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chelsss_ann's reviews
363 reviews
Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you to Simon and Schuster audio for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!
I really wish I would have read an ebook version of this instead of listening to the audiobook. There were so many things I wanted to highlight, and I haven't figured out how to do that in an audiobook yet. But on the other side of things, these narrators really brought this book to life. I love Teddy Hamilton as a narrator, and this was the first time (I think) I've listened to Carly Robins, but I loved her.
Melody is such a relatable FMC. She's strong and fierce, yet still found herself in a toxic relationship that she had no idea was toxic. Not until she was out of it. And while she lost herself in that relationship, she was able to fall back on old and new friendships to find herself again. And the struggles she faced to do that, and the way she had to be flexible while doing it, is so realistic. I loved seeing that in a romance. Especially how she was flexible about her dreams. Not that she was giving up what she wanted, but she realized that dreams can change, that things don't have to be just one way. It was a really great reminder of how life often can be.
Zac is the ultimate book boyfriend. He is loyal, admits when he messed up, and is so freaking sweet, but then is so freaking hot as well. And while he will do anything for Mel, I love that she showed him that he is just as strong as he tells her every day she is. She shows him and tells him just how wonderful he is. And man, is he ever. The way he sticks up for Noah? Ugh, my freaking heart. What is it about unconventional single dads that tugs at my heart? Also, I hope we get a Noah story at some point. I love him.
This was my first book by Ellie Wilde, but I'll be working on her backlist while I impatiently wait for book two in the Oakwood Bay series.
I really wish I would have read an ebook version of this instead of listening to the audiobook. There were so many things I wanted to highlight, and I haven't figured out how to do that in an audiobook yet. But on the other side of things, these narrators really brought this book to life. I love Teddy Hamilton as a narrator, and this was the first time (I think) I've listened to Carly Robins, but I loved her.
Melody is such a relatable FMC. She's strong and fierce, yet still found herself in a toxic relationship that she had no idea was toxic. Not until she was out of it. And while she lost herself in that relationship, she was able to fall back on old and new friendships to find herself again. And the struggles she faced to do that, and the way she had to be flexible while doing it, is so realistic. I loved seeing that in a romance. Especially how she was flexible about her dreams. Not that she was giving up what she wanted, but she realized that dreams can change, that things don't have to be just one way. It was a really great reminder of how life often can be.
Zac is the ultimate book boyfriend. He is loyal, admits when he messed up, and is so freaking sweet, but then is so freaking hot as well. And while he will do anything for Mel, I love that she showed him that he is just as strong as he tells her every day she is. She shows him and tells him just how wonderful he is. And man, is he ever. The way he sticks up for Noah? Ugh, my freaking heart. What is it about unconventional single dads that tugs at my heart? Also, I hope we get a Noah story at some point. I love him.
This was my first book by Ellie Wilde, but I'll be working on her backlist while I impatiently wait for book two in the Oakwood Bay series.
Pucking Obsessed by London Snow
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I live for an obsessive MMC, but something about this book just didn't hook me. I ended up DNFing at 14%.The MMC and FMC just felt so disconnected. The writing just felt disjointed a bit and at times it felt like I missed a whole book before this one. I think the author was trying to tease future books, but it felt like snippets we needed to remember from previous books instead. This is a debut though, and I can definitely see the potential of this author.
I live for an obsessive MMC, but something about this book just didn't hook me. I ended up DNFing at 14%.The MMC and FMC just felt so disconnected. The writing just felt disjointed a bit and at times it felt like I missed a whole book before this one. I think the author was trying to tease future books, but it felt like snippets we needed to remember from previous books instead. This is a debut though, and I can definitely see the potential of this author.
On The Fence by JS Wood
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Thank you to the author and The Author Agency for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I'm obsessed with cowboy romances, so I was really expecting to love this one. Especially after reading that prologue. Good lord that thing tore my heart out. But I don't know. I'm like 20% in, and I'm just not loving it. You mean to tell me that they've been living in the same small town after she moved back, but he doesn't know anything about her and hasn't at all tried to reach out to her? And he just let everyone think that she was the one who dumped him during his mother's death? I also just didn't love the tip toeing the author did around what kind of sickness his mother had. I'm assuming it's cancer, and that reveal might be a big part of the book later, but this just didn't grab me enough to care enough to get to that part or the part where the MMC starts trying to really win back the FMC.
