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rosegold_bibliophile's reviews
600 reviews
Meet Your Match by Kandi Steiner
4.0
Story: 4 ⭐️
Steam: 5 🔥 heavy smut
Audio: 4.5 🎧
I really enjoyed this story. The forced proximity was just - chefs kiss. I loved how hard Vince fell and how much he fought to get through Maven’s walls. They were such a cute couple and I adored their story.
This was a great start to a series and I can already see some upcoming couples I am dying to hear about! 😏
Audiobook Review: I liked both of these narrators. The duel narration style is my fav for sure. The only issue I really had was when the female narrator didn’t always match the vibe of the scene when she would pop in during Vince’s perspective. Her voice would sound monotone at times. Other than that it was perfect!
Steam: 5 🔥 heavy smut
Audio: 4.5 🎧
I really enjoyed this story. The forced proximity was just - chefs kiss. I loved how hard Vince fell and how much he fought to get through Maven’s walls. They were such a cute couple and I adored their story.
This was a great start to a series and I can already see some upcoming couples I am dying to hear about! 😏
Audiobook Review: I liked both of these narrators. The duel narration style is my fav for sure. The only issue I really had was when the female narrator didn’t always match the vibe of the scene when she would pop in during Vince’s perspective. Her voice would sound monotone at times. Other than that it was perfect!
The Not-Outcast by Tijan
4.0
Story: 4 ⭐️
Steam: 3 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
This book was very different and I enjoyed it! Cheyenne was quirky and cute. Cut was so sweet and protective. Together they were unlikely but so perfect. It was awesome to see someone have such a struggle growing up but become such a strong adult.
Audiobook Performance:
Per usual, Andi Arndt and Jason Clark are amazing.
Steam: 3 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
This book was very different and I enjoyed it! Cheyenne was quirky and cute. Cut was so sweet and protective. Together they were unlikely but so perfect. It was awesome to see someone have such a struggle growing up but become such a strong adult.
Audiobook Performance:
Per usual, Andi Arndt and Jason Clark are amazing.
Sweet Regret by K. Bromberg
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Story: 4.5 ⭐️
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
I really enjoyed this read! There was a perfect amount of tension, longing, and growing with these characters. It’s a perfect depiction of loving someone who is just out of your reach. As with all secret baby romances, the buildup to the bomb drop was stressful! But I had a great time and would definitely recommend!
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
I really enjoyed this read! There was a perfect amount of tension, longing, and growing with these characters. It’s a perfect depiction of loving someone who is just out of your reach. As with all secret baby romances, the buildup to the bomb drop was stressful! But I had a great time and would definitely recommend!
Heartless by Jade West
2.5
Story: 2.5 ⭐️
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
This book was okay. There wasn’t much going on to keep me interested in the long term outcome of the story. I figured with this being a trilogy, it would end with some sort of cliffhanger or unanswered questions but it didn’t. Neither of the characters were particularly likable. I just wasn’t really vibing with this one.
Please check the content warnings if you have any triggers, this book has many!
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
This book was okay. There wasn’t much going on to keep me interested in the long term outcome of the story. I figured with this being a trilogy, it would end with some sort of cliffhanger or unanswered questions but it didn’t. Neither of the characters were particularly likable. I just wasn’t really vibing with this one.
Please check the content warnings if you have any triggers, this book has many!
Until I Get You by Claire Contreras
1.5
Story: 1.5 ⭐️
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me. There were times I liked it but I think that mostly stemmed from me wanting to like it.
The relationship is very instalove and “she’s not like other girls” which are both troupes I could do without.
** Mild Spoilers Ahead **
The mystery behind her trauma was not as enticing or interesting as it could have been. It didn’t feel fleshed out and felt like something that was just thrown into the story. I didn’t feel like I was dying to know who the bad guy was and I was underwhelmed when we found out.
When the main character “disappeared” and “went into hiding” she did it in the MOST obvious way I’ve ever seen and then we’re expected to believe he couldn’t find her for 3 years? Completely unrealistic. Her “new name” was almost the same first name and then her mom’s maiden name, she goes to college at the school she was already planning to go to, and stayed connected to her friends who were not in hiding. Way to hide with a neon sign on your head.
** End Mild Spoilers **
Overall, this felt way too long, way too many things were going on and all the things were boring. This is my first read from this author and I’m not sure if I feel motivated to read more from them.
Audiobook Performance: both narrators did an amazing job. They’re both relatable narrators who I’ve never had a bad performance from!
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
Unfortunately, this book was a miss for me. There were times I liked it but I think that mostly stemmed from me wanting to like it.
The relationship is very instalove and “she’s not like other girls” which are both troupes I could do without.
** Mild Spoilers Ahead **
The mystery behind her trauma was not as enticing or interesting as it could have been. It didn’t feel fleshed out and felt like something that was just thrown into the story. I didn’t feel like I was dying to know who the bad guy was and I was underwhelmed when we found out.
When the main character “disappeared” and “went into hiding” she did it in the MOST obvious way I’ve ever seen and then we’re expected to believe he couldn’t find her for 3 years? Completely unrealistic. Her “new name” was almost the same first name and then her mom’s maiden name, she goes to college at the school she was already planning to go to, and stayed connected to her friends who were not in hiding. Way to hide with a neon sign on your head.
