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1116 reviews
A Night at the Tropicana by Chanel Cleeton
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Chanel Cleeton is a new-to-me author that I've been meaning to read for a while now so I jumped at the chance to read a novella from her. I'm happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed it. In 40 pages, Cleeton manages to evoke a deep sense of longing, pain and hope through Natalie's perspective. I'm not always a fan of flashbacks it was well done in this story and I enjoyed both the present-day Natalie who is a successful doctor, and the teenage Natalie in Havana. It was easy to picture the glitz and glamour of the Tropicana's opening night all those years ago, as well as the magic—the thrilling excitement and rush of feelings—of meeting someone who gets you on a level no one has before. I have to admit that the picture was made more vivid as it reminded me a bit of Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights, which was one of my favourite movies as a high schooler, but it also made me love this story more. While not unpredictable, and perhaps a bit cheesy for some, I loved the ending and I think other hopeless romantics who love a story about star-crossed lovers and intertwined fate will love it too!
Special thanks to the publisher for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!
Special thanks to the publisher for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 4 stars!
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
I don't even know where to begin writing this review because I have so many thoughts and mixed feelings about it, but there's also not much that I can say without giving the story away. As much as possible, I think readers should go into this with no expectations because it'll probably not be what you expect anyway. I'm very much still processing this but I'm so glad that I read it with Chris who very patiently helped me sort out my confusion about the ending and made me appreciate the story more! 😂
Firstly, this book isn't going to be for everyone. I don't necessarily think you'll either love or hate it but it does require a good amount of patience. As someone who liked it a lot but didn't love it, I do think it's a book that I could grow to love on re-read because there's so much packed into these pages. From the lush descriptions of the Starless Sea to the stories within stories within stories, to the maze-like mystery, and the metaphors and allegories about love, loss, life, and choosing your fate. There's an endless amount to take away and although I don't re-read often, I would love to come back to this at a future date to see what else I can catch from the go.
If you've read Morgenstern before, you'll know just how well she can bring settings to life. She does an incredible job of doing so in these pages and it's one of my favourite aspects of this book. Her writing is lyrical and whimsical and I think she captures her character voices well. There are dozens of places we're introduced to and each one is so vividly depicted that it's easy to fall into each scene and story unfolding at the time. I admit that when I first started reading I was incredibly confused, but I quickly became curiouser and curiouser until I found myself unwilling to put the book down at the end of each night.
I'm sure many of you will be able to relate because as a book lover, I love reading books about books and stories that have stories in them and this was exactly that. I loved reading all the stories, myths and fables, mixed with the present character chapters to piece together what was happening. Morgenstern knows her audience well because at its heart I think this is a homage to the power of storytelling and how everyone's journey and experience with the stories they interact with can differ. There were so many relatable passages and moments about belonging, seeking escape, and finding home within the pages of a story that made me feel so seen as a bibliophile! 😍
That said, I think this book does get a little lost in everything it's trying to convey—the metaphors, allegories, stories—so the plot and, I think to an extent, the character arcs slightly suffer for it. I found myself getting so caught up in trying to connect the dots and truly understand what was happening that I lost the emotional connection to the characters. Perhaps this is why I initially found the ending in particular to be a little underwhelming because I expected something more concrete, but it does fit well with the overall whimsical, wonderful and weird nature of the story.
Overall, despite the slightly slow pacing and the loose plot, I did end up liking this a lot. I'm looking forward to eventually re-reading it one day and seeing if my feelings about it will have changed.
Firstly, this book isn't going to be for everyone. I don't necessarily think you'll either love or hate it but it does require a good amount of patience. As someone who liked it a lot but didn't love it, I do think it's a book that I could grow to love on re-read because there's so much packed into these pages. From the lush descriptions of the Starless Sea to the stories within stories within stories, to the maze-like mystery, and the metaphors and allegories about love, loss, life, and choosing your fate. There's an endless amount to take away and although I don't re-read often, I would love to come back to this at a future date to see what else I can catch from the go.
If you've read Morgenstern before, you'll know just how well she can bring settings to life. She does an incredible job of doing so in these pages and it's one of my favourite aspects of this book. Her writing is lyrical and whimsical and I think she captures her character voices well. There are dozens of places we're introduced to and each one is so vividly depicted that it's easy to fall into each scene and story unfolding at the time. I admit that when I first started reading I was incredibly confused, but I quickly became curiouser and curiouser until I found myself unwilling to put the book down at the end of each night.
