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crownedaimee's reviews
382 reviews
Spiral by Bal Khabra
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Spiral is about Elias Westbrook who is a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder who has been struggling with the challenges of all the media scrutiny of things completely out of his control, it's no surprise that all he wants to do is escape the spotlight. Enter aspiring ballerina, Sage Beaumont. When hoping to secure the role of her dreams, her lack of popularity on social media puts her at a major disadvantage. When their paths cross and they find a solution that could solve both of their problems, their rules soon begin to spiral out of control and the pair have to decide whether to take the jump together or call it quits.
Sage and Eli are the perfect match for each other; the way Elias courages Sage to step out of her comfort zone and is always there for her, and the way that Sage is the light to his darkness. They didn't need each other to achieve their goals, they always supported the others, showing up when they needed them the most. They were so cute together. Also can we talk about Eli buying Sage different flowers every week until he finds her favourite one? Swooning.
Individually, they're both amazing characters as well. I loved reading about both of their character developments, seeing them both open to each other about their past experiences and how it shaped them towards the end of the book. Sage welcomed more people in her life, finding a place within Eli''s friendship group and her own group of people while Eli learned to let go of he past and embraced the bond that he had with Sage because of it.
I can't wait to read the next book, give me Dylan's book already!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Sage and Eli are the perfect match for each other; the way Elias courages Sage to step out of her comfort zone and is always there for her, and the way that Sage is the light to his darkness. They didn't need each other to achieve their goals, they always supported the others, showing up when they needed them the most. They were so cute together. Also can we talk about Eli buying Sage different flowers every week until he finds her favourite one? Swooning.
Individually, they're both amazing characters as well. I loved reading about both of their character developments, seeing them both open to each other about their past experiences and how it shaped them towards the end of the book. Sage welcomed more people in her life, finding a place within Eli''s friendship group and her own group of people while Eli learned to let go of he past and embraced the bond that he had with Sage because of it.
I can't wait to read the next book, give me Dylan's book already!
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
The Wrong Heart by Jennifer Hartmann
dark
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you plan to read this then please read the trigger warnings. It is not meant to be a lightheaded book, it's about loss and grief so read with caution.
The Wrong Heart follows Melody whose life had changed when husband had died in tragic accident and she hasn't been the same since. Consumed by grief, she nearly kills herself but decides that she isn't ready. At a suicide prevention group, she soon meets Parker, whose walls are up way too high and dealing with his own demons. But despite finding her infuriating, he can't help but find himself drawn to her. Jennifer Hartmann wrote this so beautifully, tugging on all the right heartstrings. This book will take you on a emotional rollercoaster.
Their relationship is messy, constantly going one step forward and two steps back. Parker is such a complex character, struggling to let anyone in due to the childhood he endured. At the start of the book, he definitely is not likeable but he does grow on you the further you get into the book and understand what he's been through. His character development is phenomenal and I loved reading about both of their healing journeys.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
The Wrong Heart follows Melody whose life had changed when husband had died in tragic accident and she hasn't been the same since. Consumed by grief, she nearly kills herself but decides that she isn't ready. At a suicide prevention group, she soon meets Parker, whose walls are up way too high and dealing with his own demons. But despite finding her infuriating, he can't help but find himself drawn to her. Jennifer Hartmann wrote this so beautifully, tugging on all the right heartstrings. This book will take you on a emotional rollercoaster.
Their relationship is messy, constantly going one step forward and two steps back. Parker is such a complex character, struggling to let anyone in due to the childhood he endured. At the start of the book, he definitely is not likeable but he does grow on you the further you get into the book and understand what he's been through. His character development is phenomenal and I loved reading about both of their healing journeys.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
Moderate: Child abuse and Grief
Minor: Pregnancy
The Rebel Witch by Kristen Ciccarelli
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This duology deserves all the stars and more, the sequel didn't disappoint one bit. I will be recommending this to anyone and everyone. After the events of The Crimson Moth, there was no way I would've been able to wait until February to read The Rebel Witch so as soon as I saw it available on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance to get it and I was so happy when I got approved for my most anticipated book of 2025 and didn't hesitate to read it as soon as I could.
The Rebel Witch jumps right in as we see Rune and Gideon reunited for the first time since the events of The Crimson Moth. With the two at odds: one with orders to kill and the other siding with the enemy, they are soon forced to work together after a series of events unfold, and somehow try not to kill each other in the process. Their goal is simple: take down Cressida but can they really put aside their hatred aside? Can they really work together if they both have plans to betray the other?
I really didn't want this to end (secretly hoping for spin offs) because I am so in love with this world and the magic system, and of course Gideon and Rune. They are enemies to lovers at it's finest and their relationship throughout this duology is so fun to read. The constant back and fourth of "will they/won't they" was so entertaining, nobody does it quite like them. The tension? The angst? The yearning and longing? Give it all to me. I need more. They banter had me grinning and swooning despite what was happening.
