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mollyreadsandcrafts's reviews
904 reviews
Wayward by Gregory Ashe
4.25
•spoilers•
Somers's father is running for mayor and with the election drawing close, he cashes in on his favors that Somers and Hazard owe him. This doesn't help Hazard and Somer's already rocky relationship and on top of it all, Hazard's father is admitted to the hospital. They both throw themselves into their work as a distraction and as they work the same case, they are reminded how good they can be together.
A lot of what I said about the last book applies here, just add in a bunch more daddy issues. I know both Hazard and Somers are in Somers's dad's debt, but I'm team Hazard - as always - in this book. I want to wrap him up in bubble wrap forever. He just wants someone to choose him and love him. I think by the end Somers finally got his head out of his ass and saw how his actions hurt Hazard, even if he didn't see another way out of the situation. I will concede that they were both hurting, but I think facing all those feelings combined with Hazard's dad's situation gave them the perspective they needed. I like where they ended, both opening up to one another and accepting responsibility, and I hope it continues through the next book.
Dulac is still annoying and I still don't know if I like him. If he had better intentions then I would find him more amusing but he's the first one to bad mouth Hazard when they're fighting on top of the whole thing with Somers. I just can't trust him yet. I thought the case was a messy but intriguing, mostly because the drama of the suspects didn't have a lot of impact on Hazard and Somers. It gave them a chance to remember how well they work together, personally and professionally. They worked the case but they weren't personally tied to it or anything, all the angst in the book came from their relationship.
Even with all the drama surround Hazard and Somers with their parents and upbringing, seeing Hazard with his mom and dad was pretty emotional. His dad wasn't a great dad to him growing up but the fact they were able to have a little connection there at the end, and with Somers and Evie, it just was a good moment for their family and I'm really glad that they got it.
The Keeper is still out there causing anxiety and I'm nervous but finally ready to see how it all ends. Looking forward to closing out this series - hopefully with less emotional damage than it started and happier days for Hazard and Somers ahead!
Read if you like:
• romantic suspense
• private investigator/detective
• small town politics
•••••••••••••••••••••
After Rain Falls by CE Ricci
4.0
Oh boy do I have all the feelings for this duet. I feel like it was just one really long book because I read straight through. River and Rain have a very complicated relationship to start with, but also this crazy intensity. As much as they were toxic for most of this book, I had to see what happened next.
TW/CW: much like the first, less internalized homophobia, drug use/overdose, sexual assault
•minor spoilers•
Oh River, he really fell down into the dark pit of despair here didn't he. And Rain was absolutely the worst. Or more they were the worst to each other for about the first half of this book. It was the same toxic actions and conversations taking place, just at different times and places. I could've done without some of the shitty things that they did, but knowing them as a couple I didn't take it to seriously because they forgive each other for a lot of messed up stuff. When they finally got to talking and realized whatever they were attempting to do wasn't working, it started getting good again. I loved groveling Rain and proud of River for standing his ground as much as he could, but let's be honest they're just hopeless when it comes to each other. I do really think they're soulmates and have this intense passion, it just burned them a lot too.
The secret society stuff was interesting, though I didn't really care that much about how it worked and it seemed a little far fetched. Roman was annoying with pushing Rain. I'll probably end up reading his book because I'm interested in the others, but it'll be hard for me to forgive him for those 60 seconds.
I liked this duet, even if I wasn't a huge fan of how their relationship progressed. The good/high part of their relationship was so strong but the lows were really low. This book in particular dragged a little for me when it was just low point after low point with none of the plot really moving forward. The end of it and the epilogue were really good though. And just a random annoying thing was the amount of run on sentences. A little sad it's over, I wouldn't mind a cute little novella story about all the good stuff after everything, as long as it includes Vale shenanigans.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• opposites attract
• hurt/comfort
TW/CW: much like the first, less internalized homophobia, drug use/overdose, sexual assault
•minor spoilers•
Oh River, he really fell down into the dark pit of despair here didn't he. And Rain was absolutely the worst. Or more they were the worst to each other for about the first half of this book. It was the same toxic actions and conversations taking place, just at different times and places. I could've done without some of the shitty things that they did, but knowing them as a couple I didn't take it to seriously because they forgive each other for a lot of messed up stuff. When they finally got to talking and realized whatever they were attempting to do wasn't working, it started getting good again. I loved groveling Rain and proud of River for standing his ground as much as he could, but let's be honest they're just hopeless when it comes to each other. I do really think they're soulmates and have this intense passion, it just burned them a lot too.
