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carinascatsandchapters's reviews
109 reviews
She and Her Cat by Makoto Shinkai, Tsubasa Yamaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
This book was SO cute. It’s not a typical book id pick up, but given my obsession with cats I wanted to give it a try. I love how the short stories all follow a separate cat and its owner, all from varying life circumstances. I love how the cats save the humans just as much as the humans save the cats.
Some parts of this definitely broke my heart, but it was also so wholesome and adorable. I love how all the short stories intertwined and all of the cats were related to each other in some way. This was such an adorable quick read and I’m so glad I picked it up.
Some parts of this definitely broke my heart, but it was also so wholesome and adorable. I love how all the short stories intertwined and all of the cats were related to each other in some way. This was such an adorable quick read and I’m so glad I picked it up.
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was a book club pick… and then the book club got cancelled…but I was happy cause I hadn’t finished the book…and then I felt guilty so I finished it anyway.
I’m sad I didn’t like this more than I did because meeting Tessa Bailey at one of her signings was so fun. She’s such a sweetheart and I truly enjoyed our lil conversation.
First, I’m not generally a fan of third person, and it definitely made listening to the audio book a lil more confusing.
I found myself wanting a lot more in this. I wanted more of Tallulah actually being an au pair, more of the “forbidden” romance, more of the relationship between Tallulah and Lissa, and just…. More plot. I feel like it fell flat for the first 75% of the book, and then the last 15% was really good. I LOVED the scenes in Costa Rica and thought that the last few chapters and epilogue were so so sweet.
I also hate the reason for the third act breakup. I understand the whole macho athlete not wanting to show weakness thing but I just hated how Burgess treated her. FOR NO REASON. I thought the fact that he broke his back was interesting as it was the first thing that truly felt like a plot point but I hate that it created that mess of a break up.
I also don’t love the use of “sex” in spicy scenes. Idk something about that just makes me cringe a lil there’s so many other words 😭
Overall it was a fine read. It was fun and Tullulah and Burgess are cute, but it had the potential to be much better.
I’m sad I didn’t like this more than I did because meeting Tessa Bailey at one of her signings was so fun. She’s such a sweetheart and I truly enjoyed our lil conversation.
First, I’m not generally a fan of third person, and it definitely made listening to the audio book a lil more confusing.
I found myself wanting a lot more in this. I wanted more of Tallulah actually being an au pair, more of the “forbidden” romance, more of the relationship between Tallulah and Lissa, and just…. More plot. I feel like it fell flat for the first 75% of the book, and then the last 15% was really good. I LOVED the scenes in Costa Rica and thought that the last few chapters and epilogue were so so sweet.
I also hate the reason for the third act breakup. I understand the whole macho athlete not wanting to show weakness thing but I just hated how Burgess treated her. FOR NO REASON. I thought the fact that he broke his back was interesting as it was the first thing that truly felt like a plot point but I hate that it created that mess of a break up.
I also don’t love the use of “sex” in spicy scenes. Idk something about that just makes me cringe a lil there’s so many other words 😭
Overall it was a fine read. It was fun and Tullulah and Burgess are cute, but it had the potential to be much better.
Bourbon & Lies by Victoria Wilder
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I’m late to review this but WOW I loved this book. I was super sick and spent nearly the whole time I was home just devouring this.
First, I love how the prologue gives an introduction to Grants character. It puts the reader right into the action, and starts the story off very strong.
I love the elements of suspense with Laneys story. The way it slowly unravels through the book is amazing. That combined with the pacing of her and Grants relationship is simply beautiful.
I love Grant Foxx. His need to protect Laney and the care he has for his brother made me weep. I love the slow burn between them and how he slowly opens up to her more and more. Their chemistry is palpable from their first meeting. I loved their silly moments (the trough) just as much as the more serious ones.
The Foxx bothers literally warmed my heart. As much as I love Laney and Grant, I loved getting to see Grant interact with his brothers and grandfather. I can’t wait to read more about Ace and Lincoln. Their bond really made me teary at times.
I also love Hadley. I’m not usually a huge a fan of side characters, but hers plays so well into the story and she’s so FUN. The scene of them people watching on the roof really had me cackling - I love doing stuff like that with my friends!
In the end I LOVE how everything tied together. It all made so much sense and the reveal really had me shocked. The way the story ties together literally perfectly from the prologue to the very last page had me screaming. I actually screamed “WHAT” at my book when its revealed why the detective knows the Foxx boys.
I also want to note that I’ve never read anything like this. I think the concept of Laney being in WITSEC is SO original and really hasn’t been done before. It made reading even more fun, and defs kept me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait for book two!
