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readingwithfefe's reviews
745 reviews
Stranger Session: a dark romance novella by Lauren Biel
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 4/5
What's the best way to get over a woman breaking your heart? Find a new one to chase... literally!
Del and Mariah have both had some pretty crap luck when it comes to their love lives lately. Then applying for a photo session between complete strangers with a local photographer lands in both of their paths bringing them face to face. A spark ignites and their stranger session doesn't feel like they are strangers anymore. When it comes to an end they are obligated to go their separate ways even if all they can think about is each other. But sometimes it's hard to ignore that strong of a connection, which can drive a man to do anything to find it again. And I do mean - Anything. š
Let me tell you that entire moment during their photo shoot I could feel the sexual tension between the two. I wanted them to forget about the photographers altogether and just go for it anyway right then and there lol! However, I liked how Lauren continued the story beyond that and the kinks that she brought into it. There's nothing like a little bit of suspense mixed in with the spice to make it even more enjoyable. And my lord the somno part just hit the friggin spot! š„µ The only complaint I think I even have is that I wish that scene had been longer cause I couldn't get enough of it! š
Oh and even though I expected there to be something involving bodily fluids and some other substance coming together (no pun intended š) I still didn't see this particular one happening but I'm not going to lie... I didn't hate it lol! Such a possessive nightmare - I friggin love it! š
I think it's safe to say Lauren is a master of dark and spicy novellas. I haven't read one yet that didn't feel like it was perfectly paced to the point I forget that it is a novella until I see the words āThe Endā. It always seems like I've read such a longer book without feeling like it was rushing through the story. This is definitely one you should add to your list to read this year!
**Make sure to check TW before reading!
Spice: 4/5
What's the best way to get over a woman breaking your heart? Find a new one to chase... literally!
Del and Mariah have both had some pretty crap luck when it comes to their love lives lately. Then applying for a photo session between complete strangers with a local photographer lands in both of their paths bringing them face to face. A spark ignites and their stranger session doesn't feel like they are strangers anymore. When it comes to an end they are obligated to go their separate ways even if all they can think about is each other. But sometimes it's hard to ignore that strong of a connection, which can drive a man to do anything to find it again. And I do mean - Anything. š
Let me tell you that entire moment during their photo shoot I could feel the sexual tension between the two. I wanted them to forget about the photographers altogether and just go for it anyway right then and there lol! However, I liked how Lauren continued the story beyond that and the kinks that she brought into it. There's nothing like a little bit of suspense mixed in with the spice to make it even more enjoyable. And my lord the somno part just hit the friggin spot! š„µ The only complaint I think I even have is that I wish that scene had been longer cause I couldn't get enough of it! š
Oh and even though I expected there to be something involving bodily fluids and some other substance coming together (no pun intended š) I still didn't see this particular one happening but I'm not going to lie... I didn't hate it lol! Such a possessive nightmare - I friggin love it! š
I think it's safe to say Lauren is a master of dark and spicy novellas. I haven't read one yet that didn't feel like it was perfectly paced to the point I forget that it is a novella until I see the words āThe Endā. It always seems like I've read such a longer book without feeling like it was rushing through the story. This is definitely one you should add to your list to read this year!
**Make sure to check TW before reading!
My Lovely Tragedy by Marie Ann
5.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 3.5/5
In a world where love is often portrayed in cliched manners and happy ever afters, Marie Ann's My Lovely Tragedy immerses you in a story that explores the depths of hurting, healing, desperation, love, and the power of acceptance.
A random encounter on a snowy night in the city brings our two characters Brooklyn and Tobias together. Their meeting is both a little uncomfortable and intriguing. A spark of something nameless and curious between them leads them back to Tobias' cabin in the woods secluded from smothering city life just as a major snowfall blows through keeping them together until it clears. As the snow melts and the end of their days together draws near they find themselves drowning in pieces of each other they thought they would never see the light of day.
