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egbella's reviews
245 reviews
Baby Steps Millionaires: How Ordinary People Built Extraordinary Wealth--and How You Can Too by Dave Ramsey
challenging
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
A very quick read with a helpful overview of Ramsey's "Baby Steps" and guiding tips to begin your journey to healthier finances. The study at the end was interesting, and the stories of ordinary people clawing their way into better situations were inspiring. Nothing revolutionary here, but I'm glad I read it.
How (Not) to Kiss a Toad by Elizabeth A. Reeves
Overall, I don't mean this to be a scathing review because I think fans of this genre might find it a fun, quick, and light-hearted read. It just wasn't my cup of tea (or pint of ice cream).
CW: one kiss (others referred to, but not shown), several uses of expletives (such as s**t and b***h), descriptions of physical attractiveness and characters feeling crushes/butterflies/etc., a magic system that uses the word witches semi-frequently and involves charms, spells, and transformations.
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
2.0
Note: the copy I have has a different cover that gives more generic fairy tale fantasy vibes, rather than "witchy". I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have picked up this book if I saw this cover. It's partly my fault for not reading deeply into the blurb though.
Minor spoilers ahead!
What I liked:
- Cindy has a good friend group, and while they were a bit stereotypical, they were supportive, encouraging, sweet, and fun to read about
- There's a cat named Merlin
- Intriguing hints of world-building with how magic-users interact with the world around them, their history, and their culture. I would have liked to see more of this.
- The author knows her way around flavors and baking, and it shows. I enjoyed seeing what the main character would come up with for her cupcake flavors.
What I didn't care for:
Minor spoilers ahead!
What I liked:
- Cindy has a good friend group, and while they were a bit stereotypical, they were supportive, encouraging, sweet, and fun to read about
- There's a cat named Merlin
- Intriguing hints of world-building with how magic-users interact with the world around them, their history, and their culture. I would have liked to see more of this.
- The author knows her way around flavors and baking, and it shows. I enjoyed seeing what the main character would come up with for her cupcake flavors.
What I didn't care for:
- the romance. I'm sorry, I just can't root for a relationship that felt so "insta-love" and was based largely off physical attractiveness, even if nothing inappropriate happened. I didn't understand their apparent chemistry, and their constant back-and-forth was irritating. Communication, people. haha.
- Timothy...why does he drive so recklessly? Why does he steal from her? I could absolutely root for his panic/anger/etc. after the kiss event, and he had his sweet moments, but I certainly didn't see enough redeeming qualities or actions from him yet to understand Cindy's infatuation.
- the writing style. Maybe I'm just not used to contemporary romance novels, but the writing style felt very juvenile. Sometimes because of the word choices and grammar, and other times because so many sentences in a row would sound like the following: "I'm writing a short sentence. Maybe it's too short. I can't write long ones. Bummer. It's fine on occasion. But not repeatedly." It was disappointing, and I think fine-tuning it could really help.
- With that, the randomness. I know the series continues, so maybe most my questions are answered later, but I didn't receive enough explanation to want to keep reading. Why did Timothy drive so recklessly? Why did Cindy up and adopt a cat one day? What's the significance of her sister getting married, and her being asked to be a bridesmaid and make the cake? It felt like something big and new was introduced every chapter, and not all of it even made sense together or had any lead-up to clue me into why it was important.
- This isn't a huge complaint because it might have been intentional, but I guessed the plot twist with the bakery owners' nephew as soon as they mentioned it the first time. As more and more hints were dropped, I wondered how in the world Cindy didn't realize it way sooner.
- Some of the content, especially the few instances of foul language.
Overall, I don't mean this to be a scathing review because I think fans of this genre might find it a fun, quick, and light-hearted read. It just wasn't my cup of tea (or pint of ice cream).
CW: one kiss (others referred to, but not shown), several uses of expletives (such as s**t and b***h), descriptions of physical attractiveness and characters feeling crushes/butterflies/etc., a magic system that uses the word witches semi-frequently and involves charms, spells, and transformations.
