flower_princess's reviews
85 reviews

Savage Bonds by J. Bree

adventurous challenging mysterious

3.5

Alright, so “Savage Bonds” was definitely better than “Broken Bonds”, but not without its issues. I’m giving it 3.5 stars because it finally felt like things were happening, and the story actually moved forward, thank god. Oli was still… Oli. Still dramatic, still in her feelings 24/7, but I will say she was slightly less annoying this time around. We got to see a little more of her personality wound just running away or being mad at her bonds (progress!). And the guys? Definitely starting to feel more like actual characters instead of just angry, mysterious men standing in dark corners. This book had way more, more answers, and the bond dynamics started heating up.  The forced proximity scenes were fun, the tension felt a bit more natural, and we even got a few soft moments that didn’t feel totally forced. But of course… the drama is still very much alive and well. Oli still refuses to trust people for way too long, there’s still a lot of repetitive inner monologue, and every single person in this book seriously needs therapy. That said, I was way more invested in this one. The pacing was better, the plot thickened, and there were actual stakes. 3.5 stars, definitely an improvement, still messy and dramatic, but I’m finally starting to care about these chaotic characters. Looks like I’m locked in for book 3.

Broken Bonds by J. Bree

challenging mysterious slow-paced

2.5

Alright, so “Broken Bonds” by J. Bree… honestly, this book was a bit of a struggle for me. I wanted to love it, the whole concept of a girl with five fated bonds and all the angsty enemies-to-lovers tension sounded right up my alley. But whew… the execution? Not my fave. First off, I found Oli (or Olive, whatever) so annoying. She was whiny, insufferable, and constantly playing the victim while also refusing to communicate with literally anyone. Like girl, I get you’ve got trauma, but at some point you gotta stop running and actually do something besides cry, pout, or sass your way into more problems. And the pacing?? Painfully slow. The entire book felt like the same three scenes on repeat: Oli being mad, the guys being mad, vague threats, dramatic exits, rinse and repeat. There were moments that had potential, but it just dragged so much that I found myself impatiently waiting for something to happen, anything, to actually happen. 2.5 stars from me. Cool idea, decent tension but super repetitive, slow, and Oli drove me absolutely crazy the whole time. I will give book two a shot and try reading it in hopes that it will redeem this series a little bit.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I devoured this book in one day, I seriously could not put it down. “Verity” completely sucked me in from the very first page and I had to know how it ended. It’s dark, creepy, super tense, and honestly had me questioning everything the entire time. The whole vibe of this book is so unsettling in the best way. Reading Verity’s disturbing manuscript while Lowen is literally stuck living in the same house??  Absolutely chilling. And just when I thought I knew what was going on… that ending completely threw me. I was sitting there staring at the last page like WHAT just happened. The plot twist messed me up, and I still don’t know what to believe — was Verity evil or was she innocent the whole time? I love a book that keeps me thinking long after I finish, and this one definitely did. If you love dark, twisty thrillers that are impossible to put down, this is the book for you. 100% a new favorite for me. 

Grimstone by Sophie Lark

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

So, “Grimstone” was a solid read, but not quite the mind-blowing experience I was hoping for. The premise is seriously intriguing— a dark, gothic romance with a brooding guy with a troubled past and a ton of secrets and a mansion that Remi thinks may be haunted or something. I’m all for that.  The chemistry between Remi and Dane is undeniably strong, but I wish their relationship had more emotional depth. Danes mysterious vibe was on point, but sometimes I felt like I was waiting for him to open up more and let us in on his secrets a little earlier. The creepy atmosphere and surprising twist kept me hooked, but something about the story just fell a bit short for me. 

Overall, it’s a good read if you like suspenseful romances, but it didn’t completely blow me away. I’m giving it 3.5 stars.

