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gi_reads30's reviews
300 reviews
Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
3.75 or 4...I don't know ! I have a lot to think about, the book was good and despite being SO LONG, the pacing was not bad. BUT you would think that a book being this long would have answers of the question book 2 generated, but now I have more questions.
I like Diem, more here than in the first 2 books, but my God her internal struggles sometimes are too much. Maybe I am the problem? Maybe I can't seem to understand why she is so reckless at times. Luther, I adored in this book. He is so loyal, and wonderful! Teller, also one of my favorites.
Can't wait to see what book 4 brings!!
I like Diem, more here than in the first 2 books, but my God her internal struggles sometimes are too much. Maybe I am the problem? Maybe I can't seem to understand why she is so reckless at times. Luther, I adored in this book. He is so loyal, and wonderful! Teller, also one of my favorites.
Can't wait to see what book 4 brings!!
Given Our History by Kristyn J. Miller
3.5
Thanks to SMP for this E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 3.5
Tropes:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Close proximity
- Second chance romance
- Dual timeline
- Right person, wrong time.
Recap:
Given our History is a second chance romance between two childhood best friends that exemplify the saying "right person, wrong time." It takes you on a journey between past and present, where you can see what went wrong between them, and how they could potentially do better this time around.
Review:
I find the book to be so cute and very well written (although at times, in my opinion a little bit too "telling instead of showing.), with characters that felt raw and authentic. Both Clara and Teddy were flawed, protagonists that needed to grow up in and become their own persons individually to actually learn how to be in a relationship with each other. No doubt they were soulmates and each others "love of their lives", but they needed to work a lot of things through to get to the point were they could both live their love in a healthy matter.
The reason I give this book 3.5 stars, is because I would've love to have Teddy's POV. He had a lot of things going on and I would've love to fully understand his decisions and the way he was dealing with his growing love for Clara and his fear of failure. I also think the romance was not that well developed, while I understand they always had feelings for each other, they have spent so much time apart that I wish I could've seen more of they relationship and getting to know each other all over again. Now that I think about it, Teddy's POV was very needed.
Other than that I am glad I picked this up, and will be looking forward to more of this author's work in the future.
Rating: 3.5
Tropes:
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Close proximity
- Second chance romance
- Dual timeline
- Right person, wrong time.
Recap:
Given our History is a second chance romance between two childhood best friends that exemplify the saying "right person, wrong time." It takes you on a journey between past and present, where you can see what went wrong between them, and how they could potentially do better this time around.
Review:
I find the book to be so cute and very well written (although at times, in my opinion a little bit too "telling instead of showing.), with characters that felt raw and authentic. Both Clara and Teddy were flawed, protagonists that needed to grow up in and become their own persons individually to actually learn how to be in a relationship with each other. No doubt they were soulmates and each others "love of their lives", but they needed to work a lot of things through to get to the point were they could both live their love in a healthy matter.
The reason I give this book 3.5 stars, is because I would've love to have Teddy's POV. He had a lot of things going on and I would've love to fully understand his decisions and the way he was dealing with his growing love for Clara and his fear of failure. I also think the romance was not that well developed, while I understand they always had feelings for each other, they have spent so much time apart that I wish I could've seen more of they relationship and getting to know each other all over again. Now that I think about it, Teddy's POV was very needed.
Other than that I am glad I picked this up, and will be looking forward to more of this author's work in the future.
What the Hex by Alexis Daria
fast-paced
2.75
Cute. Extremely short but I knew that going in! It was a cozy witchy story!
Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone
4.5
"I can take care of both versions of you.”
I picked up this one in a whim, I loved Ready or Not by Cara Bastone and loved her writing style, and her humor. This DID NOT disappoint, it was funny, sweet and although short, there is decent character development. AMAZING chemistry, and it's even more tangible because the narrators were AMAZING!!!!!! I can listen to Noah Reid for 24 hours more!! The production is so good, I felt like I was watching a movie the whole time.!!!!!
This is just SO CUTE, funny, and just a great fast read!!! Pick it up if you can!
I picked up this one in a whim, I loved Ready or Not by Cara Bastone and loved her writing style, and her humor. This DID NOT disappoint, it was funny, sweet and although short, there is decent character development. AMAZING chemistry, and it's even more tangible because the narrators were AMAZING!!!!!! I can listen to Noah Reid for 24 hours more!! The production is so good, I felt like I was watching a movie the whole time.!!!!!
This is just SO CUTE, funny, and just a great fast read!!! Pick it up if you can!
