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chelsss_ann's reviews
390 reviews
So Wrong by Abby Millsaps
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
**4.25
So many thoughts warring for first place on this one. Probably the first thing I want to say about this book - don't let that bright and happy looking cover fool you. This book is a why choose with some taboo thrown in there (step-brother, though they didn't grow up together). And it also deals with some heavy topics. I don't want to put them here because one is a spoiler, but check the content warnings on the author's website if you're worried about what they are.
Ok, on to another warring thought. This is definitely a romance, but this is the first book in a series and the majority of it is giving the backstory of Greedy, Levi, and Hunter. I feel so hard for Greedy. That man has been heartbroken, yet dedicated to Hunter even when she's been on the other side of the world and not talking to him. And Levi, ugh. I'm so glad they found a way to take care of him so he didn't have to stay with his mom. Hunter, she is definitely going through it. Her struggles with her mental health are so real in this book, but Abby Millsaps said this is just a lead up. So I don't know how I'm going to handle book two. But I do love how we get their whole story in both dual timelines and multiple POVs.
Now, for the romance aspect. This is a slow burn for sure, but it hurts so good. That last scene, with all three? It's so hot. Which makes me excited for the other books, because I feel like we're going to see more of that (I hope) in the rest of the series.
The end of this book is definitely a cliffhanger. Oh man do I feel for Greedy. I don't know how he's going to deal with this new knowledge or how the new character is going to play into this story fully. So I'm glad I read this after the full series is out so that I don't have to wait to start So Real!
So many thoughts warring for first place on this one. Probably the first thing I want to say about this book - don't let that bright and happy looking cover fool you. This book is a why choose with some taboo thrown in there (step-brother, though they didn't grow up together). And it also deals with some heavy topics. I don't want to put them here because one is a spoiler, but check the content warnings on the author's website if you're worried about what they are.
Ok, on to another warring thought. This is definitely a romance, but this is the first book in a series and the majority of it is giving the backstory of Greedy, Levi, and Hunter. I feel so hard for Greedy. That man has been heartbroken, yet dedicated to Hunter even when she's been on the other side of the world and not talking to him. And Levi, ugh. I'm so glad they found a way to take care of him so he didn't have to stay with his mom. Hunter, she is definitely going through it. Her struggles with her mental health are so real in this book, but Abby Millsaps said this is just a lead up. So I don't know how I'm going to handle book two. But I do love how we get their whole story in both dual timelines and multiple POVs.
Now, for the romance aspect. This is a slow burn for sure, but it hurts so good. That last scene, with all three? It's so hot. Which makes me excited for the other books, because I feel like we're going to see more of that (I hope) in the rest of the series.
The end of this book is definitely a cliffhanger. Oh man do I feel for Greedy. I don't know how he's going to deal with this new knowledge or how the new character is going to play into this story fully. So I'm glad I read this after the full series is out so that I don't have to wait to start So Real!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage
The Endless Fall by Emmerson Hoyt
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to Emmerson Hoyt for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I thought I loved Emmerson's Jackals and Vipers Duet, but The Endless Fall has me in a chokehold. This is the first book in Emmerson's new Deadwood Duet, and oh my gosh I'm left with so many questions!! I literally have no idea who to trust. Even Ryker, as much as I love him, I know he's doing things he shouldn't. But I'm going to hold out that he will end up being the man he is when he's with Willa in book two. Because he and Willa are good for each other, and I don't know if I can handle them not ending up together.
While this is definitely a romance and I am captivated by Willa and Ryker and wondering how their story will play out, I think I was just as obsessed by this plot. There are cult vibes and LOTS of secrets. And I just know something is going to come out about the fire from Willa's childhood. I have a few theories, but honestly, I could see this story taking any of their routes. So I have no idea what's going to happen or how it's going to happen based on the ending of The Endless Fall!
This is book one and you will need to read it before book two comes out. Though we don't have a date for that yet. And while this does end on a cliffhanger, it's still one that's wrapped up pretty nicely. Even if I did DM Emmerson at 4 in morning when I finished the book because I loved it that much.
I thought I loved Emmerson's Jackals and Vipers Duet, but The Endless Fall has me in a chokehold. This is the first book in Emmerson's new Deadwood Duet, and oh my gosh I'm left with so many questions!! I literally have no idea who to trust. Even Ryker, as much as I love him, I know he's doing things he shouldn't. But I'm going to hold out that he will end up being the man he is when he's with Willa in book two. Because he and Willa are good for each other, and I don't know if I can handle them not ending up together.
