chelsiejoallen's reviews
195 reviews

Into the Mountains by Kelsey Schulz

emotional funny 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 such an adorable romcom! Charlotte and Elias are such a fun couple and I loved the banter. I really enjoyed the dual timeline and thought it was executed nicely and really brought the story together. There were a lot  of emotions in this story and some sensitive topics and I thought Kelsey did a nice job with how she wrote them. This book had just enough spice, you could really feel the chemistry! I’m sad to see the series come to an end. 

Love Me Gently by Stacey Lynn

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Let me start by saying this was a great story line! I loved the concept and it started out really good! It grabs you from the first page and you can’t wait for the shoe to drop which happens literally at the end of the last chapter. What I struggled with was the middle and how the end was executed. The middle drug on and on and on. What should have take a couple of chapters was drug out and really lacked any oomph. The time line also jumped around and made it confusing to try to understand how long she had been with Cole and her healing. For as bad as Jonathan was and as powerful as he seemed, waiting a couple of weeks to do anything seemed odd, I wish there would have been more drama throughout with him and Trina finding herself quicker. I also found it odd that with as broken as she was and as much as she hated herself she got engaged to Cole so quickly. It lacked in a lot of important areas and I’m sad because this book should be a 5 star story! 

Even If You Fall by Molly Barlowe

adventurous emotional funny 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

I love all things Molly! Her books always leave me wanting more! Adam and Chloe’s story was no different, it was the swoon-worthy enemies to lovers. It made me feel all the feels and was the perfect blend of romance and drama! I always feel such a connection with Molly’s characters that make you feel you are in the story with them! I can’t wait for the next one! 

Make you mine by Nicole Waterhouse

4.0

Penalty Kill by Lexi James

emotional funny 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

What an ending to an amazing series! If a series is going to end, I wish they all ended with a bang like this! The tension, the chemistry, the spice and the final YES ABOUT TIME moment! I loved Stella and Miles, they are such a power house couple! 

After All This Time by Lea Rose

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

This was my first novel by Lea Rose and I have to say her writing is exceptional! I felt like I was immersed in the story and not just reading it. This book has the tension, sloooow burn and all the chemistry you want in a book! I loved Tobias and Amelia, the true meaning of soulmates! 

For Fillies and Monsters by Landyn Hill

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book had me hooked from the beginning and it is one heck of a debut! It is DARK and I mean DARK cowboy romance and not at all the normal books I read but I did enjoy this! There was a suspense element throughout the whole book that kept those pages turning. I felt all the emotions while reading this book but I will say it was a little to slow of a slow burn and the hate between them carried a little to long. 

The Pursuit of Happiness by A.M. DiTota

4.0

Loving Cara by Kristen Proby

emotional lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

3.0

I’m going to start this by saying I LOVE LOVE LOVE Kristen Proby’s books, but this one really fell short in my opinion. I feel like there was a lot missing, it was rushed and the secondary characters really over powered the story. Josh was also a huge jerk and I was turned off by him pretty early on! There was also a ton of high school drama and very petty mean girls that just made it seem immature. I will say I can’t wait for the one with Zach, Seth and Jillian, I really hope that one is more like her other books. 

When I Come Back by Alise Monroe

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad 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

What a beautiful written debut novel that was so emotional, raw and so very real! I had to go back and check to make sure I read it correctly when I saw this was a debut novel! Alise Monroe has a talent for writing and I really can’t wait for more! You can’t help but fall in love with Cary even though he is flawed in more ways than one (ok who isn’t) but he works so hard to better himself! Thea being the strong willed, wears her heart on her sleeve and never forgot the love she had for Cary. Once you start this book you can’t put it down!