elegantfantasy_blogs's reviews
1515 reviews

Broken Beginnings by Clio Evans

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

1.0

I liked how engaging the first half of the book was. And Cam's character development was also well done. The whole story about Haley running away after her traumatic experience was very thrilling. But when I first read the blurb, I expected groveling to be a main focus in the book since Cam used to bully Haley but it was not the case. The book had excess of smut and thrill but not enough of romance. Sure, there were some cute moments between Cam & Haley but they didn't make up for the lack of their relationship development. And the side characters weren't charming either. I especially could not understand Sarah and her situation. She could've easily asked for help but she chose to stay and the other characters didn't do anything to help even after suspecting that something was wrong about her married life. Some parts of the plot just felt ridiculous. Honestly, every single character just failed to make an impression. The plot definitely had potential but the poor execution runied it tbh.

Veiled Vows by Valeria Fox

1.0

The book started out good and I liked how Serena didn't give in to Salvatore's initial attempts to woo her. But Salvatore was a good husband, and since his past was revealed, I found myself to be on his side more. But the whole stunt that Serena pulled

(she kissed a complete stranger knowing that Salvatore won't leave him for touching her. So she technically cheated)

was honestly unnecessary and gross. So while, I like a groveling storyline, I just did not like how Serena was so rude and cold because Salvatore did not deserve that. 

Know the Score by Kylie Kent

medium-paced

1.0

I felt like I wasted my time reading this book. It started out great so I hoped everything would turn out to be just fine but then Kathryn's constant crying and Grayson's caveman behaviour just got too annoying. Her secret wasn't even that big and it pissed me off how she kept stalling to tell the truth and I did not like how Gray behaved most of the times. He definitely did not reach his daughter the right things and the violent behaviour was so cringe. Their scenes with their kid were cute but even they couldn't make me like the plot or the characters.

Also, I didn't like how he slept his way around during the six year separation and she stayed celibate. That was so f**king frustrating and made me dislike Grayson even more.

This book was a total let down for me tbh. 

The Liar by A. Rivers

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

1.0

The plot of this book sounded so good and I liked the way, the whole mystery about the case was integrated in the story but I wasn't a fan of West and his lies. He basically told Joanna that she was the perfect naive and gullible target whom he could easily use and that was infuriating. Throughout the whole book, only the mystery about solving the case was focused on and due to it, West & Jo's romance was sidelined. I could not feel connected with either of their characters, ngl. I also did not like how Jo forgave him so fast because West definitely took advantage of her soft hearted nature. This book could've been a thriller but not a romance because I felt like there was barely any focus on reparing the relationship between West & Jo due to all the investigation drama tbh. 

Formula Chance by Sawyer Bennett

2.0

I was so excited to start this book because a workplace romance with second chance and forced proximity sounded so good and adding F1 elements to it was like a cherry on top. I liked how the racing parts were written in detail and the issue of workplace discrimination against women in male dominated fields was also highlighted. But that were the only good things about this book. All the characters lacked depth and Bex & Nash were both very dull and immature. Because of it, I just couldn't connect with the story and the characters.

Also, I didn't like how it was mentioned that Nash went to a party with half naked girls when he was engaged to Bex and then blamed her for not giving him enough attention and gave her shit for focusing on her job when he knew how hard she worked. Bex should've made him grovel because his behaviour was absolutely crass and I couldn't get how she wasn't mad at him when they met three years later. That whole topic was brushed off the carpet and I just couldn't ignore it.

I picked this book up, hoping to get a good second chance romance story but due to the focus on racing and workplace drama, I felt like the romance was sidelined. Bex & Nash went from hating each other to hooking up real quick and it gave me whiplash. Their story simply wasn't developed enough which made me lose interest and skim through some parts tbh. The book definitely had potential but the execution wasn't well done, ngl. 

Worth the Chance by Evey Lyon

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

“I don’t want to lose you, so here I am, leaving no stone unturned, because you and me? We’re worth the chance.”

I just loved the banter between Spencer & April and the book started out great. And I was enjoying the sexual tension and hate chemistry between them. But some parts of the book felt dragged and boring and April's whiny nature was kind of annoying. Hadley was cute but I felt like her character's full potential wasn't utilised. And April living at Spencer's house even after their matter about the "tape" was resolved and having no job was so unbelievable. The whole plot was also predictable and I only enjoyed the first and last half tbh. So overall, this was just an okay read for me.

Forged by Fate by Kyra Seth

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Viren & Sunaina's story reeled me in since the very beginning! I loved their banter and how well Sunaina mixed up with his family was also heartwarming! But sometimes, the push and pull between them was too much to handle and I just wanted to see Viren grovel. Because after just having one conversation about how he treated her, the book was wrapped up in just one chapter and it felt abrupt to me tbh. Still, I enjoyed reading the book and some side characters have already intrigued me, especially Sarang & Tarana! So I can't wait to see what's coming next by the author!

Worth the Wait by Evey Lyon

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

"I was voted MVP for four seasons straight because I’m always determined to win. And Brielle Dawson? She’s the only goal I’ve ever wanted."

This was a quick, fun and heartwarming second chance romance! The chemistry and connection between Brielle & Ford was palpable. I was rooting for them since the beginning because it was evident how much they longed for each other. But I felt like the reason for their initial separation was too stupid and if there weren't mentions of them seeing other people on top of the ten year separation, I would've loved the book more tbh. Still, the side characters were really great (except Brielle's parents) and I liked how they elicited a sense of community in the story. So overall, this was an enjoyable read with good characters, a little small town charm with emphasis on family, healing and a whirlwind romance!

Waiting to Play: A Small Town Secret Baby Hockey Romance by Evey Lyon

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

“We suck at boundaries. Our new motto.” “Totally right, but that’s why we can knock them down,” he confirms but only wraps his arms tighter around me.

Okay so, I liked this one much better than the previous book from this series. I liked how Isla & Vaughn's fling turned into an unexpected journey of handling love, responsibility and growing a family together. I also liked how Vaughn transformed from a carefree player to a doting and caring father and partner. And although, I did not like some of Isla's actions, she was a good mom and I couldn't help but like and understand her. Their character development was also well written and I loved how adorable their moments with Nora were! The chemistry between Vaughn & Isla was undeniably strong and the side characters were great especially, Hadley & Briggs (he added some humour in the story). Overall, this was kind of a predictable read but enjoyable nonetheless. So I'd recommend it if you're looking for a small town, hockey romance with accidental pregnancy and some angst thrown in!

Waiting to Win: A Small Town Accidental Marriage Hockey Romance by Evey Lyon

medium-paced

2.0

This book started off really well and I was loving the hate chemistry between Connor & Hadley but as more of their past was unveiled, I couldn't fathom how Hadley still crushed on Connor after he left her like that when they got together for the first time. And the reason he broke her heart was so stupid because he himself said that it wasn't his secret to tell, it was her father's. So I just found all that push and pull of years between them ridiculous. And after halfway through, I just couldn't focus on the story. It felt unnecessarily dragged and the tension between Connor & Hadley also faded away. I still liked some of the side characters though and both Connor & Hadley's families were really amazing. So, the first half and the side characters were the only saving grace of the book but everything else was just disappointing tbh.