mryder18's reviews
102 reviews

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous 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

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros 

“But I will not run. I wouldn’t be standing here if I’d quit every time something seemed impossible to overcome. I will not die today” 

-Violet 

“I would rather lose this entire war than live without you and if that means I have to prove myself over and over then I’ll do it. You gave me your heart & I’m keeping it” 

-Xaden 

SUMMARY: 

Violet Sorrengail, a twenty-year-old slated for a quiet life among books, is thrust into the world of dragon riding against her will by her tough mother, the commanding general. With her frail physique and the danger of dragons rejecting her as a rider, Violet faces hostility from fellow candidates, including the formidable Xaden Riorson. As war looms and suspicions of leadership mount, Violet must rely on her intellect to survive amidst a web of alliances and betrayals at Basgiath War College, where graduation or death are the only outcomes.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

OKAAAYYYYY tell me why I waited so long to read this book!!!!!!!! It’s like Hunger Games meets Harry Potter. 

This book gives you everything you’d want in a romantasy: drama, amazing characters, action, betrayal, romance, tension. I freaking ADORED this book! 

Violet: one of my favorite female main characters ever. She is so brave & determined. She’s bets on herself over & over throughout this book- even when so many told her she’d never be good enough. She’s so inspiring 🖤 you can’t help but root for her. 

Xaden!!!!!! He is a powerful & BRUTAL leader. I freaking love him. He only gets more interesting & better as the book goes on. The tension between him & Violet is just 😫❤️

The dragons were AMAZING! I freaking loved the banter. I never expected that I would be so invested in dragons but here I am 😅🐉

This book ends on a cliffhanger - so on to Iron Flame I go 🐉⚔️🏔️

The Push by Ashley Audrain

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Push by Ashley Audrain

SUMMARY: 
Blythe Connor, determined to be the mother she never had, struggles with doubts about her daughter Violet’s behavior. Her husband dismisses her concerns, leading her to question her sanity. With the birth of her son Sam, Blythe finds joy until a life-altering event forces her to confront the truth. ‘The Push’ delves into the complexities of motherhood, belief, and the unspoken challenges women face.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 
This book is absolutely mind-blowing! 😳 It’s incredibly dark and twisty. I binged it, but then had to take a few days off because of its intensity. You’re immersed in Blythe’s mind the entire time, and it’s addicting. Filled with dark thoughts and family trauma, it’s a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Just a heads up: make sure to read the trigger warnings beforehand!

Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

dark emotional hopeful 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

3.5

Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Archers Voice by Mia Sheridan 

“She asked me the sign for love and I spelled your name” 💕

“Sometimes an understanding silence was better than a bunch of meaningless words” 

SUMMARY: 
Bree seeks solace in the tranquility of Pelion, Maine, to escape a troubled past. Upon meeting Archer Hale, their world shifts. Despite his silence, a deep connection forms between them, revealing hidden layers of pain and passion. Amidst the town’s secrets, Archer becomes a catalyst for healing and redemption, offering hope for a new beginning.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 
Wow- this book is filled with trauma. Check trigger warnings because there’s A LOT. 

I liked this book a lot- the story had me engaged the entire time. I also love Bree & Archer. Their story and their love is so beautiful. 

I did find myself cringing at the romance. It was just a bit too mushy, gushy for me. But overall- I liked the book! The ending did have me almost in tears, not gonna lie 🥹

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez  

SUMMARY: 

After an adventurous encounter involving a bet, a gourmet grilled-cheese sandwich, and a baby goat, Alexis Montgomery finds herself drawn to Daniel Grant, a younger, laid-back carpenter. Despite their differences, they share undeniable chemistry. While Alexis comes from a wealthy, prestigious family of surgeons, she values simpler pleasures and her career as an ER doctor. As she navigates her feelings for Daniel and the close-knit community he belongs to, she grapples with the dilemma of choosing between her family's expectations and her own happiness. Balancing her professional aspirations with her budding romance proves to be a challenging decision for Alexis.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

Abby Jimenez has quickly become my new favorite romance author! 💕💕💕 

Her writing is so captivating, the characters are so lovable, I was completely drawn in. 

This was a forbidden romance in the best way. It felt like experiencing a true rom-com in book form—I’m absolutely obsessed! And Daniel might just be the ultimate book boyfriend; his love for Alexis is so beautiful. 

The whole story reminded me of the cozy small-town charm of “Hart of Dixie,” with a fancy doctor walking into town. It was an absolute delight from start to finish.

Never Lie by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Never Lie by Freida McFadden 

SUMMARY: 

Newlyweds Tricia and Ethan become trapped in a remote manor during a violent winter storm. While searching for entertainment, Tricia discovers a secret room containing audio transcripts of Dr. Adrienne Hale's psychiatric sessions. As she listens to the tapes, Tricia unravels the mysterious circumstances surrounding Dr. Hale's disappearance, leading to a shocking revelation on the final cassette.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

Wow, I finally get the hype! Just finished my first Freida McFadden book, and I'm officially hooked. Her writing is incredibly easy to read and fast-paced, which is perfect for a thriller. I thought I had it all figured out, but boy, was I wrong! The ending completely blindsided me; I was literally yelling "OH MY GOD." Each chapter left me craving more, and the ending tied everything together brilliantly. Absolutely loved it! If you're into thrillers or stuck in a reading slump, do yourself a favor and pick this up. Highly recommended!