The secret society stuff was interesting, though I didn't really care that much about how it worked and it seemed a little far fetched. Roman was annoying with pushing Rain. I'll probably end up reading his book because I'm interested in the others, but it'll be hard for me to forgive him for those 60 seconds.
I liked this duet, even if I wasn't a huge fan of how their relationship progressed. The good/high part of their relationship was so strong but the lows were really low. This book in particular dragged a little for me when it was just low point after low point with none of the plot really moving forward. The end of it and the epilogue were really good though. And just a random annoying thing was the amount of run on sentences. A little sad it's over, I wouldn't mind a cute little novella story about all the good stuff after everything, as long as it includes Vale shenanigans.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• opposites attract
• hurt/comfort
Follow the River by CE Ricci
4.25
In all honesty, I went straight into reading the next book so I feel like I'm still reading this one. This is a pretty dark, enemies (I'm talking extreme hatred) to lovers. I honestly don't know if I like River and Rain or not, but I can't stop reading! They are a complicated couple but you can't deny, they have this insane connection.
TW/CW: The author mentions a blanket warning for triggers in the Author's Note and a link to where you can read specifics but I think they need to be listed outright.
Sexual abuse (child), sexual assault, suicide (attempt), internalized homophobia (like...a whole heck of a lot)
•minor spoilers•
River, you know you don't have to antagonize everyone right? I want to call this a bullying romance because that's basically what Rain is after he finds out River is bisexual, but I don't think River would consider it that at all so I guess that's just them. I like River, but can't fathom how he was able to put up with Rain's verbal and more abuse. They have this super intense connection and it really shows in their interactions, good and bad. That being said they're still pretty toxic with each other, with an increasing codependency.
The plot and Rain's story sucks. Not in a "this is badly written way" but in a "don't read this if you're not in a good place mentally" way. Some things seem a little dramatic, like what college coach sends two players over Christmas to a cabin? For over a month? Though the second half of the cabin was my favorite. Once they (Rain) accepted themselves and they got to the good stuff, it was so very sweet. Until it wasn't.
Overall, I liked it? I'm not sure, like I said I went straight into the second book which picks up immediately after the first so I still feel like I'm reading it. Hopefully review of #2 will be a little more.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• hurt/comfort
• forced proximity
TW/CW: The author mentions a blanket warning for triggers in the Author's Note and a link to where you can read specifics but I think they need to be listed outright.
Sexual abuse (child), sexual assault, suicide (attempt), internalized homophobia (like...a whole heck of a lot)
•minor spoilers•
River, you know you don't have to antagonize everyone right? I want to call this a bullying romance because that's basically what Rain is after he finds out River is bisexual, but I don't think River would consider it that at all so I guess that's just them. I like River, but can't fathom how he was able to put up with Rain's verbal and more abuse. They have this super intense connection and it really shows in their interactions, good and bad. That being said they're still pretty toxic with each other, with an increasing codependency.
The plot and Rain's story sucks. Not in a "this is badly written way" but in a "don't read this if you're not in a good place mentally" way. Some things seem a little dramatic, like what college coach sends two players over Christmas to a cabin? For over a month? Though the second half of the cabin was my favorite. Once they (Rain) accepted themselves and they got to the good stuff, it was so very sweet. Until it wasn't.
Overall, I liked it? I'm not sure, like I said I went straight into the second book which picks up immediately after the first so I still feel like I'm reading it. Hopefully review of #2 will be a little more.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• hurt/comfort
• forced proximity
Delay of Game by Ari Baran
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked this more than I was expecting to! The beginning was cute and entertaining, a solid 4 stars to start but as it went on it just dragged a bit with the miscommunication. Personally, I'm not a fan of long chapters and they are harder for me to read which didn't help.
I liked Zach even though I was really wary of him at first. I liked seeing how he changed from the mess at the beginning to the sweetheart role model at the end. Him trying to romance Nate was so endearing and made for some fun moments.
