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nebulous07's reviews
297 reviews
Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.0
This is my first Jennifer Hartmann book, and I am so happy I received an ARC of Lotus! The author's narrative style was simply brilliant, luring me to unearth the beautiful relationship between childhood friends Sydney and Oliver, Oliver's subsequent kidnapping, and its long-term impact on Sydney.
I strongly suggest reviewing the trigger warnings, as multiple sensitive issues are covered.
Oliver's progression and character development were emotional, while Sydney slowly grew on me. Both characters had to face their fears before finding their way to one another. The slow burn element beautifully progresses throughout the book amidst well-written supporting characters. The final reveal tugged my heartstrings, and yes, I did get teary-eyed towards the end.
I look forward to reading more from the author. Thank you, NetGalley & Bloom Books, for providing an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
I strongly suggest reviewing the trigger warnings, as multiple sensitive issues are covered.
Oliver's progression and character development were emotional, while Sydney slowly grew on me. Both characters had to face their fears before finding their way to one another. The slow burn element beautifully progresses throughout the book amidst well-written supporting characters. The final reveal tugged my heartstrings, and yes, I did get teary-eyed towards the end.
I look forward to reading more from the author. Thank you, NetGalley & Bloom Books, for providing an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Savage Lover by Sophie Lark
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Savage Lover is one book I devoured in one sitting. Enriched with high-stakes, sizzling chemistry, spice and healing, Sophie Lark once again delivers on Nero's and Camille's story.
I appreciated the slight deviation from the generic mafia prototype for Nero. He considers himself the black sheep of the Gallos, marching to the beat of his drum and using his charm and looks to have women in his bed. The author does a commendable job of stripping the male protagonist to reveal his fears, regrets and vulnerabilities.
Camille was a wonderful, earnest character whose decisions are dictated by her dire circumstances - her Mum walked out on the family, her dad is seriously ill, requiring ongoing treatment and keeping her brother from making bad choices. Her background is enriched with hard work and making tough decisions, and there couldn't have been a better match for Nero. It was always wonderful to unite with the Gallos and the Griffins!
This book will appeal to you if you're a racing, high-stake heist and a Fast and Furious fan. I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you, NetGalley & Bloom Books, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
I appreciated the slight deviation from the generic mafia prototype for Nero. He considers himself the black sheep of the Gallos, marching to the beat of his drum and using his charm and looks to have women in his bed. The author does a commendable job of stripping the male protagonist to reveal his fears, regrets and vulnerabilities.
Camille was a wonderful, earnest character whose decisions are dictated by her dire circumstances - her Mum walked out on the family, her dad is seriously ill, requiring ongoing treatment and keeping her brother from making bad choices. Her background is enriched with hard work and making tough decisions, and there couldn't have been a better match for Nero. It was always wonderful to unite with the Gallos and the Griffins!
This book will appeal to you if you're a racing, high-stake heist and a Fast and Furious fan. I can't wait for the next book!
Thank you, NetGalley & Bloom Books, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Stolen Heir by Sophie Lark
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Sophie Lark has done it once again, and I love the Brutal Birthright series!
Stolen Heir follows Nessa Griffin, who grew on me in Book One (The Brutal Prince). It was wonderful to reunite with the Gallos and the Griffins! I appreciated how her strength is demonstrated through her art and creativity as a ballerina and choreographer. Mikolaj couldn't be more opposite to Nessa. Fuelled by anger, revenge and duty as the head of the Polish Braterstvo, he has seen his share of torture, brutality and apathy.
Sophie Lark weaves her magic using Beauty and the Beast elements, and the character growth is believable. This book is about enemies to lovers and proximity with an age gap, and I loved every minute of it. The balance between dark and light is Sophie's strength, which shines throughout the book. The backstory behind the protagonist, complemented by a fast-paced plot, made it engaging. The elements of passion and spice are well-spaced. The only thing I missed was it being more high-stakes, for I never felt Mikolaj would lose. I can't wait to dig into book three with Nero's story!
