colleen_lena_taz205's reviews
367 reviews

I Hate Surprises by
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.

This book is not out yet at the time of my dnfing. My good friend was part of the arc read. She shared that the author was looking for more arc readers . As I have never done one before, I wanted to give it a try. I am Dy lexic so joining and arc read was not something I thought I would do . They author b said that the book had been fully edited so it was not my job to find spelling or grammar issues as they should be removed. 
First off I did not stop the book due to bad writing. Or even bad characters however I do feel the FMC comes of as stupid, but from experience I know that's trauma and all the damage she has from all the gaslighting they have. ( They really need therapy) 
The author is a very good writer however her character had me having to much emotions. I emailed them to explain that I could not make myself keep reading as I hated the bad characters to the point I was feeling ill(felt like throwing up) I think it was a bit of the characters gave me PTSD of people like that in my past. Again they write every well.  Just for my own emotional state I am dnfing the book .  I would have given their writing at lest a 4 but some of the characters -1 . 

If the Fates Allow by Rainbow Rowell

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Nice , well written small town romance during the Covid lock down and the chaos afterwards. Very real vibe of those times. I enjoyed how quick the story was

My Date With Water by Unfortunate Reads

lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

The name lets you know this is smut. That being said I really wanted to see how this author tackled how one goes on a date with Water 😂. I would not say they are dates. But it's quick funny and well written. 

The Fight for the Hidden Realm by Siobhan McDermott
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.

Mood reader and the mean girl school thing was just not enjoyable. Might try it again later . 

Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I love this series of books. This one was sad, but the best second chance love story I have read so far . My favorite is still the book before this one. Only rest this books not 5.75. 
I love the additional lore this book added to the world building I hope she does a book with the UK werewolfs just to listen to a Scottish broge. And would love more of the UK lore as it would definitely have even more history. I can't wait for the last book grim and bare it as I have been waiting for Clara's story as we have gotten bits of it since book one. That is what I call a slow burn , and can't wait for there grumpy sunshine story. 

The Reunion by Meghan Quinn

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

6 pov s is a lot . The author wrote very believable characters as always. I believe all the relationships, but I was a bit less on board for the youngest ones as it has no real time . They had a past but nothing  current.  My favorite character was Nora ! 

How to Become the Dark Lord and Die Trying by Django Wexler

adventurous dark funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

Ok so this is only book one, I did not know this when I started listening  too it . I had no idea until the ending . Dislike . Great funny awesome like DND story, with a death time loop. I was not expecting a cliffhanger ending. Would have been over a 5 star  if not the Cliffhanger. I liked it but I don't know if I want to listen to or read the next book. I really liked where it was and then to just be all and too be continued like season finally. The author did a fantastic job. They totally know how to write characters well, had me snort laughing through most of it . And the Deadpool like , fourth wall breaking the main has talking right to us ( yeah you David lol) not a spoiler as they start the book doing this .

Dante's Inferno by Gaëtan Brizzi, Paul Brizzi

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

The art work was beautiful. The story I was not sure what I was expecting, as I had never read the book . I had seen What Dreams may come with Robin Williams. And I know that was him fighting to get to his wife in hell . But all I kept thinking was Dante isn't traveling by his will he is being dragged through hell by Virgil. And I do want to know what happened to Virgil was he able to stay in Heaven or did he go back to help someone else. Did cared more about Viral then Dante . 

Drop Dead Sisters by Amelia Diane Coombs
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.

The idea sounded good just not for me this book . Attempted SA gave me the icks, then just how the sisters were acting did not like the vibe at all . 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment

Minor: Vomit

Lunar Boy by Cin Wibowo, Jes Wibowo

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-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

Beautiful found family, wonderful ways to explain forms of how we deal with  changes the good and bad kind . And how being brave and , finding themselves let them find how to connect with their growing family with all its differences. The vibe I get from this book is the good hopefully future like Star Trek humans still being flawed but as a whole open and understanding making community.