peppersbookpicks's reviews
190 reviews

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

emotional inspiring reflective 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? No

3.25

Kristin Hannah paints a vivid and realistic story in The Four Winds, but it really left me feeling hopeless. I cared about the storyline enough to keep reading, but after finishing it I felt really disconnected from the characters. Their journey is riddled with hardships and tough times, which is pretty much all you experience throughout the story. It was like so many terrible things occurred throughout the book, that when the ending only delivered more of the same thing again... I just felt numb.

Euro Dreams by Kate Stewart

adventurous funny medium-paced

4.5

A perfectly cheeky romantic comedy that left me giddy for more! The comedic mishaps, the banter, the longing, the swoon-worthy moments.... I could not get enough! 

“𝑨𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒖𝒔𝒆, 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒆?”

And with the little Ravenhood easter egg there at the end too? Gah, it was just too good. I was often laughing out loud and wiping away tears, and I enjoyed every bit of it. I also appreciated the mental health representation and body positivity, I felt like these characters were real and I was going on this journey with them. Although the plot of the story wasn’t 100% there throughout, the slow burn pace was spot on, and the character development was outstanding. Lucian quickly made his way to the top of my book-boyfriend list, and Jane’s chaotic energy and candor was wholly lovable. 

📖 Bottom line - If you’re looking for a heartfelt and spicy rom-com, you’ve found your next destination. Euro Dreams fully melted my heart, and I’m sure it will yours too!

Thank you @authorkatestewart for allowing me to be part of your ARC team and giving me the chance to post an honest review in exchange!

When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker

adventurous 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

4.25

This was a SUPER slow burn high-fantasy novel, with major world building and very unique creatures and magic. This fantasy world was super creative and unlike anything else l've read, it was hard to comprehend at first but it all comes together nicely. The story was interesting enough to keep me reading, but the slow burn was much too slow for me and I thought the ending was very rushed. 

There were moments when I felt like the author's prose was stunning, and other times where I felt like it was just overcomplicating the plot and caused confusion. 

Overall, I enjoyed the story and plan to read the next book whenever it releases. I am hopeful that the next installment in the series won't feel as dense and hard to follow now that the heavy world building is over with.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

"That although there is pain and trauma, there is also so much joy and life left to live." 

"Words were creators of worlds, you had to be careful with them." 

The Women was heartbreaking and absolutely beautiful. 

Historical Fiction is not always my cup of tea, but I was hooked from the beginning with Kristin Hannah's skilled story telling. This is the first book of hers I have read, and it will surely not be the last.

Puck Shy by Kayla Grosse

adventurous lighthearted 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

4.0

I love how Grosse builds characters that feel REAL and relatable, and connects them to the reader in a really short amount of time. This novella was very spicy, but the romance also felt so genuine. Fingers crossed we will get more of this series for every holiday this year ;)

Wildly in Love by Anna Lindgren

adventurous 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? Yes

4.0

I giggled all the way through this book. It was cute, fun and adventurous! The main male character was so funny and relatable, every line I highlighted was a direct quote from Tag. "They aren't beauty products. I'm a man... 

They're male cosmetics." Chelsea was exactly the type of strong female lead we like to see, as Tag describes her: "I'm a minnow, and Chelsea, she's a fucking shark." 

Although the premise of the story was lighthearted, the main characters were dealing with some heavy topics and I enjoyed the male mental health representation portrayed in Tag's character. At times I really felt like I was trekking through the Alaskan Wilderness, I could picture it all so perfectly. Anna Lindgren's descriptive writing style will easily transport you to this part of the world. 

I personally would have enjoyed this book a bit more if there was maybe one less heart-to-heart scene and a tad more spice, but that is just a personal preference and the story is still good without those things. If you're looking for a sweet adventure romance to escape into, I have no doubt this book will leave you satisfied!

Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in A Culture Obsessed with Alcohol by Holly Whitaker

informative inspiring slow-paced

3.0

I appreciated the subject matter of this book because I do believe more conversation about alcohol and drinking culture should be had, but I don't think it hit the mark. I was hoping it would be more informational, but instead it felt like it was geared toward people who are struggling to quit drinking and are seeking a new perspective on how to get sober. The first half of the book started out fairly strong with some interesting points, but it went really off track towards the end and felt very much like a rant about how messed up the patriarchy is.

Twisted Games by Ana Huang

lighthearted tense 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

As far as I am concerned, Ana Huang wrote her own redemption arc here. Glad my book-bestie talked me into reading this one, because there was a world of difference compared to the first book and I may have devoured this in record time. Forbidden love, dual POV, and some spectacular banter! This is an interconnected standalone series, so with the knowledge I have now, I would recommend skipping the first book entirely.

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

lighthearted slow-paced

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

2.0

It was giving Gossip Girl meets The Ravenhood trilogy, except it was not good. The MMC is definitely not someone I would like IRL, and some of the personality traits of the main characters just didn't match up and felt really off. I am conflicted about continuing this series even though I have heard the next book is better... it might take some convincing.

Don't Let Me Fall by Kelsie Rae

lighthearted medium-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

A cute read, but also had me running to Google to search 

"Is 'crap on a cracker' a common saying?" because this is the second book I have read this year with that phrase and I could not think of anything more cringe. Surprisingly though, I kept reading and found the book enjoyable enough to consider reading the next installment in the series, although I am in no hurry. For me there was just not enough hockey in this romance, the plot was nonexistent, and the characters really lacked a lot of depth.