kyras_reads's reviews
403 reviews

Delilah: An Under Your Scars Novella by Ariel N. Anderson

dark emotional sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

While this novella felt more like an epilogue, it provided a little bit of closure for readers after UYS. It’s nice having the peace of mind that she was okay later in life and that she was able to find a stable, happy relationship. I think after a life of tragedy, stability and a person who will love you well is really all some can ask for. So while no one from UYS is really able to have a true happily ever after, at least there is some closure in knowing she is able to move forward in life and be as happy she can be.

I may never look at pancakes the same way again. 🥞

Content Warnings

Under Your Scars: A Dark Romance Novel by Ariel N. Anderson, Ariel N. Anderson

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I’ve got a few bones to pick with this book… first and foremost, the first few chapters made me feel like I was reading a mashup of Dexter and Fifty Shades. I mean Christian was found in a pool of his parents blood and turned into a serial killer… Dexter. He was never seen with women, was mega rich, was in the foster system and philanthropic because of it and his name is literally Christian… Fifty Shades. Not that any character is very original at this point but I was damn near rolling my eyes at the similarities.

ANYWAY… As for the story, I actually enjoyed most of it. It was a little silly at times until they really got over the secret identity part, which was so obvious, and I didn’t like Christian for the longest time (and let’s be real, every bad thing was kinda his fault and he was constantly lying to her).

For as many negative things I clearly have to say (oops), I genuinely enjoyed this book! I didn’t want to stop because I wanted to know what happened next and it did have me on the edge of my seat and biting my nails!

As for the ending… I choose to believe this is all a joke because the f*ck you mean EVERYONE died?! I was prepared to lose Christian at the end because after all the hype it was impossible to go in completely blind and not knowing everyone is usually sobbing at the end. But wowwwww. Initial feelings were definitely just anger but after a while, I realized it was really just tragic and sad but there was really no way they would have ever been able to have a true happy ending.

Tropes:
“Who did this to you?”
Masked Stalker
Billionaire
Workplace Romance
Fast Burn

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

Go to review page

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

3.75

I am the queen of gravitating towards friends to lovers (apparently, even when I don’t know that’s the premise). I will never change because it’s just my favorite! The tension between Emmy and Luke was perfect. And the entire family seems like a good time so I’m interested in seeing some of their stories.

Honestly, I think my favorite moment of the book came right after my least favorite moment/part…
Least:
From a girl who barrel raced for years and years, the inaccuracy of the sport in the way the FMC did things was soooooo irritating. But especially switching to running a left barrel pattern AT THE VERY LAST SECOND AND WINNING. No ma’am, just no. 😅
Favorite: After she won and she runs to him and kisses him not caring who is watching. So romantic and I loved that part with my entire soul. I will probably be thinking about that scene for a long time. 🥹

Overall, not a bad book and enjoyed a lot of it! Just a little short and didn’t get a real chance to get overly attached to the characters. But I’ll definitely be continuing with this series.

Tropes:
Brothers Best Friend
Forbidden Romance
Cowboy MMC
Barrel Racer FMC
Small Town

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Funny Feelings by Tarah DeWitt

Go to review page

adventurous funny fast-paced

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

3.75

Okay, so while I didn’t have the time of my life, I did enjoy this book quite a bit. I did feel like she tried to fit every trope known to man in this book and because of that it made the plot feel a little less cohesive or realistic… especially fitting all of that in such a short book.

But the characters and their friendship was definitely entertaining! I liked the dynamic between the two of them. The premise of a female comedian was pretty unique as well. I felt like the dual timeline was a little confusing sometimes but overall I think it told the story well enough that I could follow along with the important moments in their journey.

Overall, while it wasn’t emotionally impactful or as romantic as I’d hoped it would be for friends to lovers, it was a great time! I think it might’ve been just a tad too fast paced for me overall.

Tropes:
Friends to Lovers
Workplace Romance
Fake Dating
Single Dad
Forced Proximity

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Wild Side by Elsie Silver

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

In typical Elsie fashion, she’s made me fall in love with another set of incredible characters. This one felt a lot different than the other two in the series in a way I can’t quite put my finger on… but the feelings are all good.

