natashaleighton_'s reviews
930 reviews

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Deliciously dark and gloriously intriguing! Hannah Whitten’s prose was once again a breathtakingly vivid and atmospheric treat for the senses, merging magic, court intrigue and a deliciously addictive (forbidden) romance that utterly ensnared me.

I adored protagonist, Lore despite her flawed and often selfish tendencies. But her upbringing (raised by poison smugglers) and the necessary secret keeping when it came to her abilities (to control death magic,and even occasionally raise the dead) really showcases her need for self-preservation. When first introduced, Lore’s a sharp witted and incredibly guarded character who rarely trusts anyone, but as she spends more time with warrior priest, Gabriel and roguish Prince Bastian, we begin to unearth a slightly softer, more vulnerable side that I found incredibly endearing.

Bastian and Gabriel, as characters were both quite endearing and in depth as well, as we delve into their pasts and understand the actions and motivations that have shaped them. I liked Bastian who’s flirtatious and outgoing demeanour could rival even Cardan and Jacks at the height of their charm . But, I have to admit it was the brooding but loyal, duke turned monk (Gabriel) that managed to steal my heart.

His chemistry with Lore was palpable and their intensity together was spectacularly swoonworthy. It did get some love triangle esque vibes between Lore, Bastian and Gabriel so interested to see where (and how) things develop.

It’s definitely my fave of Hannah Whitten’s books soo far and I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy the sequel.

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How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang

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emotional funny 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

5.0

A gorgeously written and all encompassing contemporary romance, that tugged at my heartstrings just as much as it made me swoon. If you love your romances slow burn, sizzlingly intense and bordering the literary— then you’re in for an absolute treat!

Told through the alternating POVs of Helen and Grant, whose complicated history (Helen’s sister committed suicide via moving car, which happened to be driven by Grant) and growing attraction sees them navigating grief, guilt, the long term effects of trauma, forgiveness and even love in a heartfelt (and surprisingly pragmatic) way that I found incredibly relatable.

Given that gut punch of an opening chapter, I had no idea how Yulin Kuang was going to get our protagonists to actually talk to each other (let alone fall in love.) But the intricate (and nuanced) way in which their chemistry and intense attraction for one another is explored was simply breathtaking.

I don’t think I’ve ever rooted for a couple quite as much as I did Helen and Grant, who have far more in common than either could ever imagine. Both struggling to cope with the after effects of their shared trauma and the loneliness caused by their emotionally guarded, workaholic lifestyles. I loved watching them slowly puzzle each other out, and begin to open up to one another—healing emotional wounds they’ve both carried for thirteen years.

Helen’s complicated bond with her mother and the guilt she feels surrounding her relationship with Grant adds the perfect amount of conflict to keep things interesting without spiralling into anything overly dramatic or unbelievable.

I do think this is the kind of book that needs to be read to be truly appreciated, and I honestly feel Kuang’s background in screenwriting helped soo much with that. Oftentimes with prose dripping with sensory imagery that evoked grand and complex feelings without a single line of dialogue needed (which I absolutely loved.)

Overall, How To End A Love Story was a lush, emotional rollercoaster of a debut that has me eager for more of Kuang’s work. Fans of Emily Henry or Sally Thorne should definitely consider picking this one up. Just check the TWs first.

Also, a huge thank you to Tallulah over very at Hodder Fiction for the fabulous proof.

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Darker by Four by June CL Tan

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

5.0

Darker By Four was a deliciously intriguing and exhilaratingly pacey urban fantasy, with a slow burn, (and heart meltingly sweet) friends to lovers romance I absolutely adored.

With inspiration ranging from The Ten Courts of Hell to Manga and Xianxia C dramas, it’s hard not to fall in love with Tan’s rich and utterly compulsive storytelling which reminded soo much of the urban fantasy books I adored as a teen/young adult in the 2010s.

