chelsiejoallen's reviews
195 reviews

Sunshine with You by Layna James

emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

Man o man can I relate to so many parts of this story! I loved Ashlie, the overthinking 

Anxiety and questioning every aspect of life is something I know all too well. Hunter is this to perfect best friend and you can’t help but yell at them to get their act together and wake up. This story has spice, angst, love and so much emotion. It was my first book by Layna James and she wrote it beautifully! 

Best Friends for Never by Teagan Hunter

emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-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

You can’t go wrong with a small town, second chance romance! This was a cute story and I enjoyed Teagan’s writing style! This was definitely a slow burn, so slow that it took the main characters grandma and mom to finally get the characters to move. Parker and Noel had the once in a lifetime love that doesn’t die no matter how much time goes by but they are too afraid to move on their feelings after so many years apart. It’s a quick read but a good story! 

Mr. Swoony by Piper Rayne

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-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

Conor Nilsen has stolen my heart! This was such a fun book, I listened to the audiobook and really loved all of the different voices for narration. I love that Conor and Eloise were full speed ahead once they met and had the instant connection! Eloise trust and independence after living the life she was, was a breath of fresh air from some of the helpless FMC I’ve read about  lately. I received this book as an ALC so this was the first book of the series I’ve read/listened too but I can’t wait to go back to the first two! I really hope Tweetie gets his second chance romance! All of the supporting characters really helped shape this story and made it fun! 

Choosing You by Taylor Wilson-West

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-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

Wow what an emotionally raw story! This book felt so real. Taylor has such a way with her writing that you could feel every aspect of this book! This story will break you over and over. The angst and jealousy throughout was something else! Poor Henry, you just want to hug him and shield him from all evil. Banks on the other hand was one that took me awhile to get to like. I wanted to chuck my kindle a couple of times. 

Game Changer by Piper Lawson

emotional funny lighthearted 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

3.5

   Usually reviews come easy to me but I’m struggling with this one. I didn’t love the book but certainly didn’t hate it! 

   I thought Clay and Nova’s story started out really cute, the way they met was unconventional and not a typical romance story meet up. I love that he was this broody, secretive but sensitive guy who meets this anxious, mess of a woman on a plane and does everything he can to help her until touch down. 

   I love that from the moment he realized who she was at the stadium, he was in her corner supporting her even though he had every reason not to. I loved that even though Nova had been dealt shitty cards up until now she was still strong and things were finally happening in her favor especially with the art portraits. 

   I was a little lost a couple times about who made certain things happen like when her art appeared at the auction and how Clay knew what song Novas mom sung. I had the audiobook but when I went back I didn’t hear when Nova told him exactly what song it was. I could have missed that part but I thought I only heard her mentioning a song that their mom sang and she couldn’t find it. 

   I have mixed feelings about Mari and Harlan. There was something off about them that I didn’t like! Harlan was super shady throughout the whole book and I was constantly waiting for the shoe to drop. Brooke was my favorite character and the best hype girl out there and I LOVED her! I wish there was a story about her! 

   I really dislike that this is a trilogy. The “cliffhanger” wasn’t really a cliffhanger and I felt like this story was too rushed for there to be no ending to Nova and Clays story. I personally like when a characters full story is in one book. I received this ALC from Valentine PR and I will listen to the next story only because I’m intrigued but I don’t know if I would buy all three stories when it could have easily been done in one book. 

   Overall I think this is a very cute story line and I genuinely like Clay and Nova. I just wish it wasn’t spread over three books. 

Tropes:

❤️‍🔥Basketball Sports Romance

❤️‍🔥Grumpy/Sunshine 

❤️‍🔥Forbidden 

❤️‍🔥Close Proximity 

❤️‍🔥Slow Burn 

By The Letter by Julia Wolf

emotional funny sad fast-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

4.0

I’m a sucker for a good accidental pregnancy story! This one definitely hit the mark! This book will make you laugh as well as pull at your heartstrings! Those Wells men….❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥  especially Ben! I was hooked from the beginning and couldn’t put it down. 

Seal the Deal by Hailey Rodger

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

This was a very sweet and heartwarming debut novel! Hailey did a great job writing this story and you could definitely feel her personality shine through! Charlie is strong and loving, while Jake is possessive and fun! I love the way Jake connected with the kids right away and we won’t talk about the brownies lol! It might have been a little to sweet for me at time but overall a great book! 

When We Burn by Kristen Proby

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad tense fast-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

This books if filled with so much emotion, pain and love! I was crying in the beginning so be prepared! Poor Dani needs to catch a break, the poor girls been through enough! I loved Bridger, he is protective and so sweet! Their love was one for the books and the spice started early. This is the first book in her new series and I can’t wait for more! 

Fates Demise by H.J. Cartwright

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I wish I could rate this book 10/5!!! H.J. Cartwright deserves a standing ovation and this is now my favorite book to date! I will be running not walking to go read book 1 & 2! I couldn’t put this book down and it emotionally broke me! I’ve never had a book hit so deeply. It was full of suspense, love and spice! It was thrilling from the start and there were so many twists that I wasn’t expecting! I really loved that each chapter had its own song and the whole book was a playlist. Nate and Scarlett’s relationship left me in awe with how much love and understanding they had. This story was beautifully written and H.J. Cartwright sure has a knack for writing! 

Tropes: 

Romantic Suspense

Slow Burn 

Forced Proximity 

Tortured Past MMC 

Healing Heroine

Found Family 

Where the Forest Meets the Stars by Glendy Vanderah

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad 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

4.0

This was a super cute story! I loved Ursa, her character was well thought out and executed! You couldn’t help but fall in love with her from the very beginning! Her story was super sad and it definitely pulled at your heartstrings! 

    Jo, the strong, independent and lovable grad student! I love how she went with her gut and always did what she felt was right for Ursa! I’m really glad that in the end she got to foster Ursa! 

    Gabe was a fun character and always the voice of reason! I love how he supported both Jo and Ursa even with all his own issues! 

   This was a very heartwarming and unique story!