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chaptersofchase's Reviews (1.12k)
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one is a bookstagram made me do it ๐ฉท
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of P.S. I Hate You {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 12.3.2024
Pages: 432
Star Rating: โโโโ
โYou can be sad with your eyes dry; your pain is valid in whatever form it comes.โ
I didnโt have PS I Hate You on my reading list because the concept seemed so sad, and there were a lot of tear-filled reviews being shared. But, as with most things, the more I see it, the more FOMO I have, so I decided to dive in and give it a try.
Maybe Iโm just super jaded, but the story didnโt take the emotional toll on me as it did on many friends. The main reason is that I did not love the FMC, Maddie Sanderson. She seemed overly self-absorbed, lacked effective communication strategies, and just wasnโt the lovable character that I had hoped to find. Sure, she did grow on me, and I loved seeing her character growthโbut it was one of those too little, too late situations.
Now, the character that I loved was Dominic Perryโoh, how I wouldโve loved to have chapters from his perspective. He was even-tempered, supportive, and knew how to be an active listener. I loved how much he supported and loved Maddie until she was ready for him. He put it all out there and waited patiently for her to come to her senses.
I think I wouldโve loved this story even more if it had been told from the perspective of one characterโI canโt say who because it gives away a big plot point. But as the reader, we spent a small amount of time with the specific character, and wow, what a difference it wouldโve made if the entire book had been told from their POV.
Audiobook Review: โโโโโ
Karissa Vacker narrated PS I Hate You, and I really donโt think I need to explain why I gave her audiobook narration five stars. She is one of the GOATs in the voice-acting community.
Read if you enjoy:
๐ญ Family drama
๐ Road trips
๐๐ผ Character growth
๐ข Themes of loss & grief
I recommend reading P.S. I Hate You if you enjoy compelling character growth and a little romance.
_____
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slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
The Sirens ๐งโโ๏ธ
Thank you, St Martin's Press, for the gifted copy of The Sirens {partner}
Genre: Fantasy
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 4.1.2025
Pages: 352
Star Rating: โโโ.5
The Sirens started much slower than I anticipatedโI started and stopped it several times because it wasn't the speed I was looking for. But once the start hit the 40% mark, it really took off and completely pulled me into its orbit. There was an unexpected twist and an overwhelming sense of forbidding that also propelled me forward with my reading.
While the story didn't have the same feel as Wayward's, it was still remarkable regarding resilience, sisterhood, and self-discovery. The characters grew so much within the book that they almost seemed unrecognizable when I turned the last page. Each character brought their unique perspective to the story, and as difficult as it was to read the chapters set in 1800 (due to content), I stuck with the sisters and hoped for a better outcome than it seemed they were destined for.
Audiobook Review: โโโโโ
The Sirens was narrated by Barrie Kreinik, who also narrated Migrations, No Two Persons, The Soulmate, Reckless Girls, and We Are the Brennans. Kreinik did an incredible job ( as always) and narrated The Sirens, each character in a way that differentiated one from the other โ which is not an easy job, seeing as many characters were nestled within the pages of the story.
Read if you enjoy:
๐ Slow build
๐ Atmospheric
โ๐ผ Dual timeline
๐ช๐ผ Female empowerment
๐ Folklore
I recommend The Sirens if you're looking for a rich, atmospheric read with characters you can root for.
______
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emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
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
If there is one book that you need to add to your 2025 TBR list, itโs this one ๐คฉ
Thank you, Flatiron Books, for the gifted copy of Wild Dark Shore {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 3.4.2025
Pages: 320
Star Rating: โโโโโ
Itโs impossible to say just how impactful Charlotte McConaghyโs books have become to me. I always know they will transport me to places Iโd only dreamed of seeing through her vivid details and incredible storylines. And just as I know I will love her books, I also know there will be a piece of my heart that the story takes with me when it ends.
Wild Dark Shore is arguably her best book yet. Itโs going on my top reads of the year, and I will recommend it to everyone who could use a reminder about what beautiful, thought-provoking, and impactful books can look like. Once I finished the last page, I just had to sit back and contemplate what Iโd read, cry, and then try to formulate something to adequately portray just how incredible this book is.
