sarah_gb's reviews
416 reviews

The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

Him by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

This was fun but I hated how the protagonists talked about women.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.

I don't love the style of writing.

The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense slow-paced

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

4.5

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 4%.

I just know I will never finish this. The book is currently used to prop my window open in the summer 

The Six Deaths of the Saint by Alix E. Harrow

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was absolutely amazing. The amount of emotion packed into these 30. Omg 

More Than a Best Friend by Emma R. Alban

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.0

Beth is a debutante that needs to marry to gain security for herself and her mother. Gwen is into her fourth season, with no hopes nor intentions of finding a husband. The two meet and realise they could try to set up their parents in hopes of saving themselves from the marriage mart. 

More than a Best Friend, had what some of my favourite historical romances have, which is a strong cast of background characters. I loved Gwen's family and the villanous Lord Ashmond. I liked the behind the scenes politics and the stakes it added to the story. The relationship between Beth and her mother and Gwen and her father was great. I found Gwen's father, Lord Havenfort was very charming. 
What puts me on the fence about this book, is that the speech felt really modern and it took me away from the Victorian setting of the story. I understand that this wouldn't be a problem for most people but it was for me. 

I am not sure how I feel coming out if this book. The first half flew by for me, and I really enjoyed it. Towards the end of the book, I didn't feel the same pull. I also didn't feel anything about the romance between Gwen and Beth. I really wanted to love this sapphic historical romance named after a Taylor Swift song but it just fell flat for me.

I would say this book is for people who love romance with good side plots and characters. If you're trying to get into historical romances, this would be a good first book.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

The Duke Is Mine by Eloisa James
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.

I don't think I'm vibing with the characters or the style of writing 

A Christmas Promise by Mary Balogh

emotional hopeful 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

4.0

Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas

emotional funny hopeful sad slow-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

5.0

Just loved this so much. The importance of friendship to a romantic relationship and the pining! It was so fun and a great example of good miscommunication.