I'm sure many of you will be able to relate because as a book lover, I love reading books about books and stories that have stories in them and this was exactly that. I loved reading all the stories, myths and fables, mixed with the present character chapters to piece together what was happening. Morgenstern knows her audience well because at its heart I think this is a homage to the power of storytelling and how everyone's journey and experience with the stories they interact with can differ. There were so many relatable passages and moments about belonging, seeking escape, and finding home within the pages of a story that made me feel so seen as a bibliophile! 😍
That said, I think this book does get a little lost in everything it's trying to convey—the metaphors, allegories, stories—so the plot and, I think to an extent, the character arcs slightly suffer for it. I found myself getting so caught up in trying to connect the dots and truly understand what was happening that I lost the emotional connection to the characters. Perhaps this is why I initially found the ending in particular to be a little underwhelming because I expected something more concrete, but it does fit well with the overall whimsical, wonderful and weird nature of the story.
Overall, despite the slightly slow pacing and the loose plot, I did end up liking this a lot. I'm looking forward to eventually re-reading it one day and seeing if my feelings about it will have changed.
Indigo by Beverly Jenkins
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
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? No
4.5
4.5 stars rounded up!
Before I get into my review I just want to say: can we get the clinch cover back for this romance, please!? It's stunning and I want and need it in my life, please and thank you. 🥹
TL;DR: I've found another new favourite Jenkins romance! Even set against the tension-filled backdrop of a time of slavery, fugitive slaves and the dangers of being a conductor in the Underground Railroad, Jenkins manages to write a heartfelt and sensual romance full of yearning and I loved it. I was pulled in from their caustic first meeting to the tender blooming of their feelings to their intense chemistry and hot-as-hell sexual tension. I loved Hester and Galen so much!
I appreciate how much I learn about history with each Bev Jenkins book I read. Reading about slavery, slave catchers, and fugitive slaves was at once eye-opening, angering and heartbreaking. I loved the inserts of prominent historical figures, such as abolitionist John Brown and I admit that after reading, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading up more about a few of these people. I admire how reading her historicals never feels like lessons but I still walk away with so much knowledge. Plus, she writes everything so well that it's hard to not be reeled in by her stories!
I adored Hester! She's a very sensible good egg and though she's all about logic and being practical, she also doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. She has no issue standing her ground against persistent rakes like Galen and evil scum like Shoe. I love how Galen brings out the saucier and more playful side of her. I enjoyed reading about her role as a conductor for the underground and I do wish that we'd seen more of that part as the story went on, but it made for a very unique first meeting between her and Galen. And as much as I adored Hester, I was smitten with Galen! Having always been a free man and coming from one of the wealthiest families, he couldn't have been more different from Hester. He had an interesting backstory and I enjoyed learning how he became the notorious slave rescuer, Black Daniel. Although his arrogance was astounding at times, I didn't find his actions irritating because he was genuine, had a big heart and cared a great deal.
Ngl, the man had me swooning all over the place with his persistent charm, devotion, respect and all-consuming love for Hester. He was a complete simp for her and I mean, I get it! He wouldn't give her up without a fight and it was such a fun time watching him try to continuously woo her in his arrogant rakish way and see her rebuff him time and again. 😍 Their banter only got better as the story continued and the intensity of their burning sexual tension pretty much set my Kindle aflame! Although they catch feelings rather quickly, their romance (more or less) takes place over a year and I enjoyed the slow burn of their romance. I loved that Hester makes Galen work to prove himself to her! But although it's a slower burn, there were some delightfully steamy moments throughout. 🔥 Their chemistry was something!
I have to admit that the baddies got off way too easy and I did find the ending a bit too cheesy. It tracked with Galen's character though! Overall, this was another successful romance for me and I'm so excited to learn that the Le Veq brothers have a series cos I want their HEAs, especially Raymond's.
Before I get into my review I just want to say: can we get the clinch cover back for this romance, please!? It's stunning and I want and need it in my life, please and thank you. 🥹
TL;DR: I've found another new favourite Jenkins romance! Even set against the tension-filled backdrop of a time of slavery, fugitive slaves and the dangers of being a conductor in the Underground Railroad, Jenkins manages to write a heartfelt and sensual romance full of yearning and I loved it. I was pulled in from their caustic first meeting to the tender blooming of their feelings to their intense chemistry and hot-as-hell sexual tension. I loved Hester and Galen so much!