Drift: Willa & Koy by Adrienne Young
What I didn't like:
CW: references to men "going to bed" together, drunkenness, violence, one character gives brief "suggestive" looks, a character is nearly drowned, a foot is broken, a deceased body is found (barely-described), brief expletives (s**t is the one I noticed).
Overall, I enjoyed this mainly because of the always-engaging writing style and the chance to see more of two intriguing side characters from the duology, but was confused at parts and would love for it to have been longer or for a follow-up novel/novella to wrap up the story. If you enjoyed Fable & Namesake, you'll probably like this one too.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.5
This was an intriguing story, especially right after finishing Fable and Namesake.
What I liked:
What I liked:
- Koy. Without spoiling anything from the original duology, I was surprised to end up liking his character so much. This novella especially had me rooting for him, and admiring his growth. He is a cleverly-written, complicated, and realistic character, and I could get behind the romance too.
- Willa got on my nerves a bit in the duology, but this helped me relate to her. I appreciated the glimpse into her mind as she works hard for something to call hers. Her dream is admirable, and I was rooting for her too.
- I love little Ailee <33
- the writing style. I'm not a fan of all of the content Young includes in her books, but her writing style is GORGEOUS. Detailed, descriptive, charming, and flowing, but not flowery. Very easy to read, and I really enjoy it.
- More Jevali. I really like this setting and wanted to see more of it in the duology, so I'm glad this gave me the chance. It's a very vivid location, and the rocky relationships between locals, traders, captains, etc. was interesting and tense.
- the air of mystery. The plot was never slow, and I read this in one sitting easily. I liked how tense and suspenseful the whole story was, as the characters tried to figure out what was going on with this strange new ship and their beloved port. HOWEVER...
What I didn't like:
- the ending. As much as I loved the air of mystery, I was honestly pretty confused by some of the plot and the revelations that characters seemed to be having. I'm not sure if I just wasn't following along with some clues I was supposed to catch, but the ending felt abrupt and I didn't understand what was going on, or why they made certain choices. It definitely feels like the abbreviated start to another duology, or that there are chapters missing, so I hope Young follows up. I'd love to find out what happens!
- the length in general. There was a little too much going on for a novella, and I would love a full-length book with this plot! Obviously, if a follow-up book releases, that'll help greatly.
- a little bit of content I'd much rather have gone without (references to men going to bed together mainly). Not enough to be jarring, but it wasn't necessary and it made me uncomfy.
CW: references to men "going to bed" together, drunkenness, violence, one character gives brief "suggestive" looks, a character is nearly drowned, a foot is broken, a deceased body is found (barely-described), brief expletives (s**t is the one I noticed).
Overall, I enjoyed this mainly because of the always-engaging writing style and the chance to see more of two intriguing side characters from the duology, but was confused at parts and would love for it to have been longer or for a follow-up novel/novella to wrap up the story. If you enjoyed Fable & Namesake, you'll probably like this one too.
Daughter of the Pirate King by Tricia Levenseller
What I didn't like:
All in all, if you don't take it too seriously and can gloss over the steamy sections, it's an easy, relatively quick and fun read, and I do plan to read the next book in the series to see what happens with the plot. I enjoyed it, but wish I could take a few elements out. If it sounds like your kind of book, you might like it!
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a fun, quick read, but I have some complicated thoughts.
What I liked:
What I liked:
- the fast-paced, adventurous plot and vibes. It felt like Pirates of the Caribbean (which I love) and made me want to go back to working on my own pirate series, the swash-buckling, mystical feels were so strong. It was easy to read and I didn't want to put it down at any point.
- some of the side characters, namely Enwen, who is a sweetheart and always made me smile. Kearan was also very interesting, and I wish I'd gotten to see more of his story. Maybe the sequel contains more of it?
- the setting/world-building, especially the details we're given regarding sirens and their "treasure island".
