chelsss_ann's reviews
363 reviews

Iron Flame (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros

fast-paced

4.75

Still obsessed with the graphic audio and, of course, Xaden. Violet’s lack of trust in Xaden is still annoying though. That man would give up the entire revolution for you, girl. And you still question him? Nuh uh. 

Fourth Wing (Part 2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Rebecca Yarros

5.0

Dirty Thirty by Janet Evanovich

funny lighthearted mysterious medium-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

3.5

Going into this book, I was really hoping for something a bit different from the other Stephanie  Plum novels. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cozy mystery vibes, but come on, we’re on book 30. At some point, Stephanie’s life has to move on. Whether that’s in her job or her relationships. Up until the very end, I thought this was not going to be the case. But Janet Evanovich must be feeling the same way, because that ending? Whew. It got me excited. I’m kind of glad I put off reading this book until this year, because now I don’t have to wait nearly as long to find out what’s going to happen.

As for the cozy mystery vibes, they’re amazing, as always. And Lula is, of course, a limelight stealing side character. We didn’t get to see as much of Connie and Grandma Mazur in this one, but we did get to see a bit more of Stephanie’s mom. Which I ended up loving. Now I see how it runs in the family.

I don’t know how many more books there are going to be in this series, but I’m hoping that the ending to this one means that even if it doesn’t end soon, at least we’ll be getting something relatively new in the coming books. And, as always, reading the newest book in this series always makes me revisit how upset I was with the movie adaptation. I always go through actors and actresses who should have been casted instead or who would be casted now. There’s such potential with this series for a film or tv adaptation!

 

Dust Storm by Maggie C. Gates

funny 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? It's complicated

4.25

This was my first Maggie Gates book, and after I finished, I downloaded the rest of this series. Although this is a single dad romance, and I do love when the FMC immediately falls for the kids, it was refreshing to see an FMC who doesn't act very maternal. Yet, she still loves the kids and ends up being a mom to them. One who teaches them how to stand up for themselves, while also teaching Christian how he acts (specifically standing up for his girls rather than avoiding confrontation) affects the girls.

I also really loved that Christian had more of a dad bod. It was realistic, and so many of the things Cassandra loved about his body are so accurate. And I really loved so much about Cassandra and Christian together, though I will say, Cassandra's relationship with the kids is really what stuck with me. And so much of how she was with them really had me laughing because you could just tell kids are not part of her life. 

Ghost by Eva Simmons

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

Thank you Eva Simmons and The Author  Agency for an early copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book thinking it was going to be a lot darker and a lot smuttier than it was. Like, I’m actually shocked that this MC romance isn’t super smutty. I guess I just expect all MC romances to be smut. But this one was focused more on the romance between Luna and Ghost, though with some smutty scenes. And I totally enjoyed it. I loved that it wasn't really instalove, more like they caught each other's attention and then grew to know each other a bit before their relationship progressed.

Another thing I was shocked by was how easily the club forgave Ghost. But on the other side of that, I loved how the club banded together to protect their own. I was a bit confused about who the club is actually at war with, though that may be part of the interconnected series that would have made more sense if I had read the first book.

One of the main things I enjoyed about this book were the twists. Eva Simmons really had me thinking one thing, then that didn't pan out. Then the final twist, well I didn't see it coming at all.

I’m excited for the next book. I won't spoil you that couple is, but I just know that they’re going to get under each other’s skin.

