indieandajean's reviews
432 reviews

Haunt Your Heart Out by Amber Roberts

funny hopeful 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? Yes

3.5

A cute read. I enjoyed the characters and the plot, but at times it felt unbelievable that the characters were moving too fast in their relationship. I wish that there had been a little more time between "Hi, I like you" and "Sure I'll fly across the country to meet your family", but otherwise it was a solid and sweet story with a little spooky set dressing. 

The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.5

This was a fun read. The perfect balance of humor, adventure, magic, and romance!
Per the usual, the characters were very lovable. I was cheering for Tamsyn and Bowen the whole time, while also enjoying the moments where we got to see the rest of the Graves Glen crew again.  

I have some qualms with how the time travel was executed, particularly because the hows and whys of the outcome don't seem particularly well thought out, but it was still a fun element and I enjoyed it. 

If you haven't already read the other two entries in the Graves Glen series, I wouldn't recommend starting with The Wedding Witch, but if you already enjoy the series and want to know if the third book is worth your time, I'd say yes. 

My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-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

4.0

Much like the first book in this series, My Vampire Plus-One is just pure, unadulterated joy in book form. 

The blend of humor and romance is perfect, the characters are loveable, and while the plot depends on a lot of misunderstandings and the threat of vampire murder, the stakes (ha!) feel relatively low. The read is relaxing and it comes in delightful contemporary-meets-paranormal that feels unique despite being a standard of the genre. 

The use of tropes, and the turning of them on their head "there's only one bed... oh wait... there's a whole cabin of bedrooms" is inspired and adds to the laugh-out-loud quality of the storytelling. 

I'd recommend this one to anyone who wants a funny romance with great spicy scenes. 

Run, Run Rabbit by C.M. Nascosta

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

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

4.0

As per the usual C.M. Nascosta does not disappoint on the spice content. 
This book is enemies to lovers gold. 

Hex Appeal by Kate Johnson

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

2.5

This was almost a DNF for me.
The start of the book opens in media res, but in a way that feels off kilter and uninviting instead of exciting or interesting. Immediately we're introduced to a whole cast of characters whose names and descriptions become a jumble of which-witch-is-which. The magic system doesn't seem to be well fleshed out and lacks stakes, the insta-love between the protagonists is not believable, the misunderstanding that builds the foundation of the romantic conflict is just convoluted, and by the time the pregnant half-sister is out in a rainstorm, I was ready to never read another word. 

Then the whole book turned around. As soon as Essie and Josh went back in time and the magic actually became something with stakes, I was in it. Their relationship and previous romantic trauma was interesting to read about. The romance was sweet, the places where the plot finally came through re: angry trapped spirit was actually fun to read. 

I wish that the book hadn't tried quite so hard to be "girl who doesn't know how special she is in her quirky magic house" and had focused more on the interpersonal relationships that it did well. 

Ghost Cabin by Boom! Studios, Mariko Tamaki

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

Another solid entry into the Lumber Janes universe that really gets into Mal and Molly's relationship. Themes of moving on, fear, and loss are really big in this chapter book and I very much enjoyed the deeper focus on the girls' feelings.
I'd recommend this for anyone who is looking for more Lumberjanes content after finishing the comics. 

The Moon Is Up by Mariko Tamaki

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

These Lumberjanes chapters are just so cozy and fun. I feel like they lack some of the charm of the graphic novels, but they're still very enjoyable. 
I recommend these to any Lumberjanes fan who wants more time with Roanoke cabin.

Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Andersen

funny lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.0

 Sometimes when I read these comics I think Sarah is following me around or is in my brain. Extremely relatable, very funny. 

A Monsoon Rising by Thea Guanzon

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Sexy, dangerous, and riveting. 
The second book in the Hurricane Wars trilogy does not disappoint! 

The Christmas Tree Farm by Laurie Gilmore

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

3.0

Fluffy, sexy fun. The pacing is a little too fast, but overall it's a good grumpy/sunshine romance.