Thank you, NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Stolen Heir follows Nessa Griffin, who grew on me in Book One (The Brutal Prince). It was wonderful to reunite with the Gallos and the Griffins! I appreciated how her strength is demonstrated through her art and creativity as a ballerina and choreographer. Mikolaj couldn't be more opposite to Nessa. Fuelled by anger, revenge and duty as the head of the Polish Braterstvo, he has seen his share of torture, brutality and apathy.
Sophie Lark weaves her magic using Beauty and the Beast elements, and the character growth is believable. This book is about enemies to lovers and proximity with an age gap, and I loved every minute of it. The balance between dark and light is Sophie's strength, which shines throughout the book. The backstory behind the protagonist, complemented by a fast-paced plot, made it engaging. The elements of passion and spice are well-spaced. The only thing I missed was it being more high-stakes, for I never felt Mikolaj would lose. I can't wait to dig into book three with Nero's story!
Thank you, NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Torture
Block Shot by Kennedy Ryan
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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
Kennedy Ryan yet again delivers a powerful, insightful and hard-earned happily ever after in Block Shot.
If you're heading into Block Shot with the expectations of Long Shot, I would ask you to reconsider. Jared Foster is ruthless, principled and driven. It is one of the reasons he's at the top of being a sports agent and being so successful with Elevation with August as a silent partner. His path crosses with studious, loyal and determined Banner Morales. A sizzling night soon becomes a disaster, with the protagonists crossing paths ten years later. Banner has worked hard to leave a mark as a "ruthless with a heart" sports agent. But her heart never forgot the betrayal of Jared, the scars of exes concerning her body and her journey to keep herself healthy.
Kennedy Ryan digs deep with these characters who, at the heart, are flawed individuals but are each other's equinoxes. Both characters' decisions will certainly make the readers question their morals, but it also opens the door to the perceptions Banner and Jared have about themselves and each other. The rough road ahead is full of angst, patience and faith. The author successfully sheds light on the expectations placed on women, particularly on their weight and appearances, the power of words and the challenges women face with male-dominated rules. The chemistry is absolutely sizzling, with in-depth, primal scenes that perfectly suit the characters. I can't wait to read the next book of the series!
Thank you very much for an ARC to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom BooksΩ. This honest review is left voluntarily.
If you're heading into Block Shot with the expectations of Long Shot, I would ask you to reconsider. Jared Foster is ruthless, principled and driven. It is one of the reasons he's at the top of being a sports agent and being so successful with Elevation with August as a silent partner. His path crosses with studious, loyal and determined Banner Morales. A sizzling night soon becomes a disaster, with the protagonists crossing paths ten years later. Banner has worked hard to leave a mark as a "ruthless with a heart" sports agent. But her heart never forgot the betrayal of Jared, the scars of exes concerning her body and her journey to keep herself healthy.
Kennedy Ryan digs deep with these characters who, at the heart, are flawed individuals but are each other's equinoxes. Both characters' decisions will certainly make the readers question their morals, but it also opens the door to the perceptions Banner and Jared have about themselves and each other. The rough road ahead is full of angst, patience and faith. The author successfully sheds light on the expectations placed on women, particularly on their weight and appearances, the power of words and the challenges women face with male-dominated rules. The chemistry is absolutely sizzling, with in-depth, primal scenes that perfectly suit the characters. I can't wait to read the next book of the series!
Thank you very much for an ARC to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS Bloom BooksΩ. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Not in a Billion Years by Camilla Isley
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
Camilla Isley is becoming one of my favourite authors who can pick me up on a difficult day.
Not In A Billion Years is a fast-paced romance read full of angst, banter, humour and steam. The protagonists, Gabriel and Blake, come from different sides of the business track but are driven, passionate and remarkable characters. The angst and the slow burn were a delight to read, and I loved their character growth. Both of them had to reflect on the stereotypes they formulated against one another, and it's always heartwarming when love blossoms and grows. I loved the background information on IPOs, share buybacks, and stakes for both characters. I can't wait to dig into the next book in the series!