Iโve always been fascinated by the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, so reading a book based on something similar completely captivated my mind. There was reference after reference to the precious seeds stored away in case there is ever a need for them for the future of food supply. I learned so much, but at the same time, I felt the growing ache in my chest at what the seed vault means about our world and just how critical protecting our planet is. From the food crops to the plants and the trees - itโs all connected; without one, there is no other.
Itโs very rare for me to love all of the characters in a book, but I can promise you that Dominic, Fen, Rowan, Orly, and Raff have a very special place in my heart.
Read if you enjoy:
๐ฒ Nature writing
๐ฅน Unforgettable characters
๐ Vivid descriptions
๐ต๐ฝโโ๏ธ Mystery
๐ Climate change themes
I highly recommend Wild Dark Shore and canโt wait to see it in the world. I promise this one will stay with me for a long time, and I will be reading it again. I recommend reading Wild Dark Shore if you enjoyed reading The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton or Drowning by TJ Newman
______
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medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ruining one romance trope at a time ๐
Thank you, Forever Publishing, for the gifted e-copy of Unromance {partner}
Genre: Romance
Trope: all of them!
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 1.14.2025
Pages: 352
Star Rating: โโโ
I loved the premise for this - a jaded actor who enlists a romance writer to ruin romance tropes one at a time. Why? Because he's hoping it'll keep him from finding the romance in all the "little" moments of a new relationship.
The book's first third was so much - I enjoyed the character's banter and especially loved Mason. There was just something about him that gave me major romance vibes. However, Sawyer was a bit grating on my nerves. Something about her irked me from the beginning, and as the book wore on, I started to resent the way she acted and treated Mason. His character deserved a lot more than she was willing to bring to the relationship - which is not her fault; she was clear about her intentions from the start.
My biggest issue with the story is that there is no character chemistry. The only thing Mason and Sawyer are interested in is having sex or thinking about sex. When your two main characters lack the sizzle that makes a romance steamy, it makes it hard to believe in them as characters or see anything appealing about their relationship.
One thing I loved was the humor that was mixed into the story - I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions.
Read if you enjoy:
๐ซถ๐ผ He Falls First
๐๐ผ Opposites Attract
๐ Debut authors
๐คญ Fun humor
Now, take this with a grain of salt because this is just my opinion of the characters, but there are a lot of glowing reviews out there, so I recommend checking it out for yourself! I plan on reading whatever Erin Connor writes next ๐ฅณ
______
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emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Welcome back to Rome, KY ๐
Thank you, Dell Romance & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Beg Borrow or Steal {partner}
Genre: Romance
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 1.7.2025
Pages: 384
Star Rating: โโโโโ
Putting into words my excitement about finally having the chance to read this book is impossible. I practically begged, tried borrowing it, and was almost sure I could steal an ARC if it meant returning to Rome, Kentucky. I fell in love with this charming small town when I first read When in Rome and then with Practice Makes Perfect and was eager to return. So, when this title arrived in my email, I disregarded everything else and began reading. And when I finished it in record time, I was tempted to go back and start from the beginning.
Emily and Jack stole my heart, mainly Jack, but Emily was pretty cool too. My new favorite trope is probably He Falls First, and boy, did Jack fall first for her. There was something so special about their enemies to lovers, friendship, andfriend-mentorship that had me swooning. They supported one another and cheered on one anotherโs accomplishments (well, once they got over the whole being enemies thing). I love how Sarah Adams incorporates HEALTHy communication strategies into her couple relationships. Thereโs no unnecessary drama - thereโs support, love, and a lot of heart eyes.
Also, I always thought one bed was a great romance trope, but I now believe โhiding in a closet while trying to steal your bossโs laptopโ might be the winner.
Audiobook Review: โโโโโ
I chose to tandem read Beg Borrow and Steal so I could have the best of both worlds (print and audio). The audiobook was narrated by Nelson Hobbs and Brittany Pressley. Both voice actors did an incredible job, and I always love listening along as they bring their characters to life.
