jessanicolesingh's reviews
81 reviews

Love Unwritten by Lauren Asher

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emotional lighthearted 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

As much as I am a dark romance junkie, there is something about these billionaire Lauren Asher books that has me hooked and swooning.

This story was a sweet, slow burn, single dad & nanny romance. I have pretty much the same notes as my other reads from this author; lovable leads with great character development, just a toe dipping of steamy scenes, and interconnected cameos from her previous books. While this wasn’t anything groundbreaking, it serves as a tried and true formula and I’ll be anxiously waiting for the next in the series to drop next year.

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One with You by Sylvia Day

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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. 

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Captivated by You by Sylvia Day

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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. 

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Entwined with You by Sylvia Day

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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. 

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Reflected in You by Sylvia Day

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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. 

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Bloom by Kevin Panetta

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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 🤔
Bared to You by Sylvia Day

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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.

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The Protector: A Sexy, Angsty, All-The-Feels Romance with a Hot Alpha Hero by Jodi Ellen Malpas

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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.

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Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

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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.

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Pretty Monster by Sheridan Anne

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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).

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