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riniya's reviews
922 reviews
Not Safe for Work by Nisha J. Tuli
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
This was Nisha Tuli's first step into contemporary romance and I have to say she nailed it! Personally I think that writing contemporary is much harder than fantasy. In fantasy worlds, everything is at your fingertips, you have control over every single detail and that's not quite the case in Contemporary. Nisha Tuli has proven with this debut that she can cross genre's with no problems!
I had the biggest smile on my face when reading this book. It was such a quick read and I absolutely devoured it! This book was amazing from the very first page until the last! It gives you everything you want it to give in a Contemporary Romance: Drama, Laughs, BANTER, tension and even the spice! The angst between the characters is so well written and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to just smash their faces together and kiss! It had twists and turns that you wouldn't believe and the workplace dynamics was so well written.
I thought that the author handled the real-world aspects of being a woman in a male dominated field respectfully. She could have gone overboard and been super political (which it is) but her words felt tasteful and like she was trying to show an issue instead of shoving it down your throat. Women belong in STEM just as much as men do, and often times do it better. Seeing her struggle against the "feminine norm" role against men who truly do not see issues in their behavior made me feel seen! We are more than just note takers, we can hold our own!
While this book does have what you could consider "miscommunication", it came about in a way that felt like an insecure man instead of "Just have a conversation". There was a point to the author not having the characters simply talk and work it out. It was one of the better Miscommunication trope books that I have read in a long time.
Our MMC was multi-faceted and had many layers to him instead of just being the grump. I loved learning alongside our FMC as those layers slowly peeled back and we got to know the core of who Rafe was. In a lot of romance books, the MMCs come across as flat and one dimensional, but considering the setting I thought that our author did a wonderful job at telling his story as well as our FMC.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever for sending this book (eARC) for exchange for my honest thoughts. All thoughts detailed in this review are my own!.
I had the biggest smile on my face when reading this book. It was such a quick read and I absolutely devoured it! This book was amazing from the very first page until the last! It gives you everything you want it to give in a Contemporary Romance: Drama, Laughs, BANTER, tension and even the spice! The angst between the characters is so well written and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for them to just smash their faces together and kiss! It had twists and turns that you wouldn't believe and the workplace dynamics was so well written.
I thought that the author handled the real-world aspects of being a woman in a male dominated field respectfully. She could have gone overboard and been super political (which it is) but her words felt tasteful and like she was trying to show an issue instead of shoving it down your throat. Women belong in STEM just as much as men do, and often times do it better. Seeing her struggle against the "feminine norm" role against men who truly do not see issues in their behavior made me feel seen! We are more than just note takers, we can hold our own!
While this book does have what you could consider "miscommunication", it came about in a way that felt like an insecure man instead of "Just have a conversation". There was a point to the author not having the characters simply talk and work it out. It was one of the better Miscommunication trope books that I have read in a long time.
Our MMC was multi-faceted and had many layers to him instead of just being the grump. I loved learning alongside our FMC as those layers slowly peeled back and we got to know the core of who Rafe was. In a lot of romance books, the MMCs come across as flat and one dimensional, but considering the setting I thought that our author did a wonderful job at telling his story as well as our FMC.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever for sending this book (eARC) for exchange for my honest thoughts. All thoughts detailed in this review are my own!.
Sparktopia by J.A. Huss
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Honestly I couldn’t connect with anyone. There are so many characters and POVs it’s a bit overwhelming.
Silent Desires by Shona Knight
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Only Bad Options by Jennifer Estep
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
It’s been a long time since I have read a space/Scifi story and this one scratched that itch in a glorious way!
Vesper, our MFC, is a fierce nerd who struggles with accepting the magic that she has within her own body. She is able to see how things work and fix them, often making them better than they were originally. She has abandonment issues due to her past, especially in the way she tends to be used by others. Personally I found her to be relateable as I struggle with my own similar issues. Kyrion, our MMC, comes across very abrasive and harsh, but as the story progresses and we get to see behind his curtain, He quickly became an amazing leading character. Opposits attract could not be more true in this book.
I thought that it was a great creative choose to not push the romance between Kyrion and Vesper. We had teases and brief flashes but for the most part, it’s was very back burner. The characters realized that they want different things and they are parting ways at the end of the book, despite the obvious connection they have. It was a great decision and I can not wait to see how they interact in book two!
What a cliffhanger though! Luckily book two is also available!
Vesper, our MFC, is a fierce nerd who struggles with accepting the magic that she has within her own body. She is able to see how things work and fix them, often making them better than they were originally. She has abandonment issues due to her past, especially in the way she tends to be used by others. Personally I found her to be relateable as I struggle with my own similar issues. Kyrion, our MMC, comes across very abrasive and harsh, but as the story progresses and we get to see behind his curtain, He quickly became an amazing leading character. Opposits attract could not be more true in this book.
I thought that it was a great creative choose to not push the romance between Kyrion and Vesper. We had teases and brief flashes but for the most part, it’s was very back burner. The characters realized that they want different things and they are parting ways at the end of the book, despite the obvious connection they have. It was a great decision and I can not wait to see how they interact in book two!
