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frantically's reviews
1015 reviews
Fragile Sanctuary by Catherine Cowles
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It feels like I'm betraying all my other Catherine Cowles babies when I say this but I fear the Colsons may be my new favourite family π
This was so so SO good. These books just keep getting and better.
Anson and Rho didn't have a fairytale beginning but Rho just *knew* there was something under all that grumpiness and she didn't give up until she found it π₯Ή Anson really tried to keep going with his "no commitment" thing but ultimately, he never stood a chance.
The siblings. The family feels. Catch me crying ππ we need more adoption/foster content in romance (esp when everyone's writing series with 5+ siblings lol) and these siblings had me tearing up every chapter, I swear. I can't wait to get to all of their stories <3
I could've SWORN I had the killer right this time (cue my Kindle note that said "I KNEW IT") but of course, I didn't. I first thought it was a bit out of the blue but then everything came together and I was like π²π² i think this is one of Catherine's best reveals to date!!
5/5, phenomenal, show stopping, never been done before
This was so so SO good. These books just keep getting and better.
Anson and Rho didn't have a fairytale beginning but Rho just *knew* there was something under all that grumpiness and she didn't give up until she found it π₯Ή Anson really tried to keep going with his "no commitment" thing but ultimately, he never stood a chance.
The siblings. The family feels. Catch me crying ππ we need more adoption/foster content in romance (esp when everyone's writing series with 5+ siblings lol) and these siblings had me tearing up every chapter, I swear. I can't wait to get to all of their stories <3
I could've SWORN I had the killer right this time (cue my Kindle note that said "I KNEW IT") but of course, I didn't. I first thought it was a bit out of the blue but then everything came together and I was like π²π² i think this is one of Catherine's best reveals to date!!
5/5, phenomenal, show stopping, never been done before
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, Death, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Stalking, Child death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
Minor: Medical content and Medical trauma
The Wake-Up Call by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
and that, kids, is why handwritten cards are overrated
β
I loved this! Read it in one day. It took me a bit to warm up to the MCs because they're both such complex characters and they both have these really different views on their relationship and why it is the way it is but once I did, I was all in. While I could see myself more in Izzy, the romance feels were allll in in Lucas' parts. The slow realisation he loves Izzy? Amazing. Show stopping. Never been done before.
O'Leary writes romances in the best way β she writes romances about people that have *lives*. This isn't about just Izzy and Lucas. They've got friends, coworkers turned family, annoying exes, dead parents, alive parents in other countries, toxic roommates and the list goes on. While this is primarily about Izzy and Lucas getting together, it's also about (almost) everyone else in their lives seeing them getting together and rooting for them and that just gave me all the feels.
The cover didn't speak "Christmas" to me (and it still doesn't) so I was a bit surprised when this turned into a holiday romance (especially as it is May) but it was a cute surprise!
I'm always hesitant to pick up second books by authors I loved ("The Flatshare" was my favourite 2023 book π«Άπ»π«Άπ») because I'm scared they'll be bad but this one just inspired me to read all the other books Beth O'Leary has written β let's hope they continue to be this good!
β
I loved this! Read it in one day. It took me a bit to warm up to the MCs because they're both such complex characters and they both have these really different views on their relationship and why it is the way it is but once I did, I was all in. While I could see myself more in Izzy, the romance feels were allll in in Lucas' parts. The slow realisation he loves Izzy? Amazing. Show stopping. Never been done before.
O'Leary writes romances in the best way β she writes romances about people that have *lives*. This isn't about just Izzy and Lucas. They've got friends, coworkers turned family, annoying exes, dead parents, alive parents in other countries, toxic roommates and the list goes on. While this is primarily about Izzy and Lucas getting together, it's also about (almost) everyone else in their lives seeing them getting together and rooting for them and that just gave me all the feels.
The cover didn't speak "Christmas" to me (and it still doesn't) so I was a bit surprised when this turned into a holiday romance (especially as it is May) but it was a cute surprise!
I'm always hesitant to pick up second books by authors I loved ("The Flatshare" was my favourite 2023 book π«Άπ»π«Άπ») because I'm scared they'll be bad but this one just inspired me to read all the other books Beth O'Leary has written β let's hope they continue to be this good!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Grief, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Sexual content
The Allure of Dean Harper by R.S. Grey
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 43%.
R. S. Grey, I love you but I just hate Dean Harper with a burning passion
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
The Wallflower by J.L. Beck
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0
Enjoyable! Ending wasn't my fav but Drew and Bell got me through it.
While the "bully who's actually just abused :((" trope has been done to death, I still wasn't *too* annoyed by it here. Mainly because yes, Drew was abused by his dad but he was also just a dick in general, abuse or no π€·π»ββ
The hunt part was really the best bit, Drew and Bell's push and pull is so well written and gives a good enough base for the rest of the book.
There were parts I wish that had just been written out better. Both of their mums are ill. The word cancer is mentioned maybe two times? But we get no further explanation, no symptoms, nothing. With Drew's mum, it's understandable, his dad's trying to hide everything, but Bell goes to appointments with her mum and the doctor still just calls it "an illness". Maybe it's a plot point in the sequel? Who knows. Still kinda weird.
All in all, nothing revolutionary bug with just the right type of spice to still make it fun.
