Scan barcode
mells_view's reviews
1750 reviews
Nobody's Darlin' by Sarah Blue
4.0
“You’re gonna’ ruin me, darlin’.” “Good.”
this book broke my reading slump, so I forever owe it my life. if you enjoy omegaverse and just the angst of MC romance, then you’ll love this book. I did. I laughed. I felt anxious. I cried. I got a little red in the face during the steamy parts.
All in all a good read. Would recommend to the omegaverse crowd.
this book broke my reading slump, so I forever owe it my life. if you enjoy omegaverse and just the angst of MC romance, then you’ll love this book. I did. I laughed. I felt anxious. I cried. I got a little red in the face during the steamy parts.
All in all a good read. Would recommend to the omegaverse crowd.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Trafficking
The Best Man by Sam Mariano
dark
tense
fast-paced
3.5
He’s never noticed all the best things about you, baby, but I have.
I originally read this on Vella and let me tell you as it goes it just gets more and more unhinged. DubCon free use, fiancé’s brother and like his entire family that are men. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for some dark gray hot and heavy heat and a HEA ending for the main characters, then this will fit the bill. Absolutely check the warnings at the start of the book though. This will not be for everyone and I’m still not 100% sure it was for me, but I was sat for every episode, so here we are.
I originally read this on Vella and let me tell you as it goes it just gets more and more unhinged. DubCon free use, fiancé’s brother and like his entire family that are men. If you’re looking for a sweet romance, this isn’t it. If you’re looking for some dark gray hot and heavy heat and a HEA ending for the main characters, then this will fit the bill. Absolutely check the warnings at the start of the book though. This will not be for everyone and I’m still not 100% sure it was for me, but I was sat for every episode, so here we are.
Hot Asset by Lauren Layne
medium-paced
4.0
I thought this was a great audio if you’re looking for a contemporary romance in an office setting, between two people who are kind of not supposed to fall in love and they do. Conflict of interest romance? Hero is in finance and the heroine is the SEC agent looking to find him guilty of insider trading. Of course it ends in HEA, but it’s a little tense at times. I enjoyed this overall and thought the voice actors did a great job. I already read the second book in this series in e-book form, but I almost want to listen to it because this was just an easy listen as I cleaned and did other stuff around the house. Recommend to contemporary romance lovers.
Home for the Holidays by Lee Jacquot
Spicy step-siblings who will no longer be step-siblings when their parents divorce finally live out all their fantasies over thanksgiving. They are grown adults, but they lean heavy into the step-siblings living together trope in their spice. All in all an entertaining read if you want quick and spicy.
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
We’ve been living the forbidden, miscommunication trope of life.
Spicy step-siblings who will no longer be step-siblings when their parents divorce finally live out all their fantasies over thanksgiving. They are grown adults, but they lean heavy into the step-siblings living together trope in their spice. All in all an entertaining read if you want quick and spicy.
Wild Ever After by Rebecca Jenshak
Jade and Declan absolutely stole my heart. Marriage of convenience turned, “I think I’m falling for my possessive cinnamon roll fake husband/brings color to my life fake wife.” Can’t beat it if you ask me.
So Jade is in it for her job and Declan is in it because he’s a pure soul who can’t stand to see Jade lose out on all her dreams because she needs a fake husband quickly, so why not him. They are both insanely attracted to each other, so this isn’t a TRUE hardship. Though spending so much time pretending makes it a little difficult to not really fall for each other. They are both dealing with some traumas from their pasts, so it’s interesting to see them trying to work through those as they navigate through a year long fake marriage. Sigh. I just loved them.
I loved the glimpses at the other players and their partners from the Wildcat series and just those little tastes of found family love that Jenshak always sprinkles into her series. Plus, it doesn’t hurt the little teases of what could come next. Still rooting for a J & E book even if it’s a little age gap taboo 😂
Highly recommend Wild Ever After, and the entire series really, to anyone who enjoys low angst sports romance that has found family and romance you can’t help but root for.
Go Wildcat hockey!
Note- I actually listened to the audible copy (it went live early) back and forth with my digital arc and the audible is so good. Loved the voice actors who brought Jade and Declan’s story to life!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Why did I have to start falling for my husband?
Jade and Declan absolutely stole my heart. Marriage of convenience turned, “I think I’m falling for my possessive cinnamon roll fake husband/brings color to my life fake wife.” Can’t beat it if you ask me.
