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ebbsrae's reviews
23 reviews
To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was an enjoyable and yet again easy romance read. There were multiple tropes scattered throughout the novel like brothers best friend, childhood friend, actor and author, etc etc. This was all fine, I thought the actor and author thing was cute. I don’t have a lot to say about this because it wasn’t all that amazing but it was still an easy read. However I didn’t like the scene where Olive is obviously extremely drunk and is forcing herself onto Jason and then he goes ahead and does shit to her even when she’s not in a place to give consent? And then they never brought it up again? She clearly was too drunk to even remember, that was so off to me.
The Lily/Charlotte situation was a bit out of nowhere and there wasn’t enough build up for them to literally spike him! It was a bit irrelevant and I didn’t like the complication as a whole. Should’ve been more messy but should’ve made sense at the same time.
Those are the only complaints I have but otherwise it was pretty good.
The Lily/Charlotte situation was a bit out of nowhere and there wasn’t enough build up for them to literally spike him! It was a bit irrelevant and I didn’t like the complication as a whole. Should’ve been more messy but should’ve made sense at the same time.
Those are the only complaints I have but otherwise it was pretty good.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Drug abuse
The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.75
This was another easy, witty but enjoyable rom-com that I loved. Jess is a statistician, single mother with a quirky best friend 'Fizzy' that works in a cafe. Long story short, one of the (brooding but attractive) regulars (named River) at this cafe is a geneticist with an app that is supposed to pair you with your soulmate based on genes. When Jess and Fizzy submit their sample to the company, River and Jess end up being 'genetic soulmates'.
I read this entire book in one sitting and just loved it. River and Juno's relationship was too cute and he just seemed like a beautiful man. I also really liked Jess' character and didn't find myself disliking the quirky best friend this time. Definitely a well-written novel.
However, some things to note; This is truly fast-burn and I wouldn't describe it as enemies to lovers. The ending was a bit meh and if you're looking for a bit of spice this is not the book. There is little to nothing and the author just leaves the sex scenes out.
Why would she not tell us the score like WHAT. That actually annoyed me like what even. It would have been cute if she found out in some way and it was like 99 or something. I guess that might be part of the "message" but wasn't it the point of the whole bloody book?. That was a bit stupid.
Ultimately I loved this book.
I read this entire book in one sitting and just loved it. River and Juno's relationship was too cute and he just seemed like a beautiful man. I also really liked Jess' character and didn't find myself disliking the quirky best friend this time. Definitely a well-written novel.
However, some things to note; This is truly fast-burn and I wouldn't describe it as enemies to lovers. The ending was a bit meh and if you're looking for a bit of spice this is not the book. There is little to nothing and the author just leaves the sex scenes out.
Ultimately I loved this book.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This was an easy, lighthearted romance that I finished in a day. It was a cute and witty novel following a grad student's experience in STEM and initiating a fake relationship. I really quite enjoyed this and don't have too much to say about it. What you see is what you get sort of thing, nothing challenging and no complicated plot. Even though I did enjoy this, the authors writing annoyed me a bit. There were times where I found Olive and her friends to be very cringe, especially when whipping out the Gen Z lingo every 2 seconds. Also, the author could have been a little more creative in the way that the fake relationship was instigated. The "I want my friend to think I'm over the guy I went on one date with" is a big reach for me and felt like the author was grasping at straws for any reason at all. Even Adam's reason was a bit eh for me.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book. It was an easy read and a cute story.
Overall, I did really enjoy this book. It was an easy read and a cute story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual harassment and Sexism
The sexual content only appears once or twice. There's not very much but i think it is a whole chapter.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I found this book very average. It was quite slow to get into anything of interest and even though the premise and the plot “twists” were great, the execution was very average. Quite disappointed with this book if I’m being honest as there was so much hype surrounding it. Maybe it is because I am a very impatient reader or maybe because the plot was danced around for a wild duration of the book and only focussed on the protagonists past that (most of the time) wasn’t all that important. I found that how Henry turned it into a book was quite silly and not creative almost like ‘it was all just a dream’ (even though I know it wasn’t the same, it just felt like that as the author is writing a book about this story which in turn occurs and is turned into another book). I also didn’t like how there wasn’t a conclusive ending for Addie but only for Henry. The author spent way too much time building the foundations of this characters past, only to not give her an actual ending.
I also found that I didn’t actually end up liking the characters due to the lack of connection. Sure they weren’t bad but a good book builds connection and a vast insight into personality, almost like you could be friends with them (or know them enough to come to the conclusion).