I appreciate how much I learn about history with each Bev Jenkins book I read. Reading about slavery, slave catchers, and fugitive slaves was at once eye-opening, angering and heartbreaking. I loved the inserts of prominent historical figures, such as abolitionist John Brown and I admit that after reading, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading up more about a few of these people. I admire how reading her historicals never feels like lessons but I still walk away with so much knowledge. Plus, she writes everything so well that it's hard to not be reeled in by her stories!
I adored Hester! She's a very sensible good egg and though she's all about logic and being practical, she also doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. She has no issue standing her ground against persistent rakes like Galen and evil scum like Shoe. I love how Galen brings out the saucier and more playful side of her. I enjoyed reading about her role as a conductor for the underground and I do wish that we'd seen more of that part as the story went on, but it made for a very unique first meeting between her and Galen. And as much as I adored Hester, I was smitten with Galen! Having always been a free man and coming from one of the wealthiest families, he couldn't have been more different from Hester. He had an interesting backstory and I enjoyed learning how he became the notorious slave rescuer, Black Daniel. Although his arrogance was astounding at times, I didn't find his actions irritating because he was genuine, had a big heart and cared a great deal.
Ngl, the man had me swooning all over the place with his persistent charm, devotion, respect and all-consuming love for Hester. He was a complete simp for her and I mean, I get it! He wouldn't give her up without a fight and it was such a fun time watching him try to continuously woo her in his arrogant rakish way and see her rebuff him time and again. 😍 Their banter only got better as the story continued and the intensity of their burning sexual tension pretty much set my Kindle aflame! Although they catch feelings rather quickly, their romance (more or less) takes place over a year and I enjoyed the slow burn of their romance. I loved that Hester makes Galen work to prove himself to her! But although it's a slower burn, there were some delightfully steamy moments throughout. 🔥 Their chemistry was something!
I have to admit that the baddies got off way too easy and I did find the ending a bit too cheesy. It tracked with Galen's character though! Overall, this was another successful romance for me and I'm so excited to learn that the Le Veq brothers have a series cos I want their HEAs, especially Raymond's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
The Time of Your Life by Sandra Kitt
Special thanks to Sourcebooks Casablanca for providing a digital ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars
TL;DR: My feelings on this vacillated greatly throughout my reading journey. There were moments when I enjoyed our characters and their burgeoning romance but the slow pace, lack of plot, and the total "what the heck is going on" moment of their final conflict almost made the not-so-enjoyable moments outweigh the good. As it is, I'd say this is a solid 3-star read—not bad but not great though I enjoyed it enough to want to possibly read other books by this author in the future.
What I liked:
What I struggled with:
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
TL;DR: My feelings on this vacillated greatly throughout my reading journey. There were moments when I enjoyed our characters and their burgeoning romance but the slow pace, lack of plot, and the total "what the heck is going on" moment of their final conflict almost made the not-so-enjoyable moments outweigh the good. As it is, I'd say this is a solid 3-star read—not bad but not great though I enjoyed it enough to want to possibly read other books by this author in the future.
What I liked:
- Eden was an admirable character. She's no-nonsense, hard-working (almost to a fault) and tough as heck! I loved how she spoke up for others and spoke her mind. The scene in the bathroom at the ball? *chef's kiss!* OML, I adored how she didn't let her insecurities engulf her, worked through her feelings, and stood up for herself because YES, QUEEN! I also enjoyed seeing her be her badass self defending people who can't defend themselves.
- Beck was charming and I enjoyed his backstory although it was heartbreaking. I wanted to see a little more emotion out of him, especially concerning his mother but I found his arc touching. I also liked how thoughtful he was when it came to the people in his life, even his mother whom he had a complicated relationship. The way he took care of Eden when she has always been the one to take care of others was very sweet, too!
- Some of their romantic moments had the butterflies going in my chest. I loved how sweet they were with each other and how they clicked. Watching them catch feelings and have realisations about the strength of those feelings made me feel just as giddy as they felt! Although it was predictable and I could see it coming from the moment this element was introduced, I still loved a particular scene at the end between these two—if you read this, you'll know what I mean!
- I felt like much of their romantic evolution was "told" and not "shown". They spent a good chunk of their time apart living their own lives, which is fair enough, but more of the times they spent together felt glossed over.
