertaining enough to keep reading, but it's not my favorite. I've mostly been frustrated by the lack of structure to the magic system. It seems like there's a loophole for every rule we learn about, and even the older, more knowledgeable characters don't have explanations for some of what happens. But I am willing to hold out in hopes of the third book having more concrete answers. I also despise love triangles, so I was not a fan of those elements in this book, but I know some people love them.