Like Jade Fire Gold (Tan’s debut which I also enjoyed) I was instantly drawn in by the multilayered and nuanced cast of characters whose personalities, intertwined fates and emotional journeys had me thoroughly hooked.

Though I loved protagonist, Rui whose tough and standoffish outer exterior hides a complex, tender hearted teen still dealing with the murder of her mother and the emotional breakdown of her father—it was mage, Zizi (Rui’s longtime friend and love interest) that completely stole my heart.

His sunshiny demeanour paired well with Rui’s grumpy one and I loved how easily he was able to make Rui forget all her worries. The banter was phenomenal as well, serving as the perfect dose of comic relief between the more intense, emotionally charged scenes—especially when Yiran is introduced and viewed (by Zizi) as competition for Rui’s attention.

Yiran, much like Rui is quite an emotionally detached character when we first meet him, but his frosty demeanour soon melts as we delve into the hurt and emotional pain that has built up from a lifetime of being sidelined and overlooked by his family (whether that’s because of his illegitimacy or not inheriting the power his family are infamous for.) It’s definitely quite heartbreaking to explore, but his arc is the one I feel people may resonate with the most.

The one sided rivalry aside, the secrets, twists and revelations really propelled the narrative to that exquisitely explosive conclusion, and even had me second guessing every character (and decision) I came across. There were about two or three characters I had been certain were Four and I was wrong about all of them!

Overall, a high octane, high stakes and gorgeously immersive read that fans of The Shadowhunter Chronicles or pacey, YA Fantasy should consider checking out.

Also, a massive thank you to Kate Keehan & Hodderscape for the stunning proof.

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The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell

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adventurous 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

4.0

Weird, witty and hilariously addictive! The Stranger Times is a Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett-esque paranormal Fantasy that I had soo much fun reading.

The prose was incredibly engaging with plenty of laugh out banter and the magic system was really intriguing. I loved the little newspaper articles that begin each chapter, an enjoyably immersive element that brought The Stranger Times newspaper (and employees) to life.

The pacing was a bit slow at first but as we get further into the story (alternating between the shadowy dealings of our mysterious villain & protagonist Hannah as she embarks on her new job at The Stranger Times) the action and page-turning mystery really amps up.

But it wasn’t just the action and intrigue that had me soo invested. I also really liked the cast of eccentric but loveable characters, each of whom had their own unique personalities, motivations and secrets that kept me fully invested and eager to know more about them. Especially Manny who, though not in very many scenes, was easily one of my favourite characters (along with Banecroft, Stella, Hannah and Grace.)

Though, I have to say for a book as humorous as this, I was rather impressed with the nuance and emotion that C.K. McDonnell skilfully weaves into the lives of soo many characters. Divorce, death, grief (and even the desperate attempts of a parent trying to save their child) all play a role in propelling the narrative and giving us a deeper understanding of what made each character tick.

I genuinely loved every second and cannot believe it took me soo long the finally read this—it’s AMAZING!

Overall, an incredibly strong series starter that has me super excited to read the rest of the series. If you love misfit-esque, found family dynamics and tons of humour with your mystery —then I highly recommend picking this up.

Also, a huge thank you to Transworld for the finished PB copy.

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Bride by Ali Hazelwood

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I wasn’t sure what to expect from a paranormal romance written by the Queen of contemporary STEM romance, but I had no reason to fear as Hazelwood’s signature brand of humour, chemistry laden romance and endearing characters were all here. So if you’ve loved all of Hazelwood’s other works, you’ll probably gonna enjoy this just as much.

Our protagonist Misery, much like Hazelwood’s other leading ladies was utterly in a quirky, Jess from New Girl kind of way that I couldn’t help but find endearing. Her loneliness and longing to find connection tugged at my heartstrings and I loved the tentative bond we see form between Misery and Lowe (our sexy alpha werewolf and love interest) as they (not so slowly) begin to give in to their mutually growing attraction.

