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ellieschaben's reviews
621 reviews
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley, Riley Keough
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
I know nothing much about the Presley family, but hearing Lisa and Riley’s intertwined story was so heartbreaking. Julia Roberts narrates with Riley also, and Lisa has some recordings thrown in too.
All I could think about was that Lisa seemed to have similar problems with fame as Britney Spears? While Britney did not turn to opioids and drug usage like Lisa did, their lives took tumultuous turns and were in the spotlight at every right and wrong.
All I could think about was that Lisa seemed to have similar problems with fame as Britney Spears? While Britney did not turn to opioids and drug usage like Lisa did, their lives took tumultuous turns and were in the spotlight at every right and wrong.
The Sweetest Connection by Denise Williams
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Okay this one is the winner! I need more novellas of every character at the airport.
Friends to lovers, and it’s the sweetest! I loved the MCs and their banter. This is the one that had the most plot line besides romance, which was fun. I liked the little hunt for who wrote the note.
Overall a fun little novella series!
Friends to lovers, and it’s the sweetest! I loved the MCs and their banter. This is the one that had the most plot line besides romance, which was fun. I liked the little hunt for who wrote the note.
Overall a fun little novella series!
The Missed Connection by Denise Williams
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Tell me why a loud, Marry Me by Bruno Mars, public in an airport wedding proposal had me tearing up
While I felt more connected to Ollie and Bennett as characters, Gia and Felix were adorable. I love a good academic rivals to lovers!
Short and sweet love story!
While I felt more connected to Ollie and Bennett as characters, Gia and Felix were adorable. I love a good academic rivals to lovers!
Short and sweet love story!
The Love Connection by Denise Williams
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
3.5
A lighthearted, quick romance for those that like a meet-cute, must love dogs, and need MMC who writes good smut!
While I do think a pet groomer in the airport is so niche and cannot be that successful, it made for a perfect meet-cute! Bennett seems like such a gentleman, and I love his little side gig.
Definitely a great start to this little trilogy of novellas!
While I do think a pet groomer in the airport is so niche and cannot be that successful, it made for a perfect meet-cute! Bennett seems like such a gentleman, and I love his little side gig.
Definitely a great start to this little trilogy of novellas!
It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story is so surrounded by infertility, donors, miscarriages, and pregnancy that you definitely could need a trigger warning! The author’s note on this made it so meaningful though, as she wrote it to help cope with her feelings of her own infertility.
As someone that’s going through the age of all her friends being pregnant right now, these characters could’ve been my friends down the street. It made the story that much more crazy and entertaining.
I felt for Olivia the entire story, though she wasn’t always a likable character. I always thought Park was fishy. I wanted Perry to end up with Olivia. And I couldn’t imagine Darby’s journey from start to finish.
This one has a ton of twists and turns, and while they could be predicted, I still wanted to tune in, which says a lot! I have a specific taste on thrillers, and this one floated my boat.
As someone that’s going through the age of all her friends being pregnant right now, these characters could’ve been my friends down the street. It made the story that much more crazy and entertaining.
I felt for Olivia the entire story, though she wasn’t always a likable character. I always thought Park was fishy. I wanted Perry to end up with Olivia. And I couldn’t imagine Darby’s journey from start to finish.
This one has a ton of twists and turns, and while they could be predicted, I still wanted to tune in, which says a lot! I have a specific taste on thrillers, and this one floated my boat.
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
The way I went to NetGalley to request the sequel?!
That ending was fabulous. I didn’t trust Asher the ENTIRE time. The romance felt like love-bombing. I really liked the silent romance of Finn though. It felt more real, and I enjoyed his character development and the way he distrusted Asher the whole time too.
This did have a SLOW beginning. I wish we could’ve gotten more from Grey’s character. I’m so interested in Lore’s relationships with the other humans/her family.
That ending was fabulous. I didn’t trust Asher the ENTIRE time. The romance felt like love-bombing. I really liked the silent romance of Finn though. It felt more real, and I enjoyed his character development and the way he distrusted Asher the whole time too.
This did have a SLOW beginning. I wish we could’ve gotten more from Grey’s character. I’m so interested in Lore’s relationships with the other humans/her family.
