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dazyreads's reviews
55 reviews
Defy Me by Tahereh Mafi
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.5
Skin of a Sinner by Avina St. Graves
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
book review | skin of a sinner by avian st. graves
spoiler free
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 4.5
📖: ebook (ARC)
tropes:
- childhood best friends
- dual timeline/pov
- masked MMC
- second chance
- touch her & 💀
plot:
at a young age, both Rowan and Bella were outcasts at school. though Bella was skittish and Rowan seemily unapproachable, they became inseparable. Rowan would become Bella’s protector, but her knight wouldn’t be around forever.
both the past and present timeline were incredible. the dual timeline added to the suspense and left me desperate to discover more in each timeline.
even the author’s note left me with my mouth gaping, and my jaw probably remained on the floor throughout the first few chapters. honestly, i was unsure how the story would progress but it did not disappoint.
characters:
AHHHHHH ROWAN. wow. wow. this man.
how can someone be so morally wrong while being so sexy??? 😭😭😭😭 i’ve ALWAYS been obsessed with ‘boy that’s mean to everyone but had a soft spot for her,’ and Rowan takes it to a whole new level. i found it so intriguing how a character who is so twisted can also be a sweetheart.
my sweet bella ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡
her story really touched my heart, while also BREAKING it. i loved how she had to learn to adjust to her situation, and make the most of it. despite her insecurities & overthinking, she is such a strong character!!
writing:
i absolutely loved the writing style! the pacing was well thought out between the past and present timelines. this made is so much easier to binge the book, while still creating suspense and an interesting plot timeline.
overall: a perfect combination of sweet and darkness. it was impossible to not fall into the hearts of both characters. it was great to see their friendship develop and the consequences of their upbringing into their adult lives.
thank you @avina.stgraves for the early copy and writing my new favourite dark romance 🥀
spoiler free
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 4.5
📖: ebook (ARC)
tropes:
- childhood best friends
- dual timeline/pov
- masked MMC
- second chance
- touch her & 💀
plot:
at a young age, both Rowan and Bella were outcasts at school. though Bella was skittish and Rowan seemily unapproachable, they became inseparable. Rowan would become Bella’s protector, but her knight wouldn’t be around forever.
both the past and present timeline were incredible. the dual timeline added to the suspense and left me desperate to discover more in each timeline.
even the author’s note left me with my mouth gaping, and my jaw probably remained on the floor throughout the first few chapters. honestly, i was unsure how the story would progress but it did not disappoint.
characters:
AHHHHHH ROWAN. wow. wow. this man.
how can someone be so morally wrong while being so sexy??? 😭😭😭😭 i’ve ALWAYS been obsessed with ‘boy that’s mean to everyone but had a soft spot for her,’ and Rowan takes it to a whole new level. i found it so intriguing how a character who is so twisted can also be a sweetheart.
my sweet bella ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡
her story really touched my heart, while also BREAKING it. i loved how she had to learn to adjust to her situation, and make the most of it. despite her insecurities & overthinking, she is such a strong character!!
writing:
i absolutely loved the writing style! the pacing was well thought out between the past and present timelines. this made is so much easier to binge the book, while still creating suspense and an interesting plot timeline.
overall: a perfect combination of sweet and darkness. it was impossible to not fall into the hearts of both characters. it was great to see their friendship develop and the consequences of their upbringing into their adult lives.
thank you @avina.stgraves for the early copy and writing my new favourite dark romance 🥀
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
book review | the deal by elle kennedy
spoiler free
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 3
📖: paperback
tropes:
- fake dating
- college romance
- ice hockey player x music student
- friends with benefits
- he falls first
plot:
Hannah makes a deal with the hot popular captain of the hockey team: to tutor him i return for helping her get closer to her crush.
i absolutely loved how naturally the relationship developed from strangers, to friends and finally (spoiler) lovers. their budding friendship was so believable and i made me so happy how much they both cared for each other. it was so beautiful to see their relationship develop platonically, to develop trust with each other.
however their relationship doesn’t remain *strictly* platonic, and i loved the chemistry between the characters!!
also, i loved the whole college, parties and hook-up culture vibes 😭😭 kennedy did an amazing job for building a realistic college setting.