While this is definitely a romance and I am captivated by Willa and Ryker and wondering how their story will play out, I think I was just as obsessed by this plot. There are cult vibes and LOTS of secrets. And I just know something is going to come out about the fire from Willa's childhood. I have a few theories, but honestly, I could see this story taking any of their routes. So I have no idea what's going to happen or how it's going to happen based on the ending of The Endless Fall!
This is book one and you will need to read it before book two comes out. Though we don't have a date for that yet. And while this does end on a cliffhanger, it's still one that's wrapped up pretty nicely. Even if I did DM Emmerson at 4 in morning when I finished the book because I loved it that much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Rape
Muscles & Monsters by Ashley Bennett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 63%.
I don't mind the word p*ssy, but y'all, it seemed like that was the only word this author knew to describe a woman's genitals. I actually did a search for it, and it's only used 36 times (in a book with 174 pages), but it was used so frequently back to back that it was just too much. He also called her 'sweet thing' and they both were so instalovey.
Savor It by Tarah DeWitt
emotional
funny
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? No
5.0
TLDR: Think BK Borison but with heavier Gilmore Girl town vibes.
Why did no one tell me that I would love Tarah DeWitt? I loved everything about this book. From the colors on the cover to the main characters to what the MCs had to go through for their HEA.
Fisher is so sad. Over his sister. Over his failures. But he is trying so hard to do better. In fact, one of Sage's thoughts really stuck with me about Fisher. "F*ck, he's perfect. No, it's worse because he's imperfect and honest about it and he's deserving of so much love." He wants to do right by Indy, and while I know he had to do what he did at the end of the book, it had me up sobbing in the middle of the night.
As for Sage, I love how comfortable she is with herself. How comfortable she is helping out Fisher and Indy, and having hard conversations with Fisher. I loved that this book really didn't let them get away with the miscommunication trope, because it would have been so easy to do. I also loved how honest she was with herself throughout her relationship with Fisher, especially toward the end.
This book is honestly so good. If you're a contemporary romance lover, this is one you have to pick up. And Ellis and Wren are getting their own book soon! Which I am so happy about!!
Why did no one tell me that I would love Tarah DeWitt? I loved everything about this book. From the colors on the cover to the main characters to what the MCs had to go through for their HEA.
Fisher is so sad. Over his sister. Over his failures. But he is trying so hard to do better. In fact, one of Sage's thoughts really stuck with me about Fisher. "F*ck, he's perfect. No, it's worse because he's imperfect and honest about it and he's deserving of so much love." He wants to do right by Indy, and while I know he had to do what he did at the end of the book, it had me up sobbing in the middle of the night.
As for Sage, I love how comfortable she is with herself. How comfortable she is helping out Fisher and Indy, and having hard conversations with Fisher. I loved that this book really didn't let them get away with the miscommunication trope, because it would have been so easy to do. I also loved how honest she was with herself throughout her relationship with Fisher, especially toward the end.
This book is honestly so good. If you're a contemporary romance lover, this is one you have to pick up. And Ellis and Wren are getting their own book soon! Which I am so happy about!!
The Proposal by Adriana Locke
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Thank you to Adriana Locke and Hambright PR for the free copy to read and review! đź’Ť
This was such a fun romance. It can probably technically be considered a slow burn because we get a lot of tension and banter leading up to their Vegas wedding, but once they realize getting an annulment would put them both in the spotlight in a way they don't want, they literally fall into their attraction to one another and we get lots of steamy scenes. At other times, this felt a lot like it was instalove, but it really wasn't. These two have known each other for like a decade and everyone around them knew there was some type of connection between them. It just took a drunk night for the two of them to realize how strong that connection was and what it could turn into.
There was a bit of a twist that had nothing to do with Renn and Blakely that I didn't really see coming. I'm interested in seeing if that plays into any future books or if it was just a nice little add-on to this story. As for the big conflict in this book, I really enjoyed the way Adrianna Locke worked it out. And I'm excited to see how it plays out through the rest of the Brewer siblings' stories. And throughout their stories, I really hope we get to see more Foxx. Maybe in Bianca's book? With the other bodyguard mentioned?? đź‘€
This was such a fun romance. It can probably technically be considered a slow burn because we get a lot of tension and banter leading up to their Vegas wedding, but once they realize getting an annulment would put them both in the spotlight in a way they don't want, they literally fall into their attraction to one another and we get lots of steamy scenes. At other times, this felt a lot like it was instalove, but it really wasn't. These two have known each other for like a decade and everyone around them knew there was some type of connection between them. It just took a drunk night for the two of them to realize how strong that connection was and what it could turn into.