Honestly Nate's pity parties got old after a while. I know toxic masculinity and mental health in sports is a struggle as a whole, but I needed him to do something else, talk about something else. He just keeps up the same internal monologue of "I'm a fuck up, why do I even try". Normally I wouldn't be so blasé about telling someone to get a therapist, but he literally makes another member of the team so it, so some self reflection may be needed. I have empathy but after 300 pages it only goes so far. But I liked how the other players viewed him as a strong solid support for the team, if only he saw himself the same way.
Cute idiots and besties to lovers that could maybe talk about their feelings every once in a while. But with an ending like that, I'm always going to be happy.
Read if you like:
• hockey romance
• friends to lovers
• idiots in love
• teammates
•••••••••••••••••••••
I liked Zach even though I was really wary of him at first. I liked seeing how he changed from the mess at the beginning to the sweetheart role model at the end. Him trying to romance Nate was so endearing and made for some fun moments.
Honestly Nate's pity parties got old after a while. I know toxic masculinity and mental health in sports is a struggle as a whole, but I needed him to do something else, talk about something else. He just keeps up the same internal monologue of "I'm a fuck up, why do I even try". Normally I wouldn't be so blasé about telling someone to get a therapist, but he literally makes another member of the team so it, so some self reflection may be needed. I have empathy but after 300 pages it only goes so far. But I liked how the other players viewed him as a strong solid support for the team, if only he saw himself the same way.
Cute idiots and besties to lovers that could maybe talk about their feelings every once in a while. But with an ending like that, I'm always going to be happy.
Read if you like:
• hockey romance
• friends to lovers
• idiots in love
• teammates
•••••••••••••••••••••
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
5.0
I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and I fell in love with two amazing characters. Doesn't get better than that.
November 2023 Reread:
I don't think I could even do a normal review for this, so instead this is more of a one year review and reread reflection.
"I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and I fell in love with two amazing characters. Doesn't get better than that." - me, reading this one year ago
I started my reread on audio, and had to pick up the book because I knew I wanted to just binge it immediately. This is such a sweet book and I absolutely love Alex and Henry. I once again laugh and cried, but I had a bit more anxiety knowing what was coming.
Alex has such character growth! I don't know if I noticed the first time around but he matures into himself so amazingly throughout this book. Henry was such a sweetheart. I love how perfect they are together. They understand each other on such a base level and it shows through the banter. The emails, especially later in the book, still have me swooning. One in particular - you know the one - is the first time I cried over such a sweet and romantic paragraph and it's my all time favorite quote. My heart broke for them, and they deserved their beautiful happily ever after so much!
The whole group of 6 were a blast. I forgot some things about June and Bea, so it was fun to experience that again. I didn't mind the politics, it's a fiction book and it added drama that was really relevant to Alex and his life, including his relationship with Henry.
As for thoughts on the movie after this, I think Taylor Zakhar Perez is a perfect Alex (especially listening to a bit of the audiobook). Thinking now I do wish they kept the parents divorce, Bea's backstory, and June because they added so much depth to the Alex and Henry's relationship. That being said, I still loved the movie.
Definitely a book and movie that will always be a favorite of mine, and looking forward to many future rereads.
Read if you like:
• rivals to lovers
• opposites attract
• fake friendship
November 2023 Reread:
I don't think I could even do a normal review for this, so instead this is more of a one year review and reread reflection.
"I laughed, I cried, I gasped, and I fell in love with two amazing characters. Doesn't get better than that." - me, reading this one year ago
I started my reread on audio, and had to pick up the book because I knew I wanted to just binge it immediately. This is such a sweet book and I absolutely love Alex and Henry. I once again laugh and cried, but I had a bit more anxiety knowing what was coming.
Alex has such character growth! I don't know if I noticed the first time around but he matures into himself so amazingly throughout this book. Henry was such a sweetheart. I love how perfect they are together. They understand each other on such a base level and it shows through the banter. The emails, especially later in the book, still have me swooning. One in particular - you know the one - is the first time I cried over such a sweet and romantic paragraph and it's my all time favorite quote. My heart broke for them, and they deserved their beautiful happily ever after so much!
