jessi_readss's reviews
421 reviews

Defend the Dawn by Brigid Kemmerer

5.0

Now THIS is how you write a sequel! Omg. I wanted to give it 2 stars because of the cliffhanger. 😅😂

I will be starting the final book asap because I need to know what happens next. 

Blood & Honey by Shelby Mahurin

2.5

What was even the plot? I think we lost it. 

So this was originally supposed to be a duology… it should have stayed that way. The majority of this book was absolutely pointless and they barely got anywhere. So many people told me this series suffered from the dreaded middle book syndrome, but I like to keep an open mind and go in to any book with a positive mindset and have my own experience. But every single one of those people were correct. 

You still cannot skip this book though unfortunately, otherwise the last book is def not gonna make sense. 

I still love the characters though, and the relationships, and the ending made me SOB. For those reasons alone, this book wasn’t a 1 star, but instead 2.5⭐️. 

I am still going to go in to the final book with hope that it redeems the series as a whole. ❤️

The Fate of Magic by Beth Revis, Sara Raasch

3.0

While I adored the first book, this one fell extremely flat for me. I felt like we lost the plot completely. The first book was filled with battles between good and evil with complex themes and history sprinkled in. This book was more about the characters and their relationships with barely any action at all and barely any talk of the complex themes that created this story to begin with. It was still a solid ending, but I feel like this book was rushed. 

Hexed by Emily McIntire

dark emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

And she does it again, coming in hot with this banger. 😍

The final book in the standalone Never After series, Hexed is all about The Little mermaid. This is NOT a retelling though, but more of a fractured modern day fairytale based off of those characters. 

This book was perfect, it was a little less dark than some of her predecessors, but that’s okay, it did not break the book or my rating. Enzo is a complete cinnamon roll for his girl and it is adorable. 

The story moved along nicely, the characters were all well written, even the ones I hated. The relationship between Enzo and Yrsa was beautiful in every single way. They were the definition of fated and I love that for them. The spice was 🥵, as expected. My only issue was the character profiles at the end, this book added many unnecessary and boring parts to those in this book to the point where it extended them for whole pages just for useless blather. I skimmed through those though and they are at the end, so it didn’t bring down my rating. I am also sad, these stories are now done and we will never get another. But all good things must come to an end and Emily has another series I need to explore asap! 

And “Jessica’s” part? Bro! iykyk, and as a Jessica, I love how the other Jessica has been thoroughly dragged now. 😂

Thank you so much for an earc of Hexed, I screamed when I got the e-mail and I am so grateful to have been chosen. All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Wtaf, now THAT I did not see coming. 

I would consider this book a dark thriller with romance sprinkled in and the smut PILED ON. There’s a lot of smut. But omg it is so good. 🥵

The plot twist near the end was absolutely insane but makes sense now that I think back on all of the clues that got us there. 

Overall this was a solid read and I will def be checking out more of this authors work! 

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

medium-paced

5.0

“You are not what happened to you. You are what you do next.”

This book broke something fundamental inside of me, and then fixed me all at once. 

I have not read a book that touched me on such an emotional level, since the Boys of Tommen series. This book was amazing in every single way. 

The mental health aspects were handled so respectfully while also being honest and showing how it really feels to have ptsd from an absent parent. The way I sobbed during the majority of this book. I will def be talking about it to my therapist. 😅😂

But anyway, this book is amazing in every single way. A cute, yet deep romance that will have you questioning everything. ❤️

Be Still My Heart by Emily McIntire, Sav R. Miller

dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

A solid 4 star read, the vibes were so good!

This is like a dark mystery with romance and lots of spice. The mmc was so grumpy in the absolute best way and had the filthiest mouth. 🤭

The mystery aspect and the huge plot twist halfway through was insane! Parts were a tad bit predictable and there was a bit too much spice at random moments, which is why it is not 5 stars for me. But it was still a good read. 

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

My first ever Abby Jimenez book and it was good asf. I loved the vibes, the reverse age gap. The deep aspects of the book that delved in to the dark parts of relationships. This book was amazing and I will def be picking up more books by this author in the future. 

The Fall of Bradley Reed by Morgan Elizabeth

funny hopeful mysterious 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

I did not think I would like this as much as I do. But omg “little menace” is my new favorite nickname and I officially love the FBI. 🤭😂

The story was well paced, nothing felt rushed, even the ending was perfection. 
The characters were all amazing and added something to the story.
Liv, and her growth? OUTSTANDING, I would become a Cami for her so fast. The trauma bond between her and her mother was so tastefully done to the point where it was relatable. And the way she is a constant people pleaser but then slowly woke up and got her voice, absolute masterpiece. 
Andre is 🥵, I too would get on my knees for him, no questions asked. 😂

I started with this book in this standalone series, because it’s fall, but this book has now made me want to read every single word Morgan has ever written! She is an artist and I cannot wait to read more. 

Spirit Bound by Richelle Mead

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

This book would have been perfect if not for Dmitri’s whining and crying over being saved and being near Rose. Like you messed up, everyone knows, Rose forgave you, so get tf over it and stfu. The ending was insane and I adore Rose.