monika_is_booked's reviews
309 reviews

Accepting Archer by Minty Marie

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.75

Trusting Branch by Minty Marie

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

Quick, fun read ending on a cliffhanger which makes you want to know more. Steam over plot, but I love that 

The Heart of Moonlight Falls by Colette Rivera

adventurous dark emotional 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? No

5.0

⚠️ Review contains spoilers for book 1&2 ⚠️

After successfully fighting back the darkness, James and Sebastian face even more problems. Everyone is still trapped by the veins and the fuel cell they put up to reverse the imbalance, is losing power more quickly than ever. When in addition some of the Moonlighters starts to band together against Sebastian, they need a plan and fast. 

Oh holy shirtballs, this finale was WILD. Poor Sebastian has to go through so much. I just wanted to crawl into the book and hug him. Thankfully James is always there to have his back and take care of him. Both men have settled into their relationship and I loved the new dynamic between Sebastian and James. I don't want to spoil too much but the action in this book (in and out of the bedroom 😉) was phenomenal!! Riddles are solved and they finally get their happily ever after 🥰

I'm kind of sad to leave them behind but they'll always have a place in my 💜.

Jesse's Girl by Hannah Brixton

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad tense slow-paced

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

5.0

Ada's in desperate need of a new roommate. After her best friend got engaged and moved out, the chances to find someone are slim. When her brother's best friend Jesse comes home after eight years because of an emergency in his family, he needs a place to stay. So taking him in is the logical solution, right? Right?!

But when the snark is snarkier than ever and sparks start to fly, how long will they be able to fight their attraction despite all the things that should keep them apart?
This. Book. Is. Phenomenal!! The banter? The sass? The tension? The feelings? The spïçe? Hēll yeah. Another masterpiece by Hannah, I'm totally obsessed with! I was hooked on their story from start to finish. How Jesse gets to see more and more of the real side of Ada, which she's hiding behind lots of snark and sarcasm? How Ada slowly lets him in after having had a bad relationship experience in the past? How Jesse tries to "chill out" after he's attempted to "support" her a bit too much to the point where Ada felt pressured? Hilarious AND heartwarming in one go 💕
I absolutely adore Hannah's characters and her writing 🥰 
If you like brother's best friend, roommates, tension, banter, sass, fun, feelings and so much more, please put "Jesse's Girl" on your TBR!! 

 

Bossing the alien baker by Hazel Brimes

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Sonia has been running her family's bakery by herself for years. After a bad experience with her ex-boyfriend she's determined to never let anyone close enough again to threaten her heart and her business. 
Jorokk is still trying to find his place in the world. After drsertiing the army, he finds himself heading to a small colony to get back on his feet. This is how he ends up at Sonia's bakery, trying to help with everything she needs. But his infuriating new boss is not only determined to keep things as they always were but also stunning.
Jorokk and Sonia are sweet like strawberry cupcakes until they're not. It's so cute how Sonia slowly opens up to the big purple Alien even if she's trying to fight her attraction with all her might. Jorokk is patient and kind, determined to win her over in the end. It's a slow burn but when they finally collide...🔥. Jorokk can be a really good boy 😏.
"Bossing the Alien Baker" is the perfect palate cleanser between longer books. It's short, it's sweet with a bit of drama to keep you wanting to turn the pages. Read if you like big purple aliens with special features, size difference, black cat FMCs, cinnamon roll MMCs, a bit of drama and....cake 😉.

Rare Royal by Torah Channing

adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

⚠️ Review contains spoilers for book 1 ⚠️

We're back with Meira and her three mates, getting ready to leave Earth to head back to their native planet Elaria. After a rushed departure, they succeeded in finding their way and are greeted with joy to have another pure royal back on the planet in Meira. 
Will Meira and her mates be able to save the rest of their people on Earth and finally be free to be together in peace?

