literaryjunkie's reviews
247 reviews

Tempted by Deception by Rina Kent

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

This book was a roller coaster. After the cliff hanger ending, I’ve been coming up with different theories. Here’s spoilers.
After finding out that Winter is Lia, we go back to the past to see how her and Adrian met. She witnesses him murder someone and instead of killing her, he gets wrapped up in her life. They eventually start a relationship. A lot of events happened, including her breaking her leg, which ends her ballet career. Things get serious and Adrian gets her pregnant, then forces her hand in marriage because he would have to marry his arranged fiancé if they don’t speed things up. She is obviously upset because she is thrust into the life of the Russian Mafia and feels suffocated/ depressed within the walls. She has her son, that she loves, but her mental state becomes too much that she attempts to run away again. She is also working with an Italian friend to gain secrets/ possibly kill Adrian. Although, she stops an assassin from killing him at a public gathering. She ends up switching spots with someone at a shelter she volunteers at that looks exactly like her, but Adrian quickly notices and goes to chase her. She is corned at a cliff and ends up jumping, ending the story. I believe that she either lost her memory and believed the identity of the woman she switched with, making her homeless. Adrian was unable to find her because of this, believing she actually died. He saw her in the street believing he found someone that reminded him of her, or he voluntarily let her live (had her closely watched) to bind sometime away from him. He knew she lost her memories and wanted a fresh start with her. Lia might also be an unreliable narrator.
I am really excited to see how the trilogy it ends!
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Vow of Deception by Rina Kent

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

3.75

I thought the plot was pretty interesting and intriguing. I felt there was more that was cooking underneath the surface just because of “deception” being in the title. To summarize, a homeless alcoholic girl named Winter is wept off the streets when Adrian Volkov needs a new wife after the passing of his late wife. They look identical, so she takes on the role as her in exchange for a better life. She becomes close to his son and closer to him, but struggles with him recognizing her identity instead of his dead wife’s. Now for spoilers.
I honestly did not see the ending coming when she said she was Lina Morelli, since we received such little info on Lina. She gained a memory back of their wedding. She also saw the lady in the guest house lying in the hospital bed, looking exactly like her. I honestly don’t know where this is going, but I am excited to see.
It was a great and quick read.
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Throne of Vengeance by Rina Kent

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful 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

3.5

I believe that this book was a significant improvement from the first one. I liked the constant action throughout the book and the betrayal. It kept me on my feet and the characters became more likable. The side characters were also fascinating, so I want to read more about their stories.
When they said Rai had amnesia, I was confused as to why we were reusing the same plot points from other books. I then realized that she was faking it for a plan she might have had, and I was right. I enjoyed the constant betrayal from both ends. I am also glad she got to see her sister again. The plot twist when Kyle found out that Mahleki was his biological father was unexpected (a part of the brotherhood). Also, finding out that Alexandria was a girl (named Sasha). However, I did not like how Kyle switched Rai's B Control Pills out, so she could fall pregnant. I understood that he wanted a family/ to keep her, but she expressed how she didn't want kids yet. Then, he was upset about how she reacted.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and want to read about the other character's stories soon.
Throne of Power by Rina Kent

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

2.75

I was underwhelmed. I thought it would be a little more plot-centered and have something exciting. I predicted what the MMC's attentions were.
He left Rai once, so I wasn't surprised he did it again. He wanted her to open up, but he could not be trusted. The middle of the book was just smut. Kyle was kind of underwhelming here.
I liked Rai well enough. I know she will end up with him by the end of the book, I just wish she would stand on business.
All the Truths by Rina Kent

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dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.25

This was one big miss communication trope, but it was better than the last book.
Asher and Reina discovered that his sister was crazy, and she wanted keep them apart for the fun of it. She put the, against each other, so they thought poorly of the other. This could have been solved with a simple conversation, but I guess it was for the plot. The mafia kidnapped Reina, so Asher/ Kyle (hitman) go after her Rai comes out of hiding to kill Ivan (head of mafia). She deliver a stab and Asher delivers the final blow. The sisters agree to stick to their own lives and Reina and Asher end up living happily ever after.
I liked their relationship dynamic a little more, and it did not feel as dragged on as the first book. It was a fine little duet.
Also, I suspected the cloud Instagram person was Asher. I felt like that plot point was a little unnecessary.
All The Lies by Rina Kent

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

2.75

This was entertaining but still a mess.
She woke up from an accident with amnesia and throughout the book people comment on how different she is. It turns out she has a twin that she switched lives with at 12 when the mafia came for their family. She was always on the run with their mother (heir to the Russian Mafia)(older twin), while Rai (Reina Ellis) had a semi normal life (both Sokolovs). Her sister wanted the chance for her to live normally, so she let her take her place since their mother/ father died and let her live with Alex/ Asher/ Ari. Her sister went on run/ trained and promised they would meet again. Now Reina believes one day they will switch back to normal, so she acts cold/ isolated toward everyone in her life, including her finance Asher. The accident that happened in the woods was both sisters trying to meet up, but they were attacked by the Russian mafia. She got amnesia and as a result is acting different/ nicer. Someone is messaging her/ sending threats and Asher does not buy her new act. From the time she woke up at the hospital, he believes she drove his sister to commit suicide. Now he’s on a revenge plot and wants to kill her to make amends. Reina has no idea wants going on until she over hears him speaking to his sister’s grave. 
It kind of dragged, and I kind of suspected some of the plot twist. I did expect the plot to go in that direction though. It was a quit read but nothing to special. I felt like the chemistry lacked. between the two main characters.
Final Offer by Lauren Asher

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funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I enjoyed the series, and this book was fine in its right. It was a little too long, but I liked reading about Lana and Cal's story.
I was thinking initially when they read Cal's part of the will, why not just by the house yourself? Selling the house was a major plot point, so I thought the solution was right before them. Anyway, I was happy when Rowan and Declan decided to disinherit their father when it came to his part of the will. And Cal decided to be petty and vote yes, so his dad would wonder what would happen if he chose the first option and tried to mend their relationship.
Overall a good end to a series, but I know Terms and Conditions will always hold a special place in my heart. Love Declan and Iris real bad. Also, love Lana's daughter Cami. A true hustler. 
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If Only I Had Told Her by Laura Nowlin

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emotional hopeful reflective sad 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

3.5

This book was a great follow-up to If He Had Been With Me. Finny's perspective, in the beginning, felt a little repetitive, but it was nice to see his insight on why he did not pursue Autumn. Reading Jack's POV was very heartfelt. Seeing how he dealt with his grief gave the story more depth. It was very heartwrenching to read Autumn's POV after everything happened. Her new situation did give her a spark of hope that I felt was essential for her development and growth. Overall, I am glad this book was published. It provided an extension to the initial story that I think was necessary to deepen the meaning of the overarching story. 
If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

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

3.0

This book was fairly paced and a quick read overall. It was a bit juvenile in its writing (It’s YA, so it’s attended for a younger audience). I felt like the characters lacked depth and distinctive character traits. The ending was expected since it was said in the beginning of the story. The romance between Finny and Autumn felt sparse since they spent a majority of the time with other people. Their friendship was alright though. The ending also felt a little rushed as well. The storyline does take place in high school, so it was probably why the characters were immature with one another when it came to general conversations and communication. This book is a good quick read if you like stories following characters. 
Spectacular by Stephanie Garber

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? No

3.0

Cute little holiday read. Love Tella and Legend!