ginniereads's reviews
246 reviews

Until I Get You by Claire Contreras

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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Playing By The Rules by Monica Murphy

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

His to Torment by Alexa Jordan

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

There Is No Devil by Sophie Lark

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal

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adventurous slow-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? It's complicated

3.5

There Are No Saints by Sophie Lark

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

4.0


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Kingdom of the Feared by Kerri Maniscalco

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adventurous funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Twin Star Exorcists: Onmyoji, Vol. 1 by Yoshiaki Sukeno

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funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Grumpy Jake by Melissa Blue

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4.0

This was a cute enemies-to-lovers ish, low angst novella. I had fun with this one. Bailey is a kindergarten teacher who despises the father of a boy who is in her class. He has a reputation of having relationships with all the teacher and staff at his sons school and cutting them off at a certain point.

Bailey was a fun character. I enjoyed her personality, spunk, and the little banter between her and Jake. I loved her as a teacher and the relationship she had with Jake's son. As a teacher myself, I loved seeing that part portrayed in the story.

As for Jake, he was a misunderstood character with a sad backstory. He also built a bad reputation, which he brought on himself by serially dating teacher's in his son's school. I love me a misunderstood character. I felt he totally lacked the grumpy part, hence the title of the book. I really didn't see the grump at all, though Bailey was trying hard to make it seem that way. Instead what I did see, was a caring father who is dealing with grief the best way he can, which was not talking about it. As a (single) mom myself, I totally understood why he was the way he was when it came to dating and the women he brought around his son. I did however feel like his reasoning for ending things with Bailey was a bit much, but again as a parent I can understand.

The romance in this book was cute and definitely had some steamy parts. I needed a little more enemies-to-lovers vibes though. I felt it was a lacking in that. I did love seeing their relationship blossom and grow, which was believable. I also liked the attraction and the sexual tension they secretly had for each other.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read. Though it had a few things missing and moved rather quick, that is expected from a novella. However, it left me satisfied and wishing to have more of Bailey and Jake's story.