emmreadsbooks's reviews
1143 reviews

Stone Cold Fox by Rachel Koller Croft

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I absolutely enjoyed this book, though it needs to be noted that it isn't your classic mystery/thriller. While there are certainly thrilling elements, it's more tuned towards literary fiction. We follow Bea, a seasoned conwoman who wants this job to be her last. As she enters into the old money sphere of New York though, she soon finds out that she's not the only shark in these waters. I really enjoyed the dynamics of the Upper West Side, especially with Gale. The ending twist was a little bit lame, but it did leave the ending open for a sequel!

Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.25

Oh hi magic books, I love you - especially in a grim fantasy with secret societies! This read similarly to Book of Night by Holly Black, another urban fantasy that I loved. In a world where anyone can use magic if they have the right book, I can only imagine how much fun I could have with that. The magic system itself seems intuitive, though some are blessed with abilities like hearing magic or being completely immune to it. I also really enjoyed having a queer romance front and center amidst all of this fantastical chaos. This could potentially become a series, but I did enjoy that this book was entirely self-contained. Also Sir Kiwi deserves so many treats for making it through this book.

*Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This is a love song for romance fans. Taking the fan-favorite Fizzy and giving her her own happily ever after was an absolute MUST, but I'm glad that the book was just as good as she deserved. Giving her a posh British single dad with just enough grump to balance out her sunshine, my heart. The spice was nice and the banter was on point. I really enjoyed the reality show setting as well, especially given the hero types that were cast. I docked a star just because of some of the ridiculousness that happened at the end, but overall I really enjoyed the story.

*Thank you to Simon Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Here's cute broadway romcom that delivers just enough celebrity moments to keep fans of Funny You Should Ask satisfied. It's also a nice take on a second chance romance where it's almost a third chance romance? Enjoyed that part quite a bit. As a musical theatre fan, I enjoyed seeing the behind the scenes of a broadway production from blocking to choreography to first reviews. It was also nice to see older leads still pursuing their dreams and finding love. I got a little confused with the summer camp, boy band era, and broadway timelines at times, but it was still fun. I absolutely need to watch Into the Woods now.

*Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for an ARC and PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*

The Chain by Adrian McKinty

challenging dark 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? No

3.25

Be warned, you will have The Chain by Fleetwood Mac stuck in your head the entire time you're reading this.

This is an exciting thriller, though it hits a lull about halfway through. The premise of a kidnapping ring based on a chain letter is inspired - especially as it forces each participant to become complicit. But once the kidnapping part is resolved, the plot kinda derails. While we know that they'll hunt down the creators of the chain, it felt unreasonable for these 2 characters to do so. The abrupt PoV shifts to the perpetrators were weird and the final set-up was just too perfect.

Basically I wish there was some way to replace Part 2 with something else entirely? Idk.

A Perfect Vintage by Chelsea Fagan

adventurous emotional 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

4.25

For fans of You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty comes a debut literary romance with the backdrop of a French chateau. We follow Lea, a hospitality consultant working in the French countryside, as she navigates a job that aims to launch her career. An uptight workaholic quickly falls for the laissez-faire boss's son and draaaaama ensues. I loved the family drama elements of this story, as well as a new take on the age gap trope. Lea is so in her head at times, but it rings true for someone so used to doubting and criticizing herself. We also touch on difficult topics like emotional abuse and addiction, but stick the landing in the end. I've loved Chelsea Fagan from The Financial Diet, but I think she really makes another name for herself as a writer.

*Thank you to Orsay Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A very cute sapphic romance focusing on k-drama actors as they are thrust into their own k-drama. The premise was adorable, but I wish we'd gotten more time with Hana and Minjee throughout. We didn't really get to know either character, so I wasn't too invested in their love story. I loved having the vibrant setting of Seoul and little callbacks to I'll Be The One though. It was also a very important introduction to the LGBT culture in Korea and the associated societal norms. But basically I imagined a book about k-dramas to be more DRAMATIC. Audio was cute and short though!

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

You know when a book gets hyped up so much that you think it can't possibly be that good? This one IS that good.

Readers be warned, there is sexual content and extreme violence. I'd liken it to a mix of How to Train Your Dragon and the Divergent series. It's compulsively readable and has just enough steam to keep traditional romance readers interested. The writing style is so straight-on, it wants you to fly through it. I loved the portrayal of Ehlers Danlos syndrome, especially in the accommodations that Violet creates for herself. While the plot was predictable at times, I still loved every minute of it and can't WAIT for the sequel!

Fourth Wing is going to be a phenomenon, just you wait.

Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

TBH I've been calling this one Meet Meh at the Lake in my head since reading. It's perfectly fine, but lacks the investment I had in Every Summer After. Fern and Will barely know each other and have just okay chemistry. But more than that, mental health is kind of thrown in as an afterthought to "explain" people's actions.... which is just so annoying. I like that this book focuses on idealizing people romantically, but it's never really addressed on page. TBH I'd rather read Maggie and Peter's book. That being said, I still love her writing style and will continue to read her books. This just wasn't the one for me.

Wild Things by Laura Kay

hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I'm irrationally angry with this book. Despite knowing that it was women's fiction going into it, I thought that we might see some kind of lasting change in character throughout. El's "wild year" was an awesome concept, but she spends so much of it struggling to get out of her shell. I would've loved more of a focus on the commune in the country and less of El pining for Ray. Their relationship never really felt real to me, more just Ray using El for comfort. But hey, the chickens were cool.

*Thank you to Vintage Books and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*