The whole group of 6 were a blast. I forgot some things about June and Bea, so it was fun to experience that again. I didn't mind the politics, it's a fiction book and it added drama that was really relevant to Alex and his life, including his relationship with Henry.
As for thoughts on the movie after this, I think Taylor Zakhar Perez is a perfect Alex (especially listening to a bit of the audiobook). Thinking now I do wish they kept the parents divorce, Bea's backstory, and June because they added so much depth to the Alex and Henry's relationship. That being said, I still loved the movie.
Definitely a book and movie that will always be a favorite of mine, and looking forward to many future rereads.
Read if you like:
• rivals to lovers
• opposites attract
• fake friendship
Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat
4.0
•spoilers for book 1 and 2 of Captive Prince trilogy•
check cw/tw: nonconsensual sex acts, sexual assault, sex slavery, horrible people
I made it folks! After a rough start, I've finished up the Captive Prince trilogy on a high note. This book was similar to the second with action and drama, but we finally get that spark of romance between Laurent and Damen.
The final book picks up immediately where the previous one left off. Damen and Laurent have plans to meet up and face the Regent, but of course things go awry. As they continue their journey to overcome the Regent and take back both their thrones, secrets come out and choices have to be made.
It's never easy for these two, but throughout this series they've developed a bond of (wary) trust and respect. This slowly grows into something akin to affection. When the times comes, they both have to decide, their throne or everything else? Damen remains my favorite through this series. He can be a little naive, but he has strength in his morals and honesty. Of course this is the opposite of Laurent, who's cunning and smart, and will do what is needed to make sure all their plans succeed. However it's these difference that draw them together, changing their values and what they expect from their futures.
I did read The Summer Palace epilogue short, and I thought it wrapped up everything better than just the ending of the book. They both have a lot of hurt between them that needs to be overcome, and this story was their first steps on making that happen.
The up and down of the drama kept me hooked in book two and three. After everything, I really wish their enemies got a more gruesome demise. It ended almost too easy for the villians, I wish they got a more deserving ending than they did but I guess everything worked out. The whole trilogy was a rollercoaster for me, but I did enjoy the political drama and overall plot (past the first book). I don't have a huge desire to read the other shorts. I'll be a little cautious going into this author's other works, but still curious about her other stories.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• opposites attract
• slow burn
• political intrigue
check cw/tw: nonconsensual sex acts, sexual assault, sex slavery, horrible people
I made it folks! After a rough start, I've finished up the Captive Prince trilogy on a high note. This book was similar to the second with action and drama, but we finally get that spark of romance between Laurent and Damen.
The final book picks up immediately where the previous one left off. Damen and Laurent have plans to meet up and face the Regent, but of course things go awry. As they continue their journey to overcome the Regent and take back both their thrones, secrets come out and choices have to be made.
It's never easy for these two, but throughout this series they've developed a bond of (wary) trust and respect. This slowly grows into something akin to affection. When the times comes, they both have to decide, their throne or everything else? Damen remains my favorite through this series. He can be a little naive, but he has strength in his morals and honesty. Of course this is the opposite of Laurent, who's cunning and smart, and will do what is needed to make sure all their plans succeed. However it's these difference that draw them together, changing their values and what they expect from their futures.
I did read The Summer Palace epilogue short, and I thought it wrapped up everything better than just the ending of the book. They both have a lot of hurt between them that needs to be overcome, and this story was their first steps on making that happen.
The up and down of the drama kept me hooked in book two and three. After everything, I really wish their enemies got a more gruesome demise. It ended almost too easy for the villians, I wish they got a more deserving ending than they did but I guess everything worked out. The whole trilogy was a rollercoaster for me, but I did enjoy the political drama and overall plot (past the first book). I don't have a huge desire to read the other shorts. I'll be a little cautious going into this author's other works, but still curious about her other stories.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• opposites attract
• slow burn
• political intrigue
Prince's Gambit by C.S. Pacat
4.0
•spoilers for book 1, Captive Prince•
check cw/tw: the echoes of the awfulness of the last book are still in the second - nonconsensual acts and slavery
After book 1 and all the struggle I had with it, I was still rooting for Damen. He's my favorite throughout the whole series for because he's the only decent person. I was invested in seeing how everything played out for him. Overall a better read, still low romance (though it picks up slightly), with lots of political/royal drama.