- Their lack of communication or should I say their lack of desire to communicate their feelings more was quite frustrating and I felt, led to unnecessary drama. Why couldn't they have just stated outright how they felt before they'd fight and have to make up when they could so easily do it after feeling guilty about a pointless argument? As much as I enjoyed that they just *got* what the other was feeling, this lack of communication felt incongruous with their natures.
- Holly. Straight up, I did not like this woman. She was spoiled, entitled, bratty and wildly immature. Even though I know from personal experience that sister relationships are complicated, I lowkey hated how Eden would let Holly walk all over her even until the end! Holly did not deserve it and I'm not taking these words back, I don't care, lol.
- I don't know if it was just the writing of the characters that was occasionally confusing to me but the resolution of some of their conflicts, both personal and romantic, felt off at times. I don't know how to describe it. It was almost as if these important moments were written passively and I struggled to understand why certain characters acted or reacted in ways that were very blasé. I think it again comes down to the lack of communication...
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
DNF @ 50%
This is the second highly-anticipated MG fantasy that disappointed me in February. What's going on? 😭 I should've DNF'd the first one and regretted not doing it, so as much as it pains me to DNF this, I decided to listen to myself and put it down for now (although I'm not entirely sure whether I'll come back to it in the future).
The main issue for me is that I didn't care about any of the characters and I was honestly kind of bored. As the MC, I was confused by Ella's actions. She's so contradictory and I know she's young and young people can make questionable decisions but I found it frustrating. She wanted to fit in but was unfriendly to the one person who was kind to her from the start. She pushed him away because he was assigned to help her but after snapping at him she'd ask him questions anyway? I dunno, it was irritating! I also understood her desire to fit in and be liked but she was very passive. The friendship triangle that forms between Ella and her two friends should have been a highlight for me but her roommate was very... Unlikeable for reasons that were unexplained and the other person was someone I liked but we didn't get enough page time with them to balance out the other two characters.
I will say that despite a great boatload of info dumping, I thought the world-building was fun. I loved learning about Conjurers and what they're responsible for. This magical boarding school up in the sky surrounded by all the star-related things seemed like a lot of fun but it was also a lot of information. I'm pretty bummed that I couldn't get into this.
This is the second highly-anticipated MG fantasy that disappointed me in February. What's going on? 😭 I should've DNF'd the first one and regretted not doing it, so as much as it pains me to DNF this, I decided to listen to myself and put it down for now (although I'm not entirely sure whether I'll come back to it in the future).
The main issue for me is that I didn't care about any of the characters and I was honestly kind of bored. As the MC, I was confused by Ella's actions. She's so contradictory and I know she's young and young people can make questionable decisions but I found it frustrating. She wanted to fit in but was unfriendly to the one person who was kind to her from the start. She pushed him away because he was assigned to help her but after snapping at him she'd ask him questions anyway? I dunno, it was irritating! I also understood her desire to fit in and be liked but she was very passive. The friendship triangle that forms between Ella and her two friends should have been a highlight for me but her roommate was very... Unlikeable for reasons that were unexplained and the other person was someone I liked but we didn't get enough page time with them to balance out the other two characters.
I will say that despite a great boatload of info dumping, I thought the world-building was fun. I loved learning about Conjurers and what they're responsible for. This magical boarding school up in the sky surrounded by all the star-related things seemed like a lot of fun but it was also a lot of information. I'm pretty bummed that I couldn't get into this.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"It's one thing to be looked at, and another to be seen."
I don't even know where to begin with this review. This was so beautifully written. I don't pick up much poetry but this often read like spoken word and it added more depth and movement to the writing. Although slow-paced, at 145 pages it still could've easily been read in a couple of hours, but I wanted to take my time to savour every moment with Azumah Nelson's stunning prose. It's deeply moving and written with such heart. I know that this will probably stick with me for a long time to come.
"Sometimes you forget that to be you is to be unseen and unheard, or it is to be seen and heard in ways you did not ask for. Sometimes you forget to be you is to be a Black body, and not much else."
