lavendcr's reviews
113 reviews

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

“I was waiting for you. I would’ve waited forever if that’s what it took, Josie.“

single dad AND second chance trope? sign me tf up

i’m happy that this book was josie’s and it’s quite tame compared to the other books in the strawberry hollow series. it was so cute 🥺🥺

and all the past couple cameos oh i love it

A Festive Feud by Maren Moore

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

this one started out really good and the spice was out of this world but it definitely got a bit excessive and cringey at times. i definitely like the first book in the series more and i appreciated the quinn and parker cameos.

QUINN GRANT?! HELLO?!

this one felt really different compared to the first book and idk what it is i cant put my finger on it. but alas, i read it very quickly

The Mistletoe Bet by Maren Moore

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funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

”Because it turns out that home isn’t a place, it’s wherever Parker Grant is.”

this was so sweet and cute omg???? like this has to be the most wholesome spin i’ve seen on brothers best friend to date. equal parts cute and spicy. it’s a quick read to get you in the mood for christmas!

need parker badly btw

Daydream by Hannah Grace

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funny lighthearted relaxing slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

“This might be my favorite romance book, but we’re my favorite love story.”

omg this book was so sweet? i didn't realize how much i was anticipating henrys book till wildfire and it did not disappoint. halle and henry were so cute I LOVED THEM SOOO much. i loved seeing all the cameos from the past couples in the maple hills series it was so refreshing. i for one miss nate and stassie so much.
i honestly wish the epilogue took place later but it was still cute nonetheless.

wildfire > daydream > icebreaker

Little Stranger by Leigh Rivers

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dark tense fast-paced

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

1.75

this is unlike any dark romance ive read. almost dnfed at the last part of olivias bc iykyk. stuck it out for the voice acting

Content Warnings

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

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funny informative slow-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

"I’m a mess. A work in progress. I’m two steps forward and one step back. I hoard my cheese, and I can’t efficiently load the dishwasher, and I’m going to struggle with the truth until the day I croak.
Jack knows all of this, and he loves me. Not anyway, but because.”

my first ali hazelwood book and I AM SO MAD AT MYSELF FOR NOT PICKING UP A BOOK OF HERS SOONER? WHAT IS THIS???
i LOVED this book so much. like i couldn't put it down once i started investing myself into it. and jack? he might be one of my fav book boyfriends ever. like i love him so much??
there was so much science and academia talk that i was a bit confused at times but the way hazelwood writes it made me so intrigued?
i could go on an on about this book but to keep it short and sweet, i love this book and you should give it a read too.

The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

4.25

”He was right in the end. Romance wasn't dead, after all.”

i wanted to start my ashley poston journey because so many people rave about her books. i absolutely love this book, one of the reasons being it is very similar to my favorite tv show ‘six feet under’. there were so many parallels that i spotted and even a brief mention of the show so i appreciate that !

but wow this book just felt like a warm hug? like suffocating but all the more comforting. it deals with grief beautifully and there’s genuine connection and romance.

i cant wait to read another one of piston’s books :)

Content Warnings