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maxarcreads's reviews
236 reviews
Pretty bloody doll: Malikova bratva by Bekah D. Killer
4.25
this was a 4.25 for me. I really enjoyed it, and I LOVED that this was an obsessive, possessive, unhinged, morally black, stalker FMC which I don't see a lot of but wish there were more of. I love unhinged characters, but I ADORE unhinged FMCs. Maybe because I feel like I am one annoyance away from becoming really unhinged myself. lol
Another thing I really loved was this book was under 100 pages, but it didn't feel like that to me. I felt like I got a whole plot/story line that wasn't rushed but was something that could be finished in one sitting for sure but still pack a punch.
I will say I really enjoyed Yuri especially once he became more aware of the situation because then he let out his unhinged side out too and at the start, he was a little clueless to what was right in front of him.
Overall, an enjoyable, quick, spicy, unhinged read that I would recommend.
This book is about Rimma who is set to be married soon as she is the eldest daughter one of the heads that leads the Bratva. The thing is she already has her mind set on someone who she has wanted her whole life and now she just needs to convince her family that blood is thicker than water and why bring a stranger in when there is no better option than her cousin Yuri. But in the meantime, she needs to make sure these other women know to keep their hands off her man even if he doesn't yet realize it. Because anyone who touches what is hers will not only lose their hands but their life as well.
Another thing I really loved was this book was under 100 pages, but it didn't feel like that to me. I felt like I got a whole plot/story line that wasn't rushed but was something that could be finished in one sitting for sure but still pack a punch.
I will say I really enjoyed Yuri especially once he became more aware of the situation because then he let out his unhinged side out too and at the start, he was a little clueless to what was right in front of him.
Overall, an enjoyable, quick, spicy, unhinged read that I would recommend.
This book is about Rimma who is set to be married soon as she is the eldest daughter one of the heads that leads the Bratva. The thing is she already has her mind set on someone who she has wanted her whole life and now she just needs to convince her family that blood is thicker than water and why bring a stranger in when there is no better option than her cousin Yuri. But in the meantime, she needs to make sure these other women know to keep their hands off her man even if he doesn't yet realize it. Because anyone who touches what is hers will not only lose their hands but their life as well.
Soulmates & Shadows by Bekah D. Killer
4.0
This was a fun short read. I don't know why Bekah keeps saying all smut 0 plot bc her books have a plot even if it's a small one and what was there, I enjoyed. It was definitely one of her spicier bloodier reads, but it was still a fun time. I really enjoyed Corbin who was intense and obsessive and wasn't going to let anyone get in his way to claiming his mate no matter how bloody it gets.
This book is about Corbin a shadow prince who is not able to claim his mate as she is a fairy princess, and her father will only let her marry one of their own. But not to worry Corbin has a plan to claim his princess but in the meantime that doesn't mean they can't still have some fun.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is about Corbin a shadow prince who is not able to claim his mate as she is a fairy princess, and her father will only let her marry one of their own. But not to worry Corbin has a plan to claim his princess but in the meantime that doesn't mean they can't still have some fun.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Tales of Planet Magnae by Jason Boje, Jason Boje
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
I am just not the targeted reader. I do wish there had been more world building as to the conflict there was some insight into it at 33%. I am primarily a romance reader so I need some type of romance and I was informed there was a romance subplot and the slight romance in the book was very very minimal that I personally wouldn’t call it a sub plot. I am just not the targeted reader reader.
How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
4.5
I am giving this a 4.5. I found this book to be interesting as it takes thinks I already know and broadening the definition of them and also looking at policies and terms from multiple angles. One such example is we must think beyond being “Not Racist” a neutral term that lets people off because you can be not racist but support racist policies because it serves yourself interest (a point that I will bring up next) and that instead we should strive to be Anti Racist which is going beyond being not racists and instead taking a look at the policies, structures and even personal beliefs and what we are doing to challenge them.
I think the biggest take away from the book for me was I always placed the emphasis of essentially educating the racism away but at the end of the book there was a very valid point made that I personally think should work in conjunction with the education route. It should be a two-prong approach but the point the author was making stood out and made me think and rethink my approach. “A lot of us see ignorance as the source of racist ideas and we see racist ideas as the course of racists policies and we have to change the mind, to change the person to change the policy”” but in the author’s research is showed “that racists ideas are not based out of ignorance/hate but self-interest. History shows powerful policy makers instituting racists’ policies out of self interest then producing racists ideas to defend and rationalize the racists effects of their policies while everyday people are consuming those racist ideas which bleeds into their ignorance & hate”.