I really enjoyed the banter too, which was incredibly entertaining,though the plot was a little predictable. But it certainly makes up for it in the romance stakes as the sexual tension was OFF THE CHARTS!

The only thing I wasn’t keen on was then the misunderstanding/ conflict that takes place (which I found a little irksome), but the ending (and those gloriously steamy scenes) definitely more than made up for it!

Overall, a fun and deliciously romantic read that Rom-com lovers currently entering their paranormal romance eras, (or anyone who liked Twilight back in the 2010s) should definitely consider checking out.

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How to Kill a Guy in Ten Ways by Eve Kellman

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dark emotional funny tense 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

Insatiably funny and gloriously unrepentant in its vigilante-style (serial killer) shenanigans. Eve Kellman’s dark, satirical and fabulously witty take on revenge and feminine rage, was an engaging and utterly unputdownable read —that fans of Katy Brent and Julie Mae Cohen don’t want to miss!

Feminist revenge thrillers have quickly become one of my favourite sub genres as of late. I’ve pretty much devoured (and loved) every single one I’ve picked up—and Kellman’s debut is no exception.

How To Kill A Guy In Ten Ways masterfully explores the very real issue of violence towards women and girls, through the eyes of a morally grey protagonist who seeks to avenge them.

When her baby sister is sexually assaulted on a night out, Millie Masters sets up a hotline (called Message M) to help women who feel unsafe going home alone. But, even after all the late nights and countless women she’s saved from creepy men, Millie has realised something very crucial. Those men may have been thwarted once, but it won’t stop them doing bad things again. Eventually they’ll hurt someone else, someone she can’t save. Like her sister.

So, after one heroic plan leads her into accidentally killing a man, she decides to shift her focus. To really make a difference Millie must get to the root of the problem— creepy entitled men— and remove them from the world, permanently…

I absolutely loved this! The writing style was witty and sarcastically clever in its depiction of the simmering rage fuelling Millie’s vengeance. I also liked that, unlike many books in this genre (with characters who are already pros when we meet them), Millie is a virtual rookie learning the ropes and making mistakes that could very easily unmask her.

Which added to the suspenseful, edge of your seat tone that helped make for quite an intense reading experience. I had no idea whether Millie’s actions would see her get caught, but I was thoroughly invested in seeing how far she could go (and rooting for her to succeed) before things spiralled too far.

As a character, Millie was a well written and endearing character (despite her serial killing tendencies), whose self-deprecating personality, deep sense of justice and caring, protective nature (particularly when it came to her sister and best friend) quickly won me over. I also really liked Nina (Millie’s bestie) who, despite not being as in depth or detailed a character, was still a wonderful character to get to know.

Given the Dexter-esque premise, things do get pretty dark and gory at times (there’s one particularly graphic vomit scene you definitely don’t want to read if you’ve just eaten/ planning to eat) so do be sure to check the TWs beforehand.

Overall, a pacy, plot twisty and unputdownable read that has me eager of a sequel.

Also, a huge thank you to Maddie at Avon for the incredible proof and PR goodies (the Macaron was really delicious.)

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The Last Bloodcarver by Vanessa Le

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adventurous dark 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

4.5

A thoroughly insatiable, dark YA fantasy that merges science, magic and Vietnamese culture in such a unique way! The tone is a little macabre (which is to be expected with a blood-based magic system.) But, thanks to the pacing and unputdownable plot twists, Vanessa Le’s remarkable prose is almost guaranteed to leave you breathless, if not a little emotionally scarred.

In a world where a rare, blood based magic allows its practitioners to alter the human body, (and the fear of such power leading to colonisation, oppression and the mass genocide of those who wield this unique ability.) We follow the orphaned Nhika, who has lived in hiding her whole life; unable to get close to anyone for fear of ending up on a mortuary slab.

After a job leads to her capture by black market dealers (known as The Butchers) Nhika is sold to the highest bidder, (the heirs of one of the wealthiest families in Theumas) and finds herself set an impossible task— to help solve a murder, by saving the life of it’s only witness.