There was a bit of a twist that had nothing to do with Renn and Blakely that I didn't really see coming. I'm interested in seeing if that plays into any future books or if it was just a nice little add-on to this story. As for the big conflict in this book, I really enjoyed the way Adrianna Locke worked it out. And I'm excited to see how it plays out through the rest of the Brewer siblings' stories. And throughout their stories, I really hope we get to see more Foxx. Maybe in Bianca's book? With the other bodyguard mentioned?? đź‘€
Something in the Walls: A Novel by Daisy Pearce
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you Minotaur books for the early copy in exchange for an honest review.
TLDR: This was creepy but I wish it would have been creepier and definitely more paranormal. Or at least had a blurb that described this book as more dealing with the reactions of people to the possibility of a local girl being possessed by a witch than actual paranormal happenings.
This was a slow moving book for me. I felt like it brought in certain aspects that really weren't necessary to the story (certain fortunes and relationships). The relationship that didn't really add to the story didn't really take away from it either, but the fortune did in a way. It seemed to be a way to try and distract us from the main story, but then nothing else seemed to go along with that fortune.
There was a twist I didn't exactly see coming in this book though. And I liked that it blurred the lines of what we thought we should believe about Alice's story. The descriptions of scenes throughout the book were also so well done. At times I really didn't want to keep going because it was almost too much.
Something in the Walls isn't a bad book, but it wasn't what I was expecting either. If you go into it expecting less of a paranormal thriller, I think you'll enjoy it more.
Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I'm not super into monster smut, but I picked this up out of curiosity because people loved CM Nascosta at ApollyCon last year, and since I'm going back this year, I figured why not find out why people loved this so much. I now know why. This book is honestly so much more than what that cover makes you think. It really touches on interracial relationships and what people of different ethnicities, and immigrants in particular, deal with when they live in an area where they are the minority. For example, having trouble finding foods that are common in their culture or if they are available in a local store, they may be shoved on top or bottom shelves, way out of the way, etc. And how when you're part of the majority, this isn't something you typically think about. And while the spicy scenes are definitely graphic, the actual courtship between Violet and Rourke is honestly so freaking sweet.
I don't have time to work my way through the rest of this series right now if I want to prioritize more authors from ApollyCon, but I know I'll be making my way back to CM Nascosta's backlist in the future.
I don't have time to work my way through the rest of this series right now if I want to prioritize more authors from ApollyCon, but I know I'll be making my way back to CM Nascosta's backlist in the future.
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley, Riley Keough
sad
medium-paced
4.0
I think if you're going to read this book, you should listen to the audiobook. You get insight into Lisa Marie Presley through the recordings of her that I don't think you would get from just words on a page. I also loved the way that Riley Keough helped to complete this memoir, blending together her own perspectives from her life and insights, the recordings of her mother, and stories her mother had told her throughout her life. And Riley's voice is so soothing. It really was a nice touch to such a heartbreaking story.
I definitely think this gave us more insight into the mental health struggles that plagued the Presley and Keough families. From Lisa Marie's childhood growing up with a mother who seemed to not want a child or to share Elvis with a child, to losing her father at such a young age, to growing up with such a high profile celebrity as a father, it's apparent that Lisa Marie had mental health issues that weren't addressed by her mother, even when they were very explicitly brought to her attention. Then throughout her life, from being in the tabloids to losing her son, she often was struggling.
I don't think Riley mentions this in specifics in the book, but the way she talks about her mother, it seems like she's gone through a lot of therapy to really help her understand her mom (total speculation on my part). She gives her mom so much grace and talks about her with so much love and joy, even when talking about times that were strained or hard, like her having to step up and take on more of a parental role. It just really hits something in me, emotionally, to even think about how she talked about her mom so lovingly.
While this book obviously will be loved more by people who love Elvis, this was a really interesting book and a really interesting look into the life of a celebrity. The highlight of this book was the way this audiobook was put together, with pieces from Riley, Lisa Marie's recordings, and then her own writing.