characters:
my sweet Hannah really struggles with intimacy and physical relationships. though it can be difficult to read about, these topics are so important to be represented. i think Kennedy did an amazing job of establishing Hannah’s struggles, while this storyline not completely overwhelming the story.
omg mr. Garrett Graham excuse meee?? okay i know it’s bare minimum for men to look out for women BUT i just found it so sweet. the fact this man was so dedicated to keeping her safe, establishing trust and ensure she’s cared for literally melted my heart. hockey men are a different breed, how can they all be so adorable? 😭😭
writing:
i found both POV, so enjoyable!! the writing was very easy to read and so fast paced. my only issues was the minor references to Hannah’s roommate’s eating habits which i found a little unsettling. it was only mentioned a couple of times so it doesn’t impact the story at all.
overall: ughhh i’m just obsessed with how attentive and caring Garrett was & how Hannah would always do what’s best for, despite expectations of being a college student. such a cute hockey romance <3
spoiler free
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 3
📖: paperback
tropes:
- fake dating
- college romance
- ice hockey player x music student
- friends with benefits
- he falls first
plot:
Hannah makes a deal with the hot popular captain of the hockey team: to tutor him i return for helping her get closer to her crush.
i absolutely loved how naturally the relationship developed from strangers, to friends and finally (spoiler) lovers. their budding friendship was so believable and i made me so happy how much they both cared for each other. it was so beautiful to see their relationship develop platonically, to develop trust with each other.
however their relationship doesn’t remain *strictly* platonic, and i loved the chemistry between the characters!!
also, i loved the whole college, parties and hook-up culture vibes 😭😭 kennedy did an amazing job for building a realistic college setting.
characters:
my sweet Hannah really struggles with intimacy and physical relationships. though it can be difficult to read about, these topics are so important to be represented. i think Kennedy did an amazing job of establishing Hannah’s struggles, while this storyline not completely overwhelming the story.
omg mr. Garrett Graham excuse meee?? okay i know it’s bare minimum for men to look out for women BUT i just found it so sweet. the fact this man was so dedicated to keeping her safe, establishing trust and ensure she’s cared for literally melted my heart. hockey men are a different breed, how can they all be so adorable? 😭😭
writing:
i found both POV, so enjoyable!! the writing was very easy to read and so fast paced. my only issues was the minor references to Hannah’s roommate’s eating habits which i found a little unsettling. it was only mentioned a couple of times so it doesn’t impact the story at all.
overall: ughhh i’m just obsessed with how attentive and caring Garrett was & how Hannah would always do what’s best for, despite expectations of being a college student. such a cute hockey romance <3
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
book review | terms and conditions by lauren asher
spoiler free
⭐️: 3.75
🌶️: 3.5
📖: paperback
tropes:
- marriage of convenience
- workplace romance
- billionaire
- fake dating
- sunshine x grumpy
- slow burn
plot:
the book jumped right into the story, and i like the fast paced nature but felt like we didn’t get to fully comprehend the depth Iris and Declan’s work relationship. i wanted to know more about why Iris dedicated her life and made so many sacrifices to work as Declan’s assistant and help fulfil his inheritance.
with that being said i absolutely LOVED the first half of this book, i was giggling from the tension and the flirty banter between both characters. i love the lil glimpse into Iris and her family - her Nana was so iconic!! the plot was really enjoyable and it was interesting to see the relationship develop through the pressures of work.
characters:
i’ve not heard many people mention, but personally, i felt like the love was very one sided in this book. it’s okay that Declan fell first but he put a lot of pressure on Iris to reciprocate his feelings. it also annoyed me that Declan broke her boundaries and did a bit of grovelling and then she instantly fell in love w him? like noooo girl, why?
somehow, i still really enjoyed this book and found myself crying - the ending was so so sweet. i guess because i read such unhinged dark romance that my experience are really high for these fluffy romances 😭😭
overall: besides these hiccups, i still really enjoyed this book. though i prefer my romance to be on the unrealistic side, i still like it to be believable.
spoiler free
⭐️: 3.75
🌶️: 3.5
📖: paperback
tropes:
- marriage of convenience
- workplace romance
- billionaire
- fake dating
- sunshine x grumpy
- slow burn
plot:
the book jumped right into the story, and i like the fast paced nature but felt like we didn’t get to fully comprehend the depth Iris and Declan’s work relationship. i wanted to know more about why Iris dedicated her life and made so many sacrifices to work as Declan’s assistant and help fulfil his inheritance.