Strike and Burn by Taylor Hutton
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
3.0
Thank you to Berkeley and Taylor Hutton for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This one was just okay for me. I don’t think it was set up great, but I did enjoy the concept.
Honor had great character development, but for being dual POV, I don’t feel like we really got to know Strike. I did like the ending - Honor really came into herself and her rough hand and made it work for her.
This one was just okay for me. I don’t think it was set up great, but I did enjoy the concept.
Honor had great character development, but for being dual POV, I don’t feel like we really got to know Strike. I did like the ending - Honor really came into herself and her rough hand and made it work for her.
The Crash by Freida McFadden
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I spent most of this book being irrationally (or rationally) mad at most of the characters. Freida’s books are fast and dirty thrillers. You know you wanna keep reading and you know there’s a twist and there’s a chance you’ll guess it.
Tegan was so dumb, but at least she had a little bit of fight in her. Polly was completely delusional. Hank was wayyy too emotionally torn in directions, but I think his character was the best.
Not my favorite of hers, but I will say this unlocked an entirely new fear for me
Tegan was so dumb, but at least she had a little bit of fight in her. Polly was completely delusional. Hank was wayyy too emotionally torn in directions, but I think his character was the best.
Not my favorite of hers, but I will say this unlocked an entirely new fear for me
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really loved this one!!! Sarah and Caleb are so enjoyable and relatable.
Sarah’s problems, while annoying, are so valid. I also would like to marry a rich man so that I don’t have to work 😅😅 but I get the feeling of loosing yourself in a relationship and/or not feeling like you have a direction to move in.
I thought Caleb’s empathy and progression of understanding Sarah’s feelings were frustrating but real. The communication struggles can happen no matter how long a couple is together.
I also really thought Hannah did a great job of showing a couple that is childless/doesn’t want kids in the future. This POV isn’t shown a lot in fictional books, and I liked the representation and the fact that this was vocalized in the relationship and not changed throughout the book. The importance of seeing this as a valid option for your future!!!!!!
I didn’t love the epilogue/where Sarah ended up though. Sarah goes back to college, and her first book is a bestseller, is adapted for a play, and her friend (who is now famous) stars in the play?! I wish that Sarah could have been happy just finding her place as an aspiring author, and we could have been happy for her just getting one novel written/published. I wanted to celebrate the wins, even when they’re not the biggest ones. I wanted her to feel pride in herself, even if she doesn’t have a bestselling novel and a play adapted. I wanted her friends that she made to support her in the smallest of wins - her college graduation, her first book signing, her release date of her book. Such a small part of the book, but I feel like it could’ve been so impactful to the people aspiring to do big things, that even the small wins are important.
Sarah’s problems, while annoying, are so valid. I also would like to marry a rich man so that I don’t have to work 😅😅 but I get the feeling of loosing yourself in a relationship and/or not feeling like you have a direction to move in.
I thought Caleb’s empathy and progression of understanding Sarah’s feelings were frustrating but real. The communication struggles can happen no matter how long a couple is together.
I also really thought Hannah did a great job of showing a couple that is childless/doesn’t want kids in the future. This POV isn’t shown a lot in fictional books, and I liked the representation and the fact that this was vocalized in the relationship and not changed throughout the book. The importance of seeing this as a valid option for your future!!!!!!
I didn’t love the epilogue/where Sarah ended up though. Sarah goes back to college, and her first book is a bestseller, is adapted for a play, and her friend (who is now famous) stars in the play?! I wish that Sarah could have been happy just finding her place as an aspiring author, and we could have been happy for her just getting one novel written/published. I wanted to celebrate the wins, even when they’re not the biggest ones. I wanted her to feel pride in herself, even if she doesn’t have a bestselling novel and a play adapted. I wanted her friends that she made to support her in the smallest of wins - her college graduation, her first book signing, her release date of her book. Such a small part of the book, but I feel like it could’ve been so impactful to the people aspiring to do big things, that even the small wins are important.
Begin Again by Helly Acton
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I thought this was great! Similar theme to the midnight library, Frankie dies, and she is able to see all the possible lives she could’ve had. She gets to pick one to return to since she died before she should have. I loved getting to see all the possibilities that our lives could take. Frankie had so many cool opportunities and paths she could’ve taken, and to see her insecurity go away and her confidence rise was such good character development! I was rooting for her by the end!