- the way the plot twist was slowly worked in. I guessed it RIGHT before it was revealed, which may have been the author's intention, but it made sense and was a neat shake-up to the story.
- a lot of the banter was fun. Particularly regarding the protagonist's repeated ability to escape her cell, and her captors' frustration at not understanding how she was doing it.
- the pirate king is an interesting character. I didn't LIKE him at all, but I do think he was written well. He bothered me immensely, but I know that was intentional, and it was well-done.
What I didn't like:
- the steaminess. I wasn't expecting SO much steam in this book, and although nothing explicit ever happens, it wouldn't take much more to cross that line. It was certainly over my comfort level, so be aware. (ex. mainly thinly-veiled references to it, the protagonist intentionally seduces men to get her way - and is prepared to follow through, undoes belt buckles, sleeps in same bed as a man, passionate kisses, etc.)
- the protagonist felt very Mary-Sue. Although it makes a little more sense when I got further into the story, the constant reminders of how unique, strong, clever, etc. she was combined with the repetitious descriptions of her flaming red hair and how her personality matches (and oh yes, she's so tiny that she struggles to find clothes in her size but can somehow effortlessly knock men unconscious even when they're prepared for it) were frustrating. I did emphasize with her as I learned more about her father, but overall, I didn't LIKE her. I would love to learn more about who she really is as a person, besides a killing, can-seduce-men-instantly weapon...
- toward the end, the plot jumped around a little too much for me to follow (especially with the island). I was a little confused and didn't feel like all the loose ends were tied up. THAT SAID, obviously there's a sequel that immediately follows this book, so I'll reserve full judgement until I read that.
- the violence. I'm not too squeamish typically, and there really wasn't any gore, but the frequent "slitting of throats" and the overall callousness of the deaths (even and especially from the protagonist) made me uncomfy. I understand she's a hardened pirate, but just something to note.
All in all, if you don't take it too seriously and can gloss over the steamy sections, it's an easy, relatively quick and fun read, and I do plan to read the next book in the series to see what happens with the plot. I enjoyed it, but wish I could take a few elements out. If it sounds like your kind of book, you might like it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence
In the Wake of the Wicked by V.B. Lacey
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars. I had the privilege of reading an ARC of this book, and overall enjoyed the read. I've got some conflicting feelings, so I'm going to try and lay out my general likes and dislikes below.
What I liked:
- the "Hunger Games"/tournament aspect of the book. I love books with tournaments and trials for the protagonists to overcome, so that was incredibly fun. The trials themselves were unique and interesting, with plot twists I genuinely didn't expect. I was kept on my toes!
- the fascinating magic system and world. I enjoyed learning about the different kingdoms, their kinds of magic, the history, all of the different intricacies that made the setting immersive and interesting. It all felt very well-developed and I would have loved to see even more of the kingdoms.
- the age of the female protagonist! Such a small thing, but I enjoyed seeing an older protagonist (not a teenager, basically).
- the balance of fast-paced action, with slower dialogue and intrigue. I felt it had a good pace, and I wasn't ever bored, even during the slow sections, as I was very interested in learning more about the characters having discussions and exploring internal battles.
- Emperor Gayl. SUCH a strong character, and I won't get into spoilers, but I would have loved to read even more with him. I could never make up my mind about him, and he was so extremely well-written. Well done!
- Leo. While he was a little bit too broody at times, I did really appreciate the depth of his character, and what he stood for. I could relate to his protective feelings toward those he cared about, and felt genuinely sorry for what he had to go through. He's a good guy and deserves a HEA.
- Rissa. <3 Strong, capable, emotionally-perceptive, kind, and snarky, I adore her. I'm so glad she receives what she deserves in the end because man did she put up with a lot from Rose and Leo.
- HORACE. So pure. So dedicated. So lovable. This guy deserved so much better than he received.
