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riniya's reviews
917 reviews
The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Witch Born by LJ Swallow
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Overexposed by Heather Long
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Love Walked In: A Novel by Sarah Chamberlain
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought this was a super cute story!
Was it predictable? Sure but honestly at this point all books are predictable. It’s a cute rom com set in a dying bookstore and she is the only person who could possibly revive it and give it a fighting chance in today’s world.
Our MMC starts off as an absolute jerk but he does slowly and surely start to offer more than one dimension. Jaded after the ending of his loveless marriage and death of his grandfather he is resistant to change and growth. Professionally and personally. Our FMC is a spot of color is in grey life and brings joy and humor that he was missing. She rounded him out and gave him something to look forward to.
The spice was okay. I liked the “teaching” moment about what each of them liked as he learned his body in a way he never had a chance to before. It was pretty cool to see a man in that position with our FMC being the one who is experienced and leading the lesson. He did dive right in though in subsequent spicy moments of being more in charge which felt a bit rushed but hey … if you know what you like you k know what you like.
Overall a very cute story!
This review is in exchange for receiving an ARC.
Was it predictable? Sure but honestly at this point all books are predictable. It’s a cute rom com set in a dying bookstore and she is the only person who could possibly revive it and give it a fighting chance in today’s world.
Our MMC starts off as an absolute jerk but he does slowly and surely start to offer more than one dimension. Jaded after the ending of his loveless marriage and death of his grandfather he is resistant to change and growth. Professionally and personally. Our FMC is a spot of color is in grey life and brings joy and humor that he was missing. She rounded him out and gave him something to look forward to.
The spice was okay. I liked the “teaching” moment about what each of them liked as he learned his body in a way he never had a chance to before. It was pretty cool to see a man in that position with our FMC being the one who is experienced and leading the lesson. He did dive right in though in subsequent spicy moments of being more in charge which felt a bit rushed but hey … if you know what you like you k know what you like.
Overall a very cute story!
This review is in exchange for receiving an ARC.
In the Unlikely Event by L.J. Shen
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
Spellcaster by Jaymin Eve
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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
I think at this point I have read almost everything that jaymin Eve has written. That being said, this book has easily slipped into the top slot, yes even above the Curse of the Gods series, and if you've been following me for a while, you know that I think that series is TOP TIER.
I love the way that this book gives us a wholesome Family unit even in the face of death and destruction. The siblings and their interactions with each other are some of my favorite moments throughout the book. It's such a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dark story and it helps ground you and keep you centered as you turn the pages.
This couple is star-crossed and doomed to fail. They are meant to be enemies, according to their fathers, but Logan, our MMC, seems to have his own game that he is playing with Paisley, our FMC. Instead of being out to get her, he is very protective of her from a distance, until circumstances force him to be up close and personal. They have a drool-worthy tension between them and even their banter , though mostly one sided, is fueled with angst and longing. The DREAMS are some of my favorite part and when the two finally clashed, it was well worth the wait.
I am so grateful to Netgalley and Harlequin for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I love the way that this book gives us a wholesome Family unit even in the face of death and destruction. The siblings and their interactions with each other are some of my favorite moments throughout the book. It's such a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dark story and it helps ground you and keep you centered as you turn the pages.
This couple is star-crossed and doomed to fail. They are meant to be enemies, according to their fathers, but Logan, our MMC, seems to have his own game that he is playing with Paisley, our FMC. Instead of being out to get her, he is very protective of her from a distance, until circumstances force him to be up close and personal. They have a drool-worthy tension between them and even their banter , though mostly one sided, is fueled with angst and longing. The DREAMS are some of my favorite part and when the two finally clashed, it was well worth the wait.
I am so grateful to Netgalley and Harlequin for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.
April's Fools by Ivy Asher, Raven Kennedy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
I just wasn’t a fan of the men. They weren’t really likable to me.
Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to Little Brown Books and Netgalley for a copy of this ARC.
FIRSTLY -- This book is a weird blend of YA and NA, I'm not sure it knows what demographic its trying to target. I would say that you should be about 17+ to really enjoy this book. I wouldn't consider it smut because for the most part its fade to black, but it does occasionally get a bit descriptive before it finally fades out. Which is where the majority of my confusion about its "rating" is coming into play. I feel like this falls on the publisher to clarify as much as the author. This book should NOT be read by anyone under the age of 15 in my opinion as an almost 30 year old.
As far as the story goes, I love the murder mystery, fish out of water that we get in this book. Our FMC, Vanessa, is enjoying life as a burgeoning 17 year old, just trying to make it day by day. Her best friend, or "soul sister" is murdered in front of her by a werewolf and she is subsequently bitten and whisked away from her life to live with the "Born" Wolves. What follows is a topsy-turvey story that has you second guessing even your own understanding as it keeps you on the edge of your toes.
Vanessa struggles to accept her place in the world, knowing that someone in the castle is responsible for her being bitten and the death of her best friend. She overcomes her emotions, her plans and dreams for her life and eventually accepts her place in this new world. The death of her friend drives her to try to uncover the secret that is looming behind the walls of the castle.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the love triangle? If you can even call it that. The book tries to shove you back and forth between Sin, the Wolf Prince and his broody guardian cousin, Calix. I'm not sure if this is a love triangle because aside from some heated glances and the occasional touch, Calix very much doesn't like Vanessa and wants nothing to do with her. Sin on the other hand, makes his feelings very well known and actively tries to court Vanessa. Regardless, the ending of the book blows everything out of the water as you have to reorganize all of your thoughts.
FIRSTLY -- This book is a weird blend of YA and NA, I'm not sure it knows what demographic its trying to target. I would say that you should be about 17+ to really enjoy this book. I wouldn't consider it smut because for the most part its fade to black, but it does occasionally get a bit descriptive before it finally fades out. Which is where the majority of my confusion about its "rating" is coming into play. I feel like this falls on the publisher to clarify as much as the author. This book should NOT be read by anyone under the age of 15 in my opinion as an almost 30 year old.
As far as the story goes, I love the murder mystery, fish out of water that we get in this book. Our FMC, Vanessa, is enjoying life as a burgeoning 17 year old, just trying to make it day by day. Her best friend, or "soul sister" is murdered in front of her by a werewolf and she is subsequently bitten and whisked away from her life to live with the "Born" Wolves. What follows is a topsy-turvey story that has you second guessing even your own understanding as it keeps you on the edge of your toes.
Vanessa struggles to accept her place in the world, knowing that someone in the castle is responsible for her being bitten and the death of her best friend. She overcomes her emotions, her plans and dreams for her life and eventually accepts her place in this new world. The death of her friend drives her to try to uncover the secret that is looming behind the walls of the castle.
I'm not quite sure how I feel about the love triangle? If you can even call it that. The book tries to shove you back and forth between Sin, the Wolf Prince and his broody guardian cousin, Calix. I'm not sure if this is a love triangle because aside from some heated glances and the occasional touch, Calix very much doesn't like Vanessa and wants nothing to do with her. Sin on the other hand, makes his feelings very well known and actively tries to court Vanessa. Regardless, the ending of the book blows everything out of the water as you have to reorganize all of your thoughts.