I'm obsessed with cowboy romances, so I was really expecting to love this one. Especially after reading that prologue. Good lord that thing tore my heart out. But I don't know. I'm like 20% in, and I'm just not loving it. You mean to tell me that they've been living in the same small town after she moved back, but he doesn't know anything about her and hasn't at all tried to reach out to her? And he just let everyone think that she was the one who dumped him during his mother's death? I also just didn't love the tip toeing the author did around what kind of sickness his mother had. I'm assuming it's cancer, and that reveal might be a big part of the book later, but this just didn't grab me enough to care enough to get to that part or the part where the MMC starts trying to really win back the FMC.
Forging Silver into Stars by Brigid Kemmerer
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.5
I loved getting to see this continuation of the Cursebreakers series, which takes place about five years later. Forging Silvers into Stars follows Tycho, who was a side character in Cursebreakers, and oh my gosh, I love him so much. We actually just found out that Brigid Kemmerer had plans to kill him off in Cursebreakers, and, like, how?! I'm so glad that didn't happen so we could get this continuation series.
We don't only see Tycho. We get to see all the characters we came to love in Cursebreakers. Though, I'll be honest, Grey is not my favorite character at the moment. Rhen made an excellent point about him, that he does not yield, and at times that's not a strength. And I was SO glad that he pointed out that Grey could have stopped what happened to Tycho in Cursebreakers if he had yielded. That it wasn't just Rhen at fault.
I loved the new characters we got as well. Their struggles really are a great depiction of how regular people are so separate, yet not, from leadership of a kingdom (or country). How rumors and gossip can so easily veer from the truth, yet they still can make such a huge impact. But also how easy it is to tell yourself that you're doing something that is right or doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, when in fact, there are so many little things we do that change our and others lives. BUT this book also shows that even if you make decisions you end up regretting, there is still the ability to change your mind and actions moving forward.
These have been the perfect books to help me get out of my Onyx Storm slump. It's suggestive romance (pretty much closed door), but we get so much tension between the characters that you don't miss it too much. And I love the actual romance between the characters. And part of that romance is how the LGBT and disability rep are handled by Brigid Kemmerer. It's so well done.
We don't only see Tycho. We get to see all the characters we came to love in Cursebreakers. Though, I'll be honest, Grey is not my favorite character at the moment. Rhen made an excellent point about him, that he does not yield, and at times that's not a strength. And I was SO glad that he pointed out that Grey could have stopped what happened to Tycho in Cursebreakers if he had yielded. That it wasn't just Rhen at fault.
I loved the new characters we got as well. Their struggles really are a great depiction of how regular people are so separate, yet not, from leadership of a kingdom (or country). How rumors and gossip can so easily veer from the truth, yet they still can make such a huge impact. But also how easy it is to tell yourself that you're doing something that is right or doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, when in fact, there are so many little things we do that change our and others lives. BUT this book also shows that even if you make decisions you end up regretting, there is still the ability to change your mind and actions moving forward.
These have been the perfect books to help me get out of my Onyx Storm slump. It's suggestive romance (pretty much closed door), but we get so much tension between the characters that you don't miss it too much. And I love the actual romance between the characters. And part of that romance is how the LGBT and disability rep are handled by Brigid Kemmerer. It's so well done.
That Friend by Sabrina Brier
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Thank you to Simon Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I thought I would love this book between the blurb and the full cast for the audiobook, but I couldn't get past the FMC. I listened to 5% of this 4 hour audiobook and felt like I had listened to it for hours. At that point, I decided the book wasn't for me and DNFed.
I thought I would love this book between the blurb and the full cast for the audiobook, but I couldn't get past the FMC. I listened to 5% of this 4 hour audiobook and felt like I had listened to it for hours. At that point, I decided the book wasn't for me and DNFed.
Scoring Position by C.L. Rose
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Thank you to CL Rose for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!
I was so excited when I learned this was an inexperienced MMC. You just don't see that very often, and CL Rose did this trope so. much. justice. Ace Mathers is totally a golden retriever daddy. He's so freaking sweet, but also so filthy. I mean, the man literally has food delivered to Lark's seat at the ball park. A literal dream. But then he's not afraid to explore either of their fantasies, and doesn't make Lark feel self conscious and vice versa. I just honestly love these two so much. They are so perfect for one another. And don't get me started on getting to see the characters from Wild Pitch again. They are just as addicting as I remember. I can't wait to keep seeing more both of these couples as the series progresses.
