dawneelisabeth's reviews
392 reviews

A Soul to Keep by Opal Reyne

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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? Yes

4.25

I was giddy listening to this book.

Orpheus was such a cinnamon roll. His POV made me giggle sm. He was cute in how much he obsessed over every tiny moment with Reia.

I loved all the “mine” moments he had too. It was primal and protective and a bit much but I ate it up.

Reia wasn’t my favorite FMC. I found her a bit annoying in the way she never listened to him even though all he was doing was protecting her. And whined like a child at some parts. 

For this being my first monster romance book I can’t say I’m disappointed! I think I’ll continue to read this every now and again.

See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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? Yes

4.0

I don’t read much YA anymore but this was such a sweet read!! I loved the concept of the time loop. The way their relationship bloomed (ha) really made my heart happy. I also appreciate the heavier topics but still handled really well. 

She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica

challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

Hmmm...

The book started off slow in the first 50% of it. Almost to the point of wondering if it was ever going to pick up. But then it really took off! 

The whole time I was left with questions on who is it? What is going on? What all of this means?

My problem with this story was the first half we were so focused on her relationship with the patients family and them maybe being sus and wanting her to get better.

After the on purpose OD done by Megan, that plot line just completely dropped off. Which I find odd. Especially after all the talks and time she spent with them plus the cryptic VM left on the dads phone? I find it hard to believe that the family wouldnt have taken legal action on her or lashed out.

Wayward by Blake Crouch

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I’m so mad because I am hooked on this trilogy. I want to DNF (even though I am rating the books over 4 stars.) 

The romance/affairs really take me out of the book. It’s very obviously written for a male perspective (which I know it’s written by a man) but the fact we now have this super messy triangle. And will have an even messier reunion in the next book? Just really gives me the ick. I don’t see how it really helps the plot of the story.

Adam is a really douchebag from his POV. The fact that he didn’t want Ethan to be woken up just so he could have his wife?!?? GROSS. And what woman is writing “when you do come home to me, I am going to fuck you like a solider coming home from war. As a former MILSO, I can confidently say that would not be my parting note to my SO

I did like that we got to see how Wayward Pines was getting created before and how to “deaminated” 

Pilcher just keeps getting more unhinged and his god complex is SO big.

The Frost Queen's Blade by Meg Smitherman

adventurous dark funny hopeful tense medium-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? Yes

3.75

Loved!!! This was such a great standalone fantasy book! It really had everything I wanted in a fantasy book. I would have loved a dual POV. I think that could have really built up Runes character arc for me. I did find myself slightly confused with who was who and what land was what. But not the most lost I’ve ever been in a fantasy book! 

The blood play was also a nice like spicey touch

Overall I really liked her writing! She wrote a really badass and strong FMC, who stood up for herself

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-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? Yes

5.0

I have no words. This book was perfection. The story telling was beautifully done. So whimsical while still taking place in the real world. All three of their stories had to be told. I’m so happy each of them got their piece of happiness in the end after such hardships. The little twist/reveal in the last hour of the book really got me!!!

The way Martha ended up being connected to Opaline?!? Wow. Not how I was thinking they would be connected

Pines by Blake Crouch

adventurous challenging dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This book for sure hooks you within the first chapter. And really makes you go wtf with every chapter. I hate that the MMC had an affair. It really shows his character for me. I’m also not convinced that

they have been asleep for 2000 years??? I feel like that is just apart of the massive facade Pilcher has put on?

 

Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.0

I loved this cozy second chance romance!!

It is the perfect example of 'right person, wrong time'.' Seeing how Teddy and Clara first met and how that friendship turned into so much more. The way that they both said no to relationships because they wanted to focus on their careers but then both of them realizing they wanted more. It was a good use of the miscommunication trope, which I don't normally love. But this was the perfect use of it because it was something that was real and very big in both their lives. The love that they had for education and history was like a third party in their story. 
 
Teddy: He was a great MMC!! The grief that he went through after losing his dad and Clara pretty much at the same time I think really built him as a character. And how much he loved Clara and didn't want to waste any more time apart from her.

Clara: I love a complex FMC. Who struggles with wanting to choose between love or a career then realizing you can have both. I think she was very well written by being a woman in a very male dominated field. She never perceived herself as weak or unworthy outwardly.  

The side characters were a great addition! They didn't add any extra drama or unneeded side plot. 

I would have loved an epilogue with it being a few years in the future! Just to see how their relationship worked out and how to manage to still teach or research, while being in a relationship. Just to show how you can have both. 

Love Redesigned by Lauren Asher

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

I loved this book and couple!!!

The mental health rep was so well done. I loved the banter and then the tension. The fact that Julian just outright said he was in love with her and didn’t play around, I really appreciated that. The author could have strung us along with all different kind of miscommunications or third act breakup. All the conflict was real and handle like two adults who don’t live in a book would.

I loved the rep of adoption too!! And not having her get pregnant by some miracle and the baby is perfect. Because that’s not reality in a lot of women’s cases. And for Julian to be so aware of his mom’s depression?! Beautiful.

I think this is my new favorite Lauren Asher book!

The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-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? Yes

3.5

This book is basically about an avenging serial killer demon from the 70s possessing young girls' bodies who have had major grief in their life.