with that being said i absolutely LOVED the first half of this book, i was giggling from the tension and the flirty banter between both characters. i love the lil glimpse into Iris and her family - her Nana was so iconic!! the plot was really enjoyable and it was interesting to see the relationship develop through the pressures of work.
characters:
i’ve not heard many people mention, but personally, i felt like the love was very one sided in this book. it’s okay that Declan fell first but he put a lot of pressure on Iris to reciprocate his feelings. it also annoyed me that Declan broke her boundaries and did a bit of grovelling and then she instantly fell in love w him? like noooo girl, why?
somehow, i still really enjoyed this book and found myself crying - the ending was so so sweet. i guess because i read such unhinged dark romance that my experience are really high for these fluffy romances 😭😭
overall: besides these hiccups, i still really enjoyed this book. though i prefer my romance to be on the unrealistic side, i still like it to be believable.
A Recipe for Disaster by Kate Lauren
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
4.0
welcome to New York, the home of The Sweet Red & Closed Cook: these neighbouring chefs are not very friendly… 🗽🧡🍳👩🍳
𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 ~
instagram ~ @dazyreads
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 2.5
📖: kindle
tropes/themes:
- rival chefs
- grumpy x grumpy
- rivals to lovers
- forced proximity
- slow burn
- he falls first
plot:
what will stir up between a sassy FMC and a sarcastic MMC when they both enter a prestigious cooking competition? 🍝
Kate whipped us up a sweet, rom-com baked alongside a unique storyline. 🧡
characters:
Iris is such a badass. she is strong and determined, and always focusing on her a cooking dreams. while Dakota is secretly a lil sweetheart.
while both Dakota and Iris relationship feels stone cold, it was interesting to see how their relationship gradually heated up.❤️🔥
both characters were not afraid to dish out the sarcasm, while learning to navigate the competition together.
i loved how naturally both characters began to open up about their troubling past, and understand one another on a deeper level.
i absolutely adored the ending it was so sweet!!
the writing:
such an amazing read! when they hate how much they want each other >>>
i really enjoyed the dual pov and how both characters had their own sassy flare. i loved how the characters explored how the past impact their present actions.
i felt like the scenes could have had a little more world building and description of the scenery to help bring the story to life.
overall: this book is chef’s kiss!! filled with a balanced blend of sweet and spice, mixed with cheeky dialogue and steaming tension. after taking a shot for every cooking pun within this review, make sure you get your hands on this book! 🧡👩🍳
Arc Review: thank you for the early copy!
𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆 ~
instagram ~ @dazyreads
⭐️: 4
🌶️: 2.5
📖: kindle
tropes/themes:
- rival chefs
- grumpy x grumpy
- rivals to lovers
- forced proximity
- slow burn
- he falls first
plot:
what will stir up between a sassy FMC and a sarcastic MMC when they both enter a prestigious cooking competition? 🍝
Kate whipped us up a sweet, rom-com baked alongside a unique storyline. 🧡
characters:
Iris is such a badass. she is strong and determined, and always focusing on her a cooking dreams. while Dakota is secretly a lil sweetheart.
while both Dakota and Iris relationship feels stone cold, it was interesting to see how their relationship gradually heated up.❤️🔥
both characters were not afraid to dish out the sarcasm, while learning to navigate the competition together.
i loved how naturally both characters began to open up about their troubling past, and understand one another on a deeper level.
i absolutely adored the ending it was so sweet!!
the writing:
such an amazing read! when they hate how much they want each other >>>
i really enjoyed the dual pov and how both characters had their own sassy flare. i loved how the characters explored how the past impact their present actions.
i felt like the scenes could have had a little more world building and description of the scenery to help bring the story to life.
overall: this book is chef’s kiss!! filled with a balanced blend of sweet and spice, mixed with cheeky dialogue and steaming tension. after taking a shot for every cooking pun within this review, make sure you get your hands on this book! 🧡👩🍳
Arc Review: thank you for the early copy!
Unhinged by Vera Valentine
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0