** End Mild Spoilers **
Overall, this felt way too long, way too many things were going on and all the things were boring. This is my first read from this author and I’m not sure if I feel motivated to read more from them.
Audiobook Performance: both narrators did an amazing job. They’re both relatable narrators who I’ve never had a bad performance from!
If This is Love by Jewel E. Ann
emotional
medium-paced
3.5
Story: 3.5 ⭐️
Steam: 5 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
I liked this story. I was a bit worried in the beginning with their age gap. I don’t mind age gaps but we start the heroine is 10 and the hero is 18. Luckily nothing happens until she is 18 but I do think there could have been more of a transition time between the platonic relationship and the romantic one. It felt very rushed. I think when a book is this long, rushing feels unnecessary.
Overall it was a wild ride.
Steam: 5 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
I liked this story. I was a bit worried in the beginning with their age gap. I don’t mind age gaps but we start the heroine is 10 and the hero is 18. Luckily nothing happens until she is 18 but I do think there could have been more of a transition time between the platonic relationship and the romantic one. It felt very rushed. I think when a book is this long, rushing feels unnecessary.
Overall it was a wild ride.
The Summer We Fell by Elizabeth O'Roark
emotional
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Story: 5 ⭐️
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
See content/trigger warning at bottom of review!
Oof this book wrecked me in the best way. The angst. The pining. The secrets. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down.
I didn’t love that the story kept jumping from the past to the present but i also feel like that was probably the best way to tell the story so i got used to it.
I just absolutely adored Luke. He was such an amazing protector and he deserves the whole world. Juliet is a broken girl who needed someone to really see her and Luke was just perfect for her.
100% will return to this book to feel something in the future.
🚨 Content/Trigger Warning ⚠️ Possible Spoilers🚨
Discussions of past SA, victim blaming, dubious consent, cheating (boyfriend’s best friend trope)
Steam: 4 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
See content/trigger warning at bottom of review!
Oof this book wrecked me in the best way. The angst. The pining. The secrets. I was hooked from page one and couldn’t put it down.
I didn’t love that the story kept jumping from the past to the present but i also feel like that was probably the best way to tell the story so i got used to it.
I just absolutely adored Luke. He was such an amazing protector and he deserves the whole world. Juliet is a broken girl who needed someone to really see her and Luke was just perfect for her.
100% will return to this book to feel something in the future.
🚨 Content/Trigger Warning ⚠️ Possible Spoilers🚨
Discussions of past SA, victim blaming, dubious consent, cheating (boyfriend’s best friend trope)
The Saint by Nana Malone
2.5
Story: 2.5 ⭐️
Steam: 3 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
This book was okay. I didn’t read the first book in the series but because this was advertised as a standalone with in the series I gave it a shot! I can confirm that reading out of sequence was not an issue, I didn’t feel like I missed anything or like I was on the outside of an inside joke. So it’s definitely good to just right in the series here!
I think my main issues with this book are just based on preference. In my opinion, the suspense/spy plot of this book far outweighed the romance. It gave me vibes of romance in an action flick, it’s there but it’s shallow and only to further the plot. Which is fine if you’re an action or suspense reader, unfortunately I was strictly here for the romance with a side of plot. Which, in my opinion, was super predictable and typical. A lot of the twists and turns I saw coming from a mile away so they weren’t that exciting when they were revealed.
I had a hard time seeing why, outside of physical attraction, the main characters were even together. I didn’t feel like they had connected much deeper than surface level. Because I wasn’t very invested in the romance, I found myself bored for a majority of the story and just wanting it to be over. I also thought this was way longer than it needed to be which made the story kinda drag on.
I think overall it was just a preference issue and others might really love it!
Audiobook Performance: both actors did a great job! I have no complaints about the performance for both of them. I think the audio was great!
Steam: 3 🔥
Audio: 5 🎧
This book was okay. I didn’t read the first book in the series but because this was advertised as a standalone with in the series I gave it a shot! I can confirm that reading out of sequence was not an issue, I didn’t feel like I missed anything or like I was on the outside of an inside joke. So it’s definitely good to just right in the series here!
I think my main issues with this book are just based on preference. In my opinion, the suspense/spy plot of this book far outweighed the romance. It gave me vibes of romance in an action flick, it’s there but it’s shallow and only to further the plot. Which is fine if you’re an action or suspense reader, unfortunately I was strictly here for the romance with a side of plot. Which, in my opinion, was super predictable and typical. A lot of the twists and turns I saw coming from a mile away so they weren’t that exciting when they were revealed.
I had a hard time seeing why, outside of physical attraction, the main characters were even together. I didn’t feel like they had connected much deeper than surface level. Because I wasn’t very invested in the romance, I found myself bored for a majority of the story and just wanting it to be over. I also thought this was way longer than it needed to be which made the story kinda drag on.
I think overall it was just a preference issue and others might really love it!
Audiobook Performance: both actors did a great job! I have no complaints about the performance for both of them. I think the audio was great!