Laurent is sent to the border to fight/train/do army stuff, but it's all just a ploy for his uncle (The Regent) to have him killed. Damen goes along, because he doesn't want Laurent's uncle to start a war with his home country if he takes over the throne instead of Laurent. They spend weeks traveling to the border forts - their journey filled with secret missions, underhanded dealings, and political conspiracy.
All the while, Laurent and Damen form a tentative alliance. They have a begrudging respect for one another through most of the book. Their romance is the slowest of all slow burns. I think of it like a match. The first book throws water on the match, and then this book is the match drying out so it might be able to one day spark. There are definitely looks, and moments, but there's also a lot of secrets and hurts between the two.
This book was a lot easier to read than the first one. I don't know if the author was trying to go for shock value with the awfulness of the first, but I still don't think I would recommend it. This second book still had those undertones but it wasn't as in your face. There was a lot more focus on an actual plot and the very slow forming relationship between Laurent and Damen. It reminds me of a low key Game of Thrones without magic. The ending was really interesting, and I'm intrigued in how this will all end.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• slow burn
• political intrigue
check cw/tw: the echoes of the awfulness of the last book are still in the second - nonconsensual acts and slavery
After book 1 and all the struggle I had with it, I was still rooting for Damen. He's my favorite throughout the whole series for because he's the only decent person. I was invested in seeing how everything played out for him. Overall a better read, still low romance (though it picks up slightly), with lots of political/royal drama.
Laurent is sent to the border to fight/train/do army stuff, but it's all just a ploy for his uncle (The Regent) to have him killed. Damen goes along, because he doesn't want Laurent's uncle to start a war with his home country if he takes over the throne instead of Laurent. They spend weeks traveling to the border forts - their journey filled with secret missions, underhanded dealings, and political conspiracy.
All the while, Laurent and Damen form a tentative alliance. They have a begrudging respect for one another through most of the book. Their romance is the slowest of all slow burns. I think of it like a match. The first book throws water on the match, and then this book is the match drying out so it might be able to one day spark. There are definitely looks, and moments, but there's also a lot of secrets and hurts between the two.
This book was a lot easier to read than the first one. I don't know if the author was trying to go for shock value with the awfulness of the first, but I still don't think I would recommend it. This second book still had those undertones but it wasn't as in your face. There was a lot more focus on an actual plot and the very slow forming relationship between Laurent and Damen. It reminds me of a low key Game of Thrones without magic. The ending was really interesting, and I'm intrigued in how this will all end.
Read if you like:
• enemies to lovers
• slow burn
• political intrigue
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
2.5
Check content warnings and trigger warnings - rape, sexual slavery, sexual assault, physical assault, pedophilia
You think with all of those content/trigger warnings it would be mentioned somewhere before you started the book? It's not. Everything from the prologue up to 70%ish was unnecessarily awful. There's rape and nonconsensual sex everywhere. You can write sex work and slaves into a fantasy/historical/whatever this is trying to be without the amount of non-consensual acts
I was invested in Damen, and that was about all I took out of this. There was barely an overarching plot, and anything similar to one only started in the last third. There's no romance at all, and I would say it's the opposite of romance.
I'm extremely on the fence about continuing the series, even with the glowing reviews. I don't love the authors style either - I hate when authors use big, uncommon words just for the sake of it, which seemed to be the case here.
So why not 1 star? Just because I wanted to see how Damen would get out of the situation, and he seemed to be the only one with any common sense and morals.
You think with all of those content/trigger warnings it would be mentioned somewhere before you started the book? It's not. Everything from the prologue up to 70%ish was unnecessarily awful. There's rape and nonconsensual sex everywhere. You can write sex work and slaves into a fantasy/historical/whatever this is trying to be without the amount of non-consensual acts
I was invested in Damen, and that was about all I took out of this. There was barely an overarching plot, and anything similar to one only started in the last third. There's no romance at all, and I would say it's the opposite of romance.
I'm extremely on the fence about continuing the series, even with the glowing reviews. I don't love the authors style either - I hate when authors use big, uncommon words just for the sake of it, which seemed to be the case here.
So why not 1 star? Just because I wanted to see how Damen would get out of the situation, and he seemed to be the only one with any common sense and morals.