The Hunted Heir by Holly Renee
Thanks to Valentine's PR for the eARC of The Hunted Heir in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you like
- Enemies to lovers (but really, mates)
- Cat and mouse chase
- Romantasy
Recap
Book two starts right where book 1 left off. Verena was once again on the run. This time, not only her Father is trying to capture her, but after figuring out who she really was, so were the rebels. Dacre is faced with the difficult decision to betray his father, or ask for Verena's forgiveness and help her reach the freedom she has desired for so long.
Review:
To say I am disappointed, is an understatement. I really enjoyed book 1. I thought it was fast paced, it had intrigue and while naïve at times, a good FMC with potential to become a strong lead. But this book...yeah it was not great. I think the main problem is the length. So much more could've been brought to this story but in a little over 190 pages, there is no way you can see both character growth and plot development. It felt flat all the way through. I liked the whole "we are running away, trying to not get caught" aspect of the book. The cat and mouse chase trope can be interesting, but not at the expense of not developing the characters. Which is why I had issues with how FAST and easy was for the main characters to fall back to their old patterns, specifically Verena. After what Dacre did to her at the end of book 1 I wanted to see GROVELING, I want him to see beg for forgiveness, but she made it too easy for him, WAY too easy.
I just disappointed but I do hope next book is better, because I do think it has potential to redeem itself. Like book 1, this one ends in a cliffhanger, so beware of that.
Thanks AGAIN to Valentine's PR for the eARC of The Hunted Heir in exchange for an honest review.
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
“I am yours, Verena, in this kingdom and the next, wherever the tides take you, I am yours.”
Thanks to Valentine's PR for the eARC of The Hunted Heir in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you like
- Enemies to lovers (but really, mates)
- Cat and mouse chase
- Romantasy
Recap
Book two starts right where book 1 left off. Verena was once again on the run. This time, not only her Father is trying to capture her, but after figuring out who she really was, so were the rebels. Dacre is faced with the difficult decision to betray his father, or ask for Verena's forgiveness and help her reach the freedom she has desired for so long.
Review:
To say I am disappointed, is an understatement. I really enjoyed book 1. I thought it was fast paced, it had intrigue and while naïve at times, a good FMC with potential to become a strong lead. But this book...yeah it was not great. I think the main problem is the length. So much more could've been brought to this story but in a little over 190 pages, there is no way you can see both character growth and plot development. It felt flat all the way through. I liked the whole "we are running away, trying to not get caught" aspect of the book. The cat and mouse chase trope can be interesting, but not at the expense of not developing the characters. Which is why I had issues with how FAST and easy was for the main characters to fall back to their old patterns, specifically Verena. After what Dacre did to her at the end of book 1 I wanted to see GROVELING, I want him to see beg for forgiveness, but she made it too easy for him, WAY too easy.
I just disappointed but I do hope next book is better, because I do think it has potential to redeem itself. Like book 1, this one ends in a cliffhanger, so beware of that.
Thanks AGAIN to Valentine's PR for the eARC of The Hunted Heir in exchange for an honest review.
Tentacles & Triathlons by Ashley Bennett
3.25
This one was better than book 1! It had heart and their relationship developed at a much slower pace, despite the whole "mates" things going on. I loved Cyrus and Reece was a grumpy mmc with a soft heart! Adored the talks of consent not only in their sexual encounters but also in revealing to other their relationship! The lack of pressure or expectations was refreshing! I will not sit here and lie to myself and say I won't read the next one because I probably will.
Reel by Kennedy Ryan
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
WOW! If I could describe the perfect book, this would be it. BEAUTIFUL writing (but who are we kidding? It's Kennedy Ryan), BEAUTIFUL romance, AMAZING, COMMUNICATIVE and MATURE main characters. Canon and Neevah are two of most wonderful characters I've ever had a chance to read about. Three-dimensional characters that felt real, with SIZZLING chemistry from the moment they first lock eyes. Their forbidden romance in the Hollywood background setting made the drama and the angst of this story entertaining.
I could go on and on about them, and I just need for more people to read this book, not only for their romance and spice, but their story as individual characters. The chronic illness representation and the interwoven story in this book (Dessie Blue) shows once again how much care, and attention Kennedy does when writing books. It will never ever cese to amaze me.
JUST PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I could go on and on about them, and I just need for more people to read this book, not only for their romance and spice, but their story as individual characters. The chronic illness representation and the interwoven story in this book (Dessie Blue) shows once again how much care, and attention Kennedy does when writing books. It will never ever cese to amaze me.
JUST PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!