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jessanicolesingh's reviews
139 reviews
Captivated by You by Sylvia Day
emotional
tense
slow-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
Let me start by saying this series begins very similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, a workplace romance with a control obsessed billionaire, HEAPS of steam, and themes of surviving sexual abuse trauma. Looking at other people’s reviews, the feedback is completely split; half felt like it was an exact copy of FSOG, and a poor one at that, while the other half LOVED it because it scratched the same itch and said it was the better of the two 🤷♀️ Me personally, I gobbled it up happily!
The relationship between the main characters is quite the ride. They spend almost the entire series fighting and making up, a new miscommunication each time they see each other, giving some serious whiplash. Though they have a decidedly toxic relationship, I found myself still yearning for a HEA. Additionally, I found the scenes with their therapist most significant. Though you shouldn’t take a billionaire romance novel too seriously, there were some very insightful and valuable takeaways. It was quite an unexpected aspect that I think will stick with me the most.
The first three books were written in standard single POV, whereas the last two advanced to dual. This lent a hand to adding initial mystery and slight mistrust towards the MMC, and then evolved into well deserved understanding of his perception and devastation in the later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters as well as the plot, but sometimes the author’s writing style was a bit too wordy and redundant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide
Entwined with You by Sylvia Day
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me start by saying this series begins very similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, a workplace romance with a control obsessed billionaire, HEAPS of steam, and themes of surviving sexual abuse trauma. Looking at other people’s reviews, the feedback is completely split; half felt like it was an exact copy of FSOG, and a poor one at that, while the other half LOVED it because it scratched the same itch and said it was the better of the two 🤷♀️ Me personally, I gobbled it up happily!
The relationship between the main characters is quite the ride. They spend almost the entire series fighting and making up, a new miscommunication each time they see each other, giving some serious whiplash. Though they have a decidedly toxic relationship, I found myself still yearning for a HEA. Additionally, I found the scenes with their therapist most significant. Though you shouldn’t take a billionaire romance novel too seriously, there were some very insightful and valuable takeaways. It was quite an unexpected aspect that I think will stick with me the most.
The first three books were written in standard single POV, whereas the last two advanced to dual. This lent a hand to adding initial mystery and slight mistrust towards the MMC, and then evolved into well deserved understanding of his perception and devastation in the later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters as well as the plot, but sometimes the author’s writing style was a bit too wordy and redundant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Sexual assault
Minor: Miscarriage, Suicide, Gaslighting
Reflected in You by Sylvia Day
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me start by saying this series begins very similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, a workplace romance with a control obsessed billionaire, HEAPS of steam, and themes of surviving sexual abuse trauma. Looking at other people’s reviews, the feedback is completely split; half felt like it was an exact copy of FSOG, and a poor one at that, while the other half LOVED it because it scratched the same itch and said it was the better of the two 🤷♀️ Me personally, I gobbled it up happily!
The relationship between the main characters is quite the ride. They spend almost the entire series fighting and making up, a new miscommunication each time they see each other, giving some serious whiplash. Though they have a decidedly toxic relationship, I found myself still yearning for a HEA. Additionally, I found the scenes with their therapist most significant. Though you shouldn’t take a billionaire romance novel too seriously, there were some very insightful and valuable takeaways. It was quite an unexpected aspect that I think will stick with me the most.
The first three books were written in standard single POV, whereas the last two advanced to dual. This lent a hand to adding initial mystery and slight mistrust towards the MMC, and then evolved into well deserved understanding of his perception and devastation in the later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters as well as the plot, but sometimes the author’s writing style was a bit too wordy and redundant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Murder
Minor: Rape, Suicide, Death of parent
Bloom by Kevin Panetta
lighthearted
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
I just LOVE young queer love ♥️🧡💛💚💙💜
This comic style novel was so cute! It was a very quick read; I'm talking probably an hour max from cover to cover. If you are looking for something with similar vibes to Heartstopper, this is it!!
