chelsiejoallen's reviews
195 reviews

Coincidentally Kismet by Kelli Cooke

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

If you like a slow-burn romance this story is for you! It was a little too slow for me but still a heartwarming story! I thought over all this was a good book but there were a few things that fell a little short for me. It started out strong and ended well but the middle lacked some excitement. The romance felt a little awkward and rushed. It also had a lot of repetition when it came to their insecurity issues and drug on a little. I loved their banter and how charged they were when they were together. The supporting characters also made it fun to read especially Lo and Daveed!

Crossroads by Devney Perry

emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

I’m a sucker for a cowboy/ranching romance, though this lacked both of these and was more of a ranching/resort type romance. The first half of the book was a little slow and confusing with how it was written. The time line jumped a bit and the story line was missing some key components but the very end made it all come together. Indya and Weston had a cute story line and you couldn’t help but root for them from the beginning. It’s definitely an emotional ending and I wasn’t prepared for it! 

Fall Into You by Caroline Frank

emotional tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Oh what can I say about Liza and majestic Matt? I thought this was a cute story but the drama of not telling her brother got a little old. Matt is super patient and I feel like there was a lot of repeat drama  revolving Liza’s brother. To me it was drug out when there could have been another drama source. The author is talented and I would like to read another story of hers since so many people rave about her books.

Chasing Headlines by J Rose Black

adventurous fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

This was the slowest burn I have read but I loved it! I am not much of a baseball fan but I couldn’t put this book down! The banter between Olivia and Breslin was everything! I can’t wait for the next book with that cliffhanger! 

Chase Lovett Wants Me by Helena Hunting

adventurous emotional funny 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

ARC Review 

This is a super cute young adult romance with some spice! There are definitely young immature aspects to this story but it is overall super cute and a fast read. I love that Cammie starts off self conscious and timid but then turns into a literal warrior queen! Chase is the hot hockey star that does everything he can to show Cammie just how hot she is! He treats her like the queen she is and helps her shine! Helen Hunting did an awesome job with this story and putting a ton of different aspects to it but keeping it all connected and easy to read! I love that it start with Cammie being invisible and nerdy but finishing with Cammie being the queen she is. I’m not a Lord of the Rings person but because of Cammie I would read it! 

Your Rule To Break by Rachel Laberge

emotional funny 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

5.0

I loved loved loved this book! There is just something about a golden retriever mmc that makes me fall in love over and over again! Zack knows exactly what Emilie needs every step of the way and he does it in the most precious ways! Emilie was dealt some crappy hands in the family department and needed someone in her corner to love her and there wasn’t a more perfect person than Zack! Rachel LeBerge adds comedy, heart throb and just enough gut punch to make this story, the perfect love story! 

Someday Not Soon by Amelia Chasen

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

Someday Not Soon

ARC Review 

“Sometimes all I see in myself is the bad, the negative. Like I’m a dark storm cloud in a bright sky. But then you say things like that, and it makes me start to believe that maybe I’m wrong about myself. Maybe there is a light in me too. It makes me want to see myself the way you do.” This quote from Someday Not Soon is the perfect line for the whole story! Ella had a rough upbringing, she never felt loved or wanted from her parents. She has always had to rely on herself and isn’t used to having anyone in her corner. Jude is Ella’s best friend’s brother and was sent to rescue Ella from a bad date.  He fell in love with Ella that day and has been coming to her rescue since. Amelia Chasen is really good at connecting you with the characters and making you feel all of the emotions. When reading the first few chapters I wasn’t sure about jumping back and forth in the time line but she did a good job executing it and making it easy to follow. This was a cute story and you were rooting for Ella and Jude from the very beginning! I love a second chance love story and this one definitely hits all the feels! 

✨ Doctor

✨Second Chances

✨Emotional Scars

✨Small Town

✨The One That Got Away

Tempting Perfection by Kristin Mayer

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.75

Tempting Perfection

Explosive, steamy and funny are all ways I would explain this book! From the beginning of the series we were introduced to Sawyer and Kurt. What started as roommate wars turned into a bang of feelings and comical banter. Sawyer is an organized neat freak that has to have a plan and control of everything. Kurt is a famous rockstar that loves deeply and would do anything for his friends and family! He is a mess and loves to rock the boat when it comes to Sawyer! They both have secrets and will do anything to protect the other! Kristin Mayer does such a great job with the drama and adding to it until the very end! It’s well thought out and easy to follow. Just when you think you know what’s happening she throws in another twist and when the book is finished you didn’t expect what happened! I love the in depth details and emotion this book has. You are laughing one moment and have your heart strings pulled the next.  A perfect end to a great series! 

Wildly Inappropriate by Emma Kate

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

ARC Review
“You look like a goddamn angel and taste like you were sent down from Heaven just for me.” This book delivers on every level, it’s spicy, witty and so emotional! Emma Kate does a fantastic job of making you feel the chemistry between the characters and all the other feels throughout this book! JT the professional golfer who bears the weight of his slimy parents. Lila is the sister to professional golfer Jameson Walker, JT’s best friend. They can’t stand each other but when forced to live with one another for a few weeks tensions turn to flames and they can’t help but fall! This book was such an easy but fun read, and I can’t wait to read more from Emma! Thanks for letting me be on the ARC team for Wildly Inappropriate! 

✨Spicy

✨Professional Athlete

✨Small Town 

✨Enemies-to-Lovers

✨Forced Proximity 

✨Brother’s Best Friend

Flawless Perfection by Kristin Mayer

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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? No

5.0

I wasn’t sure how I felt with such a cliffhanger from Untouched Perfection going into the second book Flawless Perfection. I loved it just as much as the first one! Kristin Mayer has such a way with grabbing your attention and keeping it throughout the whole book. There is always a level of suspense with this series and you’re  constantly waiting for something to happen. I love that Garrick was still the overprotective alpha and that Knoah was still her strong independent character even after learning of her family. This book was action packed and even with all of the twists the plot was easy to follow. My mission now is to make a really yummy mint chocolate chip cookie!