Rhys and Tabby were both such strong and unique personalities, which made them easy to love. The situation with Erika and Milo added a lot of complexity that I think was needed to make this story work. These two deserve the world.

Just have to say, though… West is still my #1 Rose Hill MMC 😝

Tropes:

Marriage of Convenience

Mutual Pining

Found Family

Pro-Wrestler MMC

Slow Burn

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Say You'll Remember Me by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

She seems to outdo herself with each and every book and this one is no different. While Just for the Summer may still be my favorite, this one is a super close second!

I felt ALL of the emotions. It was funny, sweet, and emotional. Sometimes it’s so easy to get attached to characters that you almost feel what they would be feeling with them during the hard times. And this book definitely had some hard times.

It also feels like even though the MC’s are far apart, their time together is quality time and it’s written in a way that you almost don’t notice they are apart for a lot of the story. That aspect was so well done!

I never thought I’d enjoy a story about a couple struggling through a long distance relationship and navigating some TOUGH family/life issues but… here we are! I loved every bit of this.

And as always, humor and banter was perfection!

Tropes:
Insta-Love
Long Distance
Veterinarian MMC
Witty Banter
Emotional

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

The Infinity Between Us by N.S. Perkins

Go to review page

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I really enjoyed the dual timeline of Violet and Will’s relationship. Seeing their epic love story as teens (albeit followed by some crushed dreams) was really beautiful. Tragedy happens… and I love that it felt so real. Honestly, if a book has the ability to hit so deep I cry, that’s a feat.

And the mom and dad meddling to get them in the same house? Classic. 10/10.

I’m so glad I finally picked this one up and a little sad I waited so long! If I’d have known it had a bunch of my favorite tropes AND it might be an emotional gut punch, I might’ve gotten to it sooner.

“Don’t waste your time being angry when you could be in love.”

Tropes:

Second Chance

Friends to Lovers

First Love

Forced Proximity

Tragedy (but HEA)

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Content Warnings

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This book was a bit of a mystery to me. Somehow it felt like almost nothing happened yet so much did happen. It felt like I was living day to day alongside these characters and getting to know them like they were real people. This universe feels like a long hug, which is odd because some of the subject matter is actually really difficult and heavy.

Was this book a little long winded and did it have a lot monotonous scenes? Yes… but they were still almost always enjoyable and I never really found myself feeling impatient for the book to wrap up. It was fun to hang out with this crew.

Tropes:

Friends to Lovers

Popular Guy/Shy Girl

Sports Romance (Rugby)

Mutual Pining

Slow Burn

Spice: 👀

Content Warnings

Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

This was a great continuation of the series and I’m glad it showed the characters more in depth. I feel like I not only got attached to Johnny and Shannon but both of their families and all of their friends as well. This was a truly special book and I love the way this story feels.

Honestly, the tragedy of Shannon’s mother didn’t hit as hard as I expected… at first. But once I had a chance to sit and think about it, it’s truly heartbreaking imagining a young girl at just fifteen trying to navigate life and being scared to death of her partner. I spent most of the time angry at her for not doing more/better for all of her children. But some of that changed after what happened. Spending your life scared is tragic on its own but the way it ended for her, FINALLY putting her kids at the forefront and making sure they were safe, really tore me up.

I’m definitely going to miss Shannon and Johnny. I’m a little sad that there wasn’t a glimpse into the future like I’d hoped at the end, but I know there are more books in the series and I’m holding onto hope that these two will make lots of appearances. I’m not ready to leave this universe just yet!

Tropes:

Mutual Obsession

Found Family

Sports Romance (Rugby)

Family Drama

No Third Act Breakup 🙌🏼

Spice: 1.5 🌶️

Content Warnings

The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

Go to review page

funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

This did not have any business being as good as it was. How did she manage to cram such an amazing story in so few pages?! I could have read a full length book about Seth & Charlotte (honestly, Gabe & Izzy too). The banter was off the charts!

Abby Jimenez has such a great sense of humor and knows exactly how to write it into her books. This was a great little story to fill the void until her next book. I really don’t know what she puts in these but I know I need more!

Tropes:
Neighbors
Forced Proximity
Meet-Cute
Banter for Days
Protective MMC

Spice: ❌

Content Warnings

More...

kyras_reads's reviews 403 reviews

kyras_reads's reviews
403 reviews