So Jade is in it for her job and Declan is in it because he’s a pure soul who can’t stand to see Jade lose out on all her dreams because she needs a fake husband quickly, so why not him. They are both insanely attracted to each other, so this isn’t a TRUE hardship. Though spending so much time pretending makes it a little difficult to not really fall for each other. They are both dealing with some traumas from their pasts, so it’s interesting to see them trying to work through those as they navigate through a year long fake marriage. Sigh. I just loved them.
I loved the glimpses at the other players and their partners from the Wildcat series and just those little tastes of found family love that Jenshak always sprinkles into her series. Plus, it doesn’t hurt the little teases of what could come next. Still rooting for a J & E book even if it’s a little age gap taboo 😂
Highly recommend Wild Ever After, and the entire series really, to anyone who enjoys low angst sports romance that has found family and romance you can’t help but root for.
Go Wildcat hockey!
Note- I actually listened to the audible copy (it went live early) back and forth with my digital arc and the audible is so good. Loved the voice actors who brought Jade and Declan’s story to life!
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Promises We Meant to Keep by Monica Murphy
Sylvie and Spencer’s book! We catch back up with this duo around the time Whit & Summer’s ending takes place, and then the story takes place a few years after that.
This was an entertaining read and I’m glad Sylvie got her happy ending, and “resolution” with her horrid mother, but to be honest I felt like there was something missing for me to take this one over the edge that book one had. It was nice to catch up and be back in this world though.
Interested to see what Carolina’s book will entail.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“No more broken promises between us, Syl. When we talk, we mean what we say.”
Sylvie and Spencer’s book! We catch back up with this duo around the time Whit & Summer’s ending takes place, and then the story takes place a few years after that.
This was an entertaining read and I’m glad Sylvie got her happy ending, and “resolution” with her horrid mother, but to be honest I felt like there was something missing for me to take this one over the edge that book one had. It was nice to catch up and be back in this world though.
Interested to see what Carolina’s book will entail.
Falling Away by Penelope Douglas
Ok, ok. Did I hate on KC when I read Bully, absolutely, but also it was more a Jared problem than her. I just didn’t know how much I would eventually come to love dear Juliet. Anyway. Jax and Juliet are angsty AF. They are both dealing with drama/abuse from their pasts and being vulnerable with another person without fearing them hurting them too. So it’s a doozy. New adult angst classic with an added dash of trauma. I enjoyed it.
The narration was good, but I do speed it up so I can’t say on regular speed. Listened to this on 1.5-2.0 depending on when/where I was listening. Enjoyed that it was different voices for each POV chapter to chapter.
*Hoopla
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I want to be a mess. For once.
Ok, ok. Did I hate on KC when I read Bully, absolutely, but also it was more a Jared problem than her. I just didn’t know how much I would eventually come to love dear Juliet. Anyway. Jax and Juliet are angsty AF. They are both dealing with drama/abuse from their pasts and being vulnerable with another person without fearing them hurting them too. So it’s a doozy. New adult angst classic with an added dash of trauma. I enjoyed it.
The narration was good, but I do speed it up so I can’t say on regular speed. Listened to this on 1.5-2.0 depending on when/where I was listening. Enjoyed that it was different voices for each POV chapter to chapter.
*Hoopla
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction and Abandonment
Before Us by Jewel E. Ann
I adored this book. I said to myself that I was going to let it marinate a bit before I wrote out my review, but instead I think I’m just going to keep it simple. Before Us was romantic, angsty, and emotional as hell. It’s a story about three people, two of them loving and losing someone they care for greatly and one of them loving and living as much as they can while they can. It’s a story about love and how it can be defined and exist in more than one way. About experiencing love in the ways that work for you and on your own timeline.
Before Us was just a fantastic story and so incredibly well written. It’s emotional and fun, with a little bit of heat from all the tension. I cried happy tears. I cried sad tears. I cried angry tears, but I also laughed and smiled and swooned and cheered for these characters. They were so so easy to root for.
It’s a fantastic story, and if you’re looking for something incredibly emotional but romantic and angsty as well, then Before Us is definitely a great choice.
.
.
.
.
CW/TW (will contain info that some consider spoilers): cancer, death of a spouse, on page assisted suicide, injury from medical emergency, discussions of past domestic abuse of side character
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
“If you can’t find a little humor in tragedy, life will kick your ass.”