I've always loved the way Marie can weave together words so poetically that it doesn't just fill your mind with impeccable imagery, it also swarms the rest of your senses as if you were standing in the cabin right there with the characters. You can hear the notes from the piano, smell the fragrance that is Tobias, feel the cold bite of metal against your skin, and taste the desperation in the air. All of the pain, curiosity, and comfort shared between these two seems to flow through you as you turn the page. You don't just read a Marie Ann story... you FEEL it.
Through Tobias Marie shines a light on unconditional love and devotion and how they can transform a person on the receiving end of it. Through Brooklyn, she provides a raw and honest portrayal of the struggles one's soul faces when battling the demons that live in their darkness. The slow build-up in their dynamic as each day passes creates an atmosphere that crackles with tension causing every nerve in your body to sizzle in anticipation of the moment they melt into each other. While the level of spice in this particular book is less than that of the rest of what she has published it is hardly noticeable as you're reading. The emotions that hang between them in the words they don't speak and the way a simple touch can feel like giving into an addiction will leave you drooling all on its own.
As for the ending... I knew it was going to rip my heart out of my chest but the sob fest that followed was so needed and cathartic. It was entirely worth it! I said before I opened this book that it would be the book to beat this year for me and I sure do love it when I am right! These other books need to step it up over the next eleven months because My Lovely Tragedy is undoubtedly my new favorite tragedy.
Spice: 3.5/5
In a world where love is often portrayed in cliched manners and happy ever afters, Marie Ann's My Lovely Tragedy immerses you in a story that explores the depths of hurting, healing, desperation, love, and the power of acceptance.
A random encounter on a snowy night in the city brings our two characters Brooklyn and Tobias together. Their meeting is both a little uncomfortable and intriguing. A spark of something nameless and curious between them leads them back to Tobias' cabin in the woods secluded from smothering city life just as a major snowfall blows through keeping them together until it clears. As the snow melts and the end of their days together draws near they find themselves drowning in pieces of each other they thought they would never see the light of day.
I've always loved the way Marie can weave together words so poetically that it doesn't just fill your mind with impeccable imagery, it also swarms the rest of your senses as if you were standing in the cabin right there with the characters. You can hear the notes from the piano, smell the fragrance that is Tobias, feel the cold bite of metal against your skin, and taste the desperation in the air. All of the pain, curiosity, and comfort shared between these two seems to flow through you as you turn the page. You don't just read a Marie Ann story... you FEEL it.
Through Tobias Marie shines a light on unconditional love and devotion and how they can transform a person on the receiving end of it. Through Brooklyn, she provides a raw and honest portrayal of the struggles one's soul faces when battling the demons that live in their darkness. The slow build-up in their dynamic as each day passes creates an atmosphere that crackles with tension causing every nerve in your body to sizzle in anticipation of the moment they melt into each other. While the level of spice in this particular book is less than that of the rest of what she has published it is hardly noticeable as you're reading. The emotions that hang between them in the words they don't speak and the way a simple touch can feel like giving into an addiction will leave you drooling all on its own.
As for the ending... I knew it was going to rip my heart out of my chest but the sob fest that followed was so needed and cathartic. It was entirely worth it! I said before I opened this book that it would be the book to beat this year for me and I sure do love it when I am right! These other books need to step it up over the next eleven months because My Lovely Tragedy is undoubtedly my new favorite tragedy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, and Self harm
Violet Flames by Kitt Lynn
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
1st person/multi pov
Spice: 4/5
What happens when an Omega who doesn't want a pack is forced to join one that already has an Omega? Chaos that's what happens. Kitt Lynn's second book in the Broken Omegas series, Violet Flames, follows the story of Violet. Burned by heartbreak and betrayal from her past she has no interest in finding a pack. When a pack is desperate to heal their Omega and bring him back from the depression that's breaking him a little more each day the opportunity to place Violet with a pack where they might save each other cannot be passed up. All that's left is to wait and see if adding Violet to the mix will bring them all together or tear them apart.
As far as an Omegaverse book goes this one gave me everything I love about the genre in one book. I believe this is the first time I've read one with two Omegas in the pack but let me just say I will be looking for more. I adored how these two Omegas drifted toward each other and leaned on each other even through the push and pull of depression and jealousy. Their bond was by far my favorite in the story. I have to say I was not a huge fan of the pack leader Han. I didn't hate him but something about his character just irritated me a tad. The other two pack members were perfect though and I love how their characters developed throughout the book.
