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bibliokayla's reviews
201 reviews
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I want to curl up in Chloe Liese's brain and live there full time.
*Cracks knuckles*
When I tell you I've been salivating for this book for months. Absolutely chomping at the bit. Simultaneously, I have been dreading it. Dreading it because I have grown to love this fictional family dearly, because I've grown fond of Viggo and his antics in particular, because I just don't want it to be over... 🥲
To me, this was the perfect sendoff for the Bergman clan. I loved the story and Chloe's writing as usual, the callbacks to antics in previous novels, the animals, the bickering, the bookstore! I could go on.
Out of the entire cast of characters in this series, Viggo's and Tallulah's backstories hit me in the heart the most and had me crying multiple times while reading.
The pages flew through my fingers even as I tried to slow down and savor it. It is so bittersweet to finish this series, but I am grateful to have spent time in this world that Chloe crafted.
P.S. Go to therapy if you can.
*Cracks knuckles*
When I tell you I've been salivating for this book for months. Absolutely chomping at the bit. Simultaneously, I have been dreading it. Dreading it because I have grown to love this fictional family dearly, because I've grown fond of Viggo and his antics in particular, because I just don't want it to be over... 🥲
To me, this was the perfect sendoff for the Bergman clan. I loved the story and Chloe's writing as usual, the callbacks to antics in previous novels, the animals, the bickering, the bookstore! I could go on.
Out of the entire cast of characters in this series, Viggo's and Tallulah's backstories hit me in the heart the most and had me crying multiple times while reading.
The pages flew through my fingers even as I tried to slow down and savor it. It is so bittersweet to finish this series, but I am grateful to have spent time in this world that Chloe crafted.
P.S. Go to therapy if you can.
The Cloak of the Vampire by Sapir A. Englard
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I'll start with some neutrals that may be a pro or con depending on the reader:
- This is a low fantasy novel with a class structure within the vampire community that I have not seen before in other vampire novels.
- It is set in a college-like training/school setting, so if that is something you enjoy in a fantasy novel, this might be for you.
I am personally not a big fan of fantasy novels set in schools, but that wasn't a deal-breaker for me.
I DNF at 18% for the following reasons:
- The main character's personality is inconsistent in the first several chapters, particularly after being turned into a vampire (quickly into the book).
- I also found her difficult to sympathize with - I imagine that if I stuck it out longer, there is a backstory to explain her general attitude, but in the first several chapters she was unpleasant and lacked depth.
- The way that all the characters interacted felt superficial and hostile in a way that I thought was too exaggerated to take seriously. It read like a caricature of how college students might speak to each other if they all hate each other.
- I personally was not gripped by where the story was heading.
I am giving it two stars as I do think it's readable, just not for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.
- This is a low fantasy novel with a class structure within the vampire community that I have not seen before in other vampire novels.
- It is set in a college-like training/school setting, so if that is something you enjoy in a fantasy novel, this might be for you.
I am personally not a big fan of fantasy novels set in schools, but that wasn't a deal-breaker for me.
I DNF at 18% for the following reasons:
- The main character's personality is inconsistent in the first several chapters, particularly after being turned into a vampire (quickly into the book).
- I also found her difficult to sympathize with - I imagine that if I stuck it out longer, there is a backstory to explain her general attitude, but in the first several chapters she was unpleasant and lacked depth.
- The way that all the characters interacted felt superficial and hostile in a way that I thought was too exaggerated to take seriously. It read like a caricature of how college students might speak to each other if they all hate each other.
- I personally was not gripped by where the story was heading.
I am giving it two stars as I do think it's readable, just not for me.
Thank you NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.
Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places by Claire Kann
adventurous
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
3.5
I was intrigued by the concept of this book and was quickly hooked on the mystery of Hennessee House.
What kept it from being a 4 or 5 star read for me was that the book was doing so much that I felt it could have been a bit longer to flesh out the backstories of all three main characters (Lucky, Maverick, and, yes, House). I had several questions that I felt were unanswered. That said, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places was fast-paced and clearly full of compassion and care for said characters and their struggles.
Recommended to:
- fans of The Haunting of Hill House, Monster House, and HGTV viewers
- people who scream "no" when someone goes in the basement in a horror movie
- folks seeking thoughtful asexuality representation in a romance novel
This book will be a great spooky season RomCom for anyone who can wait that long. Perhaps don't read this in the dark by yourself... Or do. 👻
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for the eARC!
What kept it from being a 4 or 5 star read for me was that the book was doing so much that I felt it could have been a bit longer to flesh out the backstories of all three main characters (Lucky, Maverick, and, yes, House). I had several questions that I felt were unanswered. That said, Looking for Love in All the Haunted Places was fast-paced and clearly full of compassion and care for said characters and their struggles.
Recommended to:
- fans of The Haunting of Hill House, Monster House, and HGTV viewers
- people who scream "no" when someone goes in the basement in a horror movie
- folks seeking thoughtful asexuality representation in a romance novel
This book will be a great spooky season RomCom for anyone who can wait that long. Perhaps don't read this in the dark by yourself... Or do. 👻
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley for the eARC!
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Alpha of Bleake Isle by Kathryn Moon
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As usual, Kathryn has given us a romance that is both tender *and* filthy.
The Alpha of Bleake Isle is part regency drama, part monster romance and had me giggling and kicking my feet when I wasn't absolutely fuming at the social politics of the isle.
Recommended to:
- fans of Bridgerton and Beauty & the Beast
- people who want to putter around in a castle by the sea and see a rich prick get punched in the face
- dragon lovers (and dragon LOVERS, heh)
Thank you to Kathryn for my advanced reader copy!
The Alpha of Bleake Isle is part regency drama, part monster romance and had me giggling and kicking my feet when I wasn't absolutely fuming at the social politics of the isle.
Recommended to:
- fans of Bridgerton and Beauty & the Beast
- people who want to putter around in a castle by the sea and see a rich prick get punched in the face
- dragon lovers (and dragon LOVERS, heh)
Thank you to Kathryn for my advanced reader copy!
Love Flushed by Evie Mitchell
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism and Car accident