What I disliked:
- the spice. I know this is marketed as a no-spice romance, but it was still too much for me. While there were no explicit scenes and I appreciated that, the repeated passionate kissing against trees (only mildly described), FMC wrapping her legs around the MMC's waist, sleeping in the same bed and cuddling, etc. still made me uncomfy. I kept pausing and trying to figure out whether I was approaching content I wouldn't want to read, questioning whether I was remembering correctly that this was marketed as a non-spicy book. In the end, it was certainly tamer than many books out there, and most readers might not be bothered, but I don't really enjoy ANY spice, so the passion was too much for my preferences. If you relate to me, this might not be in your comfort zone.
- how quickly the romance moved. I felt like the MMC and FMC went from hating one another's guts (for valid reasons, honestly) to cuddling and calling one another sweetheart incredibly fast. It was like a switch flipped in the middle of the book. And while they were sweet together, and I did ultimately want them to fall in love, it did frustrate me a little at how quick the change happened.
- some of the writing itself felt like it could have used more editing. A bit of it felt kind of juvenile and distracted me from the story itself just because it was such a stark contrast to the richer, more flowing sentences from the rest of the book. Certain sections could also have been shorter without detriment to the story.
Overall, this is a very solid read, especially for fans of intricate, darker fantasies with tournament/Hunger games vibes, protective/broody romances, well-developed fantasy worlds and magic systems, and a twisting plot you'll never be quite sure where it's headed. While it wasn't quite my thing, I can still recommend it, and enjoyed plenty of its elements!
Content to mention: mildly-described kisses, main characters cuddle and sleep (actually sleep) together several times, FMC wraps her legs around MMC's waist as he has shoved her back against a tree to kiss her, protagonists reference finding the other attractive (briefly detailing why) several times, several character deaths, mild descriptions of wounds and injuries, fighting, emotional turmoil, characters fall into cursed sleep (reminiscent of comas), dysfunctional family, murder, torture (in one scene, bones are intentionally broken one by one, and briefly described), betrayal.
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
What I liked:
- the "Hunger Games"/tournament aspect of the book. I love books with tournaments and trials for the protagonists to overcome, so that was incredibly fun. The trials themselves were unique and interesting, with plot twists I genuinely didn't expect. I was kept on my toes!
- the fascinating magic system and world. I enjoyed learning about the different kingdoms, their kinds of magic, the history, all of the different intricacies that made the setting immersive and interesting. It all felt very well-developed and I would have loved to see even more of the kingdoms.
- the age of the female protagonist! Such a small thing, but I enjoyed seeing an older protagonist (not a teenager, basically).
- the balance of fast-paced action, with slower dialogue and intrigue. I felt it had a good pace, and I wasn't ever bored, even during the slow sections, as I was very interested in learning more about the characters having discussions and exploring internal battles.
- Emperor Gayl. SUCH a strong character, and I won't get into spoilers, but I would have loved to read even more with him. I could never make up my mind about him, and he was so extremely well-written. Well done!
- Leo. While he was a little bit too broody at times, I did really appreciate the depth of his character, and what he stood for. I could relate to his protective feelings toward those he cared about, and felt genuinely sorry for what he had to go through. He's a good guy and deserves a HEA.
- Rissa. <3 Strong, capable, emotionally-perceptive, kind, and snarky, I adore her. I'm so glad she receives what she deserves in the end because man did she put up with a lot from Rose and Leo.
- HORACE. So pure. So dedicated. So lovable. This guy deserved so much better than he received.
What I disliked:
- the spice. I know this is marketed as a no-spice romance, but it was still too much for me. While there were no explicit scenes and I appreciated that, the repeated passionate kissing against trees (only mildly described), FMC wrapping her legs around the MMC's waist, sleeping in the same bed and cuddling, etc. still made me uncomfy. I kept pausing and trying to figure out whether I was approaching content I wouldn't want to read, questioning whether I was remembering correctly that this was marketed as a non-spicy book. In the end, it was certainly tamer than many books out there, and most readers might not be bothered, but I don't really enjoy ANY spice, so the passion was too much for my preferences. If you relate to me, this might not be in your comfort zone.
