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jamies_shelves's reviews
517 reviews
Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
3.5
I really liked the first 3/4 of of this, might have even gone to 4 stars, but then I thought it got stupid.
I don't get at all why Lana decided to go in the town hall. Especially when Jake said repeatedly it wasn't necessary. Just felt like it was pointless and for the drama and suspense, but honestly I felt none of that. It was very clear how it was going to end.
The reveal of the original killer was definitely supposed to be a hug moment, but it was so anticlimactic because it was so fucking obvious who it was.
I liked the epilogue.
Overall I thought this series was a decent time, but I seriously don't get the hype. I can't imagine I'd reread.
I don't get at all why Lana decided to go in the town hall. Especially when Jake said repeatedly it wasn't necessary. Just felt like it was pointless and for the drama and suspense, but honestly I felt none of that. It was very clear how it was going to end.
The reveal of the original killer was definitely supposed to be a hug moment, but it was so anticlimactic because it was so fucking obvious who it was.
I liked the epilogue.
Overall I thought this series was a decent time, but I seriously don't get the hype. I can't imagine I'd reread.
All the Lies by S.T. Abby
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
I really enjoyed this one! I loved seeing Lana terrorize the town, especially after we learned the truth of everything that happened.
What they tried to make Marcus do was sick, but I totally knew. Except, I thought they forced him and he did it. I'm glad he didn't. That would be impossible to live with.
I'm interested to see who the original killer of the Sheriff's daughter was, especially since they're making it seem like it wasn't Kyle. (What he tried to make Marcus do would've made sense if it was.)
Still lots of cringey dialogue. And I can't STAND the "not like other girls" complex Lana's got going on. And the writing of Lisa is crazy. What is she, a middle school girl? Adult women do not act like this, especially about an ex they aren't even into.
But I liked this one and that ENDING! Can't wait to see how it all ends!
What they tried to make Marcus do was sick, but I totally knew. Except, I thought they forced him and he did it. I'm glad he didn't. That would be impossible to live with.
I'm interested to see who the original killer of the Sheriff's daughter was, especially since they're making it seem like it wasn't Kyle. (What he tried to make Marcus do would've made sense if it was.)
Still lots of cringey dialogue. And I can't STAND the "not like other girls" complex Lana's got going on. And the writing of Lisa is crazy. What is she, a middle school girl? Adult women do not act like this, especially about an ex they aren't even into.
But I liked this one and that ENDING! Can't wait to see how it all ends!
Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Probably my favorite of the series so far! Most likely because I'm more into the plot.
But holy fuck these FBI agents are dumb as shit. Like, it's wild.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn the truth about everything that happened! I'm so interested to know what the FBI's agent involvement is and why he's covering everything up.
But holy fuck these FBI agents are dumb as shit. Like, it's wild.
I can't wait to read the next book and learn the truth about everything that happened! I'm so interested to know what the FBI's agent involvement is and why he's covering everything up.
Sidetracked by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This was definitely a filler book, but it was short and enjoyable. I'm definitely interested in Hadley. I feel like she's going to find it out first and help. I also have a theory of what they did to the brother, or should I say made him do, and I'm hoping I'm wrong.
The ending though... it made me interested in what's about to happen but COME ON. The need for suspension of belief is insane. This girl with all she's been through and planning and paranoid as she is KNOWING a serial killer is after her walks into her home and hears music and goes hmmm I guess I left music on. Weird. COME ON. And that last line of the book. Feel like it was supposed to be intense but I BURST out laughing.
Overall, still not as invested in the relationship as I thought I'd be, but I'm here for the revenge tour.
The ending though... it made me interested in what's about to happen but COME ON. The need for suspension of belief is insane. This girl with all she's been through and planning and paranoid as she is KNOWING a serial killer is after her walks into her home and hears music and goes hmmm I guess I left music on. Weird. COME ON. And that last line of the book. Feel like it was supposed to be intense but I BURST out laughing.
Overall, still not as invested in the relationship as I thought I'd be, but I'm here for the revenge tour.
The Risk by S.T. Abby
dark
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
This was a decent start to the series, but felt a bit meh.
I love the idea of the romance. A serial killer going after her rapists falling for the FBI agent on her case. YES. I'm not super invested in them yet, but I'm hoping it'll come.
It's giving Promising Young Woman vibes, but if she actually killed all the dudes like I was hoping she would. And I love that movie, so I'm here for it. Let's just hope for a different ending. It works for the movie, would not make me happy here.
I love how meticulously her and Jake have planned all this out! And I love the profiling from Logan, it's very Criminal Minds.
Some of the dialogue is a bit cringe. "You should've killed me deader" had me CACKLING out loud. Definitely not the intention as she's murdering someone.
The ending though has me SAT. And I'm excited to see where it goes!
I love the idea of the romance. A serial killer going after her rapists falling for the FBI agent on her case. YES. I'm not super invested in them yet, but I'm hoping it'll come.