Open Water is at turn an achingly tender romance and a heartbreakingly honest and eye-opening portrayal of what it means to occupy a Black body in a society that refuses to see you. Set against a backdrop of an improbable summer romance between two best friends falling madly in love, Azumah Nelson presents the slowly intertwining lives of our nameless narrators through various dichotomies, taking us from embracing joy, light, love, and hope, to being shadowed by anger, trauma, fear, and death. I loved how Azumah Nelson captured the intimacy of their romance and made it feel almost as if we were intruders in their tender love. Although there is so much joy and safety in their relationship, it is tempered by the racism and violence that surrounds their lives, particularly that of the male protagonist. This story is rich in themes and they are all done so well! The author explores what it means to love, be free, be seen, be honest, and be vulnerable enough to let someone see your ugly alongside your beauty. Unsurprisingly, the raw heart in this story had me crying buckets (ch. 27 wrecked me)!
"Indeed, what is a joint? What is a fracture? What is a break? Under what conditions does unconditional love become no more?"
I loved the joyous celebration of Black art and culture, particularly as experienced through music. It is a core part of these character's lives and it's woven through their connection. While reading I decided to check whether there was a playlist for this book and I found one prepared by the publisher—listening to the tracks while reading elevated my experience of this book and I highly recommend it if you can do so! Overall, this was a short, poignant and impactful story wrapped up in stunning writing that will keep you hooked until the last sentence and the very last word.
I don't even know where to begin with this review. This was so beautifully written. I don't pick up much poetry but this often read like spoken word and it added more depth and movement to the writing. Although slow-paced, at 145 pages it still could've easily been read in a couple of hours, but I wanted to take my time to savour every moment with Azumah Nelson's stunning prose. It's deeply moving and written with such heart. I know that this will probably stick with me for a long time to come.
"Sometimes you forget that to be you is to be unseen and unheard, or it is to be seen and heard in ways you did not ask for. Sometimes you forget to be you is to be a Black body, and not much else."
Open Water is at turn an achingly tender romance and a heartbreakingly honest and eye-opening portrayal of what it means to occupy a Black body in a society that refuses to see you. Set against a backdrop of an improbable summer romance between two best friends falling madly in love, Azumah Nelson presents the slowly intertwining lives of our nameless narrators through various dichotomies, taking us from embracing joy, light, love, and hope, to being shadowed by anger, trauma, fear, and death. I loved how Azumah Nelson captured the intimacy of their romance and made it feel almost as if we were intruders in their tender love. Although there is so much joy and safety in their relationship, it is tempered by the racism and violence that surrounds their lives, particularly that of the male protagonist. This story is rich in themes and they are all done so well! The author explores what it means to love, be free, be seen, be honest, and be vulnerable enough to let someone see your ugly alongside your beauty. Unsurprisingly, the raw heart in this story had me crying buckets (ch. 27 wrecked me)!
"Indeed, what is a joint? What is a fracture? What is a break? Under what conditions does unconditional love become no more?"
I loved the joyous celebration of Black art and culture, particularly as experienced through music. It is a core part of these character's lives and it's woven through their connection. While reading I decided to check whether there was a playlist for this book and I found one prepared by the publisher—listening to the tracks while reading elevated my experience of this book and I highly recommend it if you can do so! Overall, this was a short, poignant and impactful story wrapped up in stunning writing that will keep you hooked until the last sentence and the very last word.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Police brutality
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Sexual content
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
To no one's surprise, Talia Hibbert does it again! I loved Eve Brown and Jacob Wayne! OML. I'm melting! Swooning! Sobbing in feels because holy sweetness, these two were simply everything. 💜 But also, JACOB. WAYNE. SIR! 👀
TL;DR: It took me forever to finally read this book and finish <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/271642-the-brown-sisters">The Brown Sisters</a> series but this solidifies it as one of my all-time favourite romance series and I highly recommend it! Eve and Jacob were so easy to root for and I loved their character arcs. I delighted in their connection and despite a rocky start to their relationship, they had fantastic chemistry and an emotional romance that's written with so much heart! These two deserved all the happiness and I loved seeing them find it together. 🥰 My heart is so full!
Despite their grumpy sunshine personalities, Eve and Jacob had plenty of similarities. They are both brilliant, talented and hard-working but they have trouble understanding social cues and making friends, and are both riddled with self-doubt from past experiences. This is an own-voice romance where both our MCs are autistic and although I cannot speak on the rep, I do love the care with which Hibbert writes our characters and their experiences.
