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buffyreads's reviews
532 reviews
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
3.0
Characters:
I like Dani as a character but I don't usually like the whole "character that hates romance falls in love" archetype. I do find the reversal interesting because it's usually the male love interest that has this characterization but here it's flipped. Zafir is an amazing male lead. I love that he also (like me) loves romance books. He's also unafraid to love even though he has grieved so much.
Plot:
I usually like fake-dating even though it is such a heavily used trope. Pairing a romantic with someone who only wants physical relationships with romantic isn't something I usually like to read but I was willing to give it a chance since I liked the first book in this series and how it elevates parts of tropes that frustrate me. I couldn't really get over it thought and I actually wanted Zafir to stick to his guns about what be wanted. I do understand Dani though and her past pain so I can't blame her.
Secret Sauce:
Hibbert is so great at making characters that feel like real people. This couple had great chemistry together and I felt a good connection between them.
Rating: I give this book a 3/5
I like Dani as a character but I don't usually like the whole "character that hates romance falls in love" archetype. I do find the reversal interesting because it's usually the male love interest that has this characterization but here it's flipped. Zafir is an amazing male lead. I love that he also (like me) loves romance books. He's also unafraid to love even though he has grieved so much.
Plot:
I usually like fake-dating even though it is such a heavily used trope. Pairing a romantic with someone who only wants physical relationships with romantic isn't something I usually like to read but I was willing to give it a chance since I liked the first book in this series and how it elevates parts of tropes that frustrate me. I couldn't really get over it thought and I actually wanted Zafir to stick to his guns about what be wanted. I do understand Dani though and her past pain so I can't blame her.
Secret Sauce:
Hibbert is so great at making characters that feel like real people. This couple had great chemistry together and I felt a good connection between them.
Rating: I give this book a 3/5
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
Characters:
I liked how real Feyre felt. She wasn't overly impulsive but she also had her own rage that came out at times. I however didn't enjoy her utter powerlessness at every moment in the story. She occasionally was badass but throughout so much of the story she is actionless or making naive decisions. Her guilt and self-flagellation was annoying as well. I love the grumpy and serious lead trope so I loved Tamlin. He was a complex character and put under a terrible curse. I loved how much of an asshole Lucien is. His backstory was sad but I loved his bluntness and loyalty. Rhysand was very scary and he gave me the creeps. But he had his desires and a backbone.
Plot:
I felt like Feyre's escape plans were silly but I admired her trying. The book had a real beauty and the beast vibes which was made better by the plot twist. I feel like Tamlin is very stupid and selfish for sending her away. It feels like a plot hole. The last 25% wasn't very fun for me. It was a sudden shift in the story being told and I didn't like the trials. The ending was good though.
Secret Sauce:
The world-building was very interesting. I haven't read many fae/fairy books where I've really felt invested in the world but this was good. Once the hostility was gone, Tamlin and Feyre had great chemistry. They understood each other well so I understood why they connected. I have complaints about the last 1/4 of the book but the ending was satisfying.
Rating:
I give this book a 4/5
4.0
Ra's Mini Review!~
Characters:
I liked how real Feyre felt. She wasn't overly impulsive but she also had her own rage that came out at times. I however didn't enjoy her utter powerlessness at every moment in the story. She occasionally was badass but throughout so much of the story she is actionless or making naive decisions. Her guilt and self-flagellation was annoying as well. I love the grumpy and serious lead trope so I loved Tamlin. He was a complex character and put under a terrible curse. I loved how much of an asshole Lucien is. His backstory was sad but I loved his bluntness and loyalty. Rhysand was very scary and he gave me the creeps. But he had his desires and a backbone.
Plot:
I felt like Feyre's escape plans were silly but I admired her trying. The book had a real beauty and the beast vibes which was made better by the plot twist. I feel like Tamlin is very stupid and selfish for sending her away. It feels like a plot hole. The last 25% wasn't very fun for me. It was a sudden shift in the story being told and I didn't like the trials. The ending was good though.
Secret Sauce:
The world-building was very interesting. I haven't read many fae/fairy books where I've really felt invested in the world but this was good. Once the hostility was gone, Tamlin and Feyre had great chemistry. They understood each other well so I understood why they connected. I have complaints about the last 1/4 of the book but the ending was satisfying.
Rating:
I give this book a 4/5
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
3.0
The Good
This book is a slow start and if I didn't like the characters especially the main character I probably wouldn't have finished it. I loved Bri. She is so caring and so smart. She both fights her power and wants to embrace it. I related to how socially awkward she was. I also loved Bri's moms! They loved and cared for her so much and complemented each other. Marie was interesting from her very first appearance and she is a bit haunting and creepy.
The Bad
One thing that annoyed me about this book was how Bri was sometimes confused or brushed off the existence of magic. She makes plants grow with her mind and they move with her presence and somehow magic isn't the first thing she thinks of? I was super interested in the magic system in this book but felt like it took so long to get any answers. 70% through the book the audience and Bri barely know anything and every interesting character doesn't tell us anything. It was probably supposed to build suspense but it just annoyed me. The romance was very insta-love and not even in a fun way. Marie and Bri barely interact in any meaningful way and do not cultivate a bond at all. I think the author should have had her take more of the friend role so this could a friends to lover type situation and show a buildup rather than them just liking each other based on looks and vibe.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
This book is a slow start and if I didn't like the characters especially the main character I probably wouldn't have finished it. I loved Bri. She is so caring and so smart. She both fights her power and wants to embrace it. I related to how socially awkward she was. I also loved Bri's moms! They loved and cared for her so much and complemented each other. Marie was interesting from her very first appearance and she is a bit haunting and creepy.
