natalie_cooper's reviews
538 reviews

Delicate Escape by Catherine Cowles

emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0

This was a big redemption from the first book in the series. I’m a sucker for any kind of romance where one of them is healing from the past and this book did that extremely well. I loved the pacing of the relationship as well as the friends turned lovers element. The little bit of a slow burn and tension build up was also really fun to read. Both characters had some depth to them which was really nice and made it easy to connect with them. I will say I wish Shep’s past and personal issues were explored a bit more because they felt kind of glossed over. I also think that these books always have too big of a cast of characters but I also get that that’s the whole point so there’s a lot to work with mystery wise. I think the ending was a bit abrupt and I would’ve loved to have seen more of Thea’s job but overall I had a good time and the next book looks so fun. 

Soul of a Witch by Harley Laroux

adventurous dark emotional funny 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? Yes

4.5

This was such a good ending to this trilogy. Everly’s story had intrigued me from the second I met her and getting to be inside her head and learn about her past was so fun. I loved the dynamic between her and Callum and how different it felt from the other two books. This had the humor and sarcasm that I loved from the first two while also adding a unique banter throughout the story. I thought the plot in this one was intriguing and I really liked the direction it went in however I do think towards the end it got a little long and a little dragged out. I loved the magical house and getting to see so many different creatures and I also loved the cameos of other couples. I thought the story as a whole did a great job wrapping up the overall plot and I’m so sad that this series is over. I’m not sure if it’s a new 5 star series but it definitely is up there and I had the absolute best time with all 3 of these books. 

Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

adventurous emotional mysterious 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

2.75

This unfortunately was just not for me. I think I could’ve never read this book and been happy with how divine rivals ended. I just never got into the story and never connected with the plot. I found it to be a bit slow at times and my favorite parts from the first book, the letters, the side characters, and the setting, it felt like were muted throughout this one. I wanted more romance and I wanted it earlier in the story. I wanted more action especially for how much build up there was. And I wanted a more complete ending. So again not for me which is unfortunate because I really wanted to love this but I just didn’t. 

Her Soul for Revenge by Harley Laroux

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious 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

5.0

I never would have expected this book to be five stars but here we are. I think what initially made me fall in love with it was the balance between plot and romance. The split was so good and I got so invested so quickly and the way it helped the romance moving along was even better. I absolutely loved both Juniper and Zane as individual characters and together. Zane was hilarious and I thought Juniper was not only inspiring but also just felt so real and imperfect and in some ways relatable. I liked how this book intersected with the first plot wise and I enjoyed getting to see Leon and Raelynn again. Also an honorable mention to just the right amount of spice and him calling her love any chance he got. I had the best time with this read and now I couldn’t be more excited to read the third one.  

The Wrong Play by C.R. Jane

dark funny fast-paced

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

3.5

This was a fast fun time. I don’t think there was really any substance in this book which is why it isn’t ranked higher but I did love the characters and being back in this world. All of cr Jane’s sports romances basically follow the same plot and this was no different but this one did have the more unique element of the secret society which was fun. The romance and spice and banter was all great but I don’t think it needed to be as long as it was. I do also think it set up the next book well which I’m excited for. 

Save Your Breath by Kandi Steiner

emotional lighthearted medium-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

3.75

I was so excited for this and while it didn’t live up to all of my expectations I still had a good time. I thought the dynamic between the famous pop star and the tough hockey player was done so well and it was fun to read about. I love this team and the world so it was so fun to be back in it. I thought the fake engagement element made sense and worked for the story but I think it went on for a little too long. I also think the lack of communication and lack of understanding was fine for the first 60% but after that I thought it slowed the story down and it got a little old. I think towards the end of the book while the direction the relationship went made sense it felt a little rushed. I would’ve loved to have seen more of them throughout the years not just when they were kids for that dynamic to make sense. But overall this was a good time and I am so freaking excited for the next book. 

Kiss the Villain by Rina Kent

dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

Rina Kent just keeps raising the bar. I’ve read every single one of her books and this one was so different from all of them. I feel like throughout her universe especially in the books that are earlier they all kind of followed the same pacing and the same plot and the characters were kind of copy paste. I still loved those stories but her recent works, like since the monster trilogy, have been unique and I think that’s what I love so much about them. The pacing and sequence of events in this book were completely different from any other Rina book but it made perfect sense for the characters. They didn’t need a slow burn or a long build up because their chemistry and tension was there from the start. I loved how obsessive and toxic and all consuming their romance was. I loved how they understood each other on the deepest level. I loved how their relationship was unique and their own and they protected that. The push and pull they had was so fun to read and the forbidden element made it that much better. I loved getting to be back in this world and seeing the heathens and I also think this book did a great job setting up what the future of the rinaverse is going to look like. I literally can’t think of a bad thing to say I think this book now makes it into my top 3 along with god of wrath and god of fury. It’s perfection. 

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.0

This was so cute. It played out exactly like a rom-com in my head and the pacing of it was done really well. It did take me a little while to actually get into the book just because I wasn’t really connecting with the characters but once I hit about 25% in I was good. I loved the high school nostalgia feel this book had and I loved how everything was just love personified. The discussions and feelings about grief were done really well and I thought they added a lot to the story. I loved Wes and how down bad and adorable he was. I will say I wish the book was a little longer just to get a little bit of them actually being in a relationship but I also get why it wasn’t because rom-coms always end with the big love declaration. Overall I had a great time and this is just the kind of book that puts a smile on your face. 

Fractured Souls by Neva Altaj

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

This is my favorite of the series. The depth and emotion this story had was incredible and I felt it coming off the pages. The couple worked together so well and getting to see them heal together and watch Pasha help Asya heal was so beautiful. I liked how the mafia subplot took a back seat because I don’t necessarily think this story needed it. I also think that the balance between romance and Asya’s own story was done well. This is the first book in this series where I think it could’ve been longer and I wish we got to see more of the characters. Specifically Pasha’s past because it was briefly mentioned but I would’ve loved to have seen more of it. But nonetheless this was a great read. 

Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan

emotional 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

4.0

There was a lot going on in this. I absolutely loved Banner and thought her individual story was done so well. I loved the sports agent element and loved the women in sports role. I loved the setting and the second chance element and the slow burn but not really a slow burn that the characters had. There were times I could get behind the love triangle but there were also times where I was like what is going on. I think that it could’ve been wrapped up a bit sooner and that would’ve lead to the actual relationship having more growth. There were also times where Jared just annoyed me to the point of no return. I wanted to be in his head a bit more so I could maybe attempt to understand why he was the way that he was at times. But in the end I’ll always eat up a Kennedy Ryan book and this one was no different.