charese_reads's reviews
482 reviews

My Rose by E.S. Portman

dark emotional funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

4/5 ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️… this is a good dark romance read. It’s attention mafia romance without it being specifically mafia based. The MMC( Briggs) is just such a touch her and ***, type of MMC. You can see how much he cares for her. The MFC is bratty when she needs to be but also so cute and adorable. I really enjoyed this book, it seemed a little long about 50% of the way into it but I was so hooked with the characters I kept reading and man am I so grateful I did because I loved the whole book overall! The author really knows how to describe good scenes… they are 🌶️ 🥵!

My December Darling by Lauren Asher

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

This was a cute Christmas romance novel. It was a solid 3/5 ⭐️… nothing too crazy for me but I still was glad to listen through the whole book. Cute dialogue between the two main characters. 

A Christmas Date by Camilla Isley

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

This book is hard to rate for me. It was an audio book and I finished it. But I feel like I could’ve dnfed it. I didn’t like the argument between the sisters. I felt like it was so heavy and out of no where. I felt like that relationship twist just was overdone and not needed. All in all probably should’ve DNFed it but ended up finishing this audiobook. 

Merry Kissmas by Piper Rayne

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

4.0

This is a cute holiday romance book. I like that it took the competition family rivalry Christmas traditions can have and added a twist of it being in pairs. I thought the relationship of the MC was cute and I was rooting for them the whole time. Super cute and easy to read. 

Can I Tell You Something? by Holly June Smith

funny lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

So for as far as romance books this was hands down a 5 ⭐️! The tension between the two is unbelievable and how it’s depicted is a just so good! I absolutely loved this audiobooks it was just great! The spice was amazing and the author just picked the write words to really hit the spot. So good! 

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Wow 🤯 😍. This book was phenomenal. I listened to the audio and even though it’s a single POV there was a male narrator for all the male voices and that was just top-tier. I am in love with both of these main characters. They both were just so easy to relate to and to like. The banter between them was just amazing! The narration for the banter was 10 out of 10. I will most definitely be buying a trophy for my bookshelf, but I have decided to wait until the special editions come out. I cannot express how much I love this book. It will probably be my favorite book for December and it will definitely be one of my favorite fantasy books of all time.

Seas and Greetings by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

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

3.0

This novella in this series was super cute. I like the mystery aspect that was added and how they needed to figure out who was blackmailing Addy. Cute and a quick read. The spice was spicy and good!

In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Cute holiday romance. It was a take on the traditional Groundhog Day until you get it right but shortened. Cute easy read. 

A Holly Jolly Ever After by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.5

Oh gosh did these two authors do it again! I’m in love with this series! After the previous novella being not for me I was a little hesitant but as soon as I found out the MMC was Kallum I was so excited for it!  Then you add in the MFC being raises in “purity” culture I  knew this one was going to hit. I read this so fast I loved the tension and angst between the two MC.  I just cannot wait to keep reading this series. 
Spice: 3.5-4 🌶️
Rating 4.5 ⭐️ 

The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen

lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

3.0

I really enjoyed the 1st book in this series and was so excited to keep reading this series. I just felt like it slowly became a little more and more less interesting for me. I feel like it could’ve been wrapped up in a duology and there was a lot that wasn’t needed and just seemed long.