There are a lot of points made in this book the resonate with me and some I think I will have revisit at a later point as my knowledge expands.
Sparked by Amanda Penn
4.25
This is a 4.25 for me. I really really enjoyed this book. The reason I didn't give it a 5 was because there are areas where I do wish there had been more depth to what the situation. They felt a little glossed over and I feel like they were missed opportunities to really deepen the story. It was still a really enjoyable book, and I know this is a newer indi author and I think this is the first book she wrote. I think as she writes more and more this is an area that she will only grow and excel in. I think personally she should revisit this book and maybe rerelease it as an updated copy.
I think this is an author to keep an eye on as I think she will only get better with each book she puts out and I am really excited to see where this series goes because I enjoyed all the characters. I also enjoyed the way she portrayed the Greek Gods as not only the fallible beings we know them to be but the fact they acknowledge it and try to change and be better. It was a refreshing change.
I enjoyed Brianna who is thrown for a loop after she realizes not only is her world different from what she knew but her family and thus herself as well. She is literally shaken to the core that everyone closest to her lied to her and what the world is really like, and she still took everything in stride for the most part (understandable resentment of aside of course) I mean I personally would be off in a corner crying if I experienced only 10% of the shock she went through. But she took what was in front of her and did her best to acclimate but not lose herself in the mix of it all. I also enjoyed Gabriel especially as the story progressed and his personality really came out. Before that he was so focused on not letting peoples perceived notions of him get him down that with Brianna he could see that she truly saw him he was able to be himself around her and the snarky wise ass came out and I loved it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I think this is an author/series to keep an eye on as I think it will only get better the more she writes.
This book is about Brianna who decides to attend a party with some friends only for it to take a deadly turn when monsters attack. The only reason it wasn't a massacred and she and others were able to survive was due to the actions Brianna took because a voice in her head told her how to fight back. After this night her life is not the same, so her mother transfers her to an exclusive school to give her a fresh start. While she has so many unanswered questions about what happened she is excited for the fresh start that is until she experiences another monster attack her first night there. It is finally then she gets the answers she has been looking for but learns that her family and life is not what it seems. Shaken to the core it she learns of there is a prophecy about her and the dangers she will face. But she won't be alone as she will have her dragon shifter guardian Gabriel who others shun for his family but for who she is drawn too. Together they will take on the danger foretold to prevent a war that will could bring about not just the end of the Gods but could also mean the end for one of them.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think this is an author to keep an eye on as I think she will only get better with each book she puts out and I am really excited to see where this series goes because I enjoyed all the characters. I also enjoyed the way she portrayed the Greek Gods as not only the fallible beings we know them to be but the fact they acknowledge it and try to change and be better. It was a refreshing change.
I enjoyed Brianna who is thrown for a loop after she realizes not only is her world different from what she knew but her family and thus herself as well. She is literally shaken to the core that everyone closest to her lied to her and what the world is really like, and she still took everything in stride for the most part (understandable resentment of aside of course) I mean I personally would be off in a corner crying if I experienced only 10% of the shock she went through. But she took what was in front of her and did her best to acclimate but not lose herself in the mix of it all. I also enjoyed Gabriel especially as the story progressed and his personality really came out. Before that he was so focused on not letting peoples perceived notions of him get him down that with Brianna he could see that she truly saw him he was able to be himself around her and the snarky wise ass came out and I loved it.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I think this is an author/series to keep an eye on as I think it will only get better the more she writes.
This book is about Brianna who decides to attend a party with some friends only for it to take a deadly turn when monsters attack. The only reason it wasn't a massacred and she and others were able to survive was due to the actions Brianna took because a voice in her head told her how to fight back. After this night her life is not the same, so her mother transfers her to an exclusive school to give her a fresh start. While she has so many unanswered questions about what happened she is excited for the fresh start that is until she experiences another monster attack her first night there. It is finally then she gets the answers she has been looking for but learns that her family and life is not what it seems. Shaken to the core it she learns of there is a prophecy about her and the dangers she will face. But she won't be alone as she will have her dragon shifter guardian Gabriel who others shun for his family but for who she is drawn too. Together they will take on the danger foretold to prevent a war that will could bring about not just the end of the Gods but could also mean the end for one of them.
