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dedicated_reader's reviews
48 reviews
Verity by Colleen Hoover
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Liked ✅
- Very strong beginning
- Lowen’s growing confidence
- Invokes Emotions
- Adrenaline inducing
Didn't Like ❌
- Lack of commitment at the end
Thoughts 💭
Verity started out so strong! The connecting experiences that happen within the first couple chapters made me want to root for the duo that cross paths. I loved the way Jeremy handles Lowen. How kind, thoughtful and understanding he is. Lowen stays true to her values and her comfort zone many times throughout the course of the book, but as a reader I felt I watched her grow enormously before the end. Although this book is a dark, thriller, romance book it very much invoked a lot of emotions from me. But I love a book that makes me feel so many different emotions. As the thriller picked up, my adrenaline was through the roof waiting for all the bad and craziness to happen! It was very much a page turner, I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book played out. The only issue I had with it was the ending fell flat. It felt like there was a back track to every plot point that was played out. It felt like Hoover was afraid to commit to the darkness she created, that she had to try to fix it at the end.
- Very strong beginning
- Lowen’s growing confidence
- Invokes Emotions
- Adrenaline inducing
Didn't Like ❌
- Lack of commitment at the end
Thoughts 💭
Verity started out so strong! The connecting experiences that happen within the first couple chapters made me want to root for the duo that cross paths. I loved the way Jeremy handles Lowen. How kind, thoughtful and understanding he is. Lowen stays true to her values and her comfort zone many times throughout the course of the book, but as a reader I felt I watched her grow enormously before the end. Although this book is a dark, thriller, romance book it very much invoked a lot of emotions from me. But I love a book that makes me feel so many different emotions. As the thriller picked up, my adrenaline was through the roof waiting for all the bad and craziness to happen! It was very much a page turner, I thoroughly enjoyed the way the book played out. The only issue I had with it was the ending fell flat. It felt like there was a back track to every plot point that was played out. It felt like Hoover was afraid to commit to the darkness she created, that she had to try to fix it at the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Abortion
My Book Boyfriend by Kathy Strobos
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
Liked ✅
- Light hearted romance
- Dynamic was different
- Refreshing
- Character maturity
Didn't Like ❌
- Repeated ‘is he using me’ ‘is she using me’
- Neighbour/friend, he sucked
Thoughts 💭
Lily and Rupert were very much the cutest. I loved the way they so easily drew the line in the sand. Both sides were aware of where they stood, and how it didn’t change the dynamic of their budding relationship. I like how the readers got to see a side to all the side characters. We got to formulate opinions on the characters, and even grow attached to some of them. I really did have a soft spot for Mr.Devi, he was the sweetest! Books and Banter is an awesome name for a coffee shop! The foundation and build up of Lily and Rupert’s romance was different from most Romance novels that I’ve read. They were honest, understood each other's passions and commitments. It was delightfully refreshing. I felt that without realising it, they respectfully put each other first. The maturity they had for one another is something I don’t typically see in romance novels.
Sedona by Kerry Fryar Freeman
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.0
Liked ✅
- Description of Sedona, AZ
- Local vs Tourist living
- Cal and Des’ relationship
- Complex characters
- Crime mystery
Didn't Like ❌
- Slow burn
- Cal’s antics
Thoughts 💭
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading Sedona. I was really interested in the setting of Sedona, AZ as well as all the mysticism, healing crystals and whispering pines. I would have loved it if we got to read more about the legends of the Hopi Tribe.
I did find the book a bit of a slow burn, I was really searching for the mystery aspect but it didn’t really hit home until the last half. I like Cal and Des as a duo, there were a lot of shenanigans that they got up to together and I think they complimented each other beautifully. I really enjoyed the complexity of the characters, they were extremely layered and very realistically human.
It made for the perfect balance of black, white and grey characters. Once the mystery started, it really delved deep into it. There was a lot of finger pointing between characters and that made me just as confused as Cal! I felt I was truly in her shoes trying to investigate the truth. There were times where I really questioned Cal and her need to get involved, but her instincts were on to something!