First, I love how the prologue gives an introduction to Grants character. It puts the reader right into the action, and starts the story off very strong.
I love the elements of suspense with Laneys story. The way it slowly unravels through the book is amazing. That combined with the pacing of her and Grants relationship is simply beautiful.
I love Grant Foxx. His need to protect Laney and the care he has for his brother made me weep. I love the slow burn between them and how he slowly opens up to her more and more. Their chemistry is palpable from their first meeting. I loved their silly moments (the trough) just as much as the more serious ones.
The Foxx bothers literally warmed my heart. As much as I love Laney and Grant, I loved getting to see Grant interact with his brothers and grandfather. I can’t wait to read more about Ace and Lincoln. Their bond really made me teary at times.
I also love Hadley. I’m not usually a huge a fan of side characters, but hers plays so well into the story and she’s so FUN. The scene of them people watching on the roof really had me cackling - I love doing stuff like that with my friends!
In the end I LOVE how everything tied together. It all made so much sense and the reveal really had me shocked. The way the story ties together literally perfectly from the prologue to the very last page had me screaming. I actually screamed “WHAT” at my book when its revealed why the detective knows the Foxx boys.
I also want to note that I’ve never read anything like this. I think the concept of Laney being in WITSEC is SO original and really hasn’t been done before. It made reading even more fun, and defs kept me on the edge of my seat. Can’t wait for book two!
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
funny
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
**Spoilers in review**
This book was a little disappointing in comparison to Butcher & Blackbird. The first book had a significant plot and was VERY out of pocket. Even though I thought Sloan and Rowan were annoying as characters, the plot really drove the book and made it more fun.
I feel like this book had so much potential that it didn’t live up to. I love Lachlan and Lark as characters and felt they were much more lovable than Rowan and Sloan. I love the marriage of convenience trope and while I also love a slow burn….this was a bit too slow. I feel as if the plot was lacking and definitely didn’t drive the book forward at all. It just felt very stagnant.
There was so much potential with Larks crafting. While I appreciate that this book was a bit more tame than B&B I would’ve LOVED to get more out of pocket Lark crafts. The body in the coffee table??? The snow globe??? I loved it.
I also wish we got an actual scene between Sloan and Lark when it came to Sloan knowing about the whole multiple-deleter thing. I don’t really understand why Sloan didn’t know in the first place, but if she was in the dark a good reveal at least would have been more meaningful. The whole text thing about knowing Lark did the fireworks murder and potentially murdered their old headmaster made me so mad. I wanted MORE. I wanted serial killer conspiracies!!
I did love the murder of the headmaster - the gold thread sewing his lips shut? Amazing. The whole eyeball scene also had me laughing over how disgusted they were. I was, however, very mad over Ethel’s death. That murder was the most stereotypical thing that could’ve been done, and for how close she was with Lark the whole thing seemed to be brushed over.
Overall I enjoyed the audiobook and the narrators were really great, but the book for sure fell short of my expectations. I’m hoping Fionn and Rose’s story is more comparable to B&B.
This book was a little disappointing in comparison to Butcher & Blackbird. The first book had a significant plot and was VERY out of pocket. Even though I thought Sloan and Rowan were annoying as characters, the plot really drove the book and made it more fun.
I feel like this book had so much potential that it didn’t live up to. I love Lachlan and Lark as characters and felt they were much more lovable than Rowan and Sloan. I love the marriage of convenience trope and while I also love a slow burn….this was a bit too slow. I feel as if the plot was lacking and definitely didn’t drive the book forward at all. It just felt very stagnant.
There was so much potential with Larks crafting. While I appreciate that this book was a bit more tame than B&B I would’ve LOVED to get more out of pocket Lark crafts. The body in the coffee table??? The snow globe??? I loved it.
I also wish we got an actual scene between Sloan and Lark when it came to Sloan knowing about the whole multiple-deleter thing. I don’t really understand why Sloan didn’t know in the first place, but if she was in the dark a good reveal at least would have been more meaningful. The whole text thing about knowing Lark did the fireworks murder and potentially murdered their old headmaster made me so mad. I wanted MORE. I wanted serial killer conspiracies!!
I did love the murder of the headmaster - the gold thread sewing his lips shut? Amazing. The whole eyeball scene also had me laughing over how disgusted they were. I was, however, very mad over Ethel’s death. That murder was the most stereotypical thing that could’ve been done, and for how close she was with Lark the whole thing seemed to be brushed over.