It's giving Promising Young Woman vibes, but if she actually killed all the dudes like I was hoping she would. And I love that movie, so I'm here for it. Let's just hope for a different ending. It works for the movie, would not make me happy here.
I love how meticulously her and Jake have planned all this out! And I love the profiling from Logan, it's very Criminal Minds.
Some of the dialogue is a bit cringe. "You should've killed me deader" had me CACKLING out loud. Definitely not the intention as she's murdering someone.
The ending though has me SAT. And I'm excited to see where it goes!
Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
5.0
Oh, FUCK YOU Jay Kristoff.
The Bastard and the Heir by Saxon James, Eden Finley
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Look. I love Eden and Saxon's writing. And so I'll enjoy any book they write because I get sucked in and find it fun. But not even they could make me get behind this plot. And they couldn't save it from being cringey as fuck.
The fact that Darcy first saw Wren and immediately thought how much he looked just like his dad. And then immediately after wants to fuck him.
What?
Were you attracted to your dad?
And then he CONSTANTLY thinks about how much they look alike.
I was fucking GAGGING.
And then you finally think it's moving past that or you could forget it, and nope it comes up again. Or Darcy thinks about how Wren looks just like his brothers. Do you secretly want to fuck your real brothers?!? It was so fucking nasty.
There was no reason she had to make Wren a carbon copy of Warren and Junior.
And the fact that Wren started to lust after Darcy when he genuinely believed he was his brother?!? WHYYYYYY.
And them being like, people will get over it. NO THEY FUCKING WOULDN'T.
I'm just imagining all of the TikToks and articles tearing them apart. Yeah I'm sure the company would eventually bounce back because of how many rich people are involved, but no one would ever not think they were disgusting. And then to adopt a daughter and bring her into that?!? Poor girl.
I did like Darcy and Wren as characters though. And Junior and Toby.
And I loved the Remy, Gabe, and Elle cameos.
The fact that Darcy first saw Wren and immediately thought how much he looked just like his dad. And then immediately after wants to fuck him.
What?
Were you attracted to your dad?
And then he CONSTANTLY thinks about how much they look alike.
I was fucking GAGGING.
And then you finally think it's moving past that or you could forget it, and nope it comes up again. Or Darcy thinks about how Wren looks just like his brothers. Do you secretly want to fuck your real brothers?!? It was so fucking nasty.
There was no reason she had to make Wren a carbon copy of Warren and Junior.
And the fact that Wren started to lust after Darcy when he genuinely believed he was his brother?!? WHYYYYYY.
And them being like, people will get over it. NO THEY FUCKING WOULDN'T.
I'm just imagining all of the TikToks and articles tearing them apart. Yeah I'm sure the company would eventually bounce back because of how many rich people are involved, but no one would ever not think they were disgusting. And then to adopt a daughter and bring her into that?!? Poor girl.
I did like Darcy and Wren as characters though. And Junior and Toby.
And I loved the Remy, Gabe, and Elle cameos.
The Dating Disaster by Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
5.0
Once again Saxon James has me!!!
I was so excited to read Marshall's story because I loved Frat Wars, and loved the hint we got of them in Robbie's story.
Marshmallow was so cute and I loved how much he loved himself and wouldn't have sex just because it was expected.
I always love to see demi rep and I think this was done well!
Fe was super cute and I loved that he was unapologetically himself. It made me sad when he'd think no one would like him, and I do think some of his initial judgments of Marshall were annoying. But also, low self esteem will do that to a guy, so I get it.
I normally HATE a miscommunication trope, and I didn't like it here. I mean, this book could've been wayyy shorter. But I also don't think the miscommunication led to a ton of ridiculous drama or separation so I didn't mind. More so it was them being idiots and blatantly in love while hooking up and not admitting they're boyfriends.
I think Felix and Marshall were really cute together and I loved their relationship and how they were with each other.
I loved seeing Brady and Peyton (mostly Brady as Peyton wasn't in it that much) and the mentions of their dads! Marcus Talon and Shane Miller I LOVE YOU!!!!
Also Brady having a threesome was sooo funny. Just like his dads lmfao.
My favorite part was definitely how much Robdog and Brando were in it! I love them so much and loved how much we got Robbie. And that the epilogue was the night of their reunion, meaning it's an epilogue the same night as all of the Frat Wars epilogues!
And knowing that Brandon and Felix were from the same town was so cute! Loved that connection! And that they moved back there and live so close to each other!
Overall so cute, and I liked it a lot more than book one.
I was so excited to read Marshall's story because I loved Frat Wars, and loved the hint we got of them in Robbie's story.
Marshmallow was so cute and I loved how much he loved himself and wouldn't have sex just because it was expected.
I always love to see demi rep and I think this was done well!
Fe was super cute and I loved that he was unapologetically himself. It made me sad when he'd think no one would like him, and I do think some of his initial judgments of Marshall were annoying. But also, low self esteem will do that to a guy, so I get it.