I really felt for Rune in this book, after seeing her so brave and headstrong in The Crimson Moth to someone who is constantly burying her emotions because she is plagued with self doubt. Her decision making isn't always the best, but I loved seeing her growth. I would've liked to see have seen her learn more spells instead of relying on the three spells she knows and uses most. There were times that she could've done with having different spells at her disposal. If you follow me on Twitter/X then you just know my whole reading thread is just full of my love for Gideon Sharpe, that man can do no wrong. I loved reading him fighting between his heart and head, both wanting completely different things. I'm so glad that we got to see a different side to Gideon ion this book, showing how conflicted he was when it came to Rune and doing what he believed was the right thing. My heart broke for him after what happened in The Crimson Moth, it's really no surprise that he hates witches after everything he endured because of them. I was really rooting for his happy ending and I'm so glad that he got it.
The Rebel Witch was everything that I needed and more. It was the perfect sequel and if you loved the first instalment then you'll love this one just as much. If I didn't have work then I would've devoured this book in a day because I was hooked from start to finish, I didn't want to put it down. This duology isn't one to miss, I highly recommend to everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
The Rebel Witch jumps right in as we see Rune and Gideon reunited for the first time since the events of The Crimson Moth. With the two at odds: one with orders to kill and the other siding with the enemy, they are soon forced to work together after a series of events unfold, and somehow try not to kill each other in the process. Their goal is simple: take down Cressida but can they really put aside their hatred aside? Can they really work together if they both have plans to betray the other?
I really didn't want this to end (secretly hoping for spin offs) because I am so in love with this world and the magic system, and of course Gideon and Rune. They are enemies to lovers at it's finest and their relationship throughout this duology is so fun to read. The constant back and fourth of "will they/won't they" was so entertaining, nobody does it quite like them. The tension? The angst? The yearning and longing? Give it all to me. I need more. They banter had me grinning and swooning despite what was happening.
I really felt for Rune in this book, after seeing her so brave and headstrong in The Crimson Moth to someone who is constantly burying her emotions because she is plagued with self doubt. Her decision making isn't always the best, but I loved seeing her growth. I would've liked to see have seen her learn more spells instead of relying on the three spells she knows and uses most. There were times that she could've done with having different spells at her disposal. If you follow me on Twitter/X then you just know my whole reading thread is just full of my love for Gideon Sharpe, that man can do no wrong. I loved reading him fighting between his heart and head, both wanting completely different things. I'm so glad that we got to see a different side to Gideon ion this book, showing how conflicted he was when it came to Rune and doing what he believed was the right thing. My heart broke for him after what happened in The Crimson Moth, it's really no surprise that he hates witches after everything he endured because of them. I was really rooting for his happy ending and I'm so glad that he got it.
The Rebel Witch was everything that I needed and more. It was the perfect sequel and if you loved the first instalment then you'll love this one just as much. If I didn't have work then I would've devoured this book in a day because I was hooked from start to finish, I didn't want to put it down. This duology isn't one to miss, I highly recommend to everyone.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
The Dagger and the Flame by Catherine Doyle
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Set in a world where magic is controlled by rival guilds, the Cloaks and the Daggers – the thieves and the assassins, The Dagger and the Flame follows 17-year-old Seraphine is on a mission to seek vengeance for her mother's murder when her path crosses with Ransom, heir to the Order of the Daggers, who has been tasked to kill her.
Oh the enemies to lovers was so real with this one! Those who love with the enemies to lovers won with this book. Their scenes had be squealing and giggling like a little girl, one of the reasons why I enjoyed this book. Sera and Ransom are both unpredictable, reckless but also brave and that's what makes them entertaining to read about. You never know what you're going to expect next from them. The tension and banter between them didn't disappoint one bit. There were times that you didn't know whether they would kill each other or kiss each other. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next with them.
The only thing that I didn't rate this book a full five stars was because the pacing a times was a bit off. Some parts were info dumping and didn't make much sense at the given time. I do think that perhaps this book would be better marketed as NA and not YA, the only thing that makes this book Young Adult is the characters being teenagers.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Oh the enemies to lovers was so real with this one! Those who love with the enemies to lovers won with this book. Their scenes had be squealing and giggling like a little girl, one of the reasons why I enjoyed this book. Sera and Ransom are both unpredictable, reckless but also brave and that's what makes them entertaining to read about. You never know what you're going to expect next from them. The tension and banter between them didn't disappoint one bit. There were times that you didn't know whether they would kill each other or kiss each other. I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next with them.
The only thing that I didn't rate this book a full five stars was because the pacing a times was a bit off. Some parts were info dumping and didn't make much sense at the given time. I do think that perhaps this book would be better marketed as NA and not YA, the only thing that makes this book Young Adult is the characters being teenagers.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.