Read if you enjoy:
๐๏ธ Small town romance
๐ฅฐ He Falls First
๐ซถ๐ผ Found Family
๐๐ผ Healthy communication
๐คซ Secret authors
If you havenโt read When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, you can read Beg Borrow or Steal as a standalone, but youโll be missing a lot of backstories and missing out on a lot of feel-good moments.
______
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funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can think of no better pairing than Christmas and a mystery ๐๐ต๐ฝโโ๏ธ
Thank you, Mariner Books, for the gifted copy of Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret{partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 10.22.2024
Pages: 175
Star Rating: โโโโ
โErnest Cunningham, a detective reluctantly drawn into a festive murder mystery when his ex-wife is accused of killing her boyfriend, forcing him to unravel a web of secrets and lies amongst a cast of suspicious characters, all while navigating the chaos of the Christmas season,โ
I recently read (and loved) Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone, so naturally, I skipped the second book of the series and went straight for this super fun and cozy Christmas novella. But donโt worry, Iโll be returning to the second book in the series soon!
One of my favorite things about these books is that Ernest Cunningham always breaks the fourth wall and speaks directly to his audience. Something about this formatting draws me right in and keeps my attention. He often gives away an upcoming event, which keeps me reading because I want to know how we get to that point; the author, Benjamin Stevenson, knows how to hold his reader's attention.
For 175 pages, Everyone This Christmas Has a Secret was expertly plotted and left zero room for any funny business. The only thing that irritated me a bit was the Advent Calendar countdown - and this could be a problem because I missed the point of it at the beginning of the book. But I loved the locked room (literally) trope to this book and couldnโt figure out what happened until the end (naturally, when all was revealed).
Read if you enjoy:
๐คญ Humor
๐ Expertly plotted mystery
๐๐ฝโโ๏ธ Single narrator
๐ Breaking the fourth wall
I recommend adding Everyone This Christmas Has A Secret to your holiday reading list. If you donโt get around to it, donโt worryโit will translate just fine during the other months of the year.
______
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dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dang, Alice Feeney, you knocked it out of the park with this one!
Thank you, Macmillan Audio, for the gifted copy of Beautiful Ugly {partner}
Genre: Mystery
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 1.14.2024
Pages: 320
Star Rating: โโโโ.5
"Men still rule this world, and as a result, the world is broken. Men still hold most positions of power, men control governments, men control media, and it is always men who start wars. Men have tricked women into thinking they see us as equals, but real equality, for all women everywhere, still feels like little more than a pipe dream." ๐๐ผ_ this quote.
I started listening to Beautiful Ugly while putting away dishes one morning, and then, before I knew it, the kitchen was clean, clothes were folded, and the house was dusted, vacuumed, and mopped. I was giving my dogs a look that had them hiding under the bed because they thought for sure they were up next to be cleaned. I was grasping at anything I could to keep listeningโFeeney packed so much into each short chapter, and it provided the absolute perfect distraction.
I've always loved the settings that Feeney creates in her books, but the atmosphere and forbidding in Beautiful Ugly were fantastic. There was one theme on the island that I noticed very early on (and I'm curious if others who have read it noticed it as well) โ I kept thinking that I had missed something, but then it was revealed, and I felt like I'd just won "best detective" for figuring it out so early ๐ฅณ
And that ending?? Holy moly. I felt like I had to pick my jaw up off the floor.
Audiobook Review: โโโโ.5
Beautiful Ugly is narrated by Richard Armitage (who has narrated His & Hers and Rock Paper Scissors) and Tuppence Middleton (who narrated A Midnight Feast). I enjoyed the narration, but the performance didn't blow me away. What I did love was the sound effectsโthey absolutely added to the sense of foreboding and left me with goosebumps on several occasions. But really, if audiobooks are your thing, you MUST use your ears to read this one.
Read if you enjoy:
๐
Unique characters
๐ง๏ธ Isolated setting
๐ซฃ Sinister vibes
๐คฏ Endings that leave you shocked
๐ Short Chapters
I recommend adding Beautiful Ugly to your 2025 reading list โ and definitely try out that audio ๐
__
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slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Perfect for the multi-generational story lover!