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous challenging mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I don’t even know where to start with “Quicksilver” by Callie Hart. WOW. If I could give this book six stars I would. Five just doesn’t feel like enough. This book had everything I love — morally grey, broody fae male? Check. Savage, sharp-mouthed heroine who refuses to be saved? Check. Banter that had me grinning like an idiot and knife-to-throat tension that had me holding my breath? CHECK. Saeris and Kingfisher’s dynamic? Chef’s kiss 😙🤌🏼 They hate each other, they barely trust each other, and yet the chemistry is OFF. THE. CHARTS. Also… the world building???? So dark and gritty and atmospheric. It honestly felt like I was right there in this brutal, frozen fae world just trying to survive alongside them. If you love enemies-to-reluctant-allies-to something more, dangerous fae realms, bada** heroines, and morally grey men who are absolute MENACES (but like… your favorite kind of menace), Quicksilver needs to be on your TBR immediately. Six stars. No notes. Obsessed.

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

adventurous emotional funny medium-paced

4.75

Okayyy I LOVED this book. “Just For The Summer” was such a fun, cozy, emotional little surprise. I went in expecting light, flirty, fake dating vibes — and while I totally got that, I also got way more depth and heart than I was ready for. Emma and Justin were SO easy to root for. Their flirtiness? Top tier. Their chemistry? Off the charts. And their whole “we’re cursed so let’s date and break up to break it” plan was honestly such a hilarious set-up for two people who were clearly doomed to catch feelings. But what really made this book for me was how real and layered both of them were. They’re both dealing with some heavy family stuff, some big fears about relationships, and a whole lot of vulnerability that sneaks up on them.  It was messy in the best way. And I can’t not mention Brad the “ugliest dog” who looks like a judgmental gremlin and was my favorite side character. Why 4.5 star rating and not 5? Honestly just a tiny bit of pacing in the middle dragged for me — like I wanted them to TALK about their feelings sooner because the mutual pining was driving me insane (in a good but slightly impatient way lol). But overall? This book was sweet, funny, emotional, a little spicy, and totally gave me that perfect summer rom-com escape energy. 

Highly recommend if you love:
—> kinda fake dating with feelings
—> characters who feel real and flawed
—> small town summers
—> a good emotional slow burn
—> and, of course, a perfect dog

Liar's Beach by Katie Cotugno

mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.5

If you’re looking for a fun, twisty summer mystery “Liar’s Beach” is the perfect pick. It’s got everything—rich kid drama, glamorous settings, and a mystery that keeps you guessing. The story follows Michael Linden, a scholarship kid trying to blend in with his wealthy friends, and Holiday Proctor, his sharp no-BS childhood friend who’s convinced there’s more to a poolside “accident” than meets the eye. Their dramatic dynamic is super entertaining—Holiday’s keen detective instincts complementing Linden’s inner turmoil as he navigates privilege, identity, and self-doubt. Katie Cotugno’s writing is sharp and effortless making it easy to get sucked into the drama. The mystery builds at a solid pace, and while the twists aren’t over the top shocking, they’re satisfying. Overall, “Liar’s Beach” is a binge-worthy read.

Dark Succession by Katee Robert

4.0

I had a great time reading “Dark Succession”! It’s got danger, family drama, and a sizzling love story.  Teague and Callie start off as total strangers forced into an arranged marriage, but their chemistry is off the charts. Teague is protective and intense, while Callie is tough and refuses to be just a pawn in this mafia game. I loved watching their relationship go from wary allies to something much deeper. The story is fast-paced with plenty of action and tension, both in the romance and the mafia politics. Some parts were a little predictable, and I wished for a bit more depth in certain moments, but overall, it was a pretty entertaining read. If you love dark, steamy romances with strong  characters and high stakes, “Dark Succession” is definitely worth checking out!

“You consume me, angel. It’s the most welcome kind of distraction, but I can’t get through an hour without thinking about you.”

Jar Of Hearts by Jennifer Hillier

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

3.25

Wonder Girl by Charm Harlow

lighthearted fast-paced

2.75