In a family of highly successful overachievers, Eve's sunshine yet flighty personality makes her the family's disappointment and black sheep. She's full of brilliant ideas but she's terrified of failing so she's stopped trying at all. I adored Eve's character arc in this book! She experiences so much growth in the areas of self-love and her belief in herself without sacrificing her bright-as-day and force-of-nature personality. In similar ways, Jacob also experiences so much growth. Following the traumatic events of his childhood, he struggles with abandonment issues and wholeheartedly believes no one will ever choose to stay for him and oh, my heart broke. He's a full-on grumpasaurus rex but underneath that icy, straight-laced, slightly terrifying exterior is a giant fluffy marshmallow man of feelings who simply wants to provide people a home away from home, where they never feel like they have to compromise their happiness to find comfort.
Was their romance instalove? Considering everything happens in two weeks, yes. But did it feel like it? Not at all! Their characters and romance were so well-fleshed out. I love how they went from being unable to stand each other to appreciating each other's ways of being to becoming friends to eventual lovers. They are both carers and they give each other the patience, kindness and love they need to thrive. It was just so adorable! The way they love on each other made my heart feel like it was going to explode with all the happiness and FEELINGS!!! So many freaking feelings and I could not get enough! 😭 Also, their banter is exquisite but I knew it was going to be because this is an area where Hibbert truly excels. Their dynamic and chemistry were so good and every moment with them had me laughing, crying, and swooning.
I mean, if you can't tell, I really loved this book. I'm sad that there are no more books for the Brown Sisters but this was a very satisfying and perfect last book in a wonderfully heartwarming and hilarious series. If you're thinking of reading it, do it!
TL;DR: It took me forever to finally read this book and finish <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/271642-the-brown-sisters">The Brown Sisters</a> series but this solidifies it as one of my all-time favourite romance series and I highly recommend it! Eve and Jacob were so easy to root for and I loved their character arcs. I delighted in their connection and despite a rocky start to their relationship, they had fantastic chemistry and an emotional romance that's written with so much heart! These two deserved all the happiness and I loved seeing them find it together. 🥰 My heart is so full!
Despite their grumpy sunshine personalities, Eve and Jacob had plenty of similarities. They are both brilliant, talented and hard-working but they have trouble understanding social cues and making friends, and are both riddled with self-doubt from past experiences. This is an own-voice romance where both our MCs are autistic and although I cannot speak on the rep, I do love the care with which Hibbert writes our characters and their experiences.
In a family of highly successful overachievers, Eve's sunshine yet flighty personality makes her the family's disappointment and black sheep. She's full of brilliant ideas but she's terrified of failing so she's stopped trying at all. I adored Eve's character arc in this book! She experiences so much growth in the areas of self-love and her belief in herself without sacrificing her bright-as-day and force-of-nature personality. In similar ways, Jacob also experiences so much growth. Following the traumatic events of his childhood, he struggles with abandonment issues and wholeheartedly believes no one will ever choose to stay for him and oh, my heart broke. He's a full-on grumpasaurus rex but underneath that icy, straight-laced, slightly terrifying exterior is a giant fluffy marshmallow man of feelings who simply wants to provide people a home away from home, where they never feel like they have to compromise their happiness to find comfort.
Was their romance instalove? Considering everything happens in two weeks, yes. But did it feel like it? Not at all! Their characters and romance were so well-fleshed out. I love how they went from being unable to stand each other to appreciating each other's ways of being to becoming friends to eventual lovers. They are both carers and they give each other the patience, kindness and love they need to thrive. It was just so adorable! The way they love on each other made my heart feel like it was going to explode with all the happiness and FEELINGS!!! So many freaking feelings and I could not get enough! 😭 Also, their banter is exquisite but I knew it was going to be because this is an area where Hibbert truly excels. Their dynamic and chemistry were so good and every moment with them had me laughing, crying, and swooning.
I mean, if you can't tell, I really loved this book. I'm sad that there are no more books for the Brown Sisters but this was a very satisfying and perfect last book in a wonderfully heartwarming and hilarious series. If you're thinking of reading it, do it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I mean, it was ok? I liked it enough to finish it. It is so very instalove but I did enjoy seeing them fall for each other as they toured across Rome. Who hasn't even fantasized about meeting someone on holiday and having a whirlwind romance? It was also very stereotypical but I enjoyed the boisterous Italian family scene with Callum's roomie's family! Lots of food, dancing, drinking, love—what's not to like, right? There were cute moments to be had!
