beatha_82's reviews
151 reviews

Rayne's Return by Gabbi Grey

hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

This book had three things that I really really love reading about. A very interesting suspense plotline, an age gap relationship and forced proximity. I loved the chemistry between the two main characters. They were both wonderful and complex characters and they were beautiful together. And the dog was adorable. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life. I enjoyed the audiobook very much.

Blood Tethered by I.S. Belle

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

"Blood tethered" is the first book in this YA LGBTQ paranormal series.
It's a very atmospheric book and I loved the small town setting. The town's history was very interesting.
We follow Theo, the golden boy of the school and Kade, the outsider who everybody calls Monster. A series of events forces them to work together in order to uncover the mystery about vampires and hunters. At first they are reluctant but soon they start getting closer, become friends and eventually develop feelings for each other. The relationship between Kade and Theo was one of my favorite things about the book. It was very well done and I cared for both Kade and Theo so much. I want them to be happy together and I can't wait to see what will happen next.
The vampire lore was intriguing, I have so many questions and I'm looking forward to discover more. I loved the twist and I'm very curious about Felicity, Theo's best friend.
Fantastic start to the series! I'm hooked.

 

His unicorn alpha by Anna Sparrows

hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

"His unicorn Alpha" is the third book in the series but you can read it as a standalone. Each book follows a different couple and the author does a fantastic job recapping the main events of the previous books. I still think it's more fun if you read them in order because there's an ongoing storyline and they are all great books.
In this book we follow Barndt who is an omega and a dragon shifter and Micah a horse shifter who is a beta.
I really felt for Brandt, and I understand why he acted the way he did. It might have been wrong but I get it and I'm glad Micah was also understanding and gave him a chance. They were great together and had amazing chemistry. I loved them as a couple and was rooting for them. I'm glad they found happiness and Brandt's dream to become a father came true.
The pacing of the book was brilliant, I finished it in a day and I really really like all the new information about how magic works in this world and why alphas were extinct for hundreds of years. Some of my favorite moments in the book were the scenes where they were trying to solve the mystery.
I'm enjoying the series very much and I'm really looking forward to read more.

Gambler's Fallacy by R. Phoenix, Adara Wolf

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 "Gambler's Fallacy" is the second book in the series and it can't be read as a standalone.  I'm not going to spoil anything in this review. 

I loved the second book as much as the first. It was intense and emotional and there was great character growth for all four main characters. 

I really liked Caleb in this book, I think we got to know him better and he felt more relatable. The storyline with Havoc's mother broke my heart and I thought that it was very important for the story and it helped Havoc understand Seven better. I hope we'll get a resolution in the next book. I also really liked learning more about Vortex's past and his relationship with his sister and I hope we get to see his sister grow. 

Seven was my favorite.  Sometimes it was really hard to be in his point of view, it hurt and I actually had to stop reading for a while during one scene because it was too painful.  His situation feels so desperate but we are slowly seeing him getting better.

The action scene towards the end of the book was very well written and had me worried for the characters and bitting my fingernails. There was also an amazing twist that I didn't see coming. 

This is a really great series and the second book was absolutely fantastic. I can't wait for book three, I need to find out what will happen next. 

 

Percolation Play by Katherine McIntyre

hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Percolation play is the third book in the "leather and lattes" series, a contemporary romance series. Each book focuses on a different character and can be read as a standalone. This book is about Sloan who works as an accountant at the cafe "whipped" where all the books are set. I loved him since book one and I was so excited to read his story. He's such a lovable person, very confident and joyful but in this book we learn a bit more about his past and the trauma his ex boyfriend caused him. His love interests are Ezra, a trans man who is dealing with some serious problems because of his brother and Kai, a newly divorced man who left his small town to start fresh and is dealing with some health issues.
I loved and connected with all three men. They were beautifully written and relatable and I loved their character growth. Their relationship evolved naturally and it was wonderful seeing them explore their dynamic and fall in love. What I loved the most was how they all took care and supported each other, it warmed my heart. Like in the previous books the found family theme was a favorite. This group of friends is brilliant and I adored how they accepted and embraced Kai and Ezra.
A fantastic addition to the series. I can't wait to read more. And I hope Rachel and James, two new side characters, get their own books too.

 

Daddy Down Under by Nora Phoenix

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This is a really sweet and emotional romance. The story is told from Cash's pov who is a rich man in his forties and a workaholic. Something awful happened in his past that made him avoid relationships and his true desires. When a young vibrant man named Ocean enters his life, he changes everything for the best. I loved Cash and my heart ached for him. He was so very lonely, he needed Ocean in his life. I felt for Ocean too, what he went through with his father was horrible. It warmed my heart to see them find happiness together.
Their dynamic was chef's kiss, I really loved them together.
I also really enjoyed the setting, I felt like I sightseeing with Ocean and Cash, it was fun.
Wonderful book, I had a fantastic time reading it and I would definitely recommend it, especially if you're in the mood for a contemporary romance. 

Grave Situation by Louisa Masters

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

A mage, a dragon rider and a healer start a quest to save the continent. Along the way they meet allies, fight zombies, find love and grow.
This book reminded me why I love fantasy books. I loved the setting, a group of people traveling together and trying to save the world is one of my favorite things to read about since I read the hobbit 20 years ago. I just adored every single character so so very much. They were all so unique and wonderful in their way. I loved the relationships between them. The banter, the loyalty, the friendships, it was just really really beautiful to read about.
The story is from Talon's pov and he's a grumpy reluctant hero and he won my heart from chapter one He was a fun character to be in his head.
The book made me laugh and it made me cry and it warmed my heart. I was hooked from the beginning until the end and I didn't want to put it down. The pacing was great and the world building very interesting and well done.
There is a romance subplot but it's not the focus of the story, this isn't a romance, but the love between Talon and Jaimin was brilliant. I loved every single romantic moment between those two.
The ending was very satisfying, absolutely perfect. It’s one of my favorite books of the year, I highly recommend it. 

Alfie: Part Two by Cara Dee

emotional fast-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

5.0

Alfie part 2 is the second book in this duology. It starts where the first book ended and can't be read as a standalone. I'm not going to spoil anything in this review.
This series was such an emotional roller-coaster. My heart melted every time there was a sweet scene between West and Alfie, I smiled when they had family moments with their kids, I cried when sth bad happened, I got frustrated when they acted reckless and I loved every single minute. I love it when a book makes me feel so many things, when I get so invested in the story that I worry like the characters are real people. And Alfie and West were real to me and I cared deeply for both of them and their family.
This was the perfect conclusion to Alfie and West's story. I highly recommend this duology. 

Hot Doggin' by Raquel Riley

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

I really loved Stiles and Mac's story. Friends to lovers is one of my top favorite tropes and I really liked how it was done in this book.Their relationship felt very organic and their double bi awakening realistic. Both Stiles and Mac were lovable and relatable and grew a lot as characters. Their chemistry was absolutely fantastic. I adored them together.
The book had some moments that made my heart ache and some that made me laugh. It was a great balance, I finished it one sitting.
I had great time reading it and I can't wait to continue with the series and see the other guys in their found family get their happily ever after. 

Paper Roses by Lily Morton

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was such a sweet and romantic book, it absolutely warmed my heart to see Jed and Artie fall in love and get their happily ever after. They both deserved it so much. They were wonderful people and I really liked them together. They completed each other.
The narrator was perfect for the book, and voiced Jed and Artie ( and all the other characters) beautifully. Very distinct and fitting character voices and great audio quality. I had a wonderful time listening this audiobook.