Again, this wasn’t bad it just was not good and certainly not worth the hype. The characters lacked connection and the plot had lots of potential, only to be dismantled by the mentioned aspects.
I also found that I didn’t actually end up liking the characters due to the lack of connection. Sure they weren’t bad but a good book builds connection and a vast insight into personality, almost like you could be friends with them (or know them enough to come to the conclusion).
Again, this wasn’t bad it just was not good and certainly not worth the hype. The characters lacked connection and the plot had lots of potential, only to be dismantled by the mentioned aspects.
Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was the book that the series lead up to. Once again I loved this book so much. Everything seems to fall into place with the information that came to light in this book.
You can start to put the pieces together with Manon and how she might fit into the plot (which I liked) but it really needed an ‘Ah Hah!’ moment. I wanted that for the last book and I’m still waiting for it. If there isn’t one in the future I’m not quite sure that Manon and the witches are needed much at all. I can see the importance of Elide and I really liked her interactions with Manon, her story was a good driver. I sort of knew Aelin and Rowan would end up together but I thought they were related? Maybe I interpreted that wrong but it feels a bit weird to specifically mention that they are, then make them end up together.
Overall loved this book once again and loved the gaps it filled in and how it left room for more.
You can start to put the pieces together with Manon and how she might fit into the plot (which I liked) but it really needed an ‘Ah Hah!’ moment. I wanted that for the last book and I’m still waiting for it. If there isn’t one in the future I’m not quite sure that Manon and the witches are needed much at all. I can see the importance of Elide and I really liked her interactions with Manon, her story was a good driver. I sort of knew Aelin and Rowan would end up together but I thought they were related? Maybe I interpreted that wrong but it feels a bit weird to specifically mention that they are, then make them end up together.
Overall loved this book once again and loved the gaps it filled in and how it left room for more.
Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
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? No
3.75
This instalment was great! This series is still upholding the twists and turns that originally pulled me in.
I really liked Rowan’s character and his and Celeana’s relationship dynamic. Especially the fact that their relationship didn’t eventuate to romance (I know they’re related but i wouldn’t put it past the author to be honest hahaha). But I didn’t really like the insert of Manon and the witches. I’m sure it’s relevance will come to light in the next book but it should’ve been made clear at least at the end of this one. I know that they’re part of the King’s army but why is it necessary to see their point of view? Found it a bit boring and not very engaging to introduce this character in such detail.
Overall it was a good instalment, could be better but I still binged it as always.
I really liked Rowan’s character and his and Celeana’s relationship dynamic. Especially the fact that their relationship didn’t eventuate to romance (I know they’re related but i wouldn’t put it past the author to be honest hahaha). But I didn’t really like the insert of Manon and the witches. I’m sure it’s relevance will come to light in the next book but it should’ve been made clear at least at the end of this one. I know that they’re part of the King’s army but why is it necessary to see their point of view? Found it a bit boring and not very engaging to introduce this character in such detail.
Overall it was a good instalment, could be better but I still binged it as always.
Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Wow. I loved this book sooo much. The plot is fantastic and I really love that as a reader you learn the secrets of the protagonist along with the other characters. Not going to lie, I thought this series would be a bit of a trashy romance but I can say I’m pleasantly surprised that it’s not. There is a bit of romance but definitely on the light side. Overall a great book, loved it.
The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I don’t have much to say about the last book in this trilogy other than I LOVED it!!! Amazing ending, twists and turns in this final instalment with just a touch of romance. I love the authors writing style; the dialogue phrased in a way that’s suitable for the faerie (and the humans that were raised in their world) and the cleverness of the plot. This author really thinks outside the box with her creative manipulation of language.
Just loved this series overall.
Just loved this series overall.
The Wicked King by Holly Black
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This sequel to ‘The Cruel Prince’ was fantastic! I never once predicted the outcomes of this book, and I just loved it. An unforeseeable and creative plot is one of the things I most value in a book and this one certainly filled that box. Everything unraveled at the end — I would’ve liked if it upheld that excitement consistently but I don’t have many complaints. At all.
This book is definitely better than the first and I highly recommend this series.
This book is definitely better than the first and I highly recommend this series.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I really enjoyed this book! Had a really interesting plot and definitely kept me engaged. The author effectively demonstrated Jude’s lust for power and made me understand the position in which humans are in this world. I was expecting some predictable character archetypes and romance but was pleasantly surprised when this did not occur. The only thing I would say is that this book was clearly written as a set up for the next and sort of didn’t provide a resolution to the story. Which isn’t entirely a bad thing, but something to note.
Onto the next book of the trilogy!
Onto the next book of the trilogy!