What a cliffhanger though! Luckily book two is also available!
Ruin by Samantha Towle
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Fate Forged in Fire by Hazel McBride
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 35%.
I had to DNF this book at 34%.
The story was simultaneously dragging on and on as well as being all over the place. I feel like the plot was just too messy. I found myself getting confused quite often and had to reread many sections to understand.
The FMC was very back and forth in how she was portrayed. I couldn't connect with her or really any of the other characters. Everyone came across as very flat and one dimensional.
Not to mention it just seemed like every little thing was going wrong. This book was written at a solid downward curve with not a single thing going right. It felt very unrealistic (yes I know its fantasy) but I just couldn't get behind it.
The story was simultaneously dragging on and on as well as being all over the place. I feel like the plot was just too messy. I found myself getting confused quite often and had to reread many sections to understand.
The FMC was very back and forth in how she was portrayed. I couldn't connect with her or really any of the other characters. Everyone came across as very flat and one dimensional.
Not to mention it just seemed like every little thing was going wrong. This book was written at a solid downward curve with not a single thing going right. It felt very unrealistic (yes I know its fantasy) but I just couldn't get behind it.
The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
I don't know quite what it is about the book but I found myself unable to connect with any of the characters enough to care to keep going. Rua seems like she would be an interesting character but instead she just comes across as flat and one dimensional. I am sure that if I kept reading I would have been able to connect with her more, but as I wasn't really enjoying the story I found no reason to continue. I couldn't connect with her plight of missing memories and desire to uncover who she is. The flashbacks weren't enough to keep me interested.
I stopped reading right when our FMC, Finn was introduced so I don't know much about his character.
I hope that this book finds its target audience, I just don't feel like it's me.
I stopped reading right when our FMC, Finn was introduced so I don't know much about his character.
I hope that this book finds its target audience, I just don't feel like it's me.
Shards of Desire by R.L. Caulder
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Well, Actually by Mazey Eddings
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book and I'm so grateful to have been provided a free copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Firstly, Eva is not going to be the FMC for everyone. I can see many people not liking her but in my opinion that just adds to her nuances. She is human, and she has faults and she is just so perfectly well written in so many ways. She refuses to acknowledge her feelings, shoving stuff down in an attempt to be a "strong woman" and as someone who struggles with that very thing, watching her realize that everything she feels is valid was so beautiful. She builds a wall up to keep people out to prevent herself from getting hurt, not understanding that sometimes its worth the risk, and when it works out its all the more amazing. I adored her hard edges and quick biting wit, as she refused to hold back her punches. However, as those punches slowly started to lose their force, the true heart of Eva gets a chance to shine.
Secondly, Rylie is absolutely delightful. He takes Eva's hard edges and accepts them, even going so far as to fuel the flames to see what she has to say. He made a lot of mistakes in his life and he doesn't shy away from admitting them and trying to do better. He wants to change and grow, not content to sit in his ignorance. He gives some of the most amazing banter with Eva and I loved every moment he was on the page!
Thirdly, The overall plot was pretty decent and the conflict that arises and comes to a point in the latter half of the book was well throughout. However, I was extremely disappointed in the ending of the book. I didn't like how the major conflict was suddenly shoved aside, given no more than 2 pages of "resolution". I wanted to see more of the consequences come to light and it just felt lacking. If the ending would have been better, this would have been a five star read.
Overall, it was pretty good. I do feel that the author did the book a disservice with the way the ending was handled, but I am glad that I read it. It was one of my better books of January!
Firstly, Eva is not going to be the FMC for everyone. I can see many people not liking her but in my opinion that just adds to her nuances. She is human, and she has faults and she is just so perfectly well written in so many ways. She refuses to acknowledge her feelings, shoving stuff down in an attempt to be a "strong woman" and as someone who struggles with that very thing, watching her realize that everything she feels is valid was so beautiful. She builds a wall up to keep people out to prevent herself from getting hurt, not understanding that sometimes its worth the risk, and when it works out its all the more amazing. I adored her hard edges and quick biting wit, as she refused to hold back her punches. However, as those punches slowly started to lose their force, the true heart of Eva gets a chance to shine.
Secondly, Rylie is absolutely delightful. He takes Eva's hard edges and accepts them, even going so far as to fuel the flames to see what she has to say. He made a lot of mistakes in his life and he doesn't shy away from admitting them and trying to do better. He wants to change and grow, not content to sit in his ignorance. He gives some of the most amazing banter with Eva and I loved every moment he was on the page!
Thirdly, The overall plot was pretty decent and the conflict that arises and comes to a point in the latter half of the book was well throughout. However, I was extremely disappointed in the ending of the book. I didn't like how the major conflict was suddenly shoved aside, given no more than 2 pages of "resolution". I wanted to see more of the consequences come to light and it just felt lacking. If the ending would have been better, this would have been a five star read.
Overall, it was pretty good. I do feel that the author did the book a disservice with the way the ending was handled, but I am glad that I read it. It was one of my better books of January!