madipeppell's reviews
149 reviews

The Jackal by J.R. Ward

adventurous emotional 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

Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Favorite Quote:

“Did you punch him in the face?” Chapter 19

This was such a cute book! Friends to lovers is tied as my favorite trope (along with second chance)! This was, however, my first Fake Dating trope🙈 If I’m honest… it made me really anxious. I felt like the whole time I was waiting for the breakup and then it happened in like 2 chapters, which I had mixed feelings for. That’s nothing to do with the book and probably just because I’ve never read this trope before. I absolutely LOVED Luka🥰 he’s the best friend to boyfriend we wish we had 😅😍 I honestly loved the small twin setting too. I WISH I could go to Lovelight farms and meet everyone 😭😭 Even though I was nervous for the whole book that didn’t stop me from loving every single second of it (aren’t the best books the ones that you have a love hate relationship with…yes yes they are). I really loved that Stella’s friends pointed out that her farm didn’t need a man helping her run it to be “romantic and storytelling” that was a favorite part for me. 

I understand why Stella felt the need to add in a boyfriend (not only in hopes of becoming more with luka but the contest wise as well). However, i didn’t necessarily like how her character felt borderline dumb at time. Maybe its because she lives in a small town, but if there were CONSISTENTLY  problems happening on my property (even if I thought it was a bunch of kids “messing around”) I would go and get help to stop them and teach the “rowdy” kids why you don’t destroy property! I wouldn’t think it would magically stop and think all these “random things” weren’t connected!!! That seemed to make me dislike Stella a bit, i wanted her to have a bit more of a backbone to standup for herself or get help. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this Christmas story!😍 I definitely recommend reading this if you haven’t picked it up!

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment

Dark Room Etiquette by Robin Roe

dark emotional 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

5.0

The Holiday Trap by Roan Parrish

emotional lighthearted 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? No

4.75

Things We Never Got Over by Lucy Score

emotional inspiring sad 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? No

5.0

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5

Naomi wasn’t JUST running away from the altar, she was running to help her twin sister in Knockemout, Virginia. A rough around the eyed little town. Too bad her twin hasn’t changed one bit. Tina helps herself to Naomi’s car and cash and then leaves her with something unexpected- her niece that she didn’t know she had. Now Naomi is stuck in town, with no money or car and an 11-year-old she’s never met. Knox doesn’t do relationships, especially complicated ones. After watching Naomi’s life implode in front of him the least he could do is help her out until she’s settled, then he call leave. That was the plan, until real danger became present. 

 This was an exciting and fun romance read. I really enjoyed it! I couldn’t put this book down. I really loved all of the characters, which is really rare for me. I felt Naomi’s growth was actually believable, when she finally put herself first. I did feel a little weird with how he just decided to drop her like he knew what she needed.. come on.. and then he just proposes because she was in danger.. hmm idk about that.

Overall, this was a binge worthy read and I LOVED it!!!!!

Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper

adventurous funny 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

3.75

Emmy Harlow exiled herself from her magical hometown of Thistle Grove over a decade ago due to a complicated family history, desire to forge her own path and sue to a certain Gareth Blackmore. With the spell-casting tournament approaching Emmy heads back to be the Arbiter, for ‘tradition’- ash her family says. She’s determined to do her duty, spend some quality time with her best friend Linden, and then get back to her home in Chicago. On her first night back she meets Talia, an all around badass, who’s just off a bad breakup with non-other than Gareth Blackmore, after finding out that he was dating Linden as well. Now the girls want revenge and the only question left is if Emmy is in? And why can’t she stop thinking about Talia?

I’ve just recently gotten into twitchy romcoms, and I loved this one! My first bisexual one as well- even better😏 This has to be my favorite witchy read/listened to so far. I really enjoyed the different magic that each family held and how they couldn’t “mix.” I thought that was a very unique take on a magical town! I really enjoyed the contest and the little activities outside of the competition. I really enjoyed learning what prompted Emmy to leave everything she ever knew. 

The only thing I didn’t like was I felt like Emmy’s thoughts took over some of the main parts of the story.  For example, when the final competition was happening she went deep into thought over things that I felt wasn’t necessarily needed and I felt myself getting anxious over whether or not she was going to slow. Other than those scenes I really enjoyed this book! Definitely recommend 💗

The Kiss Curse by Erin Sterling

funny mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

In the second book from The Ex Hex series comes Gwyn Jones, who’s perfectly content with her life in Graves Glen; running a successful witchcraft shop and mentoring three Baby Witches. However, Llewellyn “Wells” Penhallow has come to town to re-establish his family’s name as well as create a new life for himself, as well as opening a store right across from Gwyn’s! The two start to get closer (things start to get hotter) and they know they should back apart but new witches show up and things start to feel off. 

This book was much more upbeat and fun to read compared to The Ex Hex. I REALLY enjoyed the bickering between Wells and Gwyn 😍 it was another level hot. I thought Rhys was such a cutie but Wells made me rethink my favorite brother. I enjoyed seeing the growth of Wells’ loyalty to his father by the end the end of the book. I felt that the ending scene really showed how far his loyalty was and his conversation with Gwyn showed the WHY it is the was it is. I wish that the ending was a bit different. I loved the reunion and the Baby Witches (definitely the most fun parts of the book included them)! However, I still felt like I had unanswered questions. How did Gwyn get her magic back really? What is going to happen to Simeon? What is Bowen going to do? Where will Gwyn and Wells be living? Hopefully not the gaudy Penhallow home. Also did Vivi’s luggage really end out in Georgia the country? Little things I would like wrapped up when I read. Hopefully there will be a third book. I’d love to read about Bowen! 

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

dark emotional sad tense 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? No

4.0

My Killer Vacation by Tessa Bailey

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0