jenessalikes's reviews
271 reviews

A Vicious Game by Melissa Blair

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

I love when we can see the emotional downfall of a character. This book has that in spades. 
Keera takes a step backwards only to leap forward. I loved learning about her new powers. The plot unraveled in a way that left me anxiously turning the pages to see what else would be revealed. 
Gerarda was such a pleasant surprise. I loved getting to learn more about her. 
I definitely could have used more Riven but that's simply because I'm a romantic at heart. 
That twist. That ending. I'm anxiously awaiting book 4😱
🌶🌶/5

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense 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

A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense 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

Filled with plot twists and turns, this book had me on my toes for most of it!
I wish we would have gotten more of Riven in hindsight but the plot development and that ending more than make up for it!

Cinderella Is Faking It by Dilan Dyer

emotional lighthearted sad 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? Yes

4.0

The Storm King by Sheila Masterson

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Living Legend by Allie Shante

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad slow-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? Yes

4.0

What we have here is a classic case of angel boy meets demon girl and chaos ensues in the best way!
If you love it when there is a tortured hero who gives in to his most base desires, then go ahead and add this one to the list.
I loved Dani as the main FMC. She is strong and fierce and takes no shit but she's also level-headed and smart in her decision-making (well, to a degree - everyone has a breaking point)! She has also been groomed by the demon queen of sorts to be vicious and ruthless.
Nick is her counterpart, a rule follower, and never one to go against the grain. When they are forced to team up to solve a mysterious case, neither can deny fiery sparks between them.
Elise was my favorite character outside of Nick and Dani. I just love how she tortured everyone around her. Big mood. 
Spice on this one is 🌶🌶.5/5 and can't wait to dive into the next book!

Of Realms and Chaos by Brea Lamb

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

"Asher was my life. She was a gift given to an undeserving, wicked creature. She was my Eternity."

You know how when you're reading a really good book, you forget you're reading? Words on the page blur into images in your mind until suddenly you aren't living in the "real world" but off in the world created in the story? Yeah. 
That's this book. 

Of Realms and Chaos is the stunning sequel to Of Night and Blood, and we need to talk about it. First, I saw another reviewer say that ONAB walked so ORAC could run, and I whole-heartedly agree. Brea's writing in ONAB was stunning and vivid and beautiful. But her writing somehow makes a glow-up in ORAC, truly transporting readers not only into scenes but into characters' heads.

Asher went through a lot in ONAB, and if you thought our heroine was going to get a break in this book, well.... she's not. Asher is one of those special FMC's who I think people can relate to because she is real and raw with her emotions. She doesn't always make the right decisions, but she always wants to make sure the people she cares about are safe. She's self-sacrificing to a detriment. 

Bellamy is honestly one of the best MMC's I have ever read. Someone referred to him as a burnt cinnamon roll, and that description is totally accurate. He'd kill anyone who even thinks of harming Ash without a second thought, but he's soft for her in a way that isn't portrayed a lot in books. Being morally gray doesn't mean you have to be an insufferable asshole all of the time to everyone. Bellamy loves as hard as he fights, and we are just along for the ride.

Padon and Stassi are my favorite additions to the Coveted world. Their chaotic and secretive energy and storylines will leave you clamoring for more. I can't wait to see where we end up there.

Tropes:
Touch him/her and die
Meddling gods
Found family
Real depictions of mental health
Adorable (but murdery) animal (?) companion
Political scheming
Feminine rage
Multi-pov
SPICE
 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶/5

The Veiled Kingdom by Holly Renee

dark mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

A Broken Blade by Melissa Blair

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense 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? Yes

5.0

Fight For Her (Palm Cove Book 2) by Lauren Greene

funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Spicy, sweet, and full of banter! What else could you want?
Or there's also NO third act break-up and forced proximity. Gimme.
FFH is a perfect palette cleanser for in between your fantasy reads. It's a binge-able story that hits all the things you want from a contemporary romance!
I loved Kendahl's sassy personality and how she stayed true to herself the entire story. Loved Coby and his dirty mouth, but loved how he worshiped Kendahl even more 😌
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶/5