booktasticrobin's reviews
77 reviews

Bitter Sweet Heart by H. Hunting, Helena Hunting

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 
If I took a sip for every time a character's lips were touched in some manner, I'd be well on my way to the emergency room with alcohol poisoning.

I kid you not, there seemed to be a reference to lip-touching every few pages.

That being said, the book had an intriguing premise that piqued my interest: a low-angst teacher/student relationship without the clichéd third act breakup.

It sounded like a winner to me!

True to its word, the book was relatively low on angst (though opinions on what constitutes angst may vary), and I was thrilled to find the absence of a third-act breakup.

The beginning of the book was quite engaging. We dive in (pun absolutely intended) and meet the two main characters almost immediately, and it's not long before they discover their compatibility (yes, pun intended again).

While I had been hoping for a forbidden romance with secret rendezvous in the school, I was slightly disappointed that this wasn't the case. However, the story still had its moments, and there were instances that made me sigh due to their sheer adorableness.

Regrettably, the middle section of the book felt a bit lackluster and didn't quite hold my attention. It seemed the author was in a hurry to reach the end of the year so the two main characters could solidify their relationship. And let's not even delve into the fact that nearly every character appeared to be a poet, wielding wise-man analogies in their dialogues - it bordered on absurdity.

Maverick's mom, however, was quite the character.

The final 20% of the book redeemed it for me. Maverick's inner struggle, torn between forging his own path and living up to his father's legacy, resonated with me on a personal level, as I've faced similar dilemmas. This aspect of the story was both well-written and relatable.

In summary, the book was an enjoyable read, and I liked it enough to see it through to the end. 
Chemistry Lessons by Jae

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funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I. LOVE. THIS!
The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

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dark emotional hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur

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emotional funny 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? Yes

3.0

I really disliked the ending. It was way too short for the intense build-up it had. 
Wanted by the Wolf by Ariel Marie

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dark emotional funny tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

New Additions by J.A. Armstrong

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emotional funny lighthearted tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

When She Belongs by Ruby Dixon

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful tense slow-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

Wolf Country by Kalikoi, Mar Delaney

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

3.25