bookswithm's reviews
61 reviews

Unexpected Romance Collection by Christine M. Walter

adventurous hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

The Heir to the Emerald Crown by L.B. Divine

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Chasing Goldie by Holly Roberds

challenging dark emotional inspiring tense 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

When I finished Tasing Red, I knew I needed to read Chasing Goldie. (Just like I’ll need to read Igniting Cinder when it comes out in October.) I fell in love with the characters and needed more. Chasing Goldie had me falling in love with them all over again, while adding a few more characters to the crew. 

There are some ways that I related to Goldie’s past. There were sleepovers I wasn’t invited to, I was bullied in school, and I definitely turned into myself. Oh yeah, I’m a people pleaser, too. While I knew my major in college it took me almost 4 years to figure out what I wanted to do with it. Plus, she’s not pencil thin, while was honestly wonder to have that be part of her insecurities and it’s one of mine, too. 

Stepping away from personal things, seeing both Ted and Goldie from other perspectives was done in a flawless way. The story wove in and out of each perspective when it made sense for the story, not to just switch because it seemed like time to switch. You see both characters grow over the span of the books. It truly was a wonderful read. 

Tasting Red by Holly Roberds

dark emotional mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I’ve read a few retelling novels. Most of them have been retellings of the Beauty and the Beast, but this was my first dark romance retelling. As a fan of Red Riding Hood stories (both Hoodwinked and the 2011 movie with Amanda Seyfried), I was so excited to discover this book thanks to my sister. 

The characters are so diverse in their backgrounds, and the web of connectivity only grows more complex as the tale unfolds. This books was truly so hard to put down. I’m so excited to read the sequel, and I’ll be getting my hands on a physical copy one of these days. If you haven’t checked this out, I highly recommend it! 

You Shouldn't Have Come Here by Jeneva Rose

mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

I had such high hopes for You Shouldn’t Have Come Here after reading The Perfect Marriage. It took me about three weeks to read this, which is a really long time for me to read a book. There were several points where I didn’t want to finish reading, but it fit prompts for my 2024 reading challenges. 

Despite not being in love with this book, Rose does a fantastic job of keeping you on your toes. I ended up having so many different theories. Being told in duel perspective, you get accounts from both Calvin and Grace on the Airbnb stay. This allows you to feel the events of each day through both characters, and it will leave you with questions. All in all, I think this was a good read, but not one I will be rereading. 

The Perfect Marriage by Jeneva Rose

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow, just wow. Jeneva Rose created an incredible story around a husband, his dead mistress, and defense attorney wife. The Perfect Marriage had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. It has been years since I’ve read a suspense/thriller that’s this good. I’m simply speechless. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence and Murder

Twisted Lies by Ana Huang

dark emotional sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I think Twisted Lies has replaced Twisted Games as my favorite in the Twisted series. With the story focusing on Stella and Christian, characters from the other books make this story so much more enjoyable. It’s all of your favorite friends in a new light, what’s not to love? I didn’t realize how much I’d like Stella. I don’t remember her too much from the other books but she’s almost my favorite. Her story has so many layers, even before adding Christian to the mix. All in all, Twisted Lies was an amazing end to the series. 

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

The King of Flames by L.B. Divine

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75