jenngrandreads's reviews
559 reviews

The Trail Often Crossed by Ambar Cordova

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

I absolutely ADORED this book. I LOVED the first book, The Truth Never Spoken, so much that I didn't know how Ambar was going to be able to top it, but this one was also amazing. 

The characters Ambar creates are just so real and relatable, not to mention beautiful and soooooo loveable! Roe and Santiago both experienced deep hurt and grief in their childhood/growing up, and the way they overlapped was just so awesome. 

I loved the immediate chemistry that sizzled between them, and the tension that continued to follow them throughout the book. Roe's background is filled with trauma, so the grief and pain he carries around with her every moment was just so raw and real, and the way Santiago is patient with her, waiting for her to be ready to open up to him made me absolutely fall in love with him!! 

And let's not forget the nicknames. Princesa?? Muñeca?? (IYKYK) And her nickname of Saint for him is just more perfect than even she realizes when she first calls him that. They are just so incredibly perfect for each other, and I loved them so much!!

It's so hard to say "goodbye" to each set of characters when each book ends, even knowing there is crossover between the books in the series, but I cannot WAIT to see what Ambar writes for us next!!!! She has become an auto-buy author for me, and I will literally read ANYTHING she writes forever and ever.

Falling Too Late by Dae Graves

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious tense 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? No

4.0

Falling Too Late was a heavy, heart-wrenching, dark, book. But it also showed what it looks like to have resilience and perseverance in the face of intense hardship. 

Alex and Wren were two characters you'll find yourself rooting for, growing angry for, and remembering long after finishing the book. 

This was such a rollercoaster of a novel, it has crazy twists and turns, fantastic character development, and a plot unlike anything else I've read.

Highly recommended, and I can't wait to see what else Dae writes!

A Curse of Breath and Blood by K.W. Foster

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious tense medium-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? No

4.0

This book was a RIDE!! It was fast paced, emotional, heartwarming, devastating, and one that will stay with me for a longgggggg time.

Our FMC, Aelia, is feisty, brave, and a force to behold. She has trauma in her past that she had to work hard to overcome, and a love for her sister that takes her on an adventure with a past love in order to find her. The book has some super fun magical elements, including mermaids and a kraken, and our FMC is basically a psychic with the power to break people's minds. (Slightly scary! lol)

This book is also a love triangle, so there are two MMCs. I'm not a huge fan of love triangles or why choose, but this book found me loving the emotions both MMCs brought with them. And let me just warn you: THE. EPILOGUE. That's it. That's all I'm gonna say. Just prepare yourself!

Read if you like:
- Enemies to lovers
- Who did this to you?
- Second chance love
- Love triangle
- Epic quest
- Forced proximity
- Multi POV
- Forbidden love

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
Make sure you read the TWs before reading.

Branded Hearts by Elle Mariah

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book. It’s everything wanted from a small town romance where the MMC is a broody police officer and the MFC is a shy teacher. 

I loved how Amelia grew in confidence around Bradley, and he showed his soft side only to her. 

This was such a cute read and I look forward to continuing to read this series!

The Legacies of Traitors by C.M. Leyva, C.M. Leyva

adventurous emotional tense 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

I absolutely LOVED this book. I can't believe it's C. M. Leyva's debut novel!! There's beautiful world-building, a gripping heist, and characters that will stay with you for a longgggg time. Not to mention secrets, twists and a forbidden love story that you will root for.

This book was a wild ride, and I already can't wait for book 2!!

The Legacies of Traitors - ARC by C. M. Leyva

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

I absolutely LOVED this book. I can’t believe it’s C. M. Leyva’s debut novel!! There’s beautiful world-building, a gripping heist, and characters that will stay with you for a longgggg time. Not to mention secrets, twists and a forbidden love story that you will root for.

This book was a wild ride, and I already can’t wait for book 2!!

Pieces of Us by Ashley Warren

emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

Such a fun and seamless follow up to book 1 in the series, His Missing Piece, which also happens to be the author's debut novel! I love me a good enemies-to-lovers book, and although this one is more "frenemies" to lovers, it still has all the tension, chemistry, and sizzle. And there are so many other fun tropes in this book too...reverse age gap, reformed playboy, accidental pregnancy AND roommates! Whew!

You will laugh, you'll cry, and this story will stay with you for a longggggg time. Our MCs Linc and Melonie's journey through hardship to end up with a trusting and healthy relationship is one many people will relate and connect to. Plus all of us romance readers love a good HEA ;) 

Highly recommend this book, in addition to book 1, His Missing Piece!!

A Conduit Of Light by Chelsey Ann Tompkins

I enjoyed this book SO much!!! It had unique world-building, a brilliant magic system, lovable (and hateable) characters, and such an interesting story line! The twists and romance had me unable to put it down, and these characters will be with me for a long time. 

I loved the multiple POV (it's always my favorite), and each characters voice added something different to the story. 

Read if you like:
-He falls first
-Powerful women
-Forced proximity
-Secrets & lies
-Enchanted library
-Magic forest
-Haunting betrayal
-Enduring love

Book 2 in the Conduit of Light series, A Baron of Bonds, is also published, but book 3, A Blightress of Wrath, is coming December, 2024!! So read up so you can be ready for the next part of the story!!

Broken Pact by Penelope Black

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

5.0

This was my first Penelope Black's book and definitely not the last. I loved this sweet romance!!!

The chemistry between Coraline and Jasper hit right from the start, and their sharp banter and witty comments was AMAAAAZING. This book and its setting were truly enchanting, and the mix of romance and suspense was really fun! I LOVE the fake dating trope, so this book was right up my alley! Who will admit their feelings became real first?!

Read if you like:
- fake dating
- forced proximity 
- second chance
- small town
- he falls first
- romantic suspense
- one bed

I can't wait to read more as Penelope Back adds to the Avalon Falls series!!

Bridesmaid Undercover by Meghan Quinn

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

This book had me LAUGHING OUT LOUD!! It was so cute, and the characters were so endearing, I absolutely adored it!! Hardy and Everly's story was so fun, teaming with tension, sizzle, and some fabulous banter! 

If you're not a fan of Meghan Quinn, read this and you will be!! I can't wait to read more in this series!!

Tropes:
- Romantic Comedy
- Friends to Enemies to Lovers
- Boss/Employee
- Age Gap
- Unrequited Love
- Slow Burn
- Dual POV (First Person)