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Labyrinth of Broken Vows by Millie Moon, Millie Moon
4.0
this was a 3.75 for me for most of the book but there was this one scene towards the end that got me emotional so that gave it a bump. If you get me teary-eyed you get a bump.
I think this was a great concept and the writing was well done as well. I was super excited to read this because Labyrinth retelling sign me up. I liked the characters a lot as well but then I realized in the last 25% of the book that the main characters had no interaction in person up to this point and all there had been where whispers to her mind through his animal companion and he had just spied on her. I am usually okay with this but I wish there had been some pop ins so I could get more one on one interaction between them and get the rising tension and attraction better. Even in the labyrinth there were several incidences were Gareth popped into mess with Sarah. Now I get it a different story and I loved all the elements I did see but for me with slow burns I need the tension to keep me engaged with the romance aspect. It makes me wonder if this book would have been better if it had been a little longer and we could see them interacting together and maybe together they could then fight back the evil that has taken over the maze. All this is of course personal preference.
I loved the MMC Thorne who has been watching Brielle and sees the horrible situation she is in with her abusive husband so he sets about kidnapping her husband and putting her through trials so that she can see that she is stronger than she thinks and can grow and become the strong queen he knows she can be. This was an idea and think it was carried out a little but there weren't very many trials and the trials that there were she had a companion there to help her so she while she did get put into situations where she was challenged, she still always had someone there who usually took the brunt of it. Again, with a longer novel I think there could have 1) been more trials and 2) she could have been forced to rely on herself and see how strong she really is especially after everything she endured at the hands of her husband.
Overall, enjoyed the concept and the characters but I think this book could have benefitted with being a little longer so we could delve into certain areas more to really make the key points of this book shine.
This book is about Brielle who is just trying to endure and survive her life with her husband who abuses her and keeps her at home like a caged bird for her protection he says. Well one day her husband and some other knights are sent into the Labyrinth to take on the King of the Maze. But her husband is taken captive by the King, and she is in a panic because how will she survive without her husband. That is until the King issues her a challenge to come and rescue her husband. As scared as she is she decides to enter the labyrinth and try and bring her husband home. Little does she know Thorne has been watching her for a very long time and knows that she is stronger than she thinks and just needs the right set of pushes for her to see it too. With every test she will become stronger and see that she wasted all those tears on a man who did not deserve her and that she truly belongs to me and for her I will start a war for my obsession, my woman, my queen.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I think this was a great concept and the writing was well done as well. I was super excited to read this because Labyrinth retelling sign me up. I liked the characters a lot as well but then I realized in the last 25% of the book that the main characters had no interaction in person up to this point and all there had been where whispers to her mind through his animal companion and he had just spied on her. I am usually okay with this but I wish there had been some pop ins so I could get more one on one interaction between them and get the rising tension and attraction better. Even in the labyrinth there were several incidences were Gareth popped into mess with Sarah. Now I get it a different story and I loved all the elements I did see but for me with slow burns I need the tension to keep me engaged with the romance aspect. It makes me wonder if this book would have been better if it had been a little longer and we could see them interacting together and maybe together they could then fight back the evil that has taken over the maze. All this is of course personal preference.
I loved the MMC Thorne who has been watching Brielle and sees the horrible situation she is in with her abusive husband so he sets about kidnapping her husband and putting her through trials so that she can see that she is stronger than she thinks and can grow and become the strong queen he knows she can be. This was an idea and think it was carried out a little but there weren't very many trials and the trials that there were she had a companion there to help her so she while she did get put into situations where she was challenged, she still always had someone there who usually took the brunt of it. Again, with a longer novel I think there could have 1) been more trials and 2) she could have been forced to rely on herself and see how strong she really is especially after everything she endured at the hands of her husband.
Overall, enjoyed the concept and the characters but I think this book could have benefitted with being a little longer so we could delve into certain areas more to really make the key points of this book shine.
This book is about Brielle who is just trying to endure and survive her life with her husband who abuses her and keeps her at home like a caged bird for her protection he says. Well one day her husband and some other knights are sent into the Labyrinth to take on the King of the Maze. But her husband is taken captive by the King, and she is in a panic because how will she survive without her husband. That is until the King issues her a challenge to come and rescue her husband. As scared as she is she decides to enter the labyrinth and try and bring her husband home. Little does she know Thorne has been watching her for a very long time and knows that she is stronger than she thinks and just needs the right set of pushes for her to see it too. With every test she will become stronger and see that she wasted all those tears on a man who did not deserve her and that she truly belongs to me and for her I will start a war for my obsession, my woman, my queen.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Whiskey & Weights by Desie Marie
4.5
4.5 for me. This was a fun quick spicy book that I really really enjoyed. I loved all the characters Katie, Travis and Cooper and especially Olivia Mae (omg that little girl was a hoot). I loved how confident Katie is and how she took no bullshit and Travis and Cooper were just amazing men on their own, but I loved the way they treated Katie and of course men go gaga over a basically becoming a girl dad warmed by heart as well.