I normally HATE a miscommunication trope, and I didn't like it here. I mean, this book could've been wayyy shorter. But I also don't think the miscommunication led to a ton of ridiculous drama or separation so I didn't mind. More so it was them being idiots and blatantly in love while hooking up and not admitting they're boyfriends.
I think Felix and Marshall were really cute together and I loved their relationship and how they were with each other.
I loved seeing Brady and Peyton (mostly Brady as Peyton wasn't in it that much) and the mentions of their dads! Marcus Talon and Shane Miller I LOVE YOU!!!!
Also Brady having a threesome was sooo funny. Just like his dads lmfao.
My favorite part was definitely how much Robdog and Brando were in it! I love them so much and loved how much we got Robbie. And that the epilogue was the night of their reunion, meaning it's an epilogue the same night as all of the Frat Wars epilogues!
And knowing that Brandon and Felix were from the same town was so cute! Loved that connection! And that they moved back there and live so close to each other!
Overall so cute, and I liked it a lot more than book one.
Playing Games by Riley Hart
lighthearted
3.0
This was pretty cute, but very forgettable.
I found the dialogue to be really cringey, but not in like a fun and cute way. Mostly just an actual cringing way.
The couple was fine. I liked the characters enough.
My favorite parts were the mentions of Marshall and Felix (because I've read Frat Wars by Saxon James and can't wait to read Robbie's brother's story!) and the mentions of Peyton (because I've read Fake Boyfriends by Eden Finley and can't wait to read Miller and Talon's kid's story!).
I also just found it hilarious that lacrosse was the big sport besides football at this school.
As someone who is VERY into sports, played multiple sports on school and travel teams all through high school, who watches many professional sports, NO ONE cares about lacrosse. No one. And I say that as someone who had friends who played lacrosse, and who grew up on Long Island which is arguably one of the places where lacrosse is biggest in the entire country. No one cares about it. Sorry not sorry.
I found the dialogue to be really cringey, but not in like a fun and cute way. Mostly just an actual cringing way.
The couple was fine. I liked the characters enough.
My favorite parts were the mentions of Marshall and Felix (because I've read Frat Wars by Saxon James and can't wait to read Robbie's brother's story!) and the mentions of Peyton (because I've read Fake Boyfriends by Eden Finley and can't wait to read Miller and Talon's kid's story!).
I also just found it hilarious that lacrosse was the big sport besides football at this school.
As someone who is VERY into sports, played multiple sports on school and travel teams all through high school, who watches many professional sports, NO ONE cares about lacrosse. No one. And I say that as someone who had friends who played lacrosse, and who grew up on Long Island which is arguably one of the places where lacrosse is biggest in the entire country. No one cares about it. Sorry not sorry.
The Revenge Agenda by Saxon James
funny
lighthearted
5.0
This is probably my least favorite of the series, but that being said, I still obviously loved it!
I really liked Rush, he was very cute and sweet, but he also felt very different to me in this book? Like that wasn't at all what I thought he'd be like from the other two books.
I liked Hunter a lot, but I also feel like I don't know him as well as I know the other Bertha Boy's significant others. I do love how good he was with Rush.
I liked the relationship, and I LOVE how it started. But I also am not obsessed with them the way I tend to be in Saxon's other books. They're cute. They're fun. They're fine.
I was originally so bummed that Xander's book wouldn't be next, but this one honestly has me excited for Madden's! It's so clear that his best friend was jealous and has some type of feelings! That discovery is going to be AMAZING! Also it's fitting that Xander would be the last one. I can't wait for his book with his pharmacist.
I wish we got to see how the other employees responded to the news of them dating.
I'm glad at the end that Rush decided to try medication again. There's nothing wrong with not being medicated, but losing days and not being able to show up on time for work or anything is WILD.
Overall this one was cute and exactly the fun I expect from a Saxon James book!
I really liked Rush, he was very cute and sweet, but he also felt very different to me in this book? Like that wasn't at all what I thought he'd be like from the other two books.
I liked Hunter a lot, but I also feel like I don't know him as well as I know the other Bertha Boy's significant others. I do love how good he was with Rush.
I liked the relationship, and I LOVE how it started. But I also am not obsessed with them the way I tend to be in Saxon's other books. They're cute. They're fun. They're fine.
I was originally so bummed that Xander's book wouldn't be next, but this one honestly has me excited for Madden's! It's so clear that his best friend was jealous and has some type of feelings! That discovery is going to be AMAZING! Also it's fitting that Xander would be the last one. I can't wait for his book with his pharmacist.
I wish we got to see how the other employees responded to the news of them dating.
I'm glad at the end that Rush decided to try medication again. There's nothing wrong with not being medicated, but losing days and not being able to show up on time for work or anything is WILD.
Overall this one was cute and exactly the fun I expect from a Saxon James book!