Ok, I know this is a short review, but do you ever have the moments when you love a book so much you just kind of blank on how to tell people how much you love it? Yea, that's me right now. Scoring Position is out in two days, and I promise, if you like a good sweet and spicy mix, you need to read this one. And because I couldn't pick which part of their relationship I liked the best, here are both a sweet and spicy quote from Scoring Position.
"Ace Mathers healed a t he didn't break, encouraging me to live my life to the fullest and holding my hand while I found myself again after being lost for so long."
"Hungry girl," I mock. "Why don't you get on your knees and let me feed you?"
P.S. I especially loved the Friggle sighting we get in this book.
I was so excited when I learned this was an inexperienced MMC. You just don't see that very often, and CL Rose did this trope so. much. justice. Ace Mathers is totally a golden retriever daddy. He's so freaking sweet, but also so filthy. I mean, the man literally has food delivered to Lark's seat at the ball park. A literal dream. But then he's not afraid to explore either of their fantasies, and doesn't make Lark feel self conscious and vice versa. I just honestly love these two so much. They are so perfect for one another. And don't get me started on getting to see the characters from Wild Pitch again. They are just as addicting as I remember. I can't wait to keep seeing more both of these couples as the series progresses.
Ok, I know this is a short review, but do you ever have the moments when you love a book so much you just kind of blank on how to tell people how much you love it? Yea, that's me right now. Scoring Position is out in two days, and I promise, if you like a good sweet and spicy mix, you need to read this one. And because I couldn't pick which part of their relationship I liked the best, here are both a sweet and spicy quote from Scoring Position.
"Ace Mathers healed a t he didn't break, encouraging me to live my life to the fullest and holding my hand while I found myself again after being lost for so long."
"Hungry girl," I mock. "Why don't you get on your knees and let me feed you?"
P.S. I especially loved the Friggle sighting we get in this book.
Untamed by Jane Henry
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
I wanted the spice right away, but the plot was moving too slow for me. I also just didn’t connect with this story or believed (as much as you can with these types of books) why she didn’t just block him.
Two Women Walk into a Bar by Cheryl Strayed
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
I knew this book was going to hit some complex emotions when I saw the author was Cheryl Strayed. I think she masterfully confided in us about the highs and lows of her relationship with her mother-in-law, while also leaving space for us to understand this is just her side of the story. Plus also coming to terms with the end of that relationship occurring at a time when she’s also having to help care for her mother-in-law, a complicated situation in itself. A short memoir that is bound to get you in your feels.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
A few quick takeaways.
1) I love Ridoc and adolescent Andarna even more
2) I should have given Ridoc his own annotation tab color
3) I need time to process that ending, knowing we have no idea when book 4 comes out
1) I love Ridoc and adolescent Andarna even more
2) I should have given Ridoc his own annotation tab color
3) I need time to process that ending, knowing we have no idea when book 4 comes out
After Dark by Kira Bates
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Thank you to Grey's Promotions and Kira Bates for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
I DNFed this at about 20%. The combination of vampires, cowboys, and mystery really had me intrigued. But in that first 20% there were already so many plot holes. Like seriously, something mysteriously happened to a guy on the ferris wheel and you saw someone with red glowing eyes run away from the scene, but you still choose to go out on a date and leave your best friend home alone? While they still haven't caught the person who hurt the guy at the carnival? And then on top of that, you walk to the date?! Just no. The FMC is supposed to be smart, and that's just not.
I see the potential for this though. Though with a lot of developmental editing. It seems like the ending needs a good bit of editing as well, based on other reviews. If you're gong into this for purely vibes, it might be a good read though.
I DNFed this at about 20%. The combination of vampires, cowboys, and mystery really had me intrigued. But in that first 20% there were already so many plot holes. Like seriously, something mysteriously happened to a guy on the ferris wheel and you saw someone with red glowing eyes run away from the scene, but you still choose to go out on a date and leave your best friend home alone? While they still haven't caught the person who hurt the guy at the carnival? And then on top of that, you walk to the date?! Just no. The FMC is supposed to be smart, and that's just not.
I see the potential for this though. Though with a lot of developmental editing. It seems like the ending needs a good bit of editing as well, based on other reviews. If you're gong into this for purely vibes, it might be a good read though.