This book was a novella that is under 100 pages, but it didn't feel like it at all. I finished it in one sitting because again under 100 pages, but I felt like I got a full story that was 200 or something. And that's not to say that the story felt long it was just so well written that I got a full story, and it didn't feel rushed or incomplete like some novellas can especially the smaller ones. I would be really excited to see what the author does with a bigger novel because if I already love a short story, I am sure I will love a full-length novel for sure.
Love the characters, love the spice and the writing was really well done as well. Also, there were horses and as a horse girlie that made me really happy.
This book is about Katie who is a single mom who runs a successful business who likes to lift weights and push herself to her limit. She doesn't need anyone especially a man who is trying to "spot" her at the gym but it just getting in her way and annoying her no matter how cute he is. But then a chance encounter with him and his friend at the coffee shop gives her a chance to see who he really is, and she can see what a nice guy he is and that he is worth her time. But as their feelings for each other grow she realizes she has feelings for his best friend. As a woman who is always pushing herself and her limits has, she finally hit the wall where she could wreck her relationship but also their friendship.
This book was a novella that is under 100 pages, but it didn't feel like it at all. I finished it in one sitting because again under 100 pages, but I felt like I got a full story that was 200 or something. And that's not to say that the story felt long it was just so well written that I got a full story, and it didn't feel rushed or incomplete like some novellas can especially the smaller ones. I would be really excited to see what the author does with a bigger novel because if I already love a short story, I am sure I will love a full-length novel for sure.
Love the characters, love the spice and the writing was really well done as well. Also, there were horses and as a horse girlie that made me really happy.
This book is about Katie who is a single mom who runs a successful business who likes to lift weights and push herself to her limit. She doesn't need anyone especially a man who is trying to "spot" her at the gym but it just getting in her way and annoying her no matter how cute he is. But then a chance encounter with him and his friend at the coffee shop gives her a chance to see who he really is, and she can see what a nice guy he is and that he is worth her time. But as their feelings for each other grow she realizes she has feelings for his best friend. As a woman who is always pushing herself and her limits has, she finally hit the wall where she could wreck her relationship but also their friendship.
His Sinful Marks: A Standalone Enemies-to-lovers Dark Romance by D.L. Blade
4.25
This was a 4.25 for me. It was such a dark and crazy ride. First you have the whole situation of the MCs where Sadie is in hiding after testifying against her fiancé after watching him unalive someone and even though he is in prison all Keelan can think about is getting out and getting Sadie who he sees as his wife and getting revenge but you're not sure if that revenge includes Sadie. And he isn't afraid of getting his hands bloody when it comes to getting out and finding her. Then once he finds her his actions make you wonder what his true intentions are, but you also get glimpses of how sweet he can be I mean he does her laundry for her without being asked!! In fact, that was the whole book where you are not sure if you like a lot of the characters because you can't really trust any of them. Everyone is very complex in that they aren't good guys, but they may have good moments that maybe you think they are redeemable but then they will act in their own self-interest on the next page. Makes it very hard to know who to like or trust in the book which made it very exciting.
I really liked Sadie who just wanted to stay in hiding in a small town in Vermont and work in her bookstore and go home to her cat. But Keelan, her family and all the crazy people drag her back into their dangerous world and what a wild ride her reentry was with the road trip Keelan took her on. Keelan from the start I loved how possessive and obsessive he was even with Sadie even though she testified against him. Even some of the bad things he did or even the stuff he did to her were actually for the good of her. Not all the time but most of the time it was in reaction to Sadie's being in danger.
It was a twisted crazy story, and I really enjoyed every moment.
