regina_04's reviews
453 reviews

The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

4.5

This was so unlike anything I have ever read. The writing style and the way that Ashley poston describes such simple things is absolutely beautiful. It’s what hooked me and ultimately made me fall in love with the story. The imagery and the setting were the perfect backdrop to this story. At times it felt like poetry instead of a romance novel and that fit clementine so well. I loved how big of a role food played and how it was portrayed and depicted. I loved the friend group and the publishing bookish element and I loved how they grew together throughout the story. The only thing I didn’t enjoy is that I’m so sick of reading romance/women’s fiction books where the main character quits her job 2/3s of the way through and then has no path but decides she’s going to travel the world for the near future. It just feels overdone and doesn’t wrap up a story well. But that’s really my only complaint because everything else about this story was beautiful. 

Tease by Melanie Harlow

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

I have basically nothing to say about this. It was one of the most typical romances I’ve ever read from the plot to the pacing to the spice and the relationship. I liked the friends to lovers aspect and I liked the small town. I thought the third act breakup/miscommunication went on for far too long and the ending was kind of rushed. So yeah not bad by any means but also not something special. 

Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver

emotional 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

4.75

This was worth the wait. As soon as I read the teaser at the end of wild love I’ve been looking forward to this book. I always love a one of them is famous plot and this one was done so well. The growth that Skylar had throughout the book and getting to see her grow both independently and in a relationship was beautiful. I also love a book where there are kids and a healthy co-parenting relationship and that’s exactly what this was. The kids in this book were so cute and funny and added so much to the story. And west could not have been better. His selflessness and optimism and fighting spirit and his devotion all made him such a complex character that you couldn’t not root for. I loved him and Skylar together and I loved watching their relationship play out. The pacing and direction of it was very different from how a typical romance plays out but I really enjoyed it and thought it fit perfectly for them. Unfortunately I didn’t get the five star feeling but I loved everything about this book and I cant wait for the next one. 

All I Need by E. Salvador

emotional funny lighthearted fast-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

5.0

This was so unexpectedly good. I was hooked immediately when I found out this book was secret baby and a sports romance and the way it played out was absolutely perfect. The pacing of this story was done in a way where I was invested the entire time without it getting boring or slow. There were times I completely forgot I was reading and for a book that’s 500+ pages it felt like it flew by. I loved Lola and how she was portrayed. I feel like she was so relatable and so creative and such a warrior and I loved that everyone around her noticed that. TJ was such a good mmc and had so many layers that I loved uncovering. The found family and the basketball team completed this book and I can’t wait to see what stories those characters are gonna get. The sports element was balanced with the romance and I enjoyed what it added to the story. I also loved phoenix and what he added and I liked seeing his relationship with TJ progress. I have no complaints this book was such a good read and I cannot wait for the rest of the series. 

Daydream by Hannah Grace

emotional lighthearted 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

3.5

After three different Hannah Grace books I think I’ve reached the conclusion that they’re simply not for me. There was nothing overtly bad about this book but there was nothing that stood out in a good way either. I was just bored throughout 80% of it. I enjoyed the first bit and thought their banter was cute and was loving the way they built their friendship and how that developed. But then it kind of all went downhill from there. It didn’t take them that long to get together so there wasn’t a whole lot of build up and I feel like their story really needed that. Once they got together the entire rest of the book was just following their everyday life. There was no plot there was no emotion there was no growth it was just a day by day of their life. Like the other two books in this series there were a lot of side characters that I couldn’t keep track of but I do love the found family in these stories. The whole strike a deal storyline felt like it fell through after the first half and the individual issues that each character struggled with didn’t seem to really be resolved by the end. Ultimately while I don’t think this was a bad book and do think it was written quite well it just wasn’t the book for me. 

Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope

emotional lighthearted fast-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

3.0

I have very mixed feelings about this. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in and I did really enjoy the first third of this story but it all went downhill after that. In terms of things I liked, I really enjoyed the setting and I enjoyed Nash’s backstory. I liked the little family although they’re definitely not my favorite small town one. Now onto thing I didn’t like. This story just felt like a whole lot of nothing. The characters got together quick, there was almost no growth in their relationship, and it had a third act breakup I could see coming from a mile away. There wasn’t a whole lot of build up and I really wanted there to be less spice and more depth. The story also felt very similar to alive and wells but just with less likable characters and less growth and development. So overall not my favorite but still a fun short time. 

Taste by Melanie Harlow

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

This started off really strong and I was loving the direction it was going in but ultimately I think the entire story and the couples growth wasn’t executed as well as it could’ve been. I loved the setting and getting to see the small town and get the backstory of how Gianni and Ellie went from childhood friends who bantered to people who were annoyed with each other but always held a special spot for the other. I liked the little blizzard storyline and thought it was cosy and fun. I also love any book where the guy can cook and this one was no exception. My main gripe with this book though is that the first 50% follows the 2 days during the blizzard and while I enjoyed it that left 50% for their entire growth and development as well as the pregnancy. The relationship felt a little inauthentic and rushed just because the balance was so off. But overall I think this was a halfway decent executed accidental pregnancy book and I had a fun time. 

The Fall of Bradley Reed by Morgan Elizabeth

emotional lighthearted mysterious medium-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? No

3.0

This book was what I would describe as nicely boring. I really enjoyed both the first 20% and the last 20% but the middle 60% I could not care less. I really liked the direction the story was going at the beginning and I liked Olivia as a character but it took til about 60% for them to even start a relationship and there wasn’t a good buildup to get to that point so I just became bored. Andre grew on me as the story went on but he definitely is not my favorite mmc. I didn’t care for the side plot and thought it got kinda repetitive and I really wanted more fall vibes than I got. So overall not the best experience but I did ultimately enjoy this entire series. 

The Wicked Prince by Claire Contreras

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

This was exactly what I expected so I can’t really complain. Sometimes you just need a fast easy read and that was exactly what this was. I enjoyed the setting and the circumstances and the characters. I also really enjoyed getting to see Elias and Adeline again since I liked their book. One thing I’ve strongly disliked about both books in this series is the writing style is done in a way where there are paragraphs that literally go on for 10+ sentences and that’s simply way too long and takes me out of the story. Overall there wasn’t a ton of build up or tension or depth but it was exactly as advertised so not a bad time. 

The Darkest Temptation by Danielle Lori

dark emotional mysterious tense 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? No

4.0

I haven’t enjoyed the other two books in this series so I really went into this with low expectations but this was by far my favorite of the series. The romance in this book was just done so well and I absolutely loved both characters. I loved how Ronan warned up to Mila, how milas core self didn’t change but parts of her did, and how they came together as a couple in the end. I do wish there was more romance though. The first half of this book felt kind of slow and very mafia heavy but the center of it was a pretty boring feud so I just didn’t really care. Once the romance picked up I absolutely loved the story and I also loved getting to see Gianna and Christian again as well as some of the new side characters. The last 25% of this book made me fall in love with this couple and I love how it played out and how it was executed. So overall, a great way to end this series especially considering my opinions on the first two books.