I absolutely loved reading this was soo impressed by the ease and skill with which Le tackles some of the plot’s heavier themes (identity, grief, generational trauma, medical ethics and colonialism.) And building a vivid, compelling and character driven narrative that I was fully invested in.

The characters were exceptionally well written and full of depth which had me eager to see where their journeys would take them. Especially Nhika whose initial, morally grey demeanour (and badass take no prisoners outlook) slowly reveals a compassionate and tender-hearted young woman determined to honour her family’s legacy.

Her experiences as part of the Yarongese diaspora was explored with such incredible nuance and emotion that really tugged on my heartstrings. Given what’s currently happening right now in the world, it’s hard not to resonate with Nhika’s story and her yearning to recapture the heritage lost through violent occupation (and the destruction of her ancestral homeland and it’s people.)

It may be a tough read for some (and will most certainly emotionally devastate you) but it’s an absolute must read that fantasy lovers and fans of anti-colonialism and stories that overcome adversity should definitely consider to checking out — just be sure to check TWs and prepare to SOB an unprecedented amount.

We do also get a delicious, but fairly swift, enemies to lovers-style relationship between Nhika and love interest, Kochin (which I loved) that does break up some of the more emotionally intense scenes.

Overall, a beautifully thrilling new YA fantasy from a phenomenal new voice that has me eager to get my hands on the sequel immediately!

Also, a huge thank you to Rock the Boat for the gorgeous proof.

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Kindling by Traci Chee

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Hauntingly atmospheric and heartbreaking in its depiction of shared trauma and the psychological effects of war. Traci Chee’s epic, fantasy reimagining of Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai was a powerfully poignant and compelling read that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.

Firstly, I should probably mention that though it alternates between the POVs of all seven MCs and one antagonist, it is written in the second person. Which does take a bit of time to get used to (and might not be to everyone’s taste), but I personally really enjoyed and felt it gave us (the readers) the chance to fully immerse ourselves in the narrative, and feel a sense of kinship with our protagonists.

Taken from their families at the age of five and forced into a gruelling training schedule that molds them into deadly, magic wielding (child) soldiers is utterly heartbreaking to explore—but their struggles from the abandonment once their abilities are no longer required is even more so.

Delving into themes of loss, trauma, PTSD, identity, self reflection and the effects of colonialism; Chee’s masterful and emotionally wrought prose paints a stark and vivid picture of life after war and the struggles faced by soldiers who no longer have a purpose.

Amity, Leum, Kanver, Emara, Ket, Ben and Siddie were all soo phenomenally complex as characters, with flaws, motivations and backstories that made them feel incredibly real. The nuance and emotion brought a rawness and vulnerability that really resonated with me and will most definitely capture the hearts of a lot of other readers too.

I grieved with these characters, laughed with them and felt every moment of loss, pain and uncertainty alongside them—which made for one of the most moving reading experiences I’ve ever had.

I don’t think my words can truly capture the importance that this story has right now, but I urge everyone who loves tales of endurance, resilience and hope to definitely check it out. Just be sure to check the TWs first.

Also, a huge thank you to Harper360YA and InstaBookTours for the incredible finished copy.

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The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match by Sally Thorne

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funny lighthearted mysterious 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

4.0

Quite possibly the strangest, most whimsical historical Rom-Com I’ve ever read, I loved every second of it!

Definitely different from Sally Thorn’s other work but if you love a quirky, eccentric and confident FMCs then you’ll absolutely love Angelika. The romance was actually rather sweet (once you get past the whole raising a man from the dead after shopping for body parts at the morgue), I also loved the way consent was handled when it came to their relationship —this might just be my all time fave reimagining of Frankenstein.

It’s is fairly lighthearted but given subject material, I’d still suggest checking TW/CWs

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natashaleighton_'s reviews 930 reviews

natashaleighton_'s reviews
930 reviews