Overall I enjoyed the audiobook and the narrators were really great, but the book for sure fell short of my expectations. I’m hoping Fionn and Rose’s story is more comparable to B&B.
Honey: A Novel by Isabel Banta
Oh wow I loved this book. I want MORE. I was so sad when this ended. I loved listening to it on audio but there were a few times I wish I had the physical book in front of me (I’ll likely be buying it to add to my shelf anyway because I really loved it). I don’t typically love having lyrics or extra add-ins like news articles but in this case I think it added to the story. It was a little awkward hearing the songs on audio book (spoken word over background music) but otherwise I LOVED being able to listen to this.
I didn’t like Wes from the start and was hoping that it would be Amber & Axel from their very first interactions on Venice beach. I hated how Wes treated Amber and how he always wanted to keep her a secret. Axel and Amber had so much chemistry, and I love that they didn’t hook up that first time they kissed. I love that their relationship formed out of love. I was rooting for them the whole time.
I also disliked that Gwen got so upset with her- they weren’t even actually dating! I get that lying sucks but I think she took it a bit too far. I’m glad they got past it in the end and were able to med their friendship.
I think Amber & Sonny’s relationship was especially interesting. It showed how even the most well intentioned men in the music industry (especially during the late 90s- early 00s) were a little creepy or expected women to look/act a certain way. I love that he was a father figure and helped her when she needed an abortion but hate how she was expected to go on to work as normal. I would have loved more on their relationship. I also would have loved more on her body image issues. Early on it seemed as if she was brewing an eating disorder (I mean she passed out on stage) and I think it could have been interesting to see that develop more.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the lack of drugs and alcohol. While it’s definitely present in the story, her life wasn’t overtaken by cocaine or drinking (lil Daisy Jones and the Six). Amber was very humanized as a celebrity and felt very real which allowed me to have a better understanding of her character and develop more empathy.
GWEN AND TAMMY. I think it’s so important that this relationship is present in the book. I love how it didn’t change Gwen & Ambers friendship one bit. I hated that Gwen’s ¿manager? Mike was as horrible to her as he was, but sadly that’s not an unusual reaction for both the time period and the industry. I would have liked to see this developed a little more too as I think it could have been interesting to see his lies unfold (like his name not being Mike).
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Oh wow I loved this book. I want MORE. I was so sad when this ended. I loved listening to it on audio but there were a few times I wish I had the physical book in front of me (I’ll likely be buying it to add to my shelf anyway because I really loved it). I don’t typically love having lyrics or extra add-ins like news articles but in this case I think it added to the story. It was a little awkward hearing the songs on audio book (spoken word over background music) but otherwise I LOVED being able to listen to this.
I didn’t like Wes from the start and was hoping that it would be Amber & Axel from their very first interactions on Venice beach. I hated how Wes treated Amber and how he always wanted to keep her a secret. Axel and Amber had so much chemistry, and I love that they didn’t hook up that first time they kissed. I love that their relationship formed out of love. I was rooting for them the whole time.
I also disliked that Gwen got so upset with her- they weren’t even actually dating! I get that lying sucks but I think she took it a bit too far. I’m glad they got past it in the end and were able to med their friendship.
I think Amber & Sonny’s relationship was especially interesting. It showed how even the most well intentioned men in the music industry (especially during the late 90s- early 00s) were a little creepy or expected women to look/act a certain way. I love that he was a father figure and helped her when she needed an abortion but hate how she was expected to go on to work as normal. I would have loved more on their relationship. I also would have loved more on her body image issues. Early on it seemed as if she was brewing an eating disorder (I mean she passed out on stage) and I think it could have been interesting to see that develop more.
One of my favorite aspects of this book is the lack of drugs and alcohol. While it’s definitely present in the story, her life wasn’t overtaken by cocaine or drinking (lil Daisy Jones and the Six). Amber was very humanized as a celebrity and felt very real which allowed me to have a better understanding of her character and develop more empathy.
GWEN AND TAMMY. I think it’s so important that this relationship is present in the book. I love how it didn’t change Gwen & Ambers friendship one bit. I hated that Gwen’s ¿manager? Mike was as horrible to her as he was, but sadly that’s not an unusual reaction for both the time period and the industry. I would have liked to see this developed a little more too as I think it could have been interesting to see his lies unfold (like his name not being Mike).
Messy Love by Holly Caste
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The fact that I have no more books to read by Holly Caste right now makes me so sad because WOW I love the way she tells such powerful, fun, inspiring (I could go on fangirling forever) and amazing stories.