My Turn by Palesa Damane
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Liked ✅
- Very quick read
- Plot twist before Part 2
Didn't Like ❌
- Slow burn
Thoughts 💭
As a debut novel of an aspiring writer the premise of the book was good. The story line gave me more Young Adult genre vibes, however there were some explicit scenes that would have to be modified for YA. As a reader I would recommend more editing before publishing. I really enjoyed the setting and learning about some of the South African culture. It was a bit of a slow burn during different stages of the book, but I was highly impressed with the creativity and idea structure, especially with the impression that English is the author's second language. The book translated pretty well!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
- Very quick read
- Plot twist before Part 2
Didn't Like ❌
- Slow burn
Thoughts 💭
As a debut novel of an aspiring writer the premise of the book was good. The story line gave me more Young Adult genre vibes, however there were some explicit scenes that would have to be modified for YA. As a reader I would recommend more editing before publishing. I really enjoyed the setting and learning about some of the South African culture. It was a bit of a slow burn during different stages of the book, but I was highly impressed with the creativity and idea structure, especially with the impression that English is the author's second language. The book translated pretty well!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Nightshade Academy by Mel Torrefranca
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Liked ✅
- Building of the friendship trio
- The bond and alliance built
- Loved the intensity of Chapter 20
- Emotional distress
- The ENDING
Didn't Like ❌
- Chapter 20’s ending WHY!?
Thoughts 💭
Nightshade Academy is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning, a lot of that is because of setting up the plot and the characters. The book gave me ‘questioning the government and room for rebellion’ vibes right off the start. I found myself struggling with understanding Yahshi’s questioning antics in the beginning but quickly realised he may be onto something.
The development of the trio (Yahshi, Vell and Pinto) was awesome. I loved reading about how their differences and quarks brought them together. I enjoyed the last few filtration tests because you get to experience Yahshi’s emotional struggle with those characters leaving. Every time it gave him an opportunity to process his next steps at the Academy. My emotions were all over the place at the end of Chapter 20, I was questioning Yahshi’s decisions and his intellect. I really could not understand why he chose the path he did.
Part 2 was a consistent page turner throughout. Mel Torrefranca knows how to emotionally mess with her readers! Reading the experiences that Yahshi was going through had me emotionally unstable and ready to pledge my allegiance to anyone but the Empire. Not only were my emotions HIGH but all the characters were really going through it. I was so proud Yahshi found the strength to choose his own path, and fight for what he believed in. THAT ENDING!!!! I can’t wait for the next book!
- Building of the friendship trio
- The bond and alliance built
- Loved the intensity of Chapter 20
- Emotional distress
- The ENDING
Didn't Like ❌
- Chapter 20’s ending WHY!?
Thoughts 💭
Nightshade Academy is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning, a lot of that is because of setting up the plot and the characters. The book gave me ‘questioning the government and room for rebellion’ vibes right off the start. I found myself struggling with understanding Yahshi’s questioning antics in the beginning but quickly realised he may be onto something.
The development of the trio (Yahshi, Vell and Pinto) was awesome. I loved reading about how their differences and quarks brought them together. I enjoyed the last few filtration tests because you get to experience Yahshi’s emotional struggle with those characters leaving. Every time it gave him an opportunity to process his next steps at the Academy. My emotions were all over the place at the end of Chapter 20, I was questioning Yahshi’s decisions and his intellect. I really could not understand why he chose the path he did.
Part 2 was a consistent page turner throughout. Mel Torrefranca knows how to emotionally mess with her readers! Reading the experiences that Yahshi was going through had me emotionally unstable and ready to pledge my allegiance to anyone but the Empire. Not only were my emotions HIGH but all the characters were really going through it. I was so proud Yahshi found the strength to choose his own path, and fight for what he believed in. THAT ENDING!!!! I can’t wait for the next book!
Fall Back Down When I Die by Joe Wilkins
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Liked ✅
- Started off good
Didn't Like ❌
- Different characters brought in with no real connection
- Past memories were overshadowed by a lot of detail
- Slow paced
- Confusing
Thoughts 💭
Got 28% through. Grabbed my attention quickly, dropped off shortly after. Kept trying to get through it to understand what the different characters were about and their involvement with the mains. Felt like I should have had more understanding of characters and situations at this point in the book.
