julisbookshelf's reviews
188 reviews

The Elflaine Chronicles: Ballad of Dawn by Haley Hamilton

adventurous challenging dark 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? It's complicated

4.25

Okay first of all, why didn’t you guys told me that fantasy books where THAT addictive?!? My god I feel like I’ve been in some sort of trance since starting this book..

I’ve already gave you a heads up in my stories but I’m officially obsessed with this book, I loved it.

This story is magical, in multiple ways and you found yourself quickly becoming addicted to the plot, it’s well written, the characters are relatable and what’s more important they’re interesting!! I mean I craved to know more about Ailia’s powers, and died to know more about Callum, and poor Reed I needed to know if he could handle the situation or if it would all go off the rails 😅

The trio was meant to do this together and they fitted so well, you can’t honestly hate any of them not even for a second, which is weird for me because I tend to resent one of the characters if there’s a trio situation 🤭 but I really loved the three of them, they were so fun to know 🫶🏻

It’s such a great and magical adventure 🧝🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♂️🧝🏻

You can easily tell that Haley put so much love into this story, and she explains the whole thing so well through the book it just comes natural for you to understand the world she’s putting us into 💖

The ending left me speechless, I was like “WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?!?” and I think that’s beautiful because it shows just how much I cared about this book. So yes, I do recommend this one 🫶🏻

And I encourage you to always support indie authors ✨ 

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Emily and Jackson. THEY’RE IT.

For god’s sake I’ve never, EVER loved a couple more than I love these two. God how will I ever get past this moment in life??? HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO RECOVER FROM THIS?!?

Absolutely stunning.

This book is everything I could’ve imagined and more. The story is fantastic, the pace is incredible, the characters are from another universe, the side characters are of fucking course as lovely as I remember them 🥹, the freaking town is perfect, the writing is over the top. I just can’t find any flaws because I enjoyed this book so much, I devoured it in 24 hs and I’m not even ashamed of having read half of it AT WORK 😂

Watching Emily’s and Jackson’s relationship evolve is so fun and beautiful, and the emails made it even more fun! The banter was amazing and the chemistry between them? I died. Jackson is the most supportive and loving person, ily bby.

And it felt so good to go back to Rome ❤️‍🩹

This is now 100% my favorite book of hers, you won’t regret it 

Living With Fire by Tamara Rene

emotional funny hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.0

If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

Holy shit. HOLY SHIT!!

Shut the front door!! (I’m actually screaming rn)

This is it. This is what I mean when I say I want a romance, slow burn, single dad, NO THIRD ACT BREAKUPS, with a bit of spice, a bit of drama just the exact amount for it not to be too much, and a wonderful FMC development. THIS IS IT!!

I’m so in love with this book, so much it’s hurting my heart the fact that it’s over!!

AND WHY AM I USING SO MANY EXCLAMATION MARKS?!?

Damn. Everything is just freaking perfect, the plot, the setting, THE YEAR SETTING (I’m a 97’s baby so this was a hell yeah for me), the main characters, the side characters, THE DOG!! The humor?!? It’s so funny!! The evolution of the story, I mean.. can it honestly get better than this?

I had no idea what I was getting into when I picked this one up, but I’m so recommending this to you right now, you MUST read this book if you love romance books. 

Rules of the Game by J. Wilder

emotional funny hopeful sad 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

Book Lovers by Emily Henry

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.75

Well this was so much more than I would’ve ever imagined. I can’t honestly believe I waited so long, can’t even remember why I did.

I’m full of tears and empty of words to describe how I feel right now, it’s just beautiful.

To say this was the perfect choice for my first book of the year is an understatement.

I’ve now read 5/5 Emily’s books, and I was so afraid of reading this one because I have a weird relationship with Emily’s stories because they tear my heart apart but it’s so beautiful and it hurts so bad EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. But god I’m so happy I got to love this one.

