cwrose's reviews
395 reviews

Love and Other Alien Concepts by Catie O'Neill

emotional inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I enjoyed so much about this book, as I’ve really been liking alien romances lately! I found this to be more of a cozy Sci fi romance, about a woman in her late 30s who’s all but given up on love until she meets a man from another planet.

I loved that the FMC was 37 and in STEM (she’s an engineer!). Elek is definitely book boyfriend material! And I really enjoyed watching Kate grow into her own, find herself, and learning about the new planet alongside her. 

I’d recommend this for anyone who enjoys urban sci-fi romance, lots of worldbuilding, cozy books, a faster-paced romance, and of course, STEM girlies and alien MMCs. 

Dishwasher Safe by M.J. Etkind

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

A sweet and cozy book about a mermaid restaurant owner and the human dishwasher she falls in love with! I loved this unique take on mermaids and the Pacific Islander rep. Alisi and Sean’s romance was so adorable and really made me root for them. To top it all off, it’s a great story about finding yourself and going after what you want :) I enjoyed this one a lot! 

Lost Crows and Fallen Stars by Abelia Sumpter

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

In the Name of Honor by Clarke Collins, Courtney Collins

adventurous emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

I was lucky enough to not only read this beautiful epic fantasy not once, but twice. I had my first opportunity as an ARC reader and then again for a blurb/ARC copy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it both times! 

This is a modern-day LOTR, complete with a sweet human bodyguard x half-elf princess romance, epic battles between good and evil, fantasy creatures both familiar and new, and a truly despicable villain. The authors also did a wonderful job exploring themes of grief, friendship, found family, and betrayal. 

I’m looking forward to book 2, and fans of classic epic fantasy will find much to love with ITNOH! 

A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

For those are familiar with the folklore of the Four Great Beauties of Ancient China and Xi Shi in particular, this is a very faithful adaptation of it. With beautiful prose and a deep dive into Xi Shi, Fanli, and Fuchai’s stories, I enjoyed this a lot, as a lover of Chinese mythology and folklore! There is a happy-ish ending. 

Happily Ever After? by Melissa John

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced

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

5.0

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Given to the Ghoul by Desirée M. Niccoli

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

A short, spicy read perfect for spooky season and lovers of monster romance, and it has an HEA. Kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what happened next. Mina and the ghoul had great chemistry, and I enjoyed this novella a lot! 

Never Too Old for Fairytales by Melissa John

hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0

I went into this expecting a second-chance romance later in life type of story, but while there was a romance, I felt it was more of a women’s fiction with romantic elements, of a disillusioned woman who may just have another shot at her HEA later in life. And honestly, I enjoyed it a lot! I loved reading about Cally’s journey to find herself again, and her relationship with her tween daughter. I also loved the fairytale resort setting, it reminded me so much of Disney. 

The romance is sweet and no-spice (they only kiss at the end), and has a bit of a cliffhanger ending. I’m looking forward to book 2!