Sadly, I found the holes in the story kept taking me out of it and it was difficult to believe that nobody recognised Ilaria and that she managed to so easily evade the paparazzi that's always out to get her! I also can't believe something so short had a third act... I'm also not a fan of authors writing accents and I'm sorry but I found the narration of this audiobook particularly cringe!
Sadly, I found the holes in the story kept taking me out of it and it was difficult to believe that nobody recognised Ilaria and that she managed to so easily evade the paparazzi that's always out to get her! I also can't believe something so short had a third act... I'm also not a fan of authors writing accents and I'm sorry but I found the narration of this audiobook particularly cringe!
With Any Luck by Ashley Poston
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I know this is a short story but it felt unfinished! I don't know if the flashbacks worked in this story's favour as I feel like it took time away from our two love interests getting to know each other. Plus, after they meet for the first time, we find out that they don't even exchange messages or even really talk to each other now that they've reunited. But we're still expected to believe that they are each other's one true love? I liked the glimpse of both characters that we got. I found Audrey to be a bit of a hot mess but she was relatable. I found their reactions to their besties getting married very realistic as well—these are scary big changes! I just wanted more from both of them. I wanted to see them talking, even if it was just barbed witty sexy banter. Sexy times are fun and all but by the end, they still felt more like strangers than lovers to me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett
adventurous
dark
funny
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My first re-read of 2024 couldn't have gone better because this was an absolute delight! I remember enjoying it well enough when I first read it last year but I also recall feeling slightly disappointed by the ending. Those same thoughts do not hold on re-read and I'm happy to say that I loved it so much more this time. It could be because I was listening to it on audiobook and annotated the heck out of it too which made me feel more immersed in the story.
Emily Wilde's isn't a fast-paced story and neither does it have a concrete plot beyond Emily researching the most elusive Hidden Ones to complete the final chapter in her encyclopaedia of faeries, which she has been working on for most of her adult life. It's very much a cosy slice-of-life fantasy that moves along at a steady, although not particularly rapid, pace. We're treated to Emily's POV through her journal entries and being who she is, it does read very academically and that might not be to everyone's taste but I thoroughly enjoyed it because of how well it captured her personality.
I found the world-building exquisite. This is a historical fantasy set in a world where faerie studies are a very real thing and the existence of fae across the world have been chronicled and catalogued and numerous studies have been pursued. It shouldn't surprise you to know that you will come away from this knowing a whole lot more about faeries than you ever did before—at least, that's what happened to me and I loved the whimsical, enchanting and utterly terrifying nature of these creatures. The way the faerie world is explored and dissected through Emily's journal entries is magnificent and although I have no idea what I will do with all this information, I'm delighted that it's been imparted! 😂 Aside from everything faerie, I also loved the way Fawcett's writing brought nature to life. The biting cold of the bitter winter on this tiny island near the Arctic Circle was almost like a character on its own and as much as my tropical ass loves the idea of winter, I don't reckon I'd survive this, lol.
As wonderful as the setting was though, the best part of this was Emily, Wendell and the villagers who I grew to love so much by the end of this book! Sometimes I wonder if we're meant to like Emily at all but in all honesty, I loved her and appreciate her character so much. She's brilliant, curmudgeonly, and incredibly passionate about anything and everything to do with the folk. But the minute it comes to interacting with people she clams up and doesn't know what to do or say. I can relate so much to that! She grew up as a "too smart" young woman with a family that didn't know what to do with her and she had to rely on herself to get anything done. If there's anyone who could teach a Masterclass on how to suppress emotions, Emily would be the one. What you see is what you get with her and I loved that she knew her shortcomings just as well as her strengths! Although she doesn't try to actively change herself throughout the story, as she realises that people are willing to accept her for who she is, it comes about naturally. I thoroughly enjoyed her academic mind and I especially loved it when Wendell came into the picture!
From Emily's pov, Wendell is her academic rival and begrudgingly on her part, her only friend. He's the sunshine to her grump and the exact opposite to her in every way. Where she's rigid about her research, he orders his minions around and kind of flops about everywhere. Where she's socially awkward to her core, he's the light and life of every party and conversation. He's an incorrigible flirt and charms his way through everything he does. I adored his character, especially the sharp, witty banter that he has with Emily! There were serious moments that I knew I probably shouldn't have been laughing but I couldn't help it because of how they spoke about and to each other. It was always respectful and honest but also incredibly endearing. And I loved that even as he needled her to tears, you could tell that he always did so with a great fondness for his dear dragon, Emily. 😍 I loved them so, so much!That said, I do think that the love confession felt a bit sudden considering he was still hooking up with village women throughout the story. That honestly made me feel a bit uncomfortable but I guess, he's fae? And Emily didn't seem to mind, at least she never raised it as an issue. His backstory was fascinating but I can't talk about it cos major spoilers but I can't wait to read more about him in the sequel. I hope that we get more of his POV too because I enjoyed them and in the audiobook, the narrator did a fantastic job of capturing his personality.
