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ariannaisbooked's reviews
416 reviews
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
HOLY HECK.
This is absolutely an infinity star book! The Inmate was previously my favorite Freida McFadden book but The Teacher absolutely knocked it down a peg to number 2.
I am wholly, completely shocked with this book. I don't usually read the blurb for books, but I try not to especially for thriller / mystery type books. There's such an incredible reading experience when you go into books like this completely blind.
So obviously I knew this one was going to be about a teacher. But I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Even as I read through the book, I couldn't even guess where it was really going to end up. I quite honestly lost track of the plot twists because there were so many. And I couldn't have been more shocked every single time one of them happened.
Freida McFadden's writing is so captivating and has written some of my favorite books in the mystery / thriller genres! I binge read this book in a single sitting because I absolutely could not put it down.
This is absolutely an infinity star book! The Inmate was previously my favorite Freida McFadden book but The Teacher absolutely knocked it down a peg to number 2.
I am wholly, completely shocked with this book. I don't usually read the blurb for books, but I try not to especially for thriller / mystery type books. There's such an incredible reading experience when you go into books like this completely blind.
So obviously I knew this one was going to be about a teacher. But I had absolutely no idea what to expect. Even as I read through the book, I couldn't even guess where it was really going to end up. I quite honestly lost track of the plot twists because there were so many. And I couldn't have been more shocked every single time one of them happened.
Freida McFadden's writing is so captivating and has written some of my favorite books in the mystery / thriller genres! I binge read this book in a single sitting because I absolutely could not put it down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Pretty Rings and Broken Things by Kat Singleton
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I thoroughly loved reading Archer and Winnie's story! I'm such a sucker for a billionaire who falls for her *first* and harder. I swear I swooned the entire time I was reading this book. Archer truly treasured Winnie, but especially her intellects when it came to taking over the hotel world side by side. I felt feral watching both of them pine for each other despite the arrangement set up at the beginning. If anything, that's my favorite part about the fake dating / marriage of convenience trope!
It was so fun getting to see characters from Kat's previous books - Beck & Margo and Camden & Pippa - so much. I can't wait to see Emma get her forever man! She was such a fun side character in PR&BT and definitely stole the show in a few chapters.
Thank you so much to Kat Singleton and Valentine PR for sending me an early copy!
It was so fun getting to see characters from Kat's previous books - Beck & Margo and Camden & Pippa - so much. I can't wait to see Emma get her forever man! She was such a fun side character in PR&BT and definitely stole the show in a few chapters.
Thank you so much to Kat Singleton and Valentine PR for sending me an early copy!
Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
dark
tense
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
Definitely *not* how I expected this to end! I thoroughly enjoyed that this book was much more character based than plot based. It was so interesting to see how each of the characters developed individually but also in the larger sense of their whole group.
I really enjoyed the poly representation in this book, even though it’s very different from all the other poly books I’ve read. I like that not all of the characters in the poly group are with everyone in the group & how some are open to others outside the main group.
I really enjoyed the poly representation in this book, even though it’s very different from all the other poly books I’ve read. I like that not all of the characters in the poly group are with everyone in the group & how some are open to others outside the main group.
Forever Falling by Jay Fields
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed Reid and Landon's story! It was so much fun seeing them become friends in Rescue Renovations but so much better seeing them actually get together. But the best scenes were the Kindle snooping & the following primal spicy scene!
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is the first live release I've been able to experience since becoming an SJM fan & I've had the best time celebrating the HOFAS release! I went into this book really open & just ready to soak in all the Crescent City vibes. I'm so glad I approached it that way because I loved every minute spent reading it (even when I was sobbing all over my Kindle & physical copy).
I expected the book to end on a big cliffhanger like HOSAB did but I'm so happy with the way it *did* end! It wrapped up all of the character storylines very well but also left enough parts open to continue into a fourth book for the series.
Pro tip: if you get emotional during books, keep a box of tissues close. I cried so many times throughout the book but especially those last 200 ish pages!
I expected the book to end on a big cliffhanger like HOSAB did but I'm so happy with the way it *did* end! It wrapped up all of the character storylines very well but also left enough parts open to continue into a fourth book for the series.
Pro tip: if you get emotional during books, keep a box of tissues close. I cried so many times throughout the book but especially those last 200 ish pages!
Second Chances in New Port Stephen by TJ Alexander
challenging
emotional
funny
slow-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
4.0
This isn't my absolute favorite book of TJ Alexander's but I still really enjoyed it! It's a first love, second chance romance & if you know me, you know I absolute eat that trope up. Nick & Eli dated in high school, years before Eli transitioned. As they reconnect, Nick starts to think more openly about his sexuality because he is still, in fact, attracted to Eli. Factor in the fact that Nick's a single dad to the cutest little girl & Eli's still dealing with a lot of conservative hometown mindset trauma, there's a lot that the two have to work through to get to their HEA together. But it's such a sweet story & certainly relatable for anyone who grew up queer in a very conservative hometown.
Features:
- first love, second chance
- small town, single dad
- trans MMC
- growing up queer in a conservative hometown
Features:
- first love, second chance
- small town, single dad
- trans MMC
- growing up queer in a conservative hometown
Ashes of You by Catherine Cowles
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
It's so sad that this is the end of the Lost & Found series!
After the prologue, I was a little nervous at how dark or emotional this book could end up getting. But it wasn't as much of a change from the rest of the series as I thought it could be. I absolutely loved Lawson & Hallie's story. The way that she formed such a connection with each Lawson's boys in their own special way made my heart so happy.
While I love their book as a standalone, I don't necessarily think it wraps up the series very well. Of course all the couples and children from the previous books make appearances, but it feels like there could be more in the series rather than it being the end.
Thank you to Catherine Cowles for sending me an early copy!
After the prologue, I was a little nervous at how dark or emotional this book could end up getting. But it wasn't as much of a change from the rest of the series as I thought it could be. I absolutely loved Lawson & Hallie's story. The way that she formed such a connection with each Lawson's boys in their own special way made my heart so happy.
While I love their book as a standalone, I don't necessarily think it wraps up the series very well. Of course all the couples and children from the previous books make appearances, but it feels like there could be more in the series rather than it being the end.
Thank you to Catherine Cowles for sending me an early copy!