I loved Mateo in the first book, but I definitely gained a lot more respect for him throughout this one. His ability to forgive others, strive to protect the ones he loves, and want to help others is truly amazing. I absolutely loved having his POV in this book. It added so much to the story - especially during the times that they weren’t together - and really showed some of the emotional turmoil he was facing from the end of book 1.
Ellie. Oh Ellie. My heart. She has my whole heart. A book review isn’t really the place to get *personal* but I am gonna get a lil bit here anyway. I see so much of her in myself to the point where it HURT to read parts of this book. While I have never been in an emotionally abusive relationship to the same degree that she has, I have struggled with my mental health in the past. The revelations she has throughout this book really struck me. The reason why she decides to go to therapy, the letters Mateo finds in her mom’s house, the feelings of hopelessness and self-hatred. I even understand her to the degree of tracing over scars on my left arm in times of high anxiety. Seeing a character portrayed this way really stood out to me, and I’m SO GLAD this story was able to be told.
Ellie is so strong, fierce, and loving. I love how hard she loves Mateo, how much she cares for the people in her life even when she doesn’t know how to show it. I love her drive to better herself, and not let someone else “fix” things for her.
Hunter. JAIL. While annotating this book I think I wrote this on at LEAST 30 pages. I didn’t have an “ick” tab for him this time, but he did take up all my “anger” ones. Every time I thought he couldn’t get worse he somehow did, to a shocking extent. I hate him. My thoughts on him really are just jail.
This is a book that I will be holding near and dear to my heart. I can’t wait to read what Holly Caste writes next 🩵
I loved Mateo in the first book, but I definitely gained a lot more respect for him throughout this one. His ability to forgive others, strive to protect the ones he loves, and want to help others is truly amazing. I absolutely loved having his POV in this book. It added so much to the story - especially during the times that they weren’t together - and really showed some of the emotional turmoil he was facing from the end of book 1.
Ellie. Oh Ellie. My heart. She has my whole heart. A book review isn’t really the place to get *personal* but I am gonna get a lil bit here anyway. I see so much of her in myself to the point where it HURT to read parts of this book. While I have never been in an emotionally abusive relationship to the same degree that she has, I have struggled with my mental health in the past. The revelations she has throughout this book really struck me. The reason why she decides to go to therapy, the letters Mateo finds in her mom’s house, the feelings of hopelessness and self-hatred. I even understand her to the degree of tracing over scars on my left arm in times of high anxiety. Seeing a character portrayed this way really stood out to me, and I’m SO GLAD this story was able to be told.
Ellie is so strong, fierce, and loving. I love how hard she loves Mateo, how much she cares for the people in her life even when she doesn’t know how to show it. I love her drive to better herself, and not let someone else “fix” things for her.
Hunter. JAIL. While annotating this book I think I wrote this on at LEAST 30 pages. I didn’t have an “ick” tab for him this time, but he did take up all my “anger” ones. Every time I thought he couldn’t get worse he somehow did, to a shocking extent. I hate him. My thoughts on him really are just jail.
This is a book that I will be holding near and dear to my heart. I can’t wait to read what Holly Caste writes next 🩵
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Anything Rae Touches by Holly Caste
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
WELL HOLY CRAP
**this is your warning for spoilers ahead, if you don’t want spoilers don’t read this, go read the book instead it’s 10000000000% worth it**
Right from the beginning of this book I was HOOKED. I was so intrigued by Rae’s character, and wanted to know why she was starting this new life in Golden Bay.
The story from the past was SO WELL integrated in with the present. It truly left me thinking about what truly that horrible day was. Was there an incident at the party? Potential drunk driving accident? Assault? Only right before it was revealed did I start to even imagine it was a school shooting. As someone who lived close to Newtown when the Sandy Hook shooting happened, this resonated with me deeply. I feel as if so many stories that portray the awful gun violence in our world only touch on the moment of the tragedy or even only a few months after. I love how this explored their adult life, and showed the lasting effects something like this could have on someone. Addiction, fear of getting close to people, nightmares, panic attacks, etc. The trauma and internal turmoil both Miles and Rae work through both together and separately is portrayed fantastically. I just - wow I loved this book.
The overall relationship between Rae and Miles is so sweet and touching. I love the spice level - it’s just enough that you get to see more into their characters, and get to witness their insane chemistry, but not too much that the book lacks plot. If anything it’s just a nice lil sprinkle of spice on top of an absolutely stunning story.
The side characters are also extremely notable. Sam feels like such a father figure throughout the book in the best way. He guides Miles and Rae through their struggles and provides insight whenever they feel as if the world around them is too much. He’s pretty much the steady voice of reason.