The Bad
One thing that annoyed me about this book was how Bri was sometimes confused or brushed off the existence of magic. She makes plants grow with her mind and they move with her presence and somehow magic isn't the first thing she thinks of? I was super interested in the magic system in this book but felt like it took so long to get any answers. 70% through the book the audience and Bri barely know anything and every interesting character doesn't tell us anything. It was probably supposed to build suspense but it just annoyed me. The romance was very insta-love and not even in a fun way. Marie and Bri barely interact in any meaningful way and do not cultivate a bond at all. I think the author should have had her take more of the friend role so this could a friends to lover type situation and show a buildup rather than them just liking each other based on looks and vibe.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
4.0
The Good
Yay! Another Talia Hibbert book! Will and Abbie were both so in love with each other but so scared. I love books with mutual pining and friends too lovers. From the first chapter it was sickeningly sweet and then became a very special and deep story.
The Bad
This book was much more angsty than the cover would suggest. I thought it was going to be a cute christmas story but it was quite sad actually.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
Yay! Another Talia Hibbert book! Will and Abbie were both so in love with each other but so scared. I love books with mutual pining and friends too lovers. From the first chapter it was sickeningly sweet and then became a very special and deep story.
The Bad
This book was much more angsty than the cover would suggest. I thought it was going to be a cute christmas story but it was quite sad actually.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid
5.0
The Good
This book was very very good. From the characters to the plot, it was amazing. I never could guess what direction it was going in or what the characters were going to do and that was a delightful change in a historical romance novel.
The Bad
There was none. While reading I thought this was going to be another story where the male lead cannot admit to the female lead he loves her but that doesn't happen here. My every worry over where the novel could negatively go was completely sidestepped and I was so relieved.
The Rating
5/5⭐️ I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a spicy story with incredible lead characters and beautiful plot.
This book was very very good. From the characters to the plot, it was amazing. I never could guess what direction it was going in or what the characters were going to do and that was a delightful change in a historical romance novel.
The Bad
There was none. While reading I thought this was going to be another story where the male lead cannot admit to the female lead he loves her but that doesn't happen here. My every worry over where the novel could negatively go was completely sidestepped and I was so relieved.
The Rating
5/5⭐️ I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a spicy story with incredible lead characters and beautiful plot.
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
2.0
I previously DNF-ed this book but for the sake of my Talia Hibbert binge I am re-reading it!
Highlights:
I love fake dating and vague european royalty stories so the concept is perfect for me. I loved the angst and how they addressed the power dynamic. Many stories have people forced into a a fake relationship situation but this is the first I've read with this type of angst surrounding it and I liked it.
Lowlights:
The insta-lust was the reason I originally dnf-ed and I couldn't remember why it made me so mad but I think it's how much Ruben's point of view is him just saying how hot Cherry is over and over like we know. I found it very repetitive and it wasn't adding anything to the story to have it be all he thought about constantly. I usually love Talia Hibbert books but this one was really strange. I didn't connect to Ruben at all and this and I didn't feel like I really knew either of them nor did I feel like they knew each other. I need more than sex out of couples to enjoy their relationships. I didn't care what happened to either of them by the end and wasn't rooting for them together.
Horn Level: 5/5
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 2/5
Highlights:
I love fake dating and vague european royalty stories so the concept is perfect for me. I loved the angst and how they addressed the power dynamic. Many stories have people forced into a a fake relationship situation but this is the first I've read with this type of angst surrounding it and I liked it.
Lowlights:
The insta-lust was the reason I originally dnf-ed and I couldn't remember why it made me so mad but I think it's how much Ruben's point of view is him just saying how hot Cherry is over and over like we know. I found it very repetitive and it wasn't adding anything to the story to have it be all he thought about constantly. I usually love Talia Hibbert books but this one was really strange. I didn't connect to Ruben at all and this and I didn't feel like I really knew either of them nor did I feel like they knew each other. I need more than sex out of couples to enjoy their relationships. I didn't care what happened to either of them by the end and wasn't rooting for them together.
Horn Level: 5/5
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 2/5
Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter
5.0
Characters:
Aja is a black woman with social anxiety trying to break out of her shell. Walker is a southern man back in his hometown to take care of his grandmother. He has a lot of hurt and trauma to deal with.
Plot:
The center of this story is anxiety and how it affects different people differently and presents differently as well. It really goes into depth on how it manifests itself and how each character deals with it. I felt so seen. I loved how their relationship progressed slowly and steadily even though there was instant attraction. Their level of communication was also great and it was so refreshing. I love that everything wasn't magically resolved at the end but hopeful. And that the characters were dedicated to being themselves and trying their best.
Secret Sauce:
Their flirting and chemistry is so good. Their conversations felt natural and they understood each other a lot.
Rating: I give this book a 5/5
Aja is a black woman with social anxiety trying to break out of her shell. Walker is a southern man back in his hometown to take care of his grandmother. He has a lot of hurt and trauma to deal with.
Plot:
The center of this story is anxiety and how it affects different people differently and presents differently as well. It really goes into depth on how it manifests itself and how each character deals with it. I felt so seen. I loved how their relationship progressed slowly and steadily even though there was instant attraction. Their level of communication was also great and it was so refreshing. I love that everything wasn't magically resolved at the end but hopeful. And that the characters were dedicated to being themselves and trying their best.
Secret Sauce:
Their flirting and chemistry is so good. Their conversations felt natural and they understood each other a lot.
Rating: I give this book a 5/5