I think the only qualm that I have, although it hasn't affected my rating this time around, is how neatly the ending wrapped up. It happened very quickly and it felt too clean considering it has to do with such a powerful faerie. But as I said, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I'm so glad that I decided to re-read this before continuing with the second book because I feel so differently about it compared to last year! If you're also thinking about the audiobook for this, I would highly recommend it because the narrators did a fantastic job with all the character voices, especially Emily's and Wendell's!
Emily Wilde's isn't a fast-paced story and neither does it have a concrete plot beyond Emily researching the most elusive Hidden Ones to complete the final chapter in her encyclopaedia of faeries, which she has been working on for most of her adult life. It's very much a cosy slice-of-life fantasy that moves along at a steady, although not particularly rapid, pace. We're treated to Emily's POV through her journal entries and being who she is, it does read very academically and that might not be to everyone's taste but I thoroughly enjoyed it because of how well it captured her personality.
I found the world-building exquisite. This is a historical fantasy set in a world where faerie studies are a very real thing and the existence of fae across the world have been chronicled and catalogued and numerous studies have been pursued. It shouldn't surprise you to know that you will come away from this knowing a whole lot more about faeries than you ever did before—at least, that's what happened to me and I loved the whimsical, enchanting and utterly terrifying nature of these creatures. The way the faerie world is explored and dissected through Emily's journal entries is magnificent and although I have no idea what I will do with all this information, I'm delighted that it's been imparted! 😂 Aside from everything faerie, I also loved the way Fawcett's writing brought nature to life. The biting cold of the bitter winter on this tiny island near the Arctic Circle was almost like a character on its own and as much as my tropical ass loves the idea of winter, I don't reckon I'd survive this, lol.
As wonderful as the setting was though, the best part of this was Emily, Wendell and the villagers who I grew to love so much by the end of this book! Sometimes I wonder if we're meant to like Emily at all but in all honesty, I loved her and appreciate her character so much. She's brilliant, curmudgeonly, and incredibly passionate about anything and everything to do with the folk. But the minute it comes to interacting with people she clams up and doesn't know what to do or say. I can relate so much to that! She grew up as a "too smart" young woman with a family that didn't know what to do with her and she had to rely on herself to get anything done. If there's anyone who could teach a Masterclass on how to suppress emotions, Emily would be the one. What you see is what you get with her and I loved that she knew her shortcomings just as well as her strengths! Although she doesn't try to actively change herself throughout the story, as she realises that people are willing to accept her for who she is, it comes about naturally. I thoroughly enjoyed her academic mind and I especially loved it when Wendell came into the picture!
From Emily's pov, Wendell is her academic rival and begrudgingly on her part, her only friend. He's the sunshine to her grump and the exact opposite to her in every way. Where she's rigid about her research, he orders his minions around and kind of flops about everywhere. Where she's socially awkward to her core, he's the light and life of every party and conversation. He's an incorrigible flirt and charms his way through everything he does. I adored his character, especially the sharp, witty banter that he has with Emily! There were serious moments that I knew I probably shouldn't have been laughing but I couldn't help it because of how they spoke about and to each other. It was always respectful and honest but also incredibly endearing. And I loved that even as he needled her to tears, you could tell that he always did so with a great fondness for his dear dragon, Emily. 😍 I loved them so, so much!
I think the only qualm that I have, although it hasn't affected my rating this time around, is how neatly the ending wrapped up. It happened very quickly and it felt too clean considering it has to do with such a powerful faerie. But as I said, it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment of the story. I'm so glad that I decided to re-read this before continuing with the second book because I feel so differently about it compared to last year! If you're also thinking about the audiobook for this, I would highly recommend it because the narrators did a fantastic job with all the character voices, especially Emily's and Wendell's!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Kidnapping
Moderate: Gore, Self harm, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Violence