deannak92's reviews
171 reviews

That Sik Luv by Jescie Hall

dark fast-paced

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Audio version. This was entirely not what I was expecting. I love a good stalker romance and have read a lot of them. But this one was just so poorly executed in my opinion. 

It felt so repetitive with every spicy scene, how many times we going to hear about his piercing, or be tied up/cuffed? Generally with dark romances you get such a great variety.. Constantly calling her doll was a massive ick for me. 

“Don’t tell me you love me because I’ll never say it back you”. Ok fuck mate.. 

This has strong religious themes, so if that isn’t something for you, I’d avoid entirely. I probably should have DNF’d this but wanted to see it through. 

FMC is constantly back and forth not knowing what she wants. One minute she’s sinning the next she can’t get enough. Character development did nothing for me. However Joe Arden did a fantastic job in narrating with all his emotions.

The epilogue was good though. 

Whisper of War and Storms by C.L. Mecca

adventurous funny fast-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? No

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley, Boldwood Books and C.L Mecca for a copy of the ARC. 

4 stars! Whisper of War and Storms is a fast paced dual point of view romantasy featuring a woman journeying to another world via a Narnian style portal where she unravels her past. Throw in an immortal prince, with a kingdom full of elemental magic, and you have a fun, light and enjoyable story with easy world building and lots of humorous banter and a touch of  steam. You aren’t left on a giant cliffhanger, but the story is left open easily allowing for a sequel! 

“Never, in all the years I have been alive, have I kissed a woman and felt the very ground beneath me settle in contentment, as if it were at peace.”

🗡️ Enemies to Lovers

🔥 Forbidden Love 

🪄 Elemental Magic 

✨ Narnia Style Portal 

The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

adventurous medium-paced

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

3.5

It feels wrong to mark any of the Narnia books less than 5 stars as they were a huge part of my childhood and I will always adore them. 

This one just doesn’t hit the same way as The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe or Prince Caspian. I think having them on the boat takes away the magic of the world that is Narnia. But it is still a fantastic story and this series will always have a special place in my heart. ♥️🦁 

Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis

adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Be right back, off to find a portal to Narnia.

A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross

challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This was like reading a magically weaved poem. 

You have to push through the first little bit of world building and character introduction but once you do, it really grips you and the writing is so immersive and magical. Spirts, elements, magic, music, romance and mystery all weaved into one very unique story. 

A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

That’s how you write a second chance romance! And with the age gap 🔥The first book in this series I didn’t vibe with. It fell flat for me with Billie and Vaughn. But Violet and Cole bought it back strong 💪🏼 We love a soft yet headstrong FMC and with Cole’s background it felt more realistic than most love stories.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

adventurous emotional funny fast-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? No

5.0

Reading this book again unlocked a core memory for me. I still remember the first time I picked this up in the school library in primary school and from that day on I was absolutely obsessed. I think I’ve read this story 20+ times and it will never get old to me. ❤️

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Temple of Swoon by Jo Segura

fast-paced

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

3.0

I had really high hopes for this second instalment after absolutely loving the first one. But it just fell so flat for me. It was insta-lust to insta-love and honestly not much of anything to do with treasure until about 90% and then it felt very rushed and wrapped up quickly. This one was definitely more about the romance and family betrayal, and I just wanted so much more treasure and history (I know it’s meant to be a rom-com, but so was the first one and that one had such a good balance of everything) 

Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books in the Emily Wilde series and this final instalment did not disappoint. Delightful, magical, lighthearted and humorous, the Compendium of Lost Tales takes you on another adventure of academia, folklore, romance and action. I am obsessed with this series, it is so whimsical and I highly recommend everyone give this series a go. I am so incredibly sad to see the end of it.

“I have learned there is one thing a person never tires of, no matter how long they live. And that is being in love. All else is ash and ember.” ✨❤️🧚‍♀️