While the "bully who's actually just abused :((" trope has been done to death, I still wasn't *too* annoyed by it here. Mainly because yes, Drew was abused by his dad but he was also just a dick in general, abuse or no π€·π»ββ
The hunt part was really the best bit, Drew and Bell's push and pull is so well written and gives a good enough base for the rest of the book.
There were parts I wish that had just been written out better. Both of their mums are ill. The word cancer is mentioned maybe two times? But we get no further explanation, no symptoms, nothing. With Drew's mum, it's understandable, his dad's trying to hide everything, but Bell goes to appointments with her mum and the doctor still just calls it "an illness". Maybe it's a plot point in the sequel? Who knows. Still kinda weird.
All in all, nothing revolutionary bug with just the right type of spice to still make it fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Violence, Blood, Sexual content, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Rape, Emotional abuse, and Terminal illness
Minor: Infidelity
Heal Me Daddy by Laylah Roberts
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved this! I'm always here for a good "oh no, we're forced to stay in this cabin together, whatever will we do!!"
The separate relationships here well developed so well and while it took some time for them to work up to a full poly relationship, I think that time was necessary for us too fully appreciate their relationship in the end!
These are characters that we've been teased with basically since book 1 and I'm so glad their book didn't disappoint. I love that the FMC wasn't in her twenties either, age gap doesn't always have to be 20 y/o girls getting with 40 y/o men (because that's honestly weird!)
So β really really loved this, I stayed up reading till my eyes closed, still have some criticisms:
β Caley's dead ex seems like such a dick! We get so many hints imo, he was fired for a DUI and kept drinking w/o telling Caley, he didn't have any training as a Dom, they didn't use safewords, etc etc. I get that she was grieving but I hoped we'd at least get a small conversation about it towards the end
β as others have said, sometimes Isaac and Archer are hard to differentiate esp in their own POVs and with the over-the-top use of "he, him, his"
The separate relationships here well developed so well and while it took some time for them to work up to a full poly relationship, I think that time was necessary for us too fully appreciate their relationship in the end!
These are characters that we've been teased with basically since book 1 and I'm so glad their book didn't disappoint. I love that the FMC wasn't in her twenties either, age gap doesn't always have to be 20 y/o girls getting with 40 y/o men (because that's honestly weird!)
So β really really loved this, I stayed up reading till my eyes closed, still have some criticisms:
β Caley's dead ex seems like such a dick! We get so many hints imo, he was fired for a DUI and kept drinking w/o telling Caley, he didn't have any training as a Dom, they didn't use safewords, etc etc. I get that she was grieving but I hoped we'd at least get a small conversation about it towards the end
β as others have said, sometimes Isaac and Archer are hard to differentiate esp in their own POVs and with the over-the-top use of "he, him, his"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcoholism, Vomit, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Gun violence and Mental illness
Daddy's Angel by Laylah Roberts
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Loved this! The cast of characters was great, even if we were away from Sanctuary and Bain and Ari had me in their grip from page one π«Άπ»
I do think the stalker plotline got a bit ridiculous towards the end, so it's not a full five stars, but I'm loving how much more plot we've been getting from the recent books!
I do think the stalker plotline got a bit ridiculous towards the end, so it's not a full five stars, but I'm loving how much more plot we've been getting from the recent books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Mental illness
Moderate: Eating disorder and Emotional abuse
Minor: Body shaming and Fire/Fire injury
His Little Cowgirl by Laylah Roberts
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Cute! I feel like the girls were all a bit too baby-ish for me (like they're not actual babies y'know, they're still adult women π) but the picnic plot was super cute <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Medical content, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Warrior Daddy by Laylah Roberts
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
So cute! I definitely missed the rest of the cast in this one (it's set in Australia) but I love that we got another chronically/disabled FMC! Could definitely relate to her not taking her meds and ignoring her health haha. Maybe I just need my own Macca to remind me π€
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Chronic illness, Medical content, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, and Cancer
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Child abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Cursing
Daring Daddy by Laylah Roberts
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loveee Eden and I'm so happy we finally got her story π«Άπ» She deserves her HEA so much π₯Ί and even though it took her some time to admit it, Zeke is the man for that!
Why 3 stars then? While I appreciate the disability rep greatly, there were some scenes that made me really uncomfortable! Zeke just takes Eden out of her wheelchair to carry her, without her permission. They talk kinda away from the group and she has no way to leave. He tells her "well if something had happened, you could've just called out" and that is so icky. There's another scene where the two of them are in a cabin and he tells her brother "yeah she's safe her, she can't leave anyway :)" implying that it's because she's in a wheelchair. Kidnapp-y much?
I'd love to see more disability rep in romance but please only well-thought rep!
Why 3 stars then? While I appreciate the disability rep greatly, there were some scenes that made me really uncomfortable! Zeke just takes Eden out of her wheelchair to carry her, without her permission. They talk kinda away from the group and she has no way to leave. He tells her "well if something had happened, you could've just called out" and that is so icky. There's another scene where the two of them are in a cabin and he tells her brother "yeah she's safe her, she can't leave anyway :)" implying that it's because she's in a wheelchair. Kidnapp-y much?
I'd love to see more disability rep in romance but please only well-thought rep!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Car accident, and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content, Eating disorder, Rape, Sexual harassment, Child abuse, Suicide, and War
A Montana Daddies Christmas by Laylah Roberts
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved seeing all the couples interacting, this was such a feel-good novella π₯°
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, and Death
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Eating disorder, and Child abuse