Fourth Wing (Part 1 of 2) (Dramatized Adaptation) by Rebecca Yarros

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? It's complicated

5.0

Graphic audio is ruining regular audiobooks for me. This is amazing. Even if I hated hearing the sound effects for Violet’s arm popping out of socket. 🤢

The Path to Loving Him by Meghan Quinn

emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

5.0

Thank you to Meghan Quinn & Hambright PR for the early copy in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my heart. I see now why people love Meghan Quinn. This book was full of heart, healing, and yes, spice. Uncle Dad and Mac warmed my heart. He is trying so hard to be the best father figure/guardian he can be for her. And I loved him stepping up and also opening up because of guardianship of Mac. And then the epilogue - it's not one I was expecting but it definitely had me tearing up. And the way Ryland and Gabby showed each other what love could and should be just had me swooning. I loved Gabby's tenacity and resiliency. But even when they're not strong, both Gabby and Ryland pick each other up and remind each other how strong and wonderful they both are. They're everything you want out of a romance novel.

As for this series...1) I'm going to go back and read the first two (though you can very easily read this book as a standalone) and 2) I'm hoping Bower ends up moving to Almond Bay and gets her own book, because I love who her MMC just might be.

All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles

emotional funny mysterious sad fast-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

'My gaze lifted to hers. "I hope it's the right thing to do. And that I can get through it." Emerson reached across the table and took my hand, squeezing it hard. "You're Ridley Sawyer, taser of douchebags and tamer of ornery brothers. You can do anything."

I made the huge mistake of reading this book during a break at work. Not only was I mad at myself because once we got to about 80% I didn't want to put the book down (which, tbh, was the whole time I was reading this book), but the ending had me full on ugly crying.

This is romantic suspense, and there's definitely romance, but the mystery and the strength of Emmerson and Ridley is what sucked me in. I could not figure it out, and I had to keep reading until I knew who the killer was. And let me tell you, I did not see it coming! I feel like I always say that, but this reveal truly took me by surprise. I legit gasped.

I loved that there was mystery from the very beginning with added suspense at the end. And the chemistry between Ridley and Colt? Ugh, I just loved it. This is definitely going to be one of my top reads of 2025. I can already tell.

Thank you Catherine Cowles for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review

The Brazen by Willa Nash, Devney Perry

medium-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

4.0

I'm still working my way through Devney Perry's backlist, and I'm halfway through the Calamity, Montana series. I loved Kerrigan and Pierce's story. Pierce has gone through so much, and I kept hoping that by the end of the story, we'd find out that Grandpa hadn't done what we thought. Instead, there was a whole other twist I didn't see coming. And it had a major impact on the story. And while I don't like what Pierce did, like Kerrigan, I understand it.

Kerrigan is a fierce FMC. She has to consistently stand up to her family and their lack of support for her going her own way in life. Especially her brother. He's such an ass. And the mom? Always blaming Kerrigan? I was fuming every time it happened. As for her businesses, I knew Kerrigan would be successful. She had too much passion for it not to happen.

I loved the narrators for this audiobook. Again, it's a duet, and each narrator brought the characters to life in a way that just reading the book wouldn't have made happen. 

I'm really enjoying this series, and I can't wait to read the Nellie's story. I just know there's going to be so much banter. 

The Marriage Hex by Sarah Blue

emotional funny 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

5.0

I went into this book solely based on the reviews I’ve seen about it and the vibes those reviews gave me. I totally thought we were all here for shifter romance, and instead, I got swept up in a plot about evolving and accepting each other despite our differences. Now don’t get me wrong. I also got swept up by the romance, but I was expecting that.

I loved getting to see Violet struggle with doing what she thinks is best vs how things have always been. Then throwing Silas and Thorin into the mix just made it even more of a battle for her. I loved how he pushed her, and I absolutely loved how he wanted to fight his attraction to her. Because of their past. Because of his pack loyalty. Yet, when it came down to it, they were always end game.

I also really appreciated the friendship between Violet and her friends. They were so committed to one another, and only held secrets from one another when they thought it was in the other person’s best interest. Never to be sneaky or hurtful. I’m excited to see their friendship in the rest of the books, not to mention the romance we’re bound to get in the coming books.

I’ll be honest. I was so afraid at the end of the book. I figured this had to have an HEA, but I had no idea how we were going to get there. Sarah Blue pulled through though.