- Started off good
Didn't Like ❌
- Different characters brought in with no real connection
- Past memories were overshadowed by a lot of detail
- Slow paced
- Confusing
Thoughts 💭
Got 28% through. Grabbed my attention quickly, dropped off shortly after. Kept trying to get through it to understand what the different characters were about and their involvement with the mains. Felt like I should have had more understanding of characters and situations at this point in the book.
Midnight Bayou by Nora Roberts
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Thoughts 💭
Unfortunately, I went into this novel blind so to speak. None of the reviews I skimmed had any mention of the events of Chapter 1. If you are someone that is not able to handle detailed Sexual Assault in novels, please do NOT read Chapter 1 or when the events start to take shape in the direction of SA skip to the end of the chapter. It's very easy for someone to get the gist of what happens without having to read the details.
I don't think my mind and body will come back from reading the detailed assault in Chapter 1 to try and complete the book. So please be warned, do more research than I did.
Unfortunately, I went into this novel blind so to speak. None of the reviews I skimmed had any mention of the events of Chapter 1. If you are someone that is not able to handle detailed Sexual Assault in novels, please do NOT read Chapter 1 or when the events start to take shape in the direction of SA skip to the end of the chapter. It's very easy for someone to get the gist of what happens without having to read the details.
I don't think my mind and body will come back from reading the detailed assault in Chapter 1 to try and complete the book. So please be warned, do more research than I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Rape
Two Dark Reigns by Kendare Blake
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Liked ✅
- Jules takes on her new powers with finesse
- Rebellion uprising
- Arsinoe’s dreams!!!
- Kat teeters on wanting good and being consumed by evil
- Side characters are so well written
Didn't Like ❌
- Slow burn
- Mirabella is uptight
- Billy on the mainland
Thoughts 💭
It has been a while since I read the first two books in this series, I was thankful for Google summaries and the beginning of this book for the reminders of what had gone down before. I still found the story progressed more on the slower side. Mirabella takes on her role of protecting Arsinoe, although we all know Arisone can handle herself. Mira frustrates me with her uptightness and needing Arsinoe to convert to the mainlander ways. Billy sucked on the mainland, he is a great character when he’s not on his turf. Jules takes on her war gift and really begins to understand it, that side of her matures beautifully as the story goes on. Arsinoe/Daphne’s dreams were a twist I wasn’t expecting, when the majority of everything is explained at the end it was a really cool way for the author to keep Arsinoe and Mira involved with the island while being on the mainland. Kat is all over the place, she seems to be trying really hard to be good but at the worst possible moments “her” lack of control happens and she goes full unhinged. I love how easy it is for Kendare Blake to write side characters that become some of your favourites!
Really looking forward to finishing the series off with Five Dark Fates!
- Jules takes on her new powers with finesse
- Rebellion uprising
- Arsinoe’s dreams!!!
- Kat teeters on wanting good and being consumed by evil
- Side characters are so well written
Didn't Like ❌
- Slow burn
- Mirabella is uptight
- Billy on the mainland
Thoughts 💭
It has been a while since I read the first two books in this series, I was thankful for Google summaries and the beginning of this book for the reminders of what had gone down before. I still found the story progressed more on the slower side. Mirabella takes on her role of protecting Arsinoe, although we all know Arisone can handle herself. Mira frustrates me with her uptightness and needing Arsinoe to convert to the mainlander ways. Billy sucked on the mainland, he is a great character when he’s not on his turf. Jules takes on her war gift and really begins to understand it, that side of her matures beautifully as the story goes on. Arsinoe/Daphne’s dreams were a twist I wasn’t expecting, when the majority of everything is explained at the end it was a really cool way for the author to keep Arsinoe and Mira involved with the island while being on the mainland. Kat is all over the place, she seems to be trying really hard to be good but at the worst possible moments “her” lack of control happens and she goes full unhinged. I love how easy it is for Kendare Blake to write side characters that become some of your favourites!
Really looking forward to finishing the series off with Five Dark Fates!
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