Take a photo of a barcode or cover
bookishvistareads's reviews
397 reviews
Tired Tired Sea by MediaWhore
For non-book records, review text and ratings are hidden. Only mood, pace, and content warnings are visible.
King of Greed by Ana Huang
4.0
So I am usually not a fan of marriage in crisis or second chance when there's a separation on page. However, I liked the writing of this book and the chemistry between the two characters. I also really liked how quickly the mmc realized he fucked up when fmc left and how he was immediately trying to figure out how to fix it/how to change and be better for her.
I did skim some earlier chapters but again I think that was more from my disinterest in separation/marriage in crisis trope than the overall writing. I just tend to get a little bored with slow burn second chance.
The spice scenes were spicing and the scenes felt like a good number for the overall storyline and made sense from where the characters were at and what they were going through emotionally.
Dominic was sexy but definitely had moments where I was fully against him simply because he was ignoring his amazing wife as he was so wrapped up in his work. He became distant, cold, and indifferent to Alessandra without even realizing it and it made me sad for her. I really loved Alessandra. She walked away (waited ten years into the marriage to do so but I guess better late then never) and stood up for herself deserving more and she didn't just quickly cave the moment Dom started fighting for them again. I like that she took time to find herself, explore things on her own, and grow her passions.
While this probably didn't change my mind on the marriage in crisis trope, it did make me put the first two books in the series on my TBR!
I did skim some earlier chapters but again I think that was more from my disinterest in separation/marriage in crisis trope than the overall writing. I just tend to get a little bored with slow burn second chance.
The spice scenes were spicing and the scenes felt like a good number for the overall storyline and made sense from where the characters were at and what they were going through emotionally.
Dominic was sexy but definitely had moments where I was fully against him simply because he was ignoring his amazing wife as he was so wrapped up in his work. He became distant, cold, and indifferent to Alessandra without even realizing it and it made me sad for her. I really loved Alessandra. She walked away (waited ten years into the marriage to do so but I guess better late then never) and stood up for herself deserving more and she didn't just quickly cave the moment Dom started fighting for them again. I like that she took time to find herself, explore things on her own, and grow her passions.
While this probably didn't change my mind on the marriage in crisis trope, it did make me put the first two books in the series on my TBR!
Tarnished Embers by Rosa Lee
3.0
Definitely matches the blurb's promise of a darker Cinderella retelling with why choose trope. Our FMC is introduced to new stepmom and four stepbrothers out of the blue one day five years after her mom died and it's seen very quickly that stepmom fits "evil stepmom" category. The four MMC's are all obsessed w/ Ember right away (having cyber stalked her for past six months). Ember herself, has insta-lust for each of them which then very quickly becomes insta-love. Likewise, from the four boys as well.
Following the Cinderella mold, things suddenly get worse after tragedy and stepmom drops the fake niceties. Bringing in the "dark" portion of the story is what the stepmom makes the boys do for her to gain income and then what she has done to Ember.
My thoughts - Wasn't bad wasn't great. There wasn't a giant plot, and we didn't meet any characters outside of those from the household so was a very quick read.
I did like that the boys (besides the twins ofc) have been with each other physically and how much they took care of each other and then Ember. Their protectiveness of her was a big plus for me.
Overall, it was a quick read with not a lot of development but that's kind of what I expected going in for a retelling novella.
**Read TWs**
Following the Cinderella mold, things suddenly get worse after tragedy and stepmom drops the fake niceties. Bringing in the "dark" portion of the story is what the stepmom makes the boys do for her to gain income and then what she has done to Ember.
My thoughts - Wasn't bad wasn't great. There wasn't a giant plot, and we didn't meet any characters outside of those from the household so was a very quick read.
I did like that the boys (besides the twins ofc) have been with each other physically and how much they took care of each other and then Ember. Their protectiveness of her was a big plus for me.
Overall, it was a quick read with not a lot of development but that's kind of what I expected going in for a retelling novella.
**Read TWs**
You're My Always by Cristina Lollabrigida
1.0
ARC Review:
*Please remember book reviews are subjective and what one person likes/dislikes may be completely different for another reader*
So I'm not going to lie, I struggled to write this review. I am extremely appreciative of any opportunity to receive a free copy of a book and that never changes. I also hate being heavily critical but I want to make sure I'm being honest as well, both for potential readers and to the author themselves.
Unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy this read. Based on the blurb and tropes, I went into my read excited. I am a sucker for protective mmc, revenge/justice after fmc is hurt, and age gap romances. However, the writing style of this book just never allowed me to connect to the characters or immerse myself within the story. I've read plenty of books in third person pov but not usually romance books; I think third pov takes away a lot of the emotional connection in a romance story. & that was definitely the case here for me.