I enjoyed the pace of the story and easily read several chapters at a time excited to see what would happen next. I liked how the story played out and the way it ended. I wouldn't have been opposed to maybe a little more tension or drama in the last third or so of the book but not having more of it didn't cause me to like the book any less. If you like why choose Omegaverse with MM action and good spice then I would absolutely recommend this book. And though it is the second in the series it can be read as a standalone, however, I do recommend reading book one first since I really enjoyed it as well and it will give you a little bit more understanding of Violet's character prior to being placed with pack.
Spice: 4/5
What happens when an Omega who doesn't want a pack is forced to join one that already has an Omega? Chaos that's what happens. Kitt Lynn's second book in the Broken Omegas series, Violet Flames, follows the story of Violet. Burned by heartbreak and betrayal from her past she has no interest in finding a pack. When a pack is desperate to heal their Omega and bring him back from the depression that's breaking him a little more each day the opportunity to place Violet with a pack where they might save each other cannot be passed up. All that's left is to wait and see if adding Violet to the mix will bring them all together or tear them apart.
As far as an Omegaverse book goes this one gave me everything I love about the genre in one book. I believe this is the first time I've read one with two Omegas in the pack but let me just say I will be looking for more. I adored how these two Omegas drifted toward each other and leaned on each other even through the push and pull of depression and jealousy. Their bond was by far my favorite in the story. I have to say I was not a huge fan of the pack leader Han. I didn't hate him but something about his character just irritated me a tad. The other two pack members were perfect though and I love how their characters developed throughout the book.
I enjoyed the pace of the story and easily read several chapters at a time excited to see what would happen next. I liked how the story played out and the way it ended. I wouldn't have been opposed to maybe a little more tension or drama in the last third or so of the book but not having more of it didn't cause me to like the book any less. If you like why choose Omegaverse with MM action and good spice then I would absolutely recommend this book. And though it is the second in the series it can be read as a standalone, however, I do recommend reading book one first since I really enjoyed it as well and it will give you a little bit more understanding of Violet's character prior to being placed with pack.
Frisky the Snowman by Lauren Biel
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 3/5
One thing I can always count on Lauren's books to give me is the shock factor with spice! I can't even begin to analyze the fact that I enjoyed this quick read and what that may or may not say about me but regardless I still liked it. It was short and easy to read, it had me giggling a tad bit at the visuals it gave me, and it gave me a steamy seasonal story to get me through Christmas day. I'll also never look at peppermints the same way again...
Overall it's definitely worth a read.
Spice: 3/5
One thing I can always count on Lauren's books to give me is the shock factor with spice! I can't even begin to analyze the fact that I enjoyed this quick read and what that may or may not say about me but regardless I still liked it. It was short and easy to read, it had me giggling a tad bit at the visuals it gave me, and it gave me a steamy seasonal story to get me through Christmas day. I'll also never look at peppermints the same way again...
Overall it's definitely worth a read.
One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
1st person/multi pov
Now I see why this was picked up and put on TV! When I say I could not stop myself from reading this book every second I had to spare I am not kidding. I haven't had as much time as I normally do to read here lately but as soon as I saw a chance to get a few more pages into the story I took it every single time. I really enjoyed how we see the events following that horrible day in detention play out through different perspectives but not all of them. Keeping some of the characters' point of view for certain parts of the story a mystery added this air of uncertainty as you try to unravel what actually happened and who could have been behind it. The friendships formed due to the bond they share by going through this situation together give me the "found family" feelings that keep me coming back to a book over and over. Then the twist in the plot and the truth being revealed was such a satisfying moment that it took the whole story to the next level for me. I am so excited to dive into the next in the series!
