readswithree's reviews
31 reviews

This Winter by Alice Oseman

emotional hopeful fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

10 Things That Never Happened by Alexis Hall

emotional funny hopeful 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

Absolutely loved this book. The characters just steal your soul and who doesn’t love a forced proximity-esque story? Johnathan deserves good things and soft hugs and Sam also needs a hug. I am a sucke4 for found families and fish did thus give that. I definitely recommend this!

In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens

emotional hopeful 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? No

4.0

A cutesy love story between a Magic Prince and the last Merman, I want to give Tal and Athlen hugs - these baby boys deserve the world 😭 Forbidden magic, soulmates, the most adorable set of siblings - give me more!

I mean it though, I really enjoyed this book and F.T.Lukens is definitely going on the list of favourite authors. I do wish we got a bit more of the other siblings especially Isa and Kest but given that the book was about Tal’s journey I can see why we didn’t get more of the other siblings. But overall, I really enjoyed this book!

Before She Was Mine by Emma L. McGeown

emotional hopeful 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

I think it’s quite impossible not to root for the two main characters - Dani is someone who has been so devastatingly hurt in her previous relationship and she’s held herself back from the fear of history repeating itself. And Lucy is pretty much stuck between a rock and a hard place - feeling trapped in a relationship where she is no longer valued.

But we read as they come together in a sort of magnetic way, where their attraction for each other threatens to bubble out of the pot and I love it. McGeown wrote these characters so beautifully- they are not perfect, they make mistakes but that makes then human. This book brought out so many emotions - there’s the excitement of seeing the characters come together, hopefulness conveyed through Dani as she puts herself out there again and this sense of pride as we watch Lucy reclaim her identity and stand up for herself. Of course there is angst, this relationship isn’t a simple thing;  there are children involved, there is the fact that Lucy is still in a relationship, no matter how broken it is and an there is an overwhelming amount of fear and guilt in Dani, because she knows how it feels like to be burnt and she never wants to inflict that same pain on someone else.

Overall this was a wonderful read, I will definitely explore more of McGeown’s writing! Thank you to NetGallery and Bold Stroke Books for providing me with a drc in return for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity

In the Heart of the Linden Wood by Ekta R. Garg

adventurous emotional slow-paced

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

3.0

I don’t think my heart is in the Linden Woods.

This was in no way bad book, I did enjoy the journey that the characters go through especially King Christian on his journey of healing from the loss of his wife and unborn child to a point where he can remember Queen Lily and not want to burn the world down. His and Geraldine’s storyline of learning forgiveness and of Alistair’s on becoming the Keeper of the woods.

But overall I don’t think was for me, I got through the half way mark of the book and I honestly didn’t care for the characters very much. The plot became difficult for me to follow once it picked up, the dialogue often felt like it didn’t really matter and so it took a bit for me to sit through and actually finish it. If this had been a book I picked up without the intention to review and to just read - I probably would not have finished it.

I do think the author has a lot of great potential and I will definitely give her books a second shot but as it is right now, it’s just not for me. But if you’re someone that enjoyed the Night Circus (I didn’t personally enjoy this either), which in her acknowledgments the author had mentioned she took inspiration from, you might enjoy this too.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death and Child death

Minor: Classism

Tim Te Maro And The Subterranean Heartsick Blues by H.S. Valley

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0

< Mild Spoilers Ahead>

I saw “enemies to lovers” and rwrb; instantly knew this was something I wanted to read.

I’m absolutely devastated that this book is over because I got to a point where I just never wanted it to end. The writing, the dialogue and just the general storytelling is such a pleasure to read.

We meet these set of characters that are so easy to completely fall in love with and root for - both is the platonic and romantic sense. The friendship between Tim and his gang, Elliot and Manaia and how the two groups just sort of combine is the greatest. 

Tim and Elliot being the biggest idiots in love is a vibe, the whole fake parents to accidentally married was just gold. And Tim’s bond with both his parents silently (not in his dad’s case) teasing him is just everything.

Overall such an amazing book and I will definitely be re-reading this and patiently waiting to get my hands on a physical copy.

Chain of Gold by Cassandra Clare

adventurous challenging hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.0

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

This was my first read of 2023 and gosh I’m glad that I started my year off with this book.

spoilers

I absolutely loved everything about it! I honestly just want to give Ben a huge hug and Nathan is just such an amazing character. I love the rebuilding of a sort of broken relationship with Hannah and Ben, seeing Ben find his place and his people; seeing him become more comfortable in his identity is just so heartwarming. And the progression of his and Nathan’s relationship is just a gold mine! Obviously love Mariam and Dr.Taylor because the 2 of them single  handedly kept Ben sane xD Overall and amazing book, I think the author did an amazing job, Mason Deaver’s books are joining my auto-buy list 💛

So This Is Ever After by F.T. Lukens

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

5.0

A super easy and fun read; I love the idea of showing the aftermath of an adventure because it’s not really something we get to see often and so to have a whole book dedicated to just that was brilliant. The characters are a delight to follow and will definitely steal your heart. A solid read <3

Heartstopper Volume 1 by Alice Oseman

4.0