ashleyreads88's reviews
681 reviews

Gothikana by RuNyx

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

I loved this book.  I thought it was well-written, and the characters and world-building were well-developed.  The way RuNyx created the setting of Verenmore was amazing, it was eerie and atmospheric.  I loved how there was an element of mystery in the story which was a unique touch.  I loved the relationship between Vad and Corvina.  There were twists that I didn't see coming at all.  Gothikana was dark, twisty, and overall a great read. 

Play Dirty by Lora Leigh

challenging dark fast-paced

I enjoyed this book and the relationship between Jack and Poppy.  I thought the AI/science aspect was interesting.  I did feel that the ending was rushed.

Ana of California by Andi Teran

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

I loved this reimagining of Anne of Green Gables.  It had a great coming-of-age story that was heartwarming.  I loved Ana and her relationship with Emmett, Abbie, and the rest of the workers on the farm, they became her found family.  I loved how much Ana grew as a character and overcame her difficult past.  Ana of California is a great story with a lot of heart.

Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood

fast-paced

This was cute and followed the rivals-to-lovers trope to a t.  For me, romance doesn't work well on audio.

The Music Of Dolphins by Karen Hesse

fast-paced

I remember reading and loving Music of the Dolphins when I was younger.  I didn't love it on audio and think it's better in print.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

The Guncle is just a mix of emotions.  It's funny, happy, and sad.  I loved Patrick or as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant, call him "GUP." 

Patrick's best friend and wife of his brother Greg passes away from cancer, and Greg becoming addicted to pills goes to rehab and entrusts Maisie and Grant to his brother Patrick.

  There were times The Guncle was chaotic because Patrick knew nothing about kids and how to care for them but kept learning.  The Guncle is a heartwarming story of love, loss, grief, and realizing what it means to be family.

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

The Return of Ellie Black tackles some tough topics, and at times they were heavy.  The Return of Ellie Black had so many twists that I didn't see coming at all, like the fact that

Chelsey's sister Lydia was never truly dead, Ellie didn't escape but was let go for a few days, the sergeant (Abbott) and the Governor's sons being behind the abductions.

  It was exciting to read.  I loved how the story developed, and how

Chelsey figured everything out, it wasn't predictable.  I loved how the book ended with Chelsey and Noah getting a new beginning.

 The Return of Ellie Black was a thrilling read.

My Own Lightning by Lauren Wolk

emotional hopeful inspiring tense fast-paced

My Own Lightning was a great sequel to Wolf Hollow.  I loved how much Annabelle grew in this book, and how

she and Andy grew to like each other, put the past behind them, and become friends. In My Own Lightning, dogs go missing and one of the dogs belongs to Annabelle's brother Henry.  There are new characters, The Edelmans, and Mr. Graf who is looking for his dog but turns out to be wicked shady because he's involved in dog fighting.

 My Own Lightning followed the theme of Wolf Hollow in the sense that not everyone is what they appear to be. 

The Edelmans, at first seem to be up to no good but they are good because they rehabilitate injured animals.  Mr. Graf appears to be good but ends up being shady because of the dog fighting.  It's Annabelle, Andy, the Edelmans, Annabelle's brothers, and her father who realize the type of person Mr. Graf truly is.

  I loved this book and hope it isn't the last time readers see Annabelle, Andy, and the rest of the characters.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

Daisy Jones  & The Six was wild and I loved it.  I loved the relationship between Billy and Camilla, and how he wanted to be a better man for his family. 

I loved how Julia, Billy, and Camilla's first-born child was the author of the story, it made it more personal.

  I loved the drama, the format, and most of the characters.  I did think the ending was sad but fit the story well.

Calypso by Oliver K. Langmead

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

I thought this book was interesting in the way the story and the way it was told.  The story was told in verse. 

It follows Rochelle, Catherine, Sigmund, and the Herald.  I enjoyed Rochelle and Catherine's stories the most.  I loved how Rochelle wasn't afraid to question Sigmund and what he thought was right but in hindsight, his ideas were wrong.

some parts of the story were sad, this was a different read.