Thank you, Boldwook Books & NetGalley, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Not In A Billion Years is a fast-paced romance read full of angst, banter, humour and steam. The protagonists, Gabriel and Blake, come from different sides of the business track but are driven, passionate and remarkable characters. The angst and the slow burn were a delight to read, and I loved their character growth. Both of them had to reflect on the stereotypes they formulated against one another, and it's always heartwarming when love blossoms and grows. I loved the background information on IPOs, share buybacks, and stakes for both characters. I can't wait to dig into the next book in the series!
Thank you, Boldwook Books & NetGalley, for giving me an ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Roommates by Ola Tundun
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
Old Tundun's Roommates is a realistic & authentic read. Ariella and Caleb couldn't be poles apart, but together, they bring out the best and learn to navigate the worst. The push and pull between the protagonists amidst personal and professional fronts had me rooting for them from the beginning. The mix of humour, wisdom, chemistry, and reliability was well-infused throughout the book.
I have to ping the trigger warnings of crippling anxiety, panic attacks, elements of cheating and unwilling drugging, which could be interpreted as non-consensual sex. An interesting perspective is that the women are the perpetrators. The ending, albeit abrupt and unexpected, got me bad! I can't wait to see how Ariella and Caleb's futures unfold.
Thank you Storm Publishing & NetGalley for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
I have to ping the trigger warnings of crippling anxiety, panic attacks, elements of cheating and unwilling drugging, which could be interpreted as non-consensual sex. An interesting perspective is that the women are the perpetrators. The ending, albeit abrupt and unexpected, got me bad! I can't wait to see how Ariella and Caleb's futures unfold.
Thank you Storm Publishing & NetGalley for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Hex and the City by Kate Johnson
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
Kate Johnson has done it once again!
Hex and the City is my second book by Kate Johnson, and I enjoyed this hilarious and entertaining read. Hex Appeal and Hex and the City qualify as standalone series, but I recommend reading the books in order to get better acquainted with the stellar and delightful characters. Poppy is a lovely character who exudes chaos, grace and strength throughout the book. The reference to Rapunzel was a cherry on top, and I was cheering for her throughout the book. Axl Storm, a talented illusionist, grew on me, and his and Poppy's interactions were nothing short of endearing, flirty and fun! After some heavy reads this month, this was a welcomed reprieve. Please leave it to Kate Johnson to deliver a fast-paced plot, sizzling chemistry and the power of a cover! If you're looking for something light to read next month, do not skip this read.
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the invitation to review this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Hex and the City is my second book by Kate Johnson, and I enjoyed this hilarious and entertaining read. Hex Appeal and Hex and the City qualify as standalone series, but I recommend reading the books in order to get better acquainted with the stellar and delightful characters. Poppy is a lovely character who exudes chaos, grace and strength throughout the book. The reference to Rapunzel was a cherry on top, and I was cheering for her throughout the book. Axl Storm, a talented illusionist, grew on me, and his and Poppy's interactions were nothing short of endearing, flirty and fun! After some heavy reads this month, this was a welcomed reprieve. Please leave it to Kate Johnson to deliver a fast-paced plot, sizzling chemistry and the power of a cover! If you're looking for something light to read next month, do not skip this read.
Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, for the invitation to review this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Long Shot by Kennedy Ryan
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
An excellent, heartfelt and authentic start to a promising series. Kennedy Ryan is growing on me and is undoubtedly one of my top authors of 2023!
Long Shot is the first book of the Hoops series and is an intense read. Kennedy Ryan does not only shed light on the cut-throat, relentless nature of basketball but also domestic violence and abuse. Readers are warned that the description can be detailed and vivid and is not for the faint-hearted. Though it is a romance read, and the chemistry and growth of our beautiful protagonists (Iris and August) are heart-soaring, this book is so much more. It sheds light on belonging, the wisdom of the people who have walked before us and connecting to our true selves. This book spoke to me on multiple levels, and I was left reeling with a severe book hangover. The author has a distinct and amazing writing style etched with a mark of authenticity. The supporting characters have so much potential; I cannot wait to dig into their stories!