I adored this book. I said to myself that I was going to let it marinate a bit before I wrote out my review, but instead I think I’m just going to keep it simple. Before Us was romantic, angsty, and emotional as hell. It’s a story about three people, two of them loving and losing someone they care for greatly and one of them loving and living as much as they can while they can. It’s a story about love and how it can be defined and exist in more than one way. About experiencing love in the ways that work for you and on your own timeline.
Before Us was just a fantastic story and so incredibly well written. It’s emotional and fun, with a little bit of heat from all the tension. I cried happy tears. I cried sad tears. I cried angry tears, but I also laughed and smiled and swooned and cheered for these characters. They were so so easy to root for.
It’s a fantastic story, and if you’re looking for something incredibly emotional but romantic and angsty as well, then Before Us is definitely a great choice.
.
.
.
.
CW/TW (will contain info that some consider spoilers): cancer, death of a spouse, on page assisted suicide, injury from medical emergency, discussions of past domestic abuse of side character
Because I'm Yours by Claire Contreras
Brother’s best friend, but make it steamy, mafia, and extra forbidden because she’s engaged to be wed to someone else. I loved Lenora and Rocco’s story. I can’t explain it fully, but it was just the perfect balance of the trope-y romance and then the mafia happenings. I just love this world Claire has created with this found family of made men on the up and up and then women that are turning their worlds upside down. Like the power Lenora has over Rocco’s heart and she doesn’t even truly know it. Sigh. I love a man who falls hard when he doesn’t plan to.
Anywho. If you want mafia with brother’s best friend forbidden, then you’ll gobble this up.
CW/TW - physical assault from a parent, gun violence, murder, mentions of off page SA/rape not to main, mentions of off page abuse
medium-paced
4.0
“Anything for you, Principessa. Everything for you.”
Brother’s best friend, but make it steamy, mafia, and extra forbidden because she’s engaged to be wed to someone else. I loved Lenora and Rocco’s story. I can’t explain it fully, but it was just the perfect balance of the trope-y romance and then the mafia happenings. I just love this world Claire has created with this found family of made men on the up and up and then women that are turning their worlds upside down. Like the power Lenora has over Rocco’s heart and she doesn’t even truly know it. Sigh. I love a man who falls hard when he doesn’t plan to.
Anywho. If you want mafia with brother’s best friend forbidden, then you’ll gobble this up.
CW/TW - physical assault from a parent, gun violence, murder, mentions of off page SA/rape not to main, mentions of off page abuse
Things I Wanted To Say (but never did) by Monica Murphy
I read this book audio, paperback, and on my kindle. It was a lot of pages. I think 500, but it reads relatively quickly. Summer and Whit meet when they are younger and while they share a very intimate moment together Whit also opens Summer’s eyes a little wider to the corrupt world they live in. So this is essentially two people who dislike each other and have sort of an unfortunate connection to one another, having this undeniable and unavoidable chemistry. Like what do you do when the only person who makes you feel anything thrilling is someone you should be avoiding because of circumstances? Well, this book sort of covers that along with raging teen angst and sordid rich people ish.
I enjoyed it. If you enjoyed shows like Gossip Girls or movies like Cruel Intentions, then you’ll enjoy the overall vibe of this novel. I know A Million Kisses is meant to be next, but I may skip to Sylvie’s book. Just the intro to her and little teases of her possible story in this one have me intrigued.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
What Whit and I share isn’t normal. I don’t know how to define it. I also didn’t know you could feel so much, being with someone you hate.
I read this book audio, paperback, and on my kindle. It was a lot of pages. I think 500, but it reads relatively quickly. Summer and Whit meet when they are younger and while they share a very intimate moment together Whit also opens Summer’s eyes a little wider to the corrupt world they live in. So this is essentially two people who dislike each other and have sort of an unfortunate connection to one another, having this undeniable and unavoidable chemistry. Like what do you do when the only person who makes you feel anything thrilling is someone you should be avoiding because of circumstances? Well, this book sort of covers that along with raging teen angst and sordid rich people ish.
I enjoyed it. If you enjoyed shows like Gossip Girls or movies like Cruel Intentions, then you’ll enjoy the overall vibe of this novel. I know A Million Kisses is meant to be next, but I may skip to Sylvie’s book. Just the intro to her and little teases of her possible story in this one have me intrigued.