Thank you, The Dial Press or PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Like Mother Like Mother {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 10.29.2024
Pages: 336
Star Rating: โโโโ
I'm a sucker for a multi-generational story, especially one that focuses on mothers and daughters. But I have to be in the right mood for them because they can be slow-paced and character-driven. Even though Like Mother Like Mother took a bit longer to get going, I couldn't put it down.
The book is divided into three parts, and I usually have a favorite, but the whole thing was full of thought-provoking topics and characters that were both frustrating and endearing.
One of the main characters, Lila Pereira, is the Executive Editor of the Washington Globe, and I loved all the references to current events and political issues. It was a terrific way to add some real-world flavor to the story. Grace is Lila's daughter, and while I completely understood her frustrations with her mother, I did find her character to be a bit grating due to her inability to know where her mother was coming from.
Audiobook Review: โโโโโ
Like Mother Like Mother was narrated by Rebecca Lowman (who has also narrated Slow Dance, Return of Ellie Black, My Murder, and The Half Moon). She did a phenomenal job of bringing all the characters to life. I love an even-toned narrator whose speed I can gradually increase the more I listen and adjust to the narration style. On a personal level, it wasn't easy to keep track of the characters at first, but you eventually settled in.
Read if you enjoy:
๐ Mother/Daughter relationships
๐ช๐ผ Feminist themes
๐ฉ๐ฝโ๐ป Journalism
๐ฉท Multigenerational books
๐ง Hints of mystery
๐ Character-driven stories
While they cover different content, I suggest reading Like Mother Like Mother if you enjoyed the layout and progression of characters in Real Americans by Rachel Khong.
______
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dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Look what you made me do ๐ซ
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Cross My Heart by Megan Collins {partner}
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 1.14.2025
Pages: 313
Star Rating: โโโโ.5
After a tough few days, I needed something to take my mind off things. Thrillers are my go-to when I need a pick-me-up, so I decided to dive into Megan Collins' latest novel, Cross My Heart. And guess what? I was instantly hooked! To be honest, the author's note at the beginning really grabbed my attention ๐
There's something so hypnotizing about a story with an unreliable narrator that they grab me and refuse to let go. I love figuring out the direction the book will go; an unreliable narrator makes that almost impossible. Then, can you add in a few red herrings? It's like cat nip to me. And Cross My Heart had both. I can't tell you the number of times that I knew I had it figured out, only to be proven entirely wrong.
There was something endearing about the FMC Rosie, albeit a bit unhinged. She ultimately pulled me into her world and took me for one wild roller coaster ride. Cross My Heart felt like an ode to Taylor Swift's "Look What You Made Me Do."
Read if you enjoy:
๐๐ผ Twisty AF
๐คฏ Unpredictable & Unreliable Narrators
๐ค Red Herrings
๐ป Stalker Vibes
Behind the Red Door has always been my favorite book from Collins, but Cross My Heart has taken that spot. You'll want to add this one to your 2025 reading list.
______
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emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Pictures of You ๐ธ
Thank you, Zibby Books, for the gifted copy of this beautiful book {partner}
Genre: Fiction
Format: ๐ง๐
Pub Date: 12.12.2024
Pages: 416
Star Rating: โโโโโ
I decided to read Pictures of You without reading the synopsis. Last year, I read and loved The Last Love Note, so I wanted to dive right into Emma Greyโs newest story.
Iโm going to keep my review short because I really do think this story is one of those that is best to let slowly unfoldโit goes with the overall plot. As we relive Evieโs life, we put together all of the missing pieces of her puzzle (before she does, really). I had to fight back tears numerous times because this is one of those books that felt very impactful. It will stay with me for a long long time.
Pictures of You resonated with me on a very personal level and reminded me of a time that I would never go back to, but Iโm also grateful for the experience. That experience taught me what true, selfless love is supposed to look like.
Read if you enjoy:
๐ซถ๐ผ Second chances
๐ Toxic relationships
๐ค Mystery
โ๐ผ Dual POV
๐ฉโโค๏ธโ๐โ๐จ Young love
I recommend reading Pictures of You if you enjoyed reading Love and Other Words.
______
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship