kvangundy's reviews
1210 reviews

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

adventurous 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

4.0

I was really hoping this was going to be the ending that blew me away in this series. Although the first 1/2 of the book drug on for me, the last half saved this book for me. Nesta and Cassian's story is so hot and cold I wanted to smack them both and tell them to pull their heads out. Once the action of the story kicked in, I couldn't put the book down. I would have liked more action (aside from all the smut action) in the first half of the book. I was also a bit angry with the ending. I thought this was it, but the ending left everything wide open. All in all, I did like it. 4 stars. 

The Only One Left by Riley Sager

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Wow! I did not see half of that coming. Sager is a go-to author for me. I have loved everything he has written, but this one is in the top 3 of his books. The twists and turns kept me on my toes the whole way through. And the ending I did not see coming. This will be a no-brainer for recommendations.  5 stars for sure. Thank you, for the eARC. 

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted slow-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

4.0

Cute, but took me forever to get into. There was nothing wrong with the story, in fact, it has an amazing dog and a good storyline, I think I have just read too many Romcoms lately and need a switch up. 

A Guide to Being Just Friends by Sophie Sullivan

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

I didn't realize this was the third book in the Jansen Brothers trilogy, but I loved book two so it was safe to say I would love this one too. And, I did. Wes and Hailey's story was a fun jaunt through friends trying to fight the feelings they develop for each other. The classic friends-to-lovers trope. I think I liked book 2 just a little bit more, and now I am determined to read book 1 since I haven't read that one yet. Thank you, NetGalley and St.Martin's Press for the eARC. Sophie Sullivan is now becoming a go-to author for me

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

Alex is having a hard time moving on after a "friendship" break up with her best friend Wren. She is a struggling writer who has had writer's block for the last year, working at a job she really doesn't like. When her old friend puts her name if, for a writing retreat with her idol author, Al jumps at the chance even though her ex-best friend will also be there. Over the month-long retreat, Al and the other authors will have to finish a novel under some tense circumstances and things just get plain weird. I really enjoyed this book even though it scared the crap out of me for the first half of the book. I did enjoy the more psychological thriller aspect of the second half of the book. The only complaint I have is that the ending was just a bit abrupt for me. Yes, it did iron everything out but the presentation just felt a bit off for me. 4.5 stars. Thank you, for the eARC. 

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0

So going into this book, I had no idea it was the second book in this series. With that said, I had no issue with reading things out of order. I only realized it as I was reading the acknowledgments at the end of the book. Needless to say, I will be going back and reading The Soulmate Equation ASAP. I loved Fizzy all on her own, but bring in Connor, and the two of them were just like wildfire. I loved the storyline that brings in all the "Bachelor" feels, but has such a fun twist to that concept. I love everything these two write. Thank you so much for the eARC. 5 stars. 

Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I love all things that have to do with this series. I was very happy that Oseman did add in a few pages with the graphics in it because that is what makes me love this series so much. Can't wait for more 4 stars.

Maureen by Rachel Joyce

adventurous emotional sad tense slow-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

3.5

As a companion novel to Joyce's earlier books in the Harold Fry series, Maureen is an enjoyable look at life through Maureen's eyes. Maureen is still having issues coming to terms with the loss of her son even though it has been many years. This book was an emotional ride through the mind of Maureen and how she is trying to get comfortable traveling. She comes to terms with many things and finds that she can learn to accept whats in the past and to move on. Thank you, Random House and NetGalley for the eARC. 3.5 stars only because it felt rushed due to its length. 

The Lost Witch by Paige Crutcher

adventurous emotional funny tense 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? No

4.0

Brigid is a powerful witch who seemingly has it all. She is happy and content with her life, but she is lonely. She wants a child more than anything else. When she goes against everything she knows to have that child it has repercussions that she never could have dreamed of. Falling for the seduction of Luc, the head of the Knightly coven, she has that child but the child soon becomes ill and Brigid will do anything to save her. Finding herself after a traumatic encounter, transported 100 years into the future, Brigid has to figure out why she is there and how to save her daughter. The characters in this book were amazing as well as the world that Crutcher created. It kept me wanting more and kept me engrossed to see what would happen next. This book had a little bit of everything, love, heartache, laughter, ugly monsters, and crazy witches. I really enjoyed everything about this book. Thank you, NetGalley for the eARC. 4 stars. 

The American Roommate Experiment, The Spanish Love Deception 2 Books Collection Set by Elena Armas

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was good and the characters for the most part were likable. There was one character that was just not my cup of tea and rubbed me the wrong way so it skewed my liking of the story. This is not to say the book and writing weren't good. I feel like I have seen this trope of blocked writer fake dating to get our of her slump quite a lot, but it was still enjoyable. Thank you, for the eARC. 3.5 stars