This book is about Sadie who is in hiding from her family, her ex's family and her fiancé after she testified against him and put him away for murder which is not something you do in family of criminals. But while she is trying to live her life peacefully working in a bookstore and going home to her cat what she doesn't realize is that she is on borrowed time. That's because Keelan her ex-fiancé who has bullied her since she was a child and grew up to be a monster like the rest of his family has plans to get out of prison and reclaim his princess, his wife and get revenge on everyone who betrayed him and left him to rot. He just has to find her and find her quickly because it's not just him who is looking for her and only a monster can protect her against an even bigger monster.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really liked Sadie who just wanted to stay in hiding in a small town in Vermont and work in her bookstore and go home to her cat. But Keelan, her family and all the crazy people drag her back into their dangerous world and what a wild ride her reentry was with the road trip Keelan took her on. Keelan from the start I loved how possessive and obsessive he was even with Sadie even though she testified against him. Even some of the bad things he did or even the stuff he did to her were actually for the good of her. Not all the time but most of the time it was in reaction to Sadie's being in danger.
It was a twisted crazy story, and I really enjoyed every moment.
This book is about Sadie who is in hiding from her family, her ex's family and her fiancé after she testified against him and put him away for murder which is not something you do in family of criminals. But while she is trying to live her life peacefully working in a bookstore and going home to her cat what she doesn't realize is that she is on borrowed time. That's because Keelan her ex-fiancé who has bullied her since she was a child and grew up to be a monster like the rest of his family has plans to get out of prison and reclaim his princess, his wife and get revenge on everyone who betrayed him and left him to rot. He just has to find her and find her quickly because it's not just him who is looking for her and only a monster can protect her against an even bigger monster.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Single Player by Tara Tai
4.5
This is a 4.5 for me. I loved this, it was so cute and fun and warmed my heart. I loved how nerdy both MCs were and the grumpy x sunshine dynamic between the two of them. I think between the two MCs Andi was my favorite. I just love Grumpy characters who are really just softies on the inside and the reason why Andi was "grumpy" was due to how the industry and those around them treated them. They were screwed over and used by their last company/mentor, the industry full of basement dwelling misogynists harassed them not just online but in real life. That would make anyone standoffish and grumpy. Which is why I loved Cat for them because that is exactly who Andi needed a sweet person who will also stand up and fight for them at the same time. Yes, Cat is a sweet and cheerful romantic, but she can and does stand up for herself and for those she cares about and even does that for Andi at a crucial moment that Andi really needed to see someone stand up for them. I also really enjoyed how nerdy they were. While I personally don't play any PC or Table games, I have lots of friends who do so for me as I was reading this book, I just felt like I was watching a romance between two of my good friends unfold and it was fun to watch.
Overall loved the book, characters, plot and writing and I think for a lot of nerds, queer or just plain romantics will enjoy this book.
This book is about Cat who lands the opportunity of a lifetime to be an intern on the writing team for an upcoming game writing the romance portion for some of the main character profiles. This is literally her dream as it combines her love of Games and romance together. So, it should be smooth sailing right... That is until she meets who boss who is none other than the infamous Andi Zhang who is not only arrogant but apparently a hates romance and love and sees no need for Cat input on the game. All Andi cares about is bringing to market an amazing game to show the industry they are a serious developer especially after everything that happened early on in their career resulting in them being doxed and harassed on the internet. Unfortunately, the man funding the game has other plans and thinks this game needs romance to target a growing female gamer demographic. This means that Cat and Andi will have to work together with their clashing personalities and ideas for the game and come up with something they can both be proud. That is if they can stay on track and ignore the growing heat and tension between the two of them. Especially as there are those who are trying to bring about the downfall of not just the game but Andi as well.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.
Overall loved the book, characters, plot and writing and I think for a lot of nerds, queer or just plain romantics will enjoy this book.
This book is about Cat who lands the opportunity of a lifetime to be an intern on the writing team for an upcoming game writing the romance portion for some of the main character profiles. This is literally her dream as it combines her love of Games and romance together. So, it should be smooth sailing right... That is until she meets who boss who is none other than the infamous Andi Zhang who is not only arrogant but apparently a hates romance and love and sees no need for Cat input on the game. All Andi cares about is bringing to market an amazing game to show the industry they are a serious developer especially after everything that happened early on in their career resulting in them being doxed and harassed on the internet. Unfortunately, the man funding the game has other plans and thinks this game needs romance to target a growing female gamer demographic. This means that Cat and Andi will have to work together with their clashing personalities and ideas for the game and come up with something they can both be proud. That is if they can stay on track and ignore the growing heat and tension between the two of them. Especially as there are those who are trying to bring about the downfall of not just the game but Andi as well.
I received an ARC Copy in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley.