Seriously, bookstagram has changed my reading selections 😂. I've read one Tessa Bailey book a few years ago, I randomly picked it from the library, and I honestly didn't expect the 🌶-ness. So, knowing her style, I dove right into 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏 last week, and I was pleasantly surprised. Mostly because there were a few scenes or conversations that made me laugh out loud while reading them. It's been a minute since I laughed so much at a book. But I won't lie when I say I didn't have high expectations because of some of the low reviews I've seen on GR about this book. However, reading those reviews made me realize that everyone looks at a story differently, and not everyone is going to get the same vibe from a book.

🏌‍♂️OK, yes, Wells was toxic. He was ugly towards other people, he was rude, he was not friendly, he said mean things...he was ready to give up on his career as a golfer, he didn't care anymore, he was self destructive. But that's because he lost his goal, motivation, and as much as he hated to admit it, I think he was missing having a constant in his life, someone that was there for him. So when his manager dropped him, his mentor left him... Wells felt like he had nothing.

🏌‍♀️Except he had a very enthusiastic fan, Josephine. She was a sunshine of a woman. Calm, fun, positive, smart, and her presence was enjoyable. So after Wells does something stupid, something Jospehine didn't deserve to, he feels bad about it. And he's following that feeling towards finding her and making it up towards her. They strike a deal that would help them both in their current situation, getting Wells back on the tour, and giving Jospehine an opportunity she can't refuse, and the story takes off.

I think a person can change because of someone else. Change their priorities or perspectives, and look at things or the world differently, but I believe that desire to change has to come from that respective person. If the wish to change is not there, then nothing will happen, and that person will be the same, always.

The Bookstore Wedding by Alice Hoffman

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inspiring lighthearted 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? N/A

3.0

The Bookstore Sisters by Alice Hoffman

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

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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

3.5

Next of Kin by Hannah Bonam-Young

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emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-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

3.0

Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth

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dark emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

What.a.weird.book!!! But listen, I kind of liked it. It was different, it was refreshing and it was funny (mostly). All because of Abby's thoughts and internal monologue. I liked the writing too, altough it took me a bit in the beginning to get used to it.
Also, Abby's unhinged thoughts were very disturbing 😅. I feel like the book had a great start, then there was a part that was a bit slow for me after the 70% mark, but then something crazy happened towards the end that had me like...wtf 😳?

⚠️ As always, make sure to check the trigger warnings for this book if you think it may disturb you. There's suicide in it, depression, false pregnancy, thoughts of miscarriage, jealousy of someone pregnant, murder, cannibalism.

Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage

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emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.0

𝑺𝒘𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑺𝒂𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒆𝒅 is the second book in the 𝑹𝒆𝒃𝒆𝒍 𝑩𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝑹𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒉 series and I liked it more than 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑫𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅. I found it to be more warm and cozy, and that's probably because of Wes. He was an absolute sweetheart, kind and patient and so hard not to adore.
The story at the ranch picks up a few months after the first book, where Teddy put Wes in contact with Ada, a designer, to renovate the old Big House, which was Wes's project. I'm not usually a fan of instant love, but I think it was done well. You could feel the attraction between the two characters and I liked how they opened up to each other. I dislike nothing more than miscommunication, and I'm glad that was not the case. Even though she assumed a few things about him in the beginning, Ada got to meet the real Wes and vice versa and their love story was cute.
I also enjoyed the whole "found family" feeling, I like how close they all are and the beautiful and healthy relationship they all have, with their father, their siblings and their friends.

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arminareads's reviews 675 reviews

arminareads's reviews
675 reviews