Everything since the plot, the writing, the pace, the characters, the inevitable happy ending (I would’ve burned the world inside out if I didn’t get that happy ending), EVERYTHING was just so perfect I’m still waiting for the other shoe to drop any second. But it won’t because it just was that kind of a book, the one you shelf happy, in peace with.

So yeah, do yourself a favor and read it. 

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.75

Dammit Wes Bennett what am I supposed to do now?!

I was not expecting this sequel to have me in such a chokehold, I ate this like I was starving to death!!

I was soooo so afraid of this one because I LOVE Better Than The Movies. But I absolutely ended up loving this book so much, Wes and Liz.. they simply have my heart forever.

Now, about them: they’re not the same AT ALL, they’ve grown up, they’re completely different but in a good way. There’s now a huge space between them and Wes has to work on getting Liz back? Such a roller coaster of emotions for both 🥹

Things you should know: Wes Bennett deserves the freaking world. He’s just it. I dream about someone the kind of love he has for Liz 😭💖

This was everything I wanted and MORE. Huge congrats to Lynn in putting this one out and had it done so wonderfully! 

Final Offer by Lauren Asher

emotional funny hopeful 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

3.75

Well that was something!

I prolonged finishing this series for SO LONG and I’m kinda sad now that it’s officially over for me. The Fine Print was one of the first books I read when I started to read again after my 10 year hiatus, so ending the Dreamland Billionaires series is making me emotional as hell 🫠

Ok, the book: my god that was a rollercoaster..

Callahan Perceval Kane my boy you went through a lot, the complexity of his character?!?

Lauren’s writing was a masterpiece as always, the story was good enough for me simply because it was a second chance romance (yeah, sue me)

The cutest thing was watching Cal and Cami’s relationship, that guy was screaming girl daddy since the very first interactions and it was really nice to see some light on his life when he was with little Cami.

Now we need to talk about the ugly part: Alana.. my god girl she was reaaaaaaally toxic, the amount of miscommunication we got (which I hate) was because of her inability of listening to Cal.. and she wasn’t even the one dealing with a freaking addiction.. It’s a very delicate subject to deal with and she handled it very VERY poorly, and don’t even get me started with the whole town?!? Like wtf do you mean you’re hating and treating SO badly a man without even knowing the WHOLE context of his life?!?

Also, does it needed to be that long? I’m pretty sure I was half asleep for a good amount of chapters while reading at night 🫣😅

But overall it was good, and now I’m sad it’s over 🥺 will forever recommend Terms and Conditions tho, that’s my man 🤭 

Play With Me by Becka Mack

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.5

Becka Mack has done it AGAIN

Oh Lord.. how do I even start??!?

Let me tell ya guys, this man right here.. Garrett Andersen, he’s it. HE’S FUCKING IT. I’m currently unavailable if you want to talk shit about my man. Sorry I can’t come to the phone right now, don’t leave your message bye.

I’m obsessed, so freaking OBSESSED over Garrett.

When I tell you I couldn’t think of any better man than Carter Beckett after I read Consider Me two years ago… oh poor me, I did not saw this man coming.

I’m doing this whole review about Garrett because he’s the most understanding, caring, sweet, lovable, funny, patient, kind, sensible, loyal, generous, charming and compassionate person ever. (and because there’s a tiny little bit of stuff that I didn’t loved of this book)

Now let me elaborate on that one: I know Carter, I love that man. But he was so childish on this one… I wanted to throw a brick at him 80% of the time and the last 20 I loved him just for being a sweet husband/daddy. But please, he was on that extreme level of insufferable nonsense trying to be protective. I wanted to strangle him for doing such a hurting thing to our poor Jennie, she deserved better coming from her own brother.

Besides, he’s the reason for the almost third act breakup and we’ve already established that I HATE those.

Moving to Jennie for a little bit: she’s a lot to take, but you end up caring for her. Her character is very well written and the vulnerability in her it’s soul wrenching 😭

But anyways, this was long.. but cute and funny and I loved it so much. It’s definitely above Consider Me, so go ahead and start this series if you haven’t already 👍🏻 

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75