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Dark Matter by Blake Crouch 

SUMMARY: 

"Dark Matter" follows Jason Dessen, a college physics professor, who is abducted and wakes up in a reality where his life is drastically different. His wife, son, and even his own identity are altered. As he navigates this bizarre new world, he questions which reality is real and embarks on a journey to find his way back to the life he loves. The novel explores themes of identity, choice, and the lengths we'll go to pursue our dreams.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

Wow, this book was absolutely mind-blowing! Although it falls under the sci-fi genre, it reads more like a gripping thriller in my view. While there were some moments that felt a bit dragged out, overall, I was completely hooked! 

At its heart, this story delves into universal questions that resonate with everyone. What if we had made different choices? What about the paths we didn’t take? And how far would we go to be reunited with our loved ones?

Highly recommend- can’t think of another book to compare it to! 

Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Into These Walls by Ania Ahlborn

SUMMARY: 

Lucas Graham, a struggling true-crime writer facing personal and professional turmoil, sees an opportunity for a comeback when he's offered exclusive access to death row inmate Jeffrey Halcomb, a notorious cult leader and mass murderer. Halcomb contacts Lucas personally, offering insights from his maximum-security cell. Lucas moves to a farmhouse in Washington State, where the cult's atrocities occurred, to delve into the story. However, he soon realizes he's not alone, as the spirits of Halcomb's followers haunt the house, seeking eternal life as promised by their leader.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

This book was so creepy & I loved it! It reminded me of the Jonestown Massacre and the Manson Family. I also loved the haunted house vibes. The main characters were kinda unlikable but the story was good enough that I didn’t mind that too much. 

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Rating: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Bride by Ali Hazelwood 

SUMMARY: 

Misery Lark, daughter of a powerful Vampyre councilman, is compelled to uphold a peacekeeping alliance with Weres, leading her to a marriage of convenience with Lowe Moreland, the Alpha of the Weres. Despite distrust between them, Misery has personal motives for the alliance, setting the stage for a complex interplay of politics, alliances, and personal desires in a dangerous world of vampires and werewolves.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

This is a super unpopular opinion, but I did not love this book. The beginning & end were just kind of blah to me. Enjoyed the romance at moments, but overall this story just was not for me. 

The Legacy by Elle Kennedy

fast-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

3.0

Rating: 3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Legacy by Elle Kennedy

Book #5 in the Off-Campus series 

SUMMARY: 

After college, Garrett & Hannah, Logan & Grace, Dean & Allie, Tucker & Sabrina face the realities of adulthood. Amidst weddings, proposals, elopements, and surprise pregnancies, they realize that love isn't the only challenge they'll encounter. Join them in this journey filled with drama, laughter, and the complexities of growing up, as they navigate life's twists and turns, learning that with big decisions come big consequences and rewards.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

I was really looking forward to this book, but man, it just didn't hit the mark for me. I was so excited to dive into their stories, but it ended up being a bit of a letdown. Loads of drama and bickering, but where's the closure?! Big things happened, but then it's like the story just left me hanging. And don't even get me started on the lack of character development 🫠 It's a shame because I thought the concept was cute and promising, but this one just didn't do it for me.

The Goal by Elle Kennedy

emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

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

5.0

Rating: 5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Goal by Elle Kennedy

Book #4 in the Off-Campus series 

“You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Sabrina James” 

“My goal once upon a time was to succeed. I didn’t realize that success wasn’t grades, or scholarships or achievements, but the people I was lucky enough to have in my life” 

"We all hurt. We all love. We're the same. And your past, who you live with, where you came from, it doesn't have to matter. You're creating your own future, and I want to see where the road forward takes you."

SUMMARY: 

College senior Sabrina James is focused on her future, aiming to excel in law school and secure a high-paying job. However, her plans are disrupted when she meets John Tucker, a charming hockey player who believes in love at first sight. Despite their initial connection, Sabrina is hesitant to let him in due to her past. Meanwhile, Tucker is determined to prove he can be both a devoted partner and a responsible father. As they navigate their complex relationship, they must learn to trust each other and overcome their personal barriers to find happiness together.

MY THOUGHTS 💭 

Unpopular opinion alert: Tucker is the MVP of this series for me! While Garrett, Dean, and Logan have their charms, Tucker's got that special something that steals the show. Tucker loves Sabrina like Noah loves Allie. Also some Nathan & Haley One Tree Hill vibes. They were just everything to me! 

And let's talk about Sabrina—usually not a fan of grumpy/sunshine dynamics, but she rocked the grump role, and I adored her for it. Some may find her unlikable, but to me, she's a relatable gem. I'm absolutely obsessed with them both—I'd devour a whole series dedicated just to their story.

With only one book left in the series, I'm already mourning the impending loss of my Briar University Hockey team fix. 🏒📖💕