I did feel the ending had somewhat of a rushed wrap-it-up-itis. Supposedly there is a sequel in the works that was set to release last year, but I can't find any further updates on when/why that got pushed back 🤔
This comic style novel was so cute! It was a very quick read; I'm talking probably an hour max from cover to cover. If you are looking for something with similar vibes to Heartstopper, this is it!!
I did feel the ending had somewhat of a rushed wrap-it-up-itis. Supposedly there is a sequel in the works that was set to release last year, but I can't find any further updates on when/why that got pushed back 🤔
Bared to You by Sylvia Day
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Let me start by saying this series begins very similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, a workplace romance with a control obsessed billionaire, HEAPS of steam, and themes of surviving sexual abuse trauma. Looking at other people’s reviews, the feedback is completely split; half felt like it was an exact copy of FSOG, and a poor one at that, while the other half LOVED it because it scratched the same itch and said it was the better of the two 🤷♀️ Me personally, I gobbled it up happily!
The relationship between the main characters is quite the ride. They spend almost the entire series fighting and making up, a new miscommunication each time they see each other, giving some serious whiplash. Though they have a decidedly toxic relationship, I found myself still yearning for a HEA. Additionally, I found the scenes with their therapist most significant. Though you shouldn’t take a billionaire romance novel too seriously, there were some very insightful and valuable takeaways. It was quite an unexpected aspect that I think will stick with me the most.
The first three books were written in standard single POV, whereas the last two advanced to dual. This lent a hand to adding initial mystery and slight mistrust towards the MMC, and then evolved into well deserved understanding of his perception and devastation in the later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed the characters as well as the plot, but sometimes the author’s writing style was a bit too wordy and redundant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent
The Protector: A Sexy, Angsty, All-The-Feels Romance with a Hot Alpha Hero by Jodi Ellen Malpas
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
I thrifted this book at random and was pleasantly surprised how good it was!
The story revolves around Jake, a rather narcissistic womanizing bodyguard with PTSD, and Camille, the model and socialite daughter of a grimey business tycoon. Her father hires the former to be her shadow after receiving some anonymous threats to her safety, but things aren’t adding up and something sketchy is going on. There is a lot of sarcastic banter between the two, heaps of sexual tension, and plenty of twists along the way. I found myself quite choked up by the end of the book, but not for the romance plotline as I had expected, there was another element to the story that took me by surprise.
My only real complaints were the number of times I had to read the word “arse” 🙄, and I felt like the climax hit a little late, rushing through all of the action and skipping right into the HEA.
The story revolves around Jake, a rather narcissistic womanizing bodyguard with PTSD, and Camille, the model and socialite daughter of a grimey business tycoon. Her father hires the former to be her shadow after receiving some anonymous threats to her safety, but things aren’t adding up and something sketchy is going on. There is a lot of sarcastic banter between the two, heaps of sexual tension, and plenty of twists along the way. I found myself quite choked up by the end of the book, but not for the romance plotline as I had expected, there was another element to the story that took me by surprise.
My only real complaints were the number of times I had to read the word “arse” 🙄, and I felt like the climax hit a little late, rushing through all of the action and skipping right into the HEA.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Abandonment, War
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
medium-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
4.5
You guys, Brynne Weaver knocked it out of the park AGAIN! Only she can make a story about serial killer & contract killer a cute little rom-com ♥️
I adored the chemistry between Lachlan and Lark, and absolutely ate up their slow burn romance. Being the second book in the series, I also loved that the characters from the first book were integrated into the entire storyline rather than just a quick cameo.
There was a good amount of murder, death, and crafting gore (iykyk), as expected. Last time, this author ruined cookies and cream ice cream, this time say goodbye to beer and pizza 🫣. Compared to the first book however, you will see significantly less spicy scenes, it was fairly dry until the third act (and the bonus chapter).
My only complaint is that the antagonist didn't feel connected to the story overall; they were introduced in the beginning, vaguely alluded to throughout, and really only made a physical appearance during the climax. It just didn't seem to blend in well, as if it was an afterthought to give the MCs an enemy.
