natalie_cooper's reviews
538 reviews

Games Untold by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

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

3.75

This was so fun. I felt like I was back in the og inheritance game story not the brothers Hawthorne which was a relief. I loved Jameson and Avery’s story and Nash and Libby’s story breathed life back into me. I didn’t love Toby’s story I found it a little slow and long but overall it was still well done. I did prefer this where there were 5 short stories as opposed to one long one that didn’t really need to be written. This was fun and fresh and I enjoyed being back in the world and getting to follow along with all the mysteries but I do seriously think this series can end here. 

Fragile Longing by Cora Reilly

dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

3.5

I’m very conflicted with this. Overall I would say I enjoyed it and it was a good book but the first half really tested me. I almost wish that the book just started off with the wedding instead of following her growing up because the second hand embarrassment I got from that was enough to make me question putting the book down. I do love Cora Reilly’s writing and think that it’s super easy to get into. It was fun to see serafina and remo again and see that storyline from the point of view of Sofia. The second half of this book was fun and I flew through it. I would’ve loved to have seen more of their connection beyond the physical one and also not so much of a focus on that but overall a good time and I think this marks the end of my Cora Reilly journey for a while. 

Stolen Touches by Neva Altaj

dark emotional fast-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

This was such a good time. I took a little break from this series because it just felt really repetitive and I’m glad I did because I loved this. I loved the grumpy closed off guy who thought he couldn’t love anyone just to fall in love with his wife. I liked the dynamic between the two of them as well as the pets and side characters. This was fast paced and fun and again just a good time. 

Per My Last Email by Juliana Smith

lighthearted slow-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

3.0

This was not my favorite but it certainly wasn’t awful. I loved the premise of a long time friends to lovers romance in an office setting and ultimately I just don’t think the friends to lovers element was executed as well as it could’ve been. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope when done right but when it’s not it can feel slow and a bit boring and that’s what this book was. I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the characters and I just got bored. I liked the trio friend group and I liked Laylas side plot of becoming an author. I do think it could’ve been a bit shorter or at least a little more concise but overall it was fine.  

Never Been Worse by Morgan Elizabeth

funny lighthearted 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? No

4.25

This felt like og classic Morgan Elizabeth and I loved it for that. The revenge subplot a great girl group and a guy who is down bad for her the second they meet. I thought the marriage of convenience element was done really well and I liked the pacing of the relationship. I loved getting to see Harper slowly fall in love with Wes and I love a guy who is patient and Wes was just that. Getting to see the other couples and the girl group again was so fun. I liked the revenge plot line as well but I do think towards the end it got a little out of hand. I wasn’t obsessed with the ending but overall I had a great time not only with this book but with the series as a whole. 

Brutal Intentions by Lilith Vincent

dark fast-paced

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

2.75

This was not for me. I didn’t love the age gap and the fact that she was still in high school but that’s my fault. I didn’t really mind the forbidden element and at times it was fun to read. My issue with this book though is that it just felt like a big helping of nothing. I didn’t feel any connection between the characters and I never really liked the guy. The side plots were boring and there was too much spice that didn’t end up impacting the story. So definitely not my fave. 

Wild Side by Elsie Silver

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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? Yes

4.75

The first 20% of this book did not have me hooked which is a testament to how well done the last 80% was because this was a great. I loved the grumpy x grumpy dynamic and I ate up every second of their banter. Milo was a necessary addition to the story who was so cute. I thought the way both characters worked through their past both individually and together was beautiful. I loved getting to see Rhys learn what it feels like to be loved and appreciated and part of a family. Probably my most favorite part of this book though would have to be how Tabitha cared for Rhys. I feel like so often in romance books the guy does so much for the girl and we don’t get to see a lot of what the girl does for him but in this book it could not be more clear. The way she stayed with him the way she cooked for him and the way she simply took care of him is one of the best things I’ve ever read. This book was so special and I had the absolute best time with it. 

Cross-Checked by Julia Connors

emotional lighthearted reflective 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? No

4.5

I loved this. I’m a sucker for any women in sports romance and this one was done extremely well. I thought the premise was creative and while there was a lot going on I enjoyed it all. I loved the grumpy guy sunshine girl dynamic as well as the single dad element. I loved how women in sports were talked about as well as AJs role in the organization. The actual hockey element was fun as well. I liked the side character and am excited to get to their books at some point. My only complaint is that I wish there was more of Abby and her relationship with AJ because they were so cute. But overall an incredible read that I had the best time with. 

Catch Me by Carlie Jean

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

This did what it needed to do. I was hooked at the start because I love a friends to lovers romance where the guy is down bad. I think for the most part it was executed well but towards the end it felt like the fake dating got in the way. I would’ve loved to have seen more of their friendship from the past to help make the story feel more complete. I did love getting to see all of the other couples and what they’re up to now as well as getting to be back at RLU. I do think that there were some side plots with the individual characters that weren’t wrapped up completely and weren’t executed as well as they could’ve been but overall I had a good time. 

The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy

emotional funny fast-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

3.5

I don’t really know where I stand with this so 3.5 feels right. There were some elements I loved like the Campus element and seeing all of the old characters again and getting to be back in the hockey world. But there were also some elements that I just couldn’t get behind. The sorority situation the adoption situation and wills family situation all felt like they were handled kind of carelessly. I think there were too many side plots that took away from the story and I didn’t really care about most of them. I did enjoy the dynamic of the relationship at first but I think for me when it comes to why chose books I really enjoy a relationship where all of them are in love with each other not just in love with the girl. I will say though that I read this extremely quickly considering how long it was so that has to count for something.