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megbarrett's reviews
25 reviews
10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
A Wicked Game is the third book in Kate Bateman’s Ruthless Rivals series — and the first that I’ve read. However, it certainly won’t be the last! I’ve already purchased the earlier books.
I loved Morgan and Harriet, as well as the low-angst mutual pining that was between them. Watching Morgan work to convince his childhood frenemy that he genuinely loved her was a delight! I also really appreciated Harriet’s interest and career in mapmaking, and how it was brought up regularly and influenced her thoughts and actions. Sometimes things like that just feel like character quirks, but it really felt like part of who she was.
The teasing and banter between the two of them was fun and genuine and it was great seeing both characters get flustered as it amped up through the story.
The family relationships — between Morgan and his brothers and Harriet and her father — were also a large part of what made A Wicked Game such a special read. As much as I enjoy a scheming relative, it’s nice to see a relationship built of love and kindness.
I can’t wait to read the others! :)
I loved Morgan and Harriet, as well as the low-angst mutual pining that was between them. Watching Morgan work to convince his childhood frenemy that he genuinely loved her was a delight! I also really appreciated Harriet’s interest and career in mapmaking, and how it was brought up regularly and influenced her thoughts and actions. Sometimes things like that just feel like character quirks, but it really felt like part of who she was.
The teasing and banter between the two of them was fun and genuine and it was great seeing both characters get flustered as it amped up through the story.
The family relationships — between Morgan and his brothers and Harriet and her father — were also a large part of what made A Wicked Game such a special read. As much as I enjoy a scheming relative, it’s nice to see a relationship built of love and kindness.
I can’t wait to read the others! :)
Infamous by Lex Croucher
emotional
funny
inspiring
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
In Regency England, Eddie Miller is attempting to pen her debut novel. Her best friend Rose is talking of growing up and getting married, while Eddie's attempting to hold onto their days of hiding in a treehouse and practicing kissing together. When she meets her literary hero, Nash Nicholson, at a dinner party, she gets ushered into a world of drunken excess, erratic artists, and crumbling lake houses, much to Rose's chagrin. The lifestyle Eddie thought she desired isn't all it's cracked up to be; she's finally making sense of her book, but the nights are cold, the parties are loud, and her feelings regarding Rose and Nash are only getting more confusing...
While Croucher's sophomore novel is just as witty and heartwarming as their first, the dark elements are even darker (check content warnings!). I genuinely can't wait to force this book upon everybody I've ever met and all of their friends.
While Croucher's sophomore novel is just as witty and heartwarming as their first, the dark elements are even darker (check content warnings!). I genuinely can't wait to force this book upon everybody I've ever met and all of their friends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Moderate: Gun violence
Minor: Racism and Death of parent
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
i loved this book, and it has immediately become one of my favorite historical romances! there are a lot of emotions, and it's safe to say i shed a fair amount of tears while reading, but it was never too heavy, with kindness and humor throughout, as always.
Games in a Ballroom by Jentry Flint
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
i had so much fun reading this book! a sweet and cozy regency romance, games in a ballroom was told in a dual POV, which I think worked really well for the story. emerson has feelings for liv from the start, but seeing her feelings develop as the game went on, through their friendship and banter was great. i really loved the rest of the characters, as well (at least the ones we're supposed to like!!!), especially arabella and northcott.
there is an underlying darkness in the book that makes the stakes feel very real and high, and i think the ending payoff was really well-done. i wish we got to know mrs. wilde a bit more than we did, as a woman in an abusive marriage. i enjoyed the few moments where we get to see her small rebellions in spite of her really terrible circumstances, and i wish there were a few more of them.
i can't wait for this book to come out and then get all my romance-loving friends to read it!!
thank u netgalley, i am your humble servant
there is an underlying darkness in the book that makes the stakes feel very real and high, and i think the ending payoff was really well-done. i wish we got to know mrs. wilde a bit more than we did, as a woman in an abusive marriage. i enjoyed the few moments where we get to see her small rebellions in spite of her really terrible circumstances, and i wish there were a few more of them.
i can't wait for this book to come out and then get all my romance-loving friends to read it!!
thank u netgalley, i am your humble servant
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Something Fabulous by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
i really loved this book in a way i didn't expect to love it. it's a very fun and very silly queer regency romance, in which the grumpy, closed-off duke, valentine, has to chase after his runaway fiancée, along with her sweet, charming, and unabashedly sunshine-y twin brother. AJH pokes fun at gothic and regency fiction in the most caring way, and it's hard not to feel happy good feelings when reading!
more unexpectantly, i may have WEPT while reading. i don't think that was meant to happen, but i genuinely felt every single feeling that valentine felt. AJH has a way of creating characters that get at my soul in a way that i haven't experienced before, but it hit especially hard with valentine.
there were elements that didn't hit as close to home for me. there was one character, in particular, that was... exceedingly frustrating, and the ending felt a little too rushed, in that i didn't get the chance to warm up to her before the book's end. however, i loved reading this book, and i can't wait for it to come out, and everyone else can get to read it too! i'm looking forward to reading a physical copy!
more unexpectantly, i may have WEPT while reading. i don't think that was meant to happen, but i genuinely felt every single feeling that valentine felt. AJH has a way of creating characters that get at my soul in a way that i haven't experienced before, but it hit especially hard with valentine.
there were elements that didn't hit as close to home for me. there was one character, in particular, that was... exceedingly frustrating, and the ending felt a little too rushed, in that i didn't get the chance to warm up to her before the book's end. however, i loved reading this book, and i can't wait for it to come out, and everyone else can get to read it too! i'm looking forward to reading a physical copy!
The Anthropocene Reviewed: Essays on a Human-Centered Planet by John Green
hopeful
inspiring
reflective