“ I have the power to determine when I share myself and when I will withhold. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Thank you to NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Long Shot is the first book of the Hoops series and is an intense read. Kennedy Ryan does not only shed light on the cut-throat, relentless nature of basketball but also domestic violence and abuse. Readers are warned that the description can be detailed and vivid and is not for the faint-hearted. Though it is a romance read, and the chemistry and growth of our beautiful protagonists (Iris and August) are heart-soaring, this book is so much more. It sheds light on belonging, the wisdom of the people who have walked before us and connecting to our true selves. This book spoke to me on multiple levels, and I was left reeling with a severe book hangover. The author has a distinct and amazing writing style etched with a mark of authenticity. The supporting characters have so much potential; I cannot wait to dig into their stories!
“ I have the power to determine when I share myself and when I will withhold. Your body is yours. Yours to keep and yours to share.”
Thank you to NetGalley & SOURCEBOOKS Bloom Books for this e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Boyfriend Candidate by Ashley Winstead
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
5.0
Absolutely incredible, hilarious, profound and romantic!
The Boyfriend Candidate is one of my top 2023 Romance reads. There I typed it. Ashley Winstead has created marvellous protagonists who grew on me with every passing page, and their character growth is simply memorable and remarkable. My girl Alexis' journey from a moth to a butterfly tugged my heartstrings, while a character like Logan shines brightly and is one of my top book boyfriends.
Cue in the banter, the sizzling chemistry and cute pop references (Parks and Rec fans, you're in for a treat!); this book was so immersive and full of insights that I suffered from a major book hangover once I finished it. I love how the fake dating troupe deviated from the usual formula of being etched in secrecy, and the conversion of a one-night stand to a slow-burn, electrifying read was delightful. I can't wait to celebrate the author and devour all her books!
Thank you to NetGalley & Aria & Aries for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
The Boyfriend Candidate is one of my top 2023 Romance reads. There I typed it. Ashley Winstead has created marvellous protagonists who grew on me with every passing page, and their character growth is simply memorable and remarkable. My girl Alexis' journey from a moth to a butterfly tugged my heartstrings, while a character like Logan shines brightly and is one of my top book boyfriends.
Cue in the banter, the sizzling chemistry and cute pop references (Parks and Rec fans, you're in for a treat!); this book was so immersive and full of insights that I suffered from a major book hangover once I finished it. I love how the fake dating troupe deviated from the usual formula of being etched in secrecy, and the conversion of a one-night stand to a slow-burn, electrifying read was delightful. I can't wait to celebrate the author and devour all her books!
Thank you to NetGalley & Aria & Aries for providing an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Love to Hate You by Camilla Isley
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.0
Camilla Isley has done it once again!
Love to Hate You is a beautiful romantic comedy that follows the story of Samantha, a driven movie producer who is asked to fix the delays encountered in an upcoming Christian Slater movie. She has to leave her beloved New York City behind for rural Indiana. Theodore Abraham Hunt (aka Travis) is a man of many skills (mayor, cowboy and lawyer), and one of them is to be the bane of Samantha's existence. The line between love and hate is extremely thin as banter and sizzling chemistry seize the protagonists as the chapters progress. The scenic and farm animal descriptions were well done, adding to this book's romantic and sweet vibes. I appreciated the refreshing take on the conflict between the characters and their collaboration and dedication to making the relationship work. The epilogue was highly endearing! I hope we get an Amber and Duncan book, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for giving me an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.
Love to Hate You is a beautiful romantic comedy that follows the story of Samantha, a driven movie producer who is asked to fix the delays encountered in an upcoming Christian Slater movie. She has to leave her beloved New York City behind for rural Indiana. Theodore Abraham Hunt (aka Travis) is a man of many skills (mayor, cowboy and lawyer), and one of them is to be the bane of Samantha's existence. The line between love and hate is extremely thin as banter and sizzling chemistry seize the protagonists as the chapters progress. The scenic and farm animal descriptions were well done, adding to this book's romantic and sweet vibes. I appreciated the refreshing take on the conflict between the characters and their collaboration and dedication to making the relationship work. The epilogue was highly endearing! I hope we get an Amber and Duncan book, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you, NetGalley & Boldwood Books, for giving me an e-ARC. This honest review is left voluntarily.