chelsss_ann's reviews
363 reviews

Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

Ok, look. You're going to be confused during a good part of this book. But it's all worth it when you get to the twist. I honestly did not see it coming. But looking back, it all makes sense.

In the first part of the book, I wasn't a huge fan of the insta love or the nicknames. But the steamy scenes were 🔥 The second part of the book, after the twist, I was just 🤯 I appreciated the memories coming back, so we got clearer picture of everything. Especially since the author intends to confuse you with the first part.

This was definitely an interesting read. And I'm on the fence about whether or not I'd recommend this one. I really do think the ending makes up for the confusion I felt, but I also didn't like the feeling of being confused for the majority of the book. So 🤷‍♀️

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter

funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year is one of the books I was looking forward to reading the most, and I really felt like it lived up to the hype...for the most part.

I loved the mystery aspect to this book. Is Eleanor dead? Is it really just a game she's playing? It definitely fit the Knives Out comparison. 

The one thing that felt just a little bit icky to me was Ethan's infatuation with Maggie. I get that he's been pining after her for years, and she's the one who thought they were rivals all this time. But he felt just a little too infatuated/desperate.

Overall, I still really enjoyed this book. And while it is set during Christmas time, you can read this one any time of the year. Christmas doesn't steal the show in this one. The mystery does.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the arc in exchange for an honest review! 

Mr. Broody by Piper Rayne

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

4.5

OMG THAT ENDING! I did not see that - or who the next book was going to be about - coming. But also, thank god.

Ok, now to Henry and Jade. My goodness. These two. High school sweethearts, to a college relationship, to nothing, and then finally end game. They shed a few tears along the way, and I did too. The single father trope usually gets me, but then add in the second chance romance when everyone knew these two were supposed to be end game? And Bodhi’s role in everything just added to the sweetness factor. 

My December Darling by Lauren Asher

lighthearted fast-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

5.0

This was my first Lauren Asher read, but it won’t be my last. You get family drama, reverse grump/sunshine, and complex characters, even though this is a novella. And the fact that Lauren Asher and pack all that into a novella has me wondering just how much she can pack into a full length novel. 

As for the narrators…LOVED THEM. I fell in love with Lucas the moment I heard him speak. And dual POV with duet narration? Even better. 

Definitely a holiday romance novella to listen to!

Twisted Collide by Ava Harrison

lighthearted sad slow-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? No

3.0

This is a hard review for me to write, because I really think I would have liked the story more if I had read the book. The male narrator continuously pulled me out of the book. He over annunciated 't' sounds at the end of words, and the voice he used for women was so whiny. I was not a fan. Now, Andi Arndt on the other hand, really brought the story to life, but she is one of my favorite narrators.

As for the story itself, I definitely felt the attraction between these two, but I didn't really get how Dane's attraction turned into love. I mean, I got the reason why Josie fell for him, she wanted to be the one to make him smile. But I needed more from Dane. And honestly from Josie too. She was just cruel to her dad, even after she found the paperwork on his desk.

I really loved side characters in this one. Josie's dad and step-mom, Hudson, and Dane's sister (I'm blanking on her name right now). I was not a fan of Josie's mother, however. She was just so flippant about sending her daughter off to a man she's never met, even if it is her dad. Like, no wonder Josie seems to be emotionally stunted.

Overall, this was an okay book. I'd be interested in reading the next one if the MMC is Hudson. If you do give this book a chance, don't do the audiobook. Just read it with your eyes.

Thank you to Hambright PR and Ava Harrison for the gifted ALC! 

Wyatt by Jessica Peterson

emotional funny lighthearted 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

5.0

If you fell in love with Mollie and Cash, you're definitely going to fall in love with Wyatt and Sally. They've been best friends since they were kids, each harboring a crush (and eventually love) for one another for years. With Wyatt becoming a playboy trying to get her out of his mind because he knows he can never be with her. But when Sally is back in town between her vet residency and starting her new job, she makes a proposition...fake date to get her comfortable enough to date other guys.

In this particular book, I liked that the fake dating did last the entire book. They were too into each other to keep it going without admitting their true feelings. But the tension between the two leading up to them both confessing their feelings? Good lord it was hot. And then the lasso scene? 🥵🥵🥵🥵 I liked getting to see a different side to Wyatt though - doing whatever he could to make sure Sally got the best of everything.

I also really loved Sally's character development throughout the book. She went from a timid woman to someone who knows what she wants, and though it might disappoint some people, she's willing to go after what she wants. 

And again with the cliffhanger that doubles as a reveal for who the next book is about! Jessica Peterson, you gave us even less info than you did with Wyatt and Sally's reveal in Cash - I'm dying here! That trope has been one of my favorites lately, and I cannot wait to see what you do with it. 

Slaying the Holidays by Beatrix Hollow

dark medium-paced

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

3.0

Phew...talk about a messed up relationship. This was a fun ride, but I think it would have been better as a full length novel. We definitely got the attraction element right from the beginning, but I felt like the story was really missing the transition of the FMC fully giving in and accepting the MMC's life. 

A Crimson Carol by J. Rose

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

I love J. Rose's dark romances, so I decided to dive into the world of dark holiday reads with A Crimson Carol. I honestly went into it blind just because of how much I've liked her other books. I saw the twist coming, but I didn't want to believe it. So I was still shocked when it was revealed. And the ending? Yea, I should have guessed that one too, but I didn't.

This was a fun little dark romance read that throws in some mystery with its romance. 

Tinsel In Telluride by Hayden Locke

emotional 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

4.0

Oh, Leigh. If I was Luca, I think I would have raged a bit more than he did. I get why she did it, but also, what a low blow to the man. I was glad both her and Luca had the rest of the Bucket List Christmas bros to talk some sense into them. Because everyone could see their chemistry a mile away, but to really get down to what they truly wanted from each other? Yea, they both needed a little help.

As for the Bucket List Christmas bros...I'm in love. You think this book is going to be all smut and romance, but it also really leans into the found family trope. One of my favorites. I love how absolutely dedicated these guys are to one another. They really show you want family is supposed to be, even if you're not related by blood.

I loved that Hayden gave us a little side series to learn more about the characters we see (will maybe see more of?) in The Draft series. I have a feeling I know who is going to be the MMC of book two, and with the hints we were getting in this one, I can't wait to see his story.

Thanks Hayden Locke, for the arc in exchange for an honest review! 

Mile High by Liz Tomforde

emotional reflective fast-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

4.0

I have FINALLY started The Windy City series by Liz Tomforde after hearing all the hype about it, and let me tell you, I fell in love with Zanders from the get go. That arrogance is so attractive (in book boyfriends), and the way he teases Stevie throughout almost the whole book? I loved it. But what I loved even more was when he realized he'd actually offended her, he was so cognizant of it moving forward. Not only about what he says or how he says it but others too. He was so thoughtful in so many ways - buying her sweatpants because he knew how much she loved them and doing so in multiple sizes so she was comfortable about the gift.

And Stevie, we love Stevie. She wasn't afraid to call Zanders on his shit, which is just what he needed, And with that confidence to call him out or poke fun back, she let the real her shine through, which was so easy to love. Especially her passion for working at the animal shelter. You could tell Stevie was just so kind at heart. 

The side characters were just as easy to fall in love with. I didn't realize Logan and Eli were from another book, so now I have to go back and read those because I need to know their story. But I also love Indy. She was such a good friend to Stevie, and I loved when she met Ryan. I legit giggled reading it, and it really had me hoping the next book in the series was their story, and I was right. I can't wait to read it.

I'm excited to continue this series, and see what bonuses we get now that it's going to be traditionally published!