kimmiereadsalot's reviews
1347 reviews

A Winter in New York by Josie Silver

2.0

This book took me forever to sit down and finally read. At first, I thought it was cute and once I made the time, I’d enjoy it. Boy was I wrong. I couldn’t skim it fast enough. This-way-too-long-for-the-lack-of-plot-and-weak-story book took the withholding a secret trope way too far and kept it way too long. And at the end, it was settled with “but it wasn’t secret to share”. Um. Dumb. She let them struggle for MONTHS and put the family business in danger based off a secret that absolutely could have been shared!

And don’t get me started on the ex boyfriend side plot that was even weaker than the main plot. Dumb. Dumb. Dumb. 

Oh and the whole magpie business. Because of course Iris could do it all. And did!

And I say this as someone who enjoys hallmark movies. As someone who loves cheesy romance. But like come on! I can only suspend by belief for so long with stupid lies. 

This book could have been so cute. 

Do not recommend. 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

4.25

Another 4+ star read in the Emperyon series

I really enjoyed this one. It’s super action packed.  Violet and Xaden also had some healthy-for-this-type-of-book development (with the note the obsession may be a bit much). And I even like seeing Dain get a bit of a redemption. 

Rating down to 4 stars because there were some things that pulled me out of the story here and there and the ending was a bit whiplashy with all the sudden POV switching. 

Overall, a great read that’s a good time. 

Recommend this very popular series. 

The Twisted Throne by Danielle L. Jensen

2.5

This was pretty dang boring and the worst in the series. I really struggled to get into it. Listened very passively. 

The narrators were good but I wish they had done the same parts the whole time verses taking turns. 

I may or may not read the next. I guess it had an interesting ending. But man was the journey there stale. Which is a shame as I remember liking the rest of the series. 

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this! It was quite the ride from beginning to end. Brand new magic system that’s completely unique while also offering some familiar gifts. 

I loved Nevada. I love that she’s 25. I love that she has a good sense of self while also having lots of room to grow and evolve. 

Rogan and Nevada’s chemistry was fantastic and their banter top notch. 

And that ending! Didn’t see that coming. 

Absolutely loved.

Highly recommend. 

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

4.5

4+ stars. Alice Feeney remains one of my top fave authors. I really loved her newest. This one was interesting the whole way through. I was never bored, and my mind was always turning. There are lots of little twists and surprising tidbits along the way. I love how she plants seeds to keep us guessing. 

I almost rated 5 stars. There were just a couple minor things that pulled me out of the story a little. One break, a great read though. 

Recommend. 

The Taken Ones by Jess Lourey

4.0

This was pretty good. The subject matter was a bit rough for me. Kid stuff is not my favorite. Especially the flashbacks. But Van was a surprise. Definitely an interesting, complex character. 

It also seems like future books for explore her character and others while (I’m guessing) having new mysteries to solve. 

Recommend. 

The Gray Man by Mark Greaney

4.0

This was pretty good. Def a bit violent for me. But Court Gentry is a great character. Reminded me of a mini Jack Reacher. 

There narrator wasn’t bad but didn’t add anything to the story either. I also did a head tilt at some of his pronunciations. And I think Paris was called the city of lightS which is a pet peeve of mine. It’s just light. Singular. But guessing that’s the author’s miss. 

Overall very good. Recommend. 

Will watch the Netflix movie soon. I’m assuming it’s quite different as the cast of characters doesn’t even really match the book. 

Taking the Spinster by Samantha Holt

4.0

Enjoyed this one. Was perturbed by the use of “lady” instead of “her grace” for a duchess. Though it wasn’t often enough to fully pull me out. Overall, I liked the story and had a good time. 

Paper Names by Susie Luo

2.75

Very meh for me. It wasn’t bad. But I never got emotionally attached. There wasn’t really a plot. It was people driven. But the way it was told just wasn’t compelling. I do think having listened was a mistake. The narration was done by a guy the entire time. He mostly read the story. Didn’t voice act it. And I think that added to the flatness for me. 

Would definitely recommend reading with eyes. But only if you like lit fic novels. I would say it’s character driven but I don’t think the development was strong enough for a novel with little plot. 

Side note: I hated  even the suggestion of a relationship between Tammie and Oliver. It was so weird. And that def pulled me out of the story. 

His & Hers by Alice Feeney

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Alice Feeney is truly a talented writer. This book is no exception. If I were rating objectively, I’d give it 5 stars. She’s one of my fave authors for a reason. However, I rate books largely based on my feels. And while I love all the twists and turns in this book, it was on the a-little-too-dark-and-too-twisted side for my personal tastes. So that’s why only 4 stars instead of 5 for me. 

But if you have a strong stomach, I highly recommend this book. I second guessed every idea I had all the way to the end and stayed up til 2am finishing because it was just too intense to put down. I love how AF always keeps me unsure even when something seems/should be obvious.