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jennastopreading's reviews
548 reviews
How to Hide in Plain Sight by Emma Noyes
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I. LOVED. FOURTH. WING. I've read it twice and want to read it again. The first book was SO fun.
I was...okay with Iron Flame. I rated it 4 stars, but in hindsight, it was a 3 star read for me. I don't think about it ever and I struggle to remember basically anything that happened, so it clearly didn't stick out to me as anything spectacular.
This book, though...this book was a PUSH for me to get through. It took me a month of reading it sporadically to finish, and my goodness, was it a long month.
There were 200-300 pages of ONE THING happening in this book - the crew flying around to find Andarna's kind. I get that this is an important part of the storyline since that breed of dragon is so important, but did it really have to be the bulk of the book??
The romance fell completely flat for me. Xaden and Violet are not growing together at all, Xaden told her 100 times she should be scared and run, and she said, "I'm not going to do that", then they'd get naked. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The most redeeming parts of the story happened in the last 30 pages or so...and now we have to wait a year+ for them to be maybe but probably not fully solved.
These 3 books could've easily been 2 at most, and the storyline already feels dead. Idk how Rebecca Yarros is going to drag this into 2 more books, but since I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess I'll find out when the 4th book comes out...
I was...okay with Iron Flame. I rated it 4 stars, but in hindsight, it was a 3 star read for me. I don't think about it ever and I struggle to remember basically anything that happened, so it clearly didn't stick out to me as anything spectacular.
This book, though...this book was a PUSH for me to get through. It took me a month of reading it sporadically to finish, and my goodness, was it a long month.
There were 200-300 pages of ONE THING happening in this book - the crew flying around to find Andarna's kind. I get that this is an important part of the storyline since that breed of dragon is so important, but did it really have to be the bulk of the book??
The romance fell completely flat for me. Xaden and Violet are not growing together at all, Xaden told her 100 times she should be scared and run, and she said, "I'm not going to do that", then they'd get naked. Lather, rinse, repeat.
The most redeeming parts of the story happened in the last 30 pages or so...and now we have to wait a year+ for them to be maybe but probably not fully solved.
These 3 books could've easily been 2 at most, and the storyline already feels dead. Idk how Rebecca Yarros is going to drag this into 2 more books, but since I'm a glutton for punishment, I guess I'll find out when the 4th book comes out...
How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Thank you to the publisher for giving me an opportunity to review this!
Unfortunately, it was a Did Not Finish for me at the 41% mark. I could not get invested in the characters or the storylines. I found the narrative to be overall disorganized, as well, so it was a bit hard to follow. This was my second attempt from this author and I will not be trying any more of hers - I was unable to finish both of the ones that I tried. Makes me sad because the synopses both sounded like books I would enjoy, but perhaps her writing style just doesn't land for me!
Unfortunately, it was a Did Not Finish for me at the 41% mark. I could not get invested in the characters or the storylines. I found the narrative to be overall disorganized, as well, so it was a bit hard to follow. This was my second attempt from this author and I will not be trying any more of hers - I was unable to finish both of the ones that I tried. Makes me sad because the synopses both sounded like books I would enjoy, but perhaps her writing style just doesn't land for me!
Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Change of Heart by Falon Ballard
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Thank you to the publisher for my early copy of this title!
It is going to physically pain me to write this review, but reviews are meant to be honest, right? *sigh*
For starters, I've liked or loved the other four books I've read by Falon Ballard. They were fun, fast paced, had likable main characters (both male and female), and great banter. Great romcom's, and she's been an auto read author for me since I read her first book, Lease on Love.
Unfortunately, CHANGE OF HEART had none of those characteristics. And I am so, so sad about it.
The plot read like a horrible Hallmark Christmas movie with 50 plot holes. The FMC was intolerable throughout most of the story, and she was the narrator - so if you don't like her, you're stuck with her! The MMC seemed decent and charming...from what we saw of him, but he was hardly present for the first 50% of the story. So the banter and chemistry we're used to getting in her books? Basically non existent. And for whatever reason, the pacing felt sooooo sloooooow - probably because the book was almost a Groundhog Day sort of trope, but not really.
And don't ask me how many times the MMC said the word "sweetheart". My soul (and will to continue reading) crumpled a little more each time he said it, and it was easily over 200 times throughout the story. It started out as a sarcastic pet name and turned into an actual nickname that he used for her after they fell for one another - I was not at all amused.
Once I got to the 70% mark or so, I was so bored that I found myself essentially only skimming and reading dialogue. That's when you know it's bad.
As much as I love Falon Ballard and will read another book of hers in the future, this one was a no from me.
It is going to physically pain me to write this review, but reviews are meant to be honest, right? *sigh*
For starters, I've liked or loved the other four books I've read by Falon Ballard. They were fun, fast paced, had likable main characters (both male and female), and great banter. Great romcom's, and she's been an auto read author for me since I read her first book, Lease on Love.
Unfortunately, CHANGE OF HEART had none of those characteristics. And I am so, so sad about it.
The plot read like a horrible Hallmark Christmas movie with 50 plot holes. The FMC was intolerable throughout most of the story, and she was the narrator - so if you don't like her, you're stuck with her! The MMC seemed decent and charming...from what we saw of him, but he was hardly present for the first 50% of the story. So the banter and chemistry we're used to getting in her books? Basically non existent. And for whatever reason, the pacing felt sooooo sloooooow - probably because the book was almost a Groundhog Day sort of trope, but not really.
And don't ask me how many times the MMC said the word "sweetheart". My soul (and will to continue reading) crumpled a little more each time he said it, and it was easily over 200 times throughout the story. It started out as a sarcastic pet name and turned into an actual nickname that he used for her after they fell for one another - I was not at all amused.
Once I got to the 70% mark or so, I was so bored that I found myself essentially only skimming and reading dialogue. That's when you know it's bad.
As much as I love Falon Ballard and will read another book of hers in the future, this one was a no from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Landry News by Andrew Clements
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
This is one of my favorite read aloud books for my kids! It’s so informative while also having a really good story. And it opens up conversation for lessons on freedom of the press and the first amendment in general. Highly recommend!
My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 9%.
Graphic sex already at 9% in. Not for me.
The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg
emotional
reflective
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? No
4.0