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arireadsitall's reviews
1277 reviews
For One Night Only by Jessica James
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thank you Berkley romance for the gifted copy! I’m kind of a sucker for a music themed romance and this was a solid second chance with a LOT of mess. I liked the dual POVs but I equally loved the side characters (bandmates). This wasn’t groundbreaking but it held my attention through a full day of watching every Boston sports team play. I love a good redemption story!! The songs in it were fun and the character struggles felt genuine.
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one was so cute and flirty and I LOVED that protagonist is in her late 30s getting her mojo back!! Closed door romance but you could still feel that tension. These characters are really fun and I really enjoyed myself! Sophie Cousens has become some an auto read author for me!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Starting the year off with a book this good is crazy. I had high expectations for this book because I loved the author’s other book They’ll Never Learn and I was NOT disappointed. This is the kind of book where once you start you truly cannot put it down. It reads like a way more vicious Daisy Jones sat in the world of figure skating rather than music. The characters you want to root for, but you also want to shake your head at every single thing they do. This book is full of chaos and madness and every time you think maybe we we’re getting something happy don’t get your hopes up.. that being said, I could not get enough. The audio I did with the book and it was so entertaining with the full cast. I really cannot recommend this one enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Cute sapphic second chance enemies to lovers set around hockey and the Olympics. I liked it but I think I wanted more back story and build up and less hijinxs. Regardless we love a swoony ending!
All I Want is You by Falon Ballard
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m a huge fan of Falon Ballard and this one was no exception. It reads super quick which is honestly perfect for a holiday romance. I loved that this was the second chance and you got to actually see the before and the why things fell apart. The grumpy sunshine author pairing was perfect and like her other books the banter was spot on. It takes a little bit for things to get hot, but I think it’s worth it. I’m really glad I squeezed this one in this holiday season.!!
A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Thank you @aaknopf for the gifted copy. This is a different kind of holiday read that focuses more of grief and found family. It was a little sad but I really appreciated it. The holidays always remind me of those who aren’t here and this book in a weird way is a celebration of that!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Death of parent
Most Wonderful by Georgia Clark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you @thedialpress for the gifted copy! I LOVED THIS BOOK!! it sums up family during the holidays in such a perfect way. Also this book is Gay with a capital G!! Three love stories featuring three chaotic siblings that was equal parts swoony and heartbwarming. These are characters you’ll become obsessed with!! This one 400ish pages but reads so quick! Can’t recommend enough if you want one more holiday romance!!
I'll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
This was such a sweet and heartwarming holiday romance. The premise is similiar to the holiday but make it sapphic and throw in a lot of will they won’t they! I was rooting hard for our two protagonists and I loved that they each got something out of their swap! Minimal steam but I still felt allll the love
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
How to Fake it in Hollywood by Ava Wilder
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
It had everything you need in a fake dating romance and so much more. These characters are flaw filled and have a lot of walls to break! I was not prepared for the steam or the tension but I loved every second of it!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Drug use
The Drift by C.J. Tudor
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is a triple locked room, post, apocalyptic, horror, thriller, and it was as chaotic as that sounds. That being said it held my attention and I needed to know what was happening next. There are definitely plot holes, but such as life when you’re trying to write three stories at once. this one is not for the faint of heart and not for those who think thrillers are scary because this one was pretty scary and definitely gruesome.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Blood, and Murder