- how quickly the romance moved. I felt like the MMC and FMC went from hating one another's guts (for valid reasons, honestly) to cuddling and calling one another sweetheart incredibly fast. It was like a switch flipped in the middle of the book. And while they were sweet together, and I did ultimately want them to fall in love, it did frustrate me a little at how quick the change happened.
- some of the writing itself felt like it could have used more editing. A bit of it felt kind of juvenile and distracted me from the story itself just because it was such a stark contrast to the richer, more flowing sentences from the rest of the book. Certain sections could also have been shorter without detriment to the story.
Overall, this is a very solid read, especially for fans of intricate, darker fantasies with tournament/Hunger games vibes, protective/broody romances, well-developed fantasy worlds and magic systems, and a twisting plot you'll never be quite sure where it's headed. While it wasn't quite my thing, I can still recommend it, and enjoyed plenty of its elements!
Content to mention: mildly-described kisses, main characters cuddle and sleep (actually sleep) together several times, FMC wraps her legs around MMC's waist as he has shoved her back against a tree to kiss her, protagonists reference finding the other attractive (briefly detailing why) several times, several character deaths, mild descriptions of wounds and injuries, fighting, emotional turmoil, characters fall into cursed sleep (reminiscent of comas), dysfunctional family, murder, torture (in one scene, bones are intentionally broken one by one, and briefly described), betrayal.
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual content
A Noble Princess (Cornerstone Series, #5): A Goose Girl Retelling by Saraina Whitney
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I LOVE this book.
Rarely do I read a book and instantly know I'll be rereading it again and again, but this is one I'm sure of. Instant favorite. I devoured it over the course of two days, only stopping at all because of work, and I'm already looking forward to reading it again.
Where do I even start? I'm not very familiar with the Goose Girl fairy tale, so I can't really speak on how closely it retold the original story, but it stands perfectly on its own. From the very first page, I was hooked.
Aurelia is such a sweet character, and I loved her so much. Gentle, tender, caring, yet with a fun
spark of spunk to her, she was the perfect protagonist for this story. Her faith in Dieu was inspiring, even while she struggled with extremely difficult emotional turmoil and decisions. At first I wasn't sure what to make of her frequent tears, but as the story progressed, I saw her strength through them, and just wanted to give her a big hug. What a sweetheart.
WILDER. <3 this man. I wanted to hug him too, and oh does he need it. His dedication toward protecting Aurelia, and his emotional struggles both from his past and from his duty toward her, kept me on edge wondering how he'd handle them. Ultimately, I don't know what I would have done if I was in his place, and it made me so happy to see him return to trusting Dieu with Aurelia's help. I would love to read more about him, because he felt so rich as a character.
The romance was slow, well-developed, and incredibly sweet. I don't often "fangirl" over book couples, but this one has my heart. What an adorable and well-matched pair. <33
The setting wasn't complicated or overly described, but felt very real. I loved the brief flashes of French inspiration dotting the world, and everything else was beautifully described. I always adore "foresty" journey tales, and this is such a fun one. There were so many obstacles, so many learning opportunities, and so many twists and turns I didn't see coming.
And finally, the themes. This book felt so REAL. The struggles, the wrestling with what's right in a very "grey" situation, when it's better to keep or break a promise that was made in haste, trusting God even when all seems terrible, healing from your past, learning that God loves even when we mess up, and that God can redeem even the worst of situations...my heart broke and healed with each of the characters as they struggled through their learning. Props to the author for conveying such powerful, biblical truths in such a sweet, short, and lovely story.
I will be reading this one again, and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys sweet and poignant medieval stories, touching romance, twisting adventurous journeys, and REAL characters and themes. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Content to mention: Mild peril, fighting, bear attack, mentions of a drunken father and child abuse in MMC's past, lying and hiding information, minor descriptions of painful wounds and blood, MMC is shirtless in one scene but not described or dwelled upon, mentions of torture, mention of a miscarriage and child abandonment, and the FMC struggles with pulling out her hair when anxious. One non-described kiss. No explicit romantic scenes, gore, coarse language, or excessive violence.
