mothmans_mum's reviews
695 reviews

Hidden by Suzanne Lenoir

adventurous emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I really liked this! It’s super well written, and draws you in very quickly. It honestly felt like I had read a much longer book, in the best way. It all felt so mysterious and romantic!

The Christmas Memory by Barbara Winkes

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was sweet, kind of like a sapphic reimagining of While You Were Sleeping (please note that I haven’t seen While You Were Sleeping  since it first came out several decades ago, so like Clare, my memory may be inaccurate).

As several other reviews have pointed out, the resolution does feel a little rushed. I feel like it would have been more satisfying if the author had gone the rout of good communication followed by some soul searching and the characters working things out together, rather than a third act breakup and then a reunion.

Crimson Yuletide by Rachel Ford

4.5

I really liked this. A great paranormal mystery. I loved the parallel love stories, one straight couple and one lesbian couple.

The Misadventures of Callie Compton by Alyson Root

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.75

I really loved the humour and the very English turns of phrase. The writing was top notch. I especially loved the use of the first person POV, with the characters directly talking to the reader, and even at one point interrupting each other, like they are sitting there telling you a story

Come Away With Me by Rachel Lacey

4.75

I reaaaally enjoyed this book. I was so invested in the two MCs from the second they met. Now I need to go back and read the first two books in this series!

The Perfect Match by Milena McKay

5.0

There is so much in this short book! So many tropes! So much humour! So much heartbreak! So much pining! Are pure cinnamon roll Abby and the Queen of the Perfect Match herself Sabine a perfect match? You’ll have to read to find out!

Conned by Sharon K. Angelici

5.0

I really enjoyed this beautiful romance. The characters and their story were super believable, not at all contrived. I liked that it dealt with real world subjects in a meaningful and tender way. Will definitely read more from this author.

Only Hope by Ruby Landers

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Wow, what a book.

Alison is hunkered down on Gold Hill, a small Victorian gold rush-turned-hippy town, after her husband cheated on her and her life as a Melbourne society wife imploded. Also, she is hiding from some very dangerous people.

Hope moved to Gold Hill from Sydney several years ago and she now has a close-knit group of friends.

When Hope rescues Alison from a man threatening her, sparks fly and they are both left a little off balance. Can Hope just be friends with someone she is deeply attracted to? Can Alison push past her fears and open up?

I love both these characters so much. They are both so richly drawn they sprang off the page. I feel like I watched this as a movie, or even lived it, it felt so real. Alison trying to claw her life back together. Hope’s love of her friend group (and all animals).

The romance was so beautiful. I stayed up to 2am reading this because I couldn’t put it down, I so desperately needed the characters to get together.

Despite the fact I’ve never quite cut it as a vegan, I loved the vegan rep.

This is the second sapphic romance I’ve read that is about Melbourne gangland killings (the first being Requiem for Immortals, by Lee Winter).

I was given an ARC to read, and this is my honest review.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gun violence

Never Too Much by Sienna Eggler
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.

Both the writing and the story really aren’t doing it for me. I prefer romance books where both MCs are clear from the get-go, but I can’t fault it for that since it was clear from the blurb. But the writing feels a bit underdeveloped. Like, after a conversation the MC will be like “well that was an awkward conversation” and I’ll be like “was it?” Because that didn’t come across from how it was written. I don’t feel I know any of the three main characters beyond the superficial. I really wanted to enjoy this but I think I will move on to a new book.

Lost in Paradise by Rachel Lacey

4.75

Started listening to this while getting electrolysis. The tension of the hijacking and their struggle to launch the lifeboat was really ramped up by having electrified needles stabbed into my face hundreds of times!