Additionally, the pacing of the story/plot didn't really give me the chance to feel this epic love between Michael and Michelle. The plot itself I think would have worked better if more fleshed out (everything felt very surface level) and again, if written in first person pov rather than third. The writing format of the chapters was also very choppy in my opinion; there didn't seem to be a consistent rhyme or reason for when chapters would end and start.
Lastly, there were a lot of inconsistencies and confusion. Angel vs Angela (but not having it seem like Angel was just a nickname), calling characters by their real names when they're in a room filled with people who are not supposed to know their real identities, and conversations broken up into multiple paragraphs when it's the same person talking but then not indicating when it switched to someone else speaking. The "take down team" was also something I just couldn't wrap my brain around. I am all for ignoring logic when reading certain genres (such as romance) as sometimes it's just nice to be sucked into the emotional/romantic storyline with the characters. Whether it's because I didn't get pulled into this story or because it was too far-fetched, I don't know but I could not get over how illogical that plot point/direction was.
I am grateful for the opportunity to receive a free Advanced Reader Copy of "You're My Always" by Cristina Lollabrigida and am voluntarily choosing to review it. Just unfortunately, this was not a book for me. If an age gap romance with a cop mmc and sweet fmc who goes through trauma sounds like something you'd enjoy; please don't let my preferences/opinions stop you from checking this book out as every reader is different! I will say - please check TW (listed below) as graphic scenes are included.
*Content*
-Cop MMC
-Age gap
-Protective MMC
-FMC goes through a lot of physical and emotional trauma
-Rape (on page, not by MMC)
-PTSD
-Amnesia
-Found family
-HEA
*Please remember book reviews are subjective and what one person likes/dislikes may be completely different for another reader*
So I'm not going to lie, I struggled to write this review. I am extremely appreciative of any opportunity to receive a free copy of a book and that never changes. I also hate being heavily critical but I want to make sure I'm being honest as well, both for potential readers and to the author themselves.
Unfortunately, I really didn't enjoy this read. Based on the blurb and tropes, I went into my read excited. I am a sucker for protective mmc, revenge/justice after fmc is hurt, and age gap romances. However, the writing style of this book just never allowed me to connect to the characters or immerse myself within the story. I've read plenty of books in third person pov but not usually romance books; I think third pov takes away a lot of the emotional connection in a romance story. & that was definitely the case here for me.
Additionally, the pacing of the story/plot didn't really give me the chance to feel this epic love between Michael and Michelle. The plot itself I think would have worked better if more fleshed out (everything felt very surface level) and again, if written in first person pov rather than third. The writing format of the chapters was also very choppy in my opinion; there didn't seem to be a consistent rhyme or reason for when chapters would end and start.
Lastly, there were a lot of inconsistencies and confusion. Angel vs Angela (but not having it seem like Angel was just a nickname), calling characters by their real names when they're in a room filled with people who are not supposed to know their real identities, and conversations broken up into multiple paragraphs when it's the same person talking but then not indicating when it switched to someone else speaking. The "take down team" was also something I just couldn't wrap my brain around. I am all for ignoring logic when reading certain genres (such as romance) as sometimes it's just nice to be sucked into the emotional/romantic storyline with the characters. Whether it's because I didn't get pulled into this story or because it was too far-fetched, I don't know but I could not get over how illogical that plot point/direction was.
I am grateful for the opportunity to receive a free Advanced Reader Copy of "You're My Always" by Cristina Lollabrigida and am voluntarily choosing to review it. Just unfortunately, this was not a book for me. If an age gap romance with a cop mmc and sweet fmc who goes through trauma sounds like something you'd enjoy; please don't let my preferences/opinions stop you from checking this book out as every reader is different! I will say - please check TW (listed below) as graphic scenes are included.
*Content*
-Cop MMC
-Age gap
-Protective MMC
-FMC goes through a lot of physical and emotional trauma
-Rape (on page, not by MMC)
-PTSD
-Amnesia
-Found family
-HEA
Where Broken Wings Fly by J. Rose
5.0
Omg this book was so good! My only complaint is I didn’t realize sequel wasn’t out yet!!!!! It’s a why choose but definite slow burn. I am usually not a slow burn person AT ALL but the story that is told from the FMC pov chapters is so captivating that I devoured this book in an afternoon. You root for her so strongly due to what she’s had to endure and getting so see her slowly work on healing herself and then allowing these three (very different but each very strong and demeaning) men into her and her adorable daughter’s life to help her in the healing is so precious. I cannot wait for October when book 2 is out as this one does end on a cliffhanger! I need Willow and her daughter, Ari, to be safe and at home with the three men who love them more than anything else!