Oh wow!! Book two in the series did not disappoint. There are so many twists and turns. I had my heart broken and put back together again. New friends are found and new enemies are made. There's a happy for now, which I was a bit concerned for around the middle, but everything turned out okay (for now) and I'm very curious to what will happen next.
Put this series on your TBR if you like  Why Choose (no swords cross), fates Mates, sexy aliens with special featured p€€ns,strong female FMCs, found family and a  wild space adventure. 
Thank you so much, Torah,  for having me on your ARC Team! 

One Day by Ashley Kathleen

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted slow-paced

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

5.0

Sonya's life is a busy one. But she's surrounded by an amazing group of friends and her favourite person in the world, Walker. The only thing she's missing is s*x. When her friends start joking, that she already has a boyfriend sans the benefits, Sunny starts to wonder if that could be the solution to her problem.
Walker has been drawn to Sonya since the day she accidentally landed on his lap. Sunny made it clear she didn't want a boyfriend. So he ignored his feelings to be her friend instead. But after she boldly asks him, if he wanted to be friends with benefits, lines start to blurr and things are about to change. The only thing Walker knows for sure, he can't lose her.
This book is soooo cosy and funny and heartwarming. There's no third act break up, Sunny and Walker's communication skills are top tier. 
Ashley Kathleen has created a truly amazing group of friends you can't help but fall in love with from page one. 
If you like fluffy romance without a lot of drama but that still keeps you wanting to turn the pages to soak up more of this fantastic story, put "One Day" on your TBR!!

These Wicked Desires by Whitney L. Spradling

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? No

5.0

Oh wow! The ending to the trilogy was fantastic!! Lot of action, heart, family, feelings and spice mixed into one rollercoaster of an ending. I love where this book left Ellis and her Shields - mer mate, her beloved and her soul-bonded. And I love even more that it ended with a promise of more to come because I really flipping love this world Whitney L. Spradling created and I can't wait to get back 🥰

This is one of my comfort series. I've read book one about four times already and I can't recommend the series enough if you like Why Choose urban fantasy/paranormal books. But please check the TW, because there's a lot of dark themes in there. 

Found and Flirty by C. Smith

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted sad slow-paced

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

5.0

Mack and Maisie both didn't have an easy youth. But when Mack starts college, he meets Ace and Hugh, who take him under their wing and help him out of his shell. 
Maisie has been searching for something to fill the void in her life for a long time. But the quick encounters with men in the past only left her more empty than before. But all that is about to change when Mack and his friends come into her life. 
I love this story so much!! Strangers to friends to lovers at it's best. The book follows Mack and Maisie and their friends over a span of about ten years. It's heartwarming to see their relationship evolve, both of them being exactly who the other one needs. The group of friends is amazing and I can't wait for Ace's story next!!
I recommend reading the series in order, starting with "Lost and Found" for maximum enjoyment.

Put "Found and Flirty" on your TBR if you like:
💕 Strong and caring MCs
🚒 Banter
💕 Found Family 
🚒 Virgin MMCs
💕 Hurt/Comfort 
🚒 Adorable furry sidekicks
💕 Nicknames 🔥
🚒 Open door 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️

Knot Giving Up Part 2 by Jenni Peck, Thea Masen

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

5.0

Spoilers ahead!!!!
Part two of "Knot Giving Up" starts right where part one left us all mad at the cliffhanger 😅 
Meggie's rescued just in time and now Pack Heart has to face the decision whether to help Meggie make her dream come true and face the potential consequences or not.
With more and more people knowing Meggie's secret designation, keeping it hidden is now more complicated than ever. Will they be able to compete and bring home a medal?

Did I love part 1? Yes!! Did I love part 2 even more?? Yes, yes, yes, h*LL to the yes!! This was fantastic. The plot kept me on my toes the whole time, the dynamics between the pack members were amazing, the spice?? Oh boy...yes please 🤤 🤤 
How all of them pulled together to help Meggie, how McQuinn finally got his head out of his....you know what....I loved every SECOND of this book. And I need a bonus epilogue about what happened after that ending, please and thank you 😂🫶