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
Rarely do I read a book and instantly know I'll be rereading it again and again, but this is one I'm sure of. Instant favorite. I devoured it over the course of two days, only stopping at all because of work, and I'm already looking forward to reading it again.
Where do I even start? I'm not very familiar with the Goose Girl fairy tale, so I can't really speak on how closely it retold the original story, but it stands perfectly on its own. From the very first page, I was hooked.
Aurelia is such a sweet character, and I loved her so much. Gentle, tender, caring, yet with a fun
spark of spunk to her, she was the perfect protagonist for this story. Her faith in Dieu was inspiring, even while she struggled with extremely difficult emotional turmoil and decisions. At first I wasn't sure what to make of her frequent tears, but as the story progressed, I saw her strength through them, and just wanted to give her a big hug. What a sweetheart.
WILDER. <3 this man. I wanted to hug him too, and oh does he need it. His dedication toward protecting Aurelia, and his emotional struggles both from his past and from his duty toward her, kept me on edge wondering how he'd handle them. Ultimately, I don't know what I would have done if I was in his place, and it made me so happy to see him return to trusting Dieu with Aurelia's help. I would love to read more about him, because he felt so rich as a character.
The romance was slow, well-developed, and incredibly sweet. I don't often "fangirl" over book couples, but this one has my heart. What an adorable and well-matched pair. <33
The setting wasn't complicated or overly described, but felt very real. I loved the brief flashes of French inspiration dotting the world, and everything else was beautifully described. I always adore "foresty" journey tales, and this is such a fun one. There were so many obstacles, so many learning opportunities, and so many twists and turns I didn't see coming.
And finally, the themes. This book felt so REAL. The struggles, the wrestling with what's right in a very "grey" situation, when it's better to keep or break a promise that was made in haste, trusting God even when all seems terrible, healing from your past, learning that God loves even when we mess up, and that God can redeem even the worst of situations...my heart broke and healed with each of the characters as they struggled through their learning. Props to the author for conveying such powerful, biblical truths in such a sweet, short, and lovely story.
I will be reading this one again, and definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys sweet and poignant medieval stories, touching romance, twisting adventurous journeys, and REAL characters and themes. I look forward to reading more from this author!
Content to mention: Mild peril, fighting, bear attack, mentions of a drunken father and child abuse in MMC's past, lying and hiding information, minor descriptions of painful wounds and blood, MMC is shirtless in one scene but not described or dwelled upon, mentions of torture, mention of a miscarriage and child abandonment, and the FMC struggles with pulling out her hair when anxious. One non-described kiss. No explicit romantic scenes, gore, coarse language, or excessive violence.
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
A Noble Companion: An Ugly Duckling Retelling by Rachel Kovaciny
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This book is so unlike my usual reads, but I love it so much! I've read this story twice now, and both times it was fun, easy to read, cute, unique, humorous, and engaging. I love the Spanish/historical flair the author put on this fairy tale, while still keeping it non-magically fantasy enough (dragons, talking animals, etc.). I've honestly never read a book quite like it!
The setting was, I think, the strongest point of the book. The author created a world that feels so real, with nuance, detailed landscapes, and clever names. The "Spanish" feeling lore of the world was also so well-done. All of the tiny details she wove in, such as facts like horses can't lie, and that different people call their land by different names were such great tidbits of info. Since it's a short book, it wasn't anything complicated, but I definitely felt like I'd been dropped into a real world with real people going about their lives, and I stayed immersed the entire time.
The characters were also so fun! I enjoyed Madelena's character, witnessing her strength and consideration for those around her. She felt very realistic and pragmatic, and I respected her determination to do what was ultimately best. Her faith and trust in Dios was also very appreciated. Javier was also a stellar character. Though he might be hot-headed, his care for Madelena, and resolve to keep her safe no matter what was so sweet. I'm so glad that they reached an understanding in the end, because they are SO cute.