I adored the chemistry between Lachlan and Lark, and absolutely ate up their slow burn romance. Being the second book in the series, I also loved that the characters from the first book were integrated into the entire storyline rather than just a quick cameo.
There was a good amount of murder, death, and crafting gore (iykyk), as expected. Last time, this author ruined cookies and cream ice cream, this time say goodbye to beer and pizza 🫣. Compared to the first book however, you will see significantly less spicy scenes, it was fairly dry until the third act (and the bonus chapter).
My only complaint is that the antagonist didn't feel connected to the story overall; they were introduced in the beginning, vaguely alluded to throughout, and really only made a physical appearance during the climax. It just didn't seem to blend in well, as if it was an afterthought to give the MCs an enemy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Kidnapping
Pretty Monster by Sheridan Anne
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
If you have any interest in reading this book, I strongly suggest that you go into it blind. That being said, consider not reading my review. I found it very hard to put my thoughts together without giving spoilers.
I loved EVERY MINUTE of this dark romance thriller! This story is told in multiple POVs; one FMC, three potential love interests, and one serial killer/stalker, and is staged somewhat like a mystery to figure out who he really is. I was lost for hours in this book, I was completely enthralled!
This also might have been the funniest dark romance books I've ever read. The characters' internal voices, especially the thoughts from our cocky unhinged stalker, were downright hysterical. I absolutely loved the author's tone and style, and literally laughed out loud several times. I also really enjoyed the strong and sarcastic FMC, though she was quite naive to the danger she put herself in (a necessity to the genre, otherwise we would have no story).
I loved EVERY MINUTE of this dark romance thriller! This story is told in multiple POVs; one FMC, three potential love interests, and one serial killer/stalker, and is staged somewhat like a mystery to figure out who he really is. I was lost for hours in this book, I was completely enthralled!
This also might have been the funniest dark romance books I've ever read. The characters' internal voices, especially the thoughts from our cocky unhinged stalker, were downright hysterical. I absolutely loved the author's tone and style, and literally laughed out loud several times. I also really enjoyed the strong and sarcastic FMC, though she was quite naive to the danger she put herself in (a necessity to the genre, otherwise we would have no story).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, Murder
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Trafficking, Kidnapping
Carnage by Shantel Tessier
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
So… the Spade Brothers 💀🔥♥️🥹🥵
I quite enjoyed the plot and pacing on this one; there was the obligatory dark romance trope, but also some good thriller elements, unexpected twists, and admittedly tear jerking moments.
Even though the LORDS series can be read as standalones, I stand by the author's suggestion to read them in order, as this one specifically involved a lot of callbacks to both The Sinner and The Sacrifice. This book almost felt like a conclusion to the series, tieing in previous characters and wrapping up plot points, so I am very curious what to expect with Madness (releasing at the end of the year).
I quite enjoyed the plot and pacing on this one; there was the obligatory dark romance trope, but also some good thriller elements, unexpected twists, and admittedly tear jerking moments.
Even though the LORDS series can be read as standalones, I stand by the author's suggestion to read them in order, as this one specifically involved a lot of callbacks to both The Sinner and The Sacrifice. This book almost felt like a conclusion to the series, tieing in previous characters and wrapping up plot points, so I am very curious what to expect with Madness (releasing at the end of the year).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Trafficking
There Is No Devil by Sophie Lark
dark
medium-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
5.0
Not only do I give both of these 5 ⭐️, but I can confidently say this is my FAVORITE duet/series to date! This author figured out the perfect balance of steam and plot, and had some downright funny scenes too.
Our MMC, a psychopath and sculptor, is involved in an ongoing rivalry with a fellow artist and serial killer, who “gifts him the FMC. What is mostly characterized as a dark romance of stalking and obsession, somehow manages a slow burn love simultaneously. It features a game of wits and survival, and also overcoming childhood trauma. The first book in the set has a faster paced plot, while the second covered more timeline overall. The accompanying music playlist suggestions were on point with this one, I truly felt immersed in this story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Blood