Now I see why this was picked up and put on TV! When I say I could not stop myself from reading this book every second I had to spare I am not kidding. I haven't had as much time as I normally do to read here lately but as soon as I saw a chance to get a few more pages into the story I took it every single time. I really enjoyed how we see the events following that horrible day in detention play out through different perspectives but not all of them. Keeping some of the characters' point of view for certain parts of the story a mystery added this air of uncertainty as you try to unravel what actually happened and who could have been behind it. The friendships formed due to the bond they share by going through this situation together give me the "found family" feelings that keep me coming back to a book over and over. Then the twist in the plot and the truth being revealed was such a satisfying moment that it took the whole story to the next level for me. I am so excited to dive into the next in the series!
Harbingers by Tate Monroe
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
1st person/multi pov
Spice: 4/5
I knew when I read the teaser for this story at the end of a previously released book it was going to be great. You could tell just how unhinged the two of these guys are from just a few pages. I still wasn't prepared for how unhinged Dom would be though lol! The need for control and his possessiveness is off the charts and he manages to prove that towards the end of the book. Props to Tate for taking things that far because as messed up as it was I couldn't have imagined things playing out any other way without not being true to Dom's character. So the way it was written is exactly what one would expect from him. The addition of another character was interesting and I enjoyed how it intertwined with the plot. I need more MM taboo stories like this from you Tate!!
Spice: 4/5
I knew when I read the teaser for this story at the end of a previously released book it was going to be great. You could tell just how unhinged the two of these guys are from just a few pages. I still wasn't prepared for how unhinged Dom would be though lol! The need for control and his possessiveness is off the charts and he manages to prove that towards the end of the book. Props to Tate for taking things that far because as messed up as it was I couldn't have imagined things playing out any other way without not being true to Dom's character. So the way it was written is exactly what one would expect from him. The addition of another character was interesting and I enjoyed how it intertwined with the plot. I need more MM taboo stories like this from you Tate!!
Unwrapped by Becca Steele
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
1st person/dual pov
Spice: 3.5/5
I swear I am obsessed with anything that has to do with the LSU series! This was such a cute story that Becca gave out as a freebie to readers and it gave me more of this world to hold me over until the next full-length novel comes out. I loved how awkward these characters were around each other at the beginning of it. They are quite adorable. But I also love how even though there is some conflict and obvious confusion between the two of them it never had that "bully" feel to it. When it all finally gets cleared up however it is the sweetest moment of realization between the two of them. They will just make your heart melt!
Spice: 3.5/5
I swear I am obsessed with anything that has to do with the LSU series! This was such a cute story that Becca gave out as a freebie to readers and it gave me more of this world to hold me over until the next full-length novel comes out. I loved how awkward these characters were around each other at the beginning of it. They are quite adorable. But I also love how even though there is some conflict and obvious confusion between the two of them it never had that "bully" feel to it. When it all finally gets cleared up however it is the sweetest moment of realization between the two of them. They will just make your heart melt!
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oh. My. God.
This is EXACTLY the kind of book I have been needing to get me out of the reading slump I was in! I love the way the story is told through the eyes of Theo. The way the events play out and unfolds the truth behind Aliciaās silence leaves you with several theories about what that truth could be. Then when the truth is finally revealed I had to remind myself to breathe! Everything clicked into place in that moment and I realized why so many people are talking about how good this story is. Iām here to tell you the hype is 100% accurate! I will be talking about this one for a long time I can already see that.
Donāt even hesitate to grab this one and start on it. It is a must read!
This is EXACTLY the kind of book I have been needing to get me out of the reading slump I was in! I love the way the story is told through the eyes of Theo. The way the events play out and unfolds the truth behind Aliciaās silence leaves you with several theories about what that truth could be. Then when the truth is finally revealed I had to remind myself to breathe! Everything clicked into place in that moment and I realized why so many people are talking about how good this story is. Iām here to tell you the hype is 100% accurate! I will be talking about this one for a long time I can already see that.
Donāt even hesitate to grab this one and start on it. It is a must read!
Fragments by Nyla K.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 17%.
Couldnāt read anything with cheating in it at the time. Had to put it off to a later date.
Trouble by Nyla K.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 3%.
Couldnāt read anything with cheating at the time. Had to put it off until later date.