daydreamingreviews's reviews
971 reviews

In a Rush by Kate Canterbary

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

"I'll be damned... Ryan Ralston has a heart, I haven't seen it until now because you left it with her."

I finished this moments ago and I just know that I need to write my review now so I have an outlet to gush because WOW, Kate Canterbury really came out swinging with a companion book to the beloved (to the people but MOSTLY TO ME) In a Jam.
Ryan and Emme were written in the stars to be together. The way they balanced each other out, pushed each other when needed, and understood each other in ways no one else would ever know was so completely captivating for me as the reader. Ryan was down bad but Emme was not far behind him!!! From their first interaction, you knew that the marriage pact was always going to play out because their tension and chemistry was palpable.
Kate did a great job of building up such a solid foundation for their love that when the third act reared its ugly head (as it always does, heavy side eye to third act breakups as a whole lol) I was able to see how this would make them stronger in the long run instead of being sad that they were facing a bump in the road.
I loved being back with this friend group, seeing all the side characters again was so fun. The Shay, Gennie and Noah cameos were everything I could have ever hoped for I was giddy seeing them again lol. But this universe is such a special place, full of so much love that I was so excited to jump back into it with Emme and Ryan, and Kate DELIVERED.

I could go on for ages about how much I loved these two, but if you ever listen to any of my book recs let it be this one!!!! because WOW. Truly a big contender for my book of the YEAR. GOSH

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I really enjoyed the gentle love that was showcased between Angel and Iris. There was an understanding of sorts from their start that what they both needed was something unconditional, kind and meaningful, all things they both brought to the table during this book. Angel was in from the first moment he saw Iris and I was completely here for that. The book lost me a bit with the "forbiddenness" of it all, it just felt like there was not this simmering need between them that caused the tension to explode but instead, a couple of people who have been through a lot looking for solace in each other. In my opinion, the grief journey and the family matters of this book was done very well and my desire for more regarding tension did not pull me out of the story. I still was able to enjoy the love between these two and I was overjoyed to see them together, living their best life in the epilogue. I really enjoyed this series and I am excited to see what Kristina Forest brings next for her readers. She has a big fan in me!

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkey for an advanced copy of this story in exchange for my honest review!

Spiral by Bal Khabra

slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

fake dating is always going to pull me in. but that mixed with forced roommates due to circumstances and a slow burn with chemistry that was EVIDENT from their early interactions of fake dating had me locked in!!
 
The love between these two grew so beautifully from their fake dating that I could not get enough of their sweet moments OR their flirting moments. Elias was such a care taker that it made my heart melt. he just wanted to shoulder whatever Sage had going on and he did it in the smallest of ways to gain her trust at first. Sage was super relatable to me in the people pleaser department, I felt super seen with her character and I loved to see her growth alongside Elias during this book. Their chemistry was insane and the fact that it burnt as slow as it did had me on edge in the best way. The found family I this was UNMATCHED. I loved how quickly Sage fell into step with it all like she was always meant to be there.

It may have taken me a second to get into this book which is why it isn't a full five stars but once I did I loved these two so much. Excited to go back and see how Summer and Aiden came to be!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

the thief plot was super interesting and I love second chance

Dark Restraint by Katee Robert

dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

So books 4 and 5 of this series fell a little flat for me in terms of the romance. The plot itself in this series continues to be interesting and the world-building/political plot of it all keeps getting wilder as the series goes on but the romance in those two was just not there for me. However book 6 was better but this one, book 7 REALLY picked up for me in terms of the romance. I was obsessed with these two from the beginning. I am always going to fall for a "it's always been you" plotline and Ariadne and Minotaur delivered that one from the start. The forbidden of it all in terms of Ariadne going against her father and the arranged marriage was just so good, I wish we got to see them years in the future living their best life but I know that doesn't fit for plot's sake lol. Books 6 and 7 really picked this series back up for me and I am excited to see where Katee takes us with Posiden and Icarus in book 8 come April!!! P.S. Katee continues to DELIVER with a plus-size lead because I love the way Ariadne was displayed and admired. Obsessed

Yin Yang Love Song by Lauren Kung Jessen

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This author continues to bring such a fresh take into romance from what I have read in regards to the emphasis she continues to put on the inclusion of ancestry and heritage in the current generation's life. This one having to do with a curse was a little hard for me to fully get into but I liked how it ended up resolving itself at the end of the book. Chryssy was a down-to-earth character that I connected to in terms of needing to guard her heart and opening giving away pieces of herself if it meant everyone was meeting their goals. Vin was hard for me to completely understand at times and it felt less mysterious at times and more unclear personality. The beginning hooked me, the middle was muddled a bit but the end did bring it back. I enjoyed the epilogue, a very cute ending to a real relationship.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley who gave me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Midnight Ruin by Katee Robert

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I was skeptical about continuing this series after the last one fell short for me in character interest but I really enjoyed these three together. Heavily rooting for them to live on as a throuple past this series lol

the overall series plot though continues to give decent twists

One-Star Romance by Laura Hankin

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

this one hurt, but in a good way. wow

Give Me Butterflies by Jillian Meadows

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

This book was literally everything I wanted trope-wise wrapped into one tied off with a bow of INSANELY GREAT writing. I was hooked from the start with this book. The tension between the two was real and the workplace aspect added a bit of "forbidden" tease that I was all for. The dam really broke for me however when Millie started to be around Finn's girls more. Their little family moving through grief and other emotionally healing journeys had my heart absolutely melting. The way they seamlessly fit as a family had me in ruins in the best way. This was a very real portrayal of love and how things were talked about was amazing based on communication being their priority even if it was after they f'ed up. I have not stopped thinking about these two for days, I am just completely in awe of their love that they live rent-free in my mind all the time. Excited to see this be re-released into the world and I will be encouraging EVERYONE to read it. Very excited to see where the series goes!

I received an ARC copy of this from the publishers through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What the Hex by Alexis Daria

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.0

This was so cute and super quick. Alexis Daria is always going to provide for me, her books are a great time for me, this was a great way to tide me over while waiting for some audiobook holds to come in.