Emma is such a sweet girl, and I’m so excited to read her story and find out what she is like on a deeper level. The friendship her and Rae develop is heartwarming. She’s the opposite of Rae, similar to how her sister Cara was, but they work really well as friends. They both care for each other deeply and it’s so sweet.
I love the recurring bits like Rae’s choker that was given to her by Cara early on in the book, on the morning of their tragedy. I also adore how Rae says Cara is gold, and how the theme of her being this sunshine reoccurs all the way to the end.
I’m simply obsessed. I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud. I can’t WAIT to read Emma and Grayson’s story, and I also am SO excited to dig into more books by Holly Caste. I’d give this a million stars if I could.
**this is your warning for spoilers ahead, if you don’t want spoilers don’t read this, go read the book instead it’s 10000000000% worth it**
Right from the beginning of this book I was HOOKED. I was so intrigued by Rae’s character, and wanted to know why she was starting this new life in Golden Bay.
The story from the past was SO WELL integrated in with the present. It truly left me thinking about what truly that horrible day was. Was there an incident at the party? Potential drunk driving accident? Assault? Only right before it was revealed did I start to even imagine it was a school shooting. As someone who lived close to Newtown when the Sandy Hook shooting happened, this resonated with me deeply. I feel as if so many stories that portray the awful gun violence in our world only touch on the moment of the tragedy or even only a few months after. I love how this explored their adult life, and showed the lasting effects something like this could have on someone. Addiction, fear of getting close to people, nightmares, panic attacks, etc. The trauma and internal turmoil both Miles and Rae work through both together and separately is portrayed fantastically. I just - wow I loved this book.
The overall relationship between Rae and Miles is so sweet and touching. I love the spice level - it’s just enough that you get to see more into their characters, and get to witness their insane chemistry, but not too much that the book lacks plot. If anything it’s just a nice lil sprinkle of spice on top of an absolutely stunning story.
The side characters are also extremely notable. Sam feels like such a father figure throughout the book in the best way. He guides Miles and Rae through their struggles and provides insight whenever they feel as if the world around them is too much. He’s pretty much the steady voice of reason.
Emma is such a sweet girl, and I’m so excited to read her story and find out what she is like on a deeper level. The friendship her and Rae develop is heartwarming. She’s the opposite of Rae, similar to how her sister Cara was, but they work really well as friends. They both care for each other deeply and it’s so sweet.
I love the recurring bits like Rae’s choker that was given to her by Cara early on in the book, on the morning of their tragedy. I also adore how Rae says Cara is gold, and how the theme of her being this sunshine reoccurs all the way to the end.
I’m simply obsessed. I laughed, I cried, I gasped out loud. I can’t WAIT to read Emma and Grayson’s story, and I also am SO excited to dig into more books by Holly Caste. I’d give this a million stars if I could.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexual content, and Mass/school shootings
Blurry Messes (Scarred Hearts Duet, #1) by Holly Caste
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Well I could cry over how much I love this book. And I did. On a plane. This book really hit me, and honestly made me think of a time in my own life that I am so happy to be on the other side of.
Ellie is such a complex character and I find that I identify with her in a few ways. Having an ex who consistently played mind games or blamed me for things entirely not my fault, the experience of panic attacks, and even all the way to struggles with self harm. She is kind, yet will defend those she cares about to the end of the earth. She is strong, yet insecure. She loves HARD. She is learning to love herself.
Hunter is dick. I literally hated him since the beginning and made an annotation tab key labeled “ick” just for him. I ran out of sticky notes for that color. And that doesn’t even include the ones I marked under “mad”. Ellie deserves better, she just sadly didn’t know what better looked like. I resonate with that too.
Mateo. Oh Mateo. What a beautifully flawed character. He is the broody bad boy that has a damaged past that we all love to love. He has a heart of gold under his tattooed exterior and rough past. He helps teach Ellie how to love herself instead of trying to “fix” her. He is patient. He is kind. He is a caretaker. He is the definition of going through a shitty situation and coming out the other side better, even if the sharp edges still cut through sometimes.
The chemistry between Mateo and Ellie throughout the book is truly beautiful. From the formulation of their friendship, to the start of a friends-with-benefits, to a relationship they show so much love and kindness to each other even in times of fear and uncertainty. They listen and let the other be vulnerable and it is truly beautiful. They even have some AMAZING 🌶️🌶️ (🗄️☕️🚪, iykyk).
Due to the cliffhanger at the end I am PROMPTLY picking up the second book and thank goodness I’m currently on a plane and have more time to simply enjoy their story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use and Sexual harassment