ravenwolf_waf's reviews
442 reviews

Electric Idol by Katee Robert

dark emotional 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? No

4.5

I actually loved this one more than Neon God's! Especially after the author stopped writing, '... a look that comment that deserved...,' repeatedly.

But more thoughts to come on this one!

Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.5

What You Are Looking For is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama

hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

3.75

Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai

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? It's complicated

3.25

This was fun read but you could definitely tell that it was a debut. The plot was a bit of a mess and some of the major characters weren't fleshed out. It felt more like a meandering tale that was free styled. Regardless, there was enough here to make me interested in seeing some more of her work.

You're My Cutie, Volume 2 by Nakaba Harufuji

funny lighthearted 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

4.0

You're My Cutie, Volume 1 by Nakaba Harufuji

funny lighthearted slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.5

Absolutely adorable! A perfect Rom-Com for lovers of Grumpy x Sunshine pairings, a pinch of spice, and HEAs.

True Beauty, Volume One by Yaongyi

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

I read this on Webtoons and now I want to read it again now that it's in print. Also, I'm craving Cha Eun-Woo so I want to read this while watching the KDrama. <3 ;)

In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

Dare I say it... I think I loved this one more than Fourth Wing! Maybe it's because I'm married to a Service Member, but I understood a lot of the motivation and heartbreak these characters endured.

Told through alternating perspectives and flashbacks, this story follows a 10+ year epic romance in the making. Nate and Izzy first meet as seatmates on a flight out of Missouri and hit it off right away. But after surviving the plane crash, Nate has to leave Izzy unconscious in the hospital, when the Army comes to fetch him for boot camp. Their budding friendship would've died in that cold river had it not been for a chance encounter a few years later. But as the relationship blossoms into love, will stolen moments and some long distance communication be enough to sustain them? And what happened in New York to tear them apart, rendering them practically strangers when fate throws them together once again, this time in an Afghanistan war zone?

I loved how these characters were amazing and independent by themselves. While their love story is the backbone of the plot, it's what they do when they aren't together that fleshes them out for me. Often, in military romance stories, one partner is left at home to pine for the military member. They're characterized as being barely able to function, falling into Twilight levels of Bella Swan depression, until their partner returns. Here, despite the love they had for each other, they both had dreams that they wanted to pursue and THEY DID IT. Holding the other one back or asking them to sacrifice was never an option. Nate and Izzy genuinely wanted only the best things for each other. It was great!

As with all Yarros books, there are a few spicy scenes but nothing that I would outright label as smut. It was just enough, in my opinion. I also appreciated the realistic depiction of PTSD and how some military members deal with it. Lastly, that shocking twist at the end? It had me flipping back through the whole book for certain scenes and I'm still not over it!!

So if you're look for a military romance story with an accurately portrayed service member, full of angst and heat, heartbreak and swoons, this is the one for you. :)

I Hope This Doesn't Find You by Ann Liang

emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

4.5

'I Hope This Doesn't Find You' was as chock full of feels as I've come to expect from Ms. Liang! She's absolutely the type of author that I'd auto-buy and recommend to my Patrons. Something about her writing style is completely smooth and flawless. Her characters are so real that you can't help but fall for them, too. I've found all her books so easy and addictive to read. 

Despite rivals-to-lovers not being my go-to trope, this was a ton of fun. Admittedly, it took me a bit to see how this would play out. The animosity on both sides was so ingrained, I wasn't sure if genuine romantic feelings could blossom. But as they say, it's a fine line between love and hate, and nothing stirs up passion like anger. Catching those little glimpses of affection (and chivalry!!) slip through were pivotal and so sweet.

I also LOVED Sadie's emotional growth!! As the child of divorced parents, I fell into that same people pleasing habit so I could empathize. It's easier to sacrifice yourself than deal with the fallout and abandonment when others getting upset with you. Years later and I'm still working on it. So it was comforting and amazing to see her work through it and learn to stand up for herself. Having a loving support system makes all the difference and her family was right on point.

Now IF I had to give a critique, it would be only these two things... 1) I figured out who released all the emails super early. It was pretty obvious from the beginning but I can't say if that was intentional. I'd have been just as happy if it was a computer glitch. 2) I wish the lead up to the confession was less abrupt on Julius's end. The handful of times that I thought, maybe he's feeling something, he'd go right back to freezing Sadie out. It could be that since we're only in Sadie's head, that's why we didn't get to experience his inner turmoil until the very end. It just felt a little fast. Like an implosion versus a surrender.

Regardless, as I said, I absolutely adored it! Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read the eARC!!