mental_sunflower's reviews
150 reviews

Sick Fux by Tillie Cole

challenging dark emotional sad slow-paced

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

2.5

This was very difficult for me to finish. The content was way too descriptive, disturbing, and I don't have many triggers. I have read multiple books that mention child abuse or rape; however, I felt like this book was a little too descriptive. The timeline of the plot jumped around and did not flow very well to me. I understand it was to be an Alice in Wonderland, Joker type, but there were moments that did not make sense or flow at all. It was a very sad book, it does have a HEA, for whatever type of HEA you can get from this story type. It just wasn't the book for me. I did not love the characters, nor did I like the way the MMC acted. 

Under Your Scars by Ariel N. Anderson

dark emotional sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

 

     First off, I want to send my condolences and all my love to the author, as someone who has also lost a parent to suicide, I hope you have found a way to heal any missing pieces of your heart. Your note at the end ripped my heart out the rest of the way.
    There were moments in the book that’s seemed so outlandish to me, or could have been preventable, but for the sake of a story line, plot, or villain era story, I understand things had to happen. I think the author did a great job showing that not every healing/survival journey is going to look the same for everyone, and there is no wrong or right way to do it.
  I went into this book knowing there was not going to be a happy ending, and frankly I was looking for a book to prove me wrong that all “dark romances” have the same ending. However, I was not prepared as much as I thought I was for the heart shattering ending. I am so angry for Elena and Christian, mostly for going through all that with them and secretly wishing they actually do get a somewhat happy ending, to losing them so quickly. Side note, I’m also really upset about Gavin and Bethany. Bethany was one of my favorite characters, and her loss also broke my heart. And honestly, I don’t feel like Gavin deserved to die at all. 

Natural Born Killers by Lucy Smoke

dark slow-paced

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

2.0

 I struggled with this one the most and unfortunately will not be continuing the Sick Boys Story. I would be interested in the other boys' stories, but I will read the reviews or spoilers from there. Ava bothered me so much throughout this book. The tantrums, the abuse, and the attitude towards everyone was annoying, maybe because they target audience was supposed to be younger, but regardless, Ava did not have strong character development at all in this one. The abuse and torture she went through was 100% traumatic, and she still didn't deal with any of it, except she did get her revenge. The first book she was strong, blunt, and did not put up with anything, but then she just kept this "I don't care about anyone but myself" attitude. 

Stone Cold Queen by Lucy Smoke

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

 I struggled with this one more than I thought I would. I loved Ava's character in the beginning, mostly because of blunt she was, and head strong. However, that head strong characteristic turned into stubbornness and tantrum throwing. I don't like the way she treated Dean or Rylie at all, especially Rylie. Dean showed a lot of flexibility and actual feelings towards Ava, and Ava took it as betrayal every time. Her major trauma of people always out to hurt or leave her bled through too much for me to think Dean should be with her. I felt like the "secrets" Dean was keeping from her were not even that bad compared to how much Ava blew it up, making a mountain out of a mole hill 

Igniting Cinder by Holly Roberds

emotional funny medium-paced

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

3.0

Not really sure what I want to rate this one. Out of the three I have read in the series this one was my least favorite. The first two focused on the powers of the girls, and their friendship. At times it was so confusing with how the plot got to where it was. The chemistry between the two main characters was almost forced, one minute they are arguing and planning the arrangements, the next he is tied up naked on her bed waiting for her? Or how did the Fairy Godmother just show up in the studio? Didn't she tell them in the beginning she couldn't make another transporting item only to snap her fingers and make boots for her? And I cannot get over the picture in my head of mini marshmallows or packing peanuts being stuck to his fangs! I need someone to draw that out so I can see it, made me laugh every time. I felt like Cinder was throwing tantrums at times and she seemed so immature compared to the other two. And I'm sorry but her "velvet dungeon"??!!!! Why!!?? lol

Pretty Little Savage by Lucy Smoke

emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Based off the beginning of the book I went into this thinking that we would get more of all three boys and not just Dean. However, this is definitely Avas story, and she is the alpha in this one. I actually loved her character for how hard and blunt she was. I like how the author didn't dim her character, but I also feel like at times she seemed so immature or cringe. This was a bully forced proximity romance. I didn't think I would want to continue the story, at first, I was just looking for a filler until I got another credit, and this was one of the free audio books, but now I have to know what happens next. 

Nero by S.J. Tilly

dark medium-paced

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

3.25

 I don't know if it's because I listened to the Audio, or I just wasn't crazy about the book. The male narrator sounds like Willem Dafoe - If you don't know who that is look him up and it will make sense - and I just could not get his face out of my head as I listened to the book. The break ups of the chapters were really annoying especially because it wasn't dual narrative, and some chapters were really long and some really short. The story itself was ok, the possessiveness occurred so quickly that I don't think I got any character development really. If you like mobster possessive grumpy old man, then this book would be for you, it's just not my cup of tea and that's ok 

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 I am not really sure what to rate this one off of. Was it entertaining? Yes! There wasn't much to the story, and it was exactly what everyone described, an Alien Smut. 

Quicksilver by Callie Hart

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

Mr. Swift! How dare your steal Fishers show! Just kidding, kind of. I loved them both so much. Fishers' possessive and grumpy push and pull, Carrions confident swagger. Saeris is one of my favorite fantasy FMCs, and although some of her comebacks seemed immature, she was a fighter. Can not wait for the next book with that cliff hanger. 

Chasing Goldie by Holly Roberds

adventurous funny 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? Yes

4.5

 I absolutely loved the MMC and FMC and I love how the author described the insecurities of a confident plus size woman. I love that the MMC called her out countless times when she was faking it. I felt like towards the end the story seemed a little rushed and jumped around a lot. Overall, a very entertaining read and super cute love story.