epieper's reviews
274 reviews

Out with the Tide by Julie Olivia

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.5

 

Julie Olivia paints a lovely quintessential New England town that makes this Midwest living New England raised woman miss the small town beach life. In fact, our heroine, Marina, comes running back home when she runs into some trouble after losing her job in California. Watching Marina come back into the fold of the small town life was easy due to the support system that surrounds her. It is a perfect blend of family,  friends, and romance. JO builds an excellent support system for the characters that you cannot by help to fall under the town's spell and see why they are such a tight knit community. Cue Cassidy Davies who helps Marina know her worth and brings her back to the Never Harbor fold, all the while she bolsters his confidence so he can recognize his worth and value in the town. It was easy to watch these two go from friends to lovers. It felt natural and not forced despite what the characters were feeling. 

I love how JO writes about specific characters, yet introduces side and future main characters without taking away from the current story. 

Honorable mention goes to the bad guy of the story and mayor's son, Dustin. I hated him from the beginning and enjoyed watching his downfall to the end. I was rooting for him to get punched out, but the comeuppance he received was way better. 

Thank you Julie Olivia and PenPal PR for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I cannot wait to go back to Never Harbor for the next couple!

 

The Reason I Married Him by Meghan Quinn

emotional funny

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

Kulti by Mariana Zapata

emotional funny inspiring 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

4.5

Royal Valentine by Sariah Wilson

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.5

House of Scarlett by Meghan March

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Three Swedish Mountain Men by Lily Gold

funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

Nanny for the Neighbors by Lily Gold

emotional funny 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

4.5

Fall of Legend by Meghan March

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Use Your Words by Allie Marie

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 

Use Your Words follows the story of a one-night stand between Lucy and Aaron. Lucy is just getting out of an abusive marriage while Aaron is a fall feet first all in kinda guy looking for marriage. You can imagine the hesitation that Lucy feels, however through the use of her own tools of the school counselor, the two become friends and gradually continue to gravitate further towards each other. Throughout the story, you watch each character grow and learn from each other. 

Spice is open door and done very well without feeling gratuitous. Despite the one night stand, the characters take their time getting to know each other without pushing their very clear boundaries. 

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

 

A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen

adventurous 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

3.75

 Danielle Jensen immediately pulled her reader into the Norse world that Freja resides and creates a world based on the confliction of the MMC and FMC and those around them. It is clearly depicted to the reader the stronghold the Gods have on its people, country, and how they live their daily lives. You are instantly pulled into Freja’s life and feel her conflicts within her biological and wedded family (be it forced or chosen). 

Enter Bjorn, man with a god’s blood and a soul who sings to our heroine. The banter and longing between the two characters pulls the heartstrings of the reader as you learn about their feelings and confliction to each other. I wanted they to put aside their hesitations a little bit sooner in the novel. 

At times, I found it a bit tedious on the hesitation of either pursuing freedom or deciding to move forward with the romantic relationship that was destined to happen. Towards the end of the book, I was unsure if I would continue the series, but it leaves you on a cliff hanger making the reader wonder what decisions will Freja make next and when will she come fully into her power, leadership, and feelings for Bjorn. 

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.