plush's reviews
169 reviews

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.0

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

adventurous slow-paced

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

3.25

Series is still very good. I will definitely be continuing. I’m interested in everything going down with like the council and everything. 

However. 

This was not the couple for me. I got the ick several times. Particularly because they met when he was nine and she was three. That is a wild age gap for children. They “lost touch” so to say when he was 14 and she was 8. I just found some of it to be yucky. I understand that their friendship wasn’t inappropriate, it’s actually more of when adult Clay references how stubborn “his Tally” still is. Like bro she was barely formed when you knew her, but I digress. 

Then there is the whole weirdness of Clay being hung up on how many people she’s been with. He even points out that it shouldn’t bother him, and that other women in his pack are sexual and he doesn’t judge them but he’s got this whole yuck “you’ve always been mine” kinda thing going on  

Also. I just don’t really like Tally as a character. I think I would be more receptive to these two being together if I didn’t actively dislike Tally. She is better during the last like 20% of the book, but still not my favorite. 

I didn’t really enjoy the chemistry between the two of them. I don’t know. This couple was by far my least favorite so far. But I’m interested in some of the world plot developments that are happening so onto the next book 

3.25/5

Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh

adventurous dark 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

I enjoyed this one. I think I liked it more than book one maybe. I like Vaughn and I like him with Faith. I think they compliment each other very nicely. 

There are several very interesting developments. Mostly. I cannot wait to see what becomes of the Netmind. I know sentience was mentioned in book one, but this book really expanded on that. 

I’m ready for the next

4/5 stars

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

This is a mash of a sci-fi/shifter/dystopia kind of novel, and honestly it’s so fascinating. 

I really like the different races involved in this world. I think the psy vs changling dynamic is cool. I like the play on physical vs mental strength. 

It’s definitely a paranormal romance, it’s not groundbreaking literature, but it’s a very solid paranormal romance. 

4/5 stars

The Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I really enjoyed this series. I loved the political intrigue and the maneuvering that was happening. 

My only real complaint/wish is that this was an adult series. I wish more time had been spent forging relationships. I wish there more complexities and emotions and consequences. I love the story, and I loved watching everything unfold, but I would have loved it all the more if it was allowed to be the complex political fantasy that it aims to be 

Overall, this was a satisfying end to the series. I can definitely see how it’s some people’s comfort series, and I imagine I will reread it at some point too. For some reason I think Jude and Cardan are very Sophie and Howl coded (mostly book, but also movie). 

4.5/5 stars

The Wicked King by Holly Black

adventurous medium-paced

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

4.5

I had a really good time. I think this is a very solid second book. I really like the political intrigue in this series. 

Also. I will reiterate, this is not a Romantasy. There is a romance subplot but this could remain an entire novel without that inclusion. 

Overall, very happy. 

4.5/5 stars

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

funny 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? It's complicated

4.0

This is an adorably cute romance. It’s a little angsty and very sweet. 

I will say, I like the other romances I’ve read from her more. I’m not really sure why, but this was cute. I had a good time. 

I sort of wish that it was more slow burn because timeline wise I felt like the “I love you”s happened pretty quickly, but that’s just me being picky. 

Overall, very well done and very cute. Chloe and Red are perfect for one another. 

4/5 stars

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.5

I almost hate that I liked this as much as I did, but it is exactly my cup of tea. 

No recap because cmon, who doesn’t have an inkling about what this is about. 

I will say, this is not at all a romance. This is a fantasy with political intrigue and betrayal. I love court politics. I love a bloodthirsty FMC. 

I am so excited for book two. This was worth the read, and I can only hope I like the rest of the series. 

4.5/5 stars

Rabid by Ivy Asher, Raven Kennedy

dark medium-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

3.5

This is a fast shifter read. A lot darker than I expected, which I don’t know why I didn’t think to read triggers first, but oh well. 

This is definitely not my favorite shifter romance. I like the world that it takes place in, but honestly, I just didn’t ever really warm up to the MMC. He brutally messed up, and I don’t feel like he made enough amends. I don’t know. 

This was fast and easy, if a bit too dark. 

3.5/5 stars

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

To preface, I absolutely never read thrillers. This is actually my first, and what a nerve wracking time! This is outside of my usual genres, but I’m committed to my book club. Not that this was hard to read, in fact it was hard to put down!! 

I’m not even going to recap because blind is best on this book. Honestly. 

The twists twist and the turns turn. I was very happy with the second half of this book and the conclusion. I think it was very satisfying to read. I don’t know if it holds up against other thrillers in the genre but for me, it was an addicting good time. 

4/5 stars