gillyreads's reviews
1027 reviews

Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Go to review page

This is a significant improvement on the first two books, much more drawn out emotional stuff, Noah’s family stuff was done really well (although the hacker to it security specialist millionaire I dont like but could mostly ignore). I liked Alexis and the parts of her story about dealing with the fall out of coming forward and other supporting other survivors, I thought that part of her story should have played a bigger role. The book club parts were great, loved the friendship bonding and crying.
Personally I hated the entire surprise family kidney donation aspect of the book, I thought it didn’t need to be there and was badly down.
The other thing I disliked was the very end with
Noah telling his mum to forgive Marsh, that didn’t fit at all and I think was pretty irresponsible.
Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

Go to review page

I decided to read this because even though I thought the first book wasn’t that great I wanted to see where he author went with the premise. There were definitely better elements to this but Liv and Mack were both so annoying in the first book it took a bit to get into. And similarly to the first book all the emotional development happened at the end. 
The plot line about sexual harassment had some good parts, but Liv was so judgemental of the women who’d be assaulted. She’s kind of called out on it but whole way  it was handled made it seem like maybe the author kind of agreed with her but thought she should have been more tactful. Liv also responds horrifically to finding out Mack’s traumatic secret which was so gross when she should have been supporting she made it all about her. 

I did really like the way the book club support each other and that they’re also trying to challenge toxic masculinity not just figure out how to romance their wives. I especially found the scene with the crying and hugging very moving. I think the concept of this series actually would have worked a look better if it focuses more on the fact what these guys need is more deep and meaningful relationships including friendship. 
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams

Go to review page

I wanted to like this book. I think the premise is clever and some elements of its execution were funny and adorable. 
The pacing didn’t work at all, the emotional development all happened at the end so you didn’t know the characters motivations in time to really connect or understand them and they really needed therapy.

Ship Wrecked by Olivia Dade

Go to review page

Really loved this one. Fantastic characters, great romance but was a little rushed at the end. I think probably suffered from the inability for most romance characters to have a fight and then actually talk through it would being wildly dramatic and miserable.
Overall definitely my favourite Olivia Dade.

I loved how naturally she managed to include a take down of intentional weight loss and the damage it can do to your body.

The only thing I didn’t love was the rpf because yuck
Spoiler Alert by Olivia Dade

Go to review page

I did read the second book first so some elements weren’t as impactful as they could have been but I still enjoyed this. I thought both characters had a lot of complexity and depth that enhanced the plot. I particularly liked how Olivia Dade managed their different experiences of terrible parents. I loved the fandom elements. Very nostalgic for me and worked well into the story. I enjoyed the exclusion of the chat logs but thought the inclusion of the actual fanfic stories was unnecessary and detracted from the over reading experience. 
All The Feels by Olivia Dade

Go to review page

Didn’t really hit the mark for me. I really enjoyed Alex but didn’t think the romance worked well. It didn’t really built up and there just wasn’t the emotional depth that was in the first book. I also thought the fan fiction element didn’t work as well and the inclusion of snippets of stories didn’t add anything. To me it broke up the flow of getting into the main story.
Tiny House, Big Love by Olivia Dade

Go to review page

I really enjoyed the premise and the most of the character work in this book but as with the first in the series this does not work as a novella. 
Desire and the Deep Blue Sea by Olivia Dade

Go to review page

I thought this did a good job representing Callie's anxiety and overall was a fine read but it just didn't quite work as a novella. I found the jump from her hating Thomas to loving him not well done. It was like she just said this is how it is, without doing any of the emotion work in the narrative. 
Sweetest in the Gale by Olivia Dade

Go to review page

fast-paced
Found these short stories pretty enjoyable
How to Tackle Your Dreams by Fiona Hardy

Go to review page

emotional funny 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? No
fantastically well written, I love all the characters. Fiona Hardy writes such fantastic twelve year olds.
The specific emotional development of this story actually destroyed me due to having a somewhat similar experience as a kid, but it was mostly in a validating way.