icarusfallstan's reviews
167 reviews

Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

adventurous 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

3.0

Initial thoughts: 

I realised how dumb this actually was when it was revealed they were fucking for only ten days. Plus he only apologised for basically emotionally manipulating her during sex which is so wild to me. Though the smut scenes were good, this lacked nuance making the third act fall flat screen. I had high hopes for this book as Her first book had so much potential but also missed the mark.

For Her Own Good by Tamsen Parker

dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

this was the the kinda book I expected when they said this was a “daddy kink.” this was my first time reading a book centred around the ddlg dynamic so it was outta my comfort zone. I honestly have no thoughts I was on autopilot white reading this but I will say I enjoyed reading about her personal journey and experience with depression 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Frayed Silk by Ella Fields

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I felt so guilty for enjoying this book considering i absolutely hate plots where one character is getting cheated on, let alone reading abt said cheater doing their cheating thing. Though, I still despised how Lia acted liked you noticed a shift in your husbands behaviour and his friends are even coming up to you concerned that somethings changed yet your conclusion is he's just being a dick for no reason at all!?!??!? But seeing them work through was kinda nice to see so I guess that was good to read :/

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

The Star by Rosie Alice

adventurous dark fast-paced

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

I downloaded this book on ku bc I read a quote on twitter out of context and upon reading the story, realised I incorrectly read the quote. Went in expecting a threesome with an estranged stepbrother in college but there was no threesomes and no one in college. They were in high school. Just two ppl with an incest kink?!?!? so I truly had to solider on with this one

The Hookup Dilemma by Constance Gillam

funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

3.5

I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience and the characters, especially their chemistry though felt like there was something missing. How the plot unfolded felt weird, reading the book felt like things were just about to wrap up but when checking the progress, I would only be a third into the book. The main characters were fun in the moment but tbh it was forgettable 

The Unwanted Wife by Natasha Anders

emotional 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

4.0

The grovelling in this book was enough to make me feel like I was dying. As someone who loves a second chance romance, the angst in this book was so undeniable it was so overwhelming in the best way possible. Though the book was fun and entertaining to read, there was a few elements I wanted more of, such as more insight about Sandro's "fame" as a business mogul and overall just more scenes of them interacting as a couple in a public setting. Theresa and Sandro's chemistry is something i'll never forget  

Bad Boys Break Hearts by Micalea Smeltzer

lighthearted

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

3.5

dont remember much but it was angsty and cute. Just remember thinking this book had so much potential but just needed something more 

Ghosted by J.M. Darhower

emotional hopeful 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

3.5

Even though I didn’t get that emotional connection with the characters and the writing wasn’t the best, I really loved how the story unfolded. The journal entries felt somewhat cliche and I wish more elements of the story was explored but I was able to look past them and simply get lost in the characters. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Praise by Sara Cate

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was such a good read like some smutty books struggle to find a balance between the "plot" and smut but this book definitely found that balance and therefore made me heavily invested in the story. The push and pull between the main characters made their relationship so enticing but what made the book so great is really seeing Sophie find herself beyond her sensuality and rediscovering who she is as a person. There were times where I actually had to process that this book is "taboo" so I was cringing at some scenes between Emerson, Sophie and Beau but this book really felt more than just a quick smutty read. 

Though, after reflecting I realised I fucking hate Charlie and I think beau deserves waayyyy better and that whole third act conflict missed a great opportunity to openly discuss beaus feelings around sex and kinks to break down his stigma and resentment around it. This book has the theme of discovering sensuality but beau could've had a similar epiphany through a conversation with his emerson to break down his stigma and explain the process behind his club and how empowering it can be especially for woman.   

Charlie was extremely immature for how she reacted with emerson and beau so to me that whole interaction ruined her growth and development so the scene of them all banning together to speak with her biological dad just felt quickly added to sweep everything to the side. This made beau's feelings unresolved which made his character feel rather incomplete.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Transphobia

Daddy's Angel by K.A. Knight

adventurous 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? It's complicated

3.0

The characters felt immature at times which made some of the plot feel very melodramatic but the smutty scenes were good so i can't complain like the dirty talk was kinda amazing (im sorry but i just cannot lie to myself especially during lent!!!)