I definitely think this gave us more insight into the mental health struggles that plagued the Presley and Keough families. From Lisa Marie's childhood growing up with a mother who seemed to not want a child or to share Elvis with a child, to losing her father at such a young age, to growing up with such a high profile celebrity as a father, it's apparent that Lisa Marie had mental health issues that weren't addressed by her mother, even when they were very explicitly brought to her attention. Then throughout her life, from being in the tabloids to losing her son, she often was struggling.
I don't think Riley mentions this in specifics in the book, but the way she talks about her mother, it seems like she's gone through a lot of therapy to really help her understand her mom (total speculation on my part). She gives her mom so much grace and talks about her with so much love and joy, even when talking about times that were strained or hard, like her having to step up and take on more of a parental role. It just really hits something in me, emotionally, to even think about how she talked about her mom so lovingly.
While this book obviously will be loved more by people who love Elvis, this was a really interesting book and a really interesting look into the life of a celebrity. The highlight of this book was the way this audiobook was put together, with pieces from Riley, Lisa Marie's recordings, and then her own writing.
Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Thank you to Jill Shalvis and Hambright PR for an early copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
The side characters stole the show for me on this one. I absolutely loved Katie. She’s quirky and straight to the point, but she says things in a way that is so funny. And Joey takes after her so much. Holmes and Pepper are just too cute for words. You can never go wrong with cute animal sidekicks.
As for the main characters, they had chemistry, but it didn’t make sense how they ended up together. Noah swears he doesn’t want a relationship and is constantly running away from his family. Literally says he’s stuck with them, including Olive. Yet she immediately forgives him and they’re together almost immediately afterwards because he says sorry? So many things were forgiven or resolved too easily. Like Olive’s parents being awful parents. Or how Noah’s parents were the reason she left to begin with.
I still flew through this book though. I’d love to read one about Katie and Joe getting together. Or even one about this book from Holmes and Pepper’s POV.
This was my first Jill Shalvis book, but none of the books in this series have anything to do with one another except they’re all set in Sunrise Cove. So that’s really nice because you can pick up any book in the series that calls to you, and then you can go back and pick up others in the series.
The side characters stole the show for me on this one. I absolutely loved Katie. She’s quirky and straight to the point, but she says things in a way that is so funny. And Joey takes after her so much. Holmes and Pepper are just too cute for words. You can never go wrong with cute animal sidekicks.
As for the main characters, they had chemistry, but it didn’t make sense how they ended up together. Noah swears he doesn’t want a relationship and is constantly running away from his family. Literally says he’s stuck with them, including Olive. Yet she immediately forgives him and they’re together almost immediately afterwards because he says sorry? So many things were forgiven or resolved too easily. Like Olive’s parents being awful parents. Or how Noah’s parents were the reason she left to begin with.
I still flew through this book though. I’d love to read one about Katie and Joe getting together. Or even one about this book from Holmes and Pepper’s POV.
This was my first Jill Shalvis book, but none of the books in this series have anything to do with one another except they’re all set in Sunrise Cove. So that’s really nice because you can pick up any book in the series that calls to you, and then you can go back and pick up others in the series.
Fake Around and Find Out by S.M. Shade
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This book is exactly why authors should share teasers about their books. Just from looking at this cover, I probably wouldn't have picked this book up. But SM Shade had shared a teaser from the book on her Tik Tok and I knew I needed to read it immediately. This book was such a delight. Full of so much banter, so many steamy scenes, and also just so much kindness between characters. From what I've seen from SM Shade's backlist, they write a variety of genres. I'm excited to read the rest of their books, but I really hope they bring their talent of balancing smutty scenes with humor and heavier topics in their other books as well. If so, they might a new go-to author for me!
I had barely started this book and wrote this note, "Three paragraphs in and this is the most relatable book ever." And this book was a gold mine of quotes to highlight. Here are a few I loved.
"Leaning over, I cover Maren’s hand with mine. 'Repeat after me. I’m not a fly. I’m not attracted to pieces of shit.'"
“I hate your guts,” she snaps. “Too bad you like it when I rearrange yours. Now bend over.”
I had barely started this book and wrote this note, "Three paragraphs in and this is the most relatable book ever." And this book was a gold mine of quotes to highlight. Here are a few I loved.
"Leaning over, I cover Maren’s hand with mine. 'Repeat after me. I’m not a fly. I’m not attracted to pieces of shit.'"
“I hate your guts,” she snaps. “Too bad you like it when I rearrange yours. Now bend over.”