The supporting characters too...ah! So good. I absolutely LOVE the charming mountain bandit king (in fact, I believe he is my favorite character in the book). I would read an entire book about him, haha. The talking burros and horses were also such a fun and unique element to the story, adding yet another fantasy layer. The talking dragon as well - what a well-developed little guy! Even Armando was sympathetic and likable, despite his flaws. Everyone felt so well-rounded and interesting.
The plot is slower and the writing style is introspective and flowy, but I enjoyed it! If you're expecting a fast-paced, thrilling tale, this won't be that book. But if you enjoy witty, charming journeys with interesting and likable characters, sweet slow-burn romance, and meaningful themes, you will love this one! It leaves me smiling each time, and I'm so glad to have given it a chance ("historical/western" books are not usually my thing, but this is an exception!).
The Ugly Duckling references were subtle but woven in well, creating the backdrop to this masterfully crafted tale. And that ending...perfect way to tie up all of the loose ends. I actually laughed at the little twist. Definitely recommend this one!
Content to mention: Mild peril, fighting (with knives and guns), kidnapping by bandit, the FMC cuts her thumb and the injury is mildly described (blood is mentioned, as are phrases such as "flap of skin" and brief descriptions of stiches being put in and removed), mention that the protagonist "emptied her stomach", attack by wild animal, FMC is given brandy to drink while getting stitches, several non-described kisses. No explicit romantic scenes, gore, coarse language, or excessive violence.
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **
The setting was, I think, the strongest point of the book. The author created a world that feels so real, with nuance, detailed landscapes, and clever names. The "Spanish" feeling lore of the world was also so well-done. All of the tiny details she wove in, such as facts like horses can't lie, and that different people call their land by different names were such great tidbits of info. Since it's a short book, it wasn't anything complicated, but I definitely felt like I'd been dropped into a real world with real people going about their lives, and I stayed immersed the entire time.
The characters were also so fun! I enjoyed Madelena's character, witnessing her strength and consideration for those around her. She felt very realistic and pragmatic, and I respected her determination to do what was ultimately best. Her faith and trust in Dios was also very appreciated. Javier was also a stellar character. Though he might be hot-headed, his care for Madelena, and resolve to keep her safe no matter what was so sweet. I'm so glad that they reached an understanding in the end, because they are SO cute.
The supporting characters too...ah! So good. I absolutely LOVE the charming mountain bandit king (in fact, I believe he is my favorite character in the book). I would read an entire book about him, haha. The talking burros and horses were also such a fun and unique element to the story, adding yet another fantasy layer. The talking dragon as well - what a well-developed little guy! Even Armando was sympathetic and likable, despite his flaws. Everyone felt so well-rounded and interesting.
The plot is slower and the writing style is introspective and flowy, but I enjoyed it! If you're expecting a fast-paced, thrilling tale, this won't be that book. But if you enjoy witty, charming journeys with interesting and likable characters, sweet slow-burn romance, and meaningful themes, you will love this one! It leaves me smiling each time, and I'm so glad to have given it a chance ("historical/western" books are not usually my thing, but this is an exception!).
The Ugly Duckling references were subtle but woven in well, creating the backdrop to this masterfully crafted tale. And that ending...perfect way to tie up all of the loose ends. I actually laughed at the little twist. Definitely recommend this one!
Content to mention: Mild peril, fighting (with knives and guns), kidnapping by bandit, the FMC cuts her thumb and the injury is mildly described (blood is mentioned, as are phrases such as "flap of skin" and brief descriptions of stiches being put in and removed), mention that the protagonist "emptied her stomach", attack by wild animal, FMC is given brandy to drink while getting stitches, several non-described kisses. No explicit romantic scenes, gore, coarse language, or excessive violence.
** I received an ARC copy of this book, but was not required to leave a review - much less a positive one. All thoughts expressed are my own. **