sdupont's Reviews (551)

Just Getting Started

3.75

lighthearted medium-paced

This book is a unique take on a memoir, each chapter highlights an influential person or place in Tony’s life rather than a chronological outline of his life. Some of the chapters felt more like mini biographies or the person without much detail on their connection and relationship. I wish there was more of that for each individual featured. Despite that this book is a quick and interesting read.

Content Warnings

A Novel Love Story

Ashley Poston

3.75

emotional lighthearted 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

Reading this book feels exactly like getting stuck in a Hallmark movie. The magical realism of this book is immersive and you can visual the whole town. The pacing felt quite slow. It felt that there wasn’t much plot so the book would’ve benefitted from a faster pace. I also wish the “twist” was more surprising. It felt too clear from early on. I did enjoy Anders and Elsy’s love story. I wish we got to experience Anders POV. I think seeing him work through his grief would’ve made for a more compelling read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed Ashley Poston’s previous books.

Content Warnings

Blush

Opal Carew

3.5

adventurous medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book is very fast paced and a quick read. While it offers up some hot spicy scenes it leaves the reader wanting more of an emotional component between the characters. Their development is rushed as is their conflict resolution. I think this book would’ve been stronger if the characters were more fleshed out.

Content Warnings

The Break-Up Pact

Emma Lord

4.0

emotional 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

This book is a beautiful mix of overcoming grief (and guilt), moving on from pasts and past relationships that held you back, and building a new future with the one you’ve always loved. This book is filled with yearning. Yearning over your long time crush and yearning over the loss of your sister/friend. I really felt for both June and Levi, they had been through it and were finding their way back to themselves and to each other. At times I felt the pacing was slow, particularly in the last 25%. I did enjoy reading this book. It had me craving a beachside scone. I recommend this to fans of You With a View by Jessica Joyce and Beach Read by Emily Henry.

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Content Warnings

Love Unwritten

Lauren Asher

4.5

emotional 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

I am such a sucker for a single dad x nanny romance. I really loved the tension in the first half of the book. You can really feel that push and pull between Rafael and Ellie. They both have been through things and find ways to support each other while putting in the work to fight their insecurities and traumas. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve. That being said the second half to last quarter of the book did drag a bit. This book did not need to be 600+ pages. I think the book would have benefitted from some faster pacing after the slow burn simmered. Also it must be said I just adore Nico. He is the cutest and such a sweet little soul. His relationship with Ellie warmed my heart. I also loved seeing him and Rafael re-build their bond. I recommend this for the single dad x nanny and billionaire romance girlies!

Content Warnings

Forgotten Desires

Corinne Michaels

5.0

emotional 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: No

Easily my new favorite Whitlock Family book in the series! Crew is a babe. Who wouldn’t love a billionaire who is obsessed with them and wants to take care of them and love on them? He had me swooning. I loved seeing him and Brynlee reunite and reconnect. Crew and Brynlee really understand each other. They are so supportive and loving, making sure the other that’s what they need. Crew really had it down bad (let’s not forget about the tattoo) in the best way. Also I loved their cute little family with Layla. Honorable mention to the Whitlock brothers. I just loved the scenes with them. It was also fun seeing them after their HEAs. I recommend this for the billionaire romance girlies, this one is also for the single dad and marriage of convenience fans.

Content Warnings

Forbidden King

Laura Pavlov

5.0

emotional 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

Laura Pavlov can do no wrong! This series is excellent and Forbidden King is easily the best one yet. I ate this book up. King and Saylor have this sweet friendship. Their bond is so deep, they just have an understanding and see each other in a special way. I love a it’s always been you moment. King is hot af. He is protective and deeply cares for the people most important to him. Saylor and King support each other and clearly are like two puzzle pieces that just fit together. I felt like the tension was well written. That push and pull helped both characters work out what they needed to. PHonorable mention to Cutler and the guy’s group chat. Those scenes were always so funny. This is a top tier brother’s best friend book. I definitely recommend it for fans of Melanie Harlow or Corinne Michaels.

Content Warnings

False Start

Kandi Steiner

5.0

emotional 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

Kyle freaking Robbins!! This book has easily taken the top seed in the series and Kyle is officially the top book boyfriend of the group. I could not put this book down. I loved every second of Kyle and Madelyn’s story. We love a second chance (particularly when no one stopped loving each other for a second). It was beautiful getting to see Kyle for who he truly is on the inside instead of his persona from the previous books. He was such a sweet and protective soul. Him and Sebastian?? Omg I melted even more than his swoon worthy moments with Madelyn. They built such a beautiful little family, a home of love and support. While I was all in on their happily ever after, I honestly didn’t want to finish this book. This is a must read. If you loved Nathan Scott from OTH this book is for you.

Content Warnings

Fall With Me

Brooke Montgomery

4.25

emotional 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

I’m not usually a fan of amnesia tropes but I felt that this was such a great take on the trope! I loved flipping Landen and Ellie’s relationship on its head. Can’t be enemies if you can’t remember why you hated him to begin with! Landen might have some swagger but that boy had it bad for Ellie for four years. I loved seeing him get his opportunity for her to really give him a chance, to see him for who he really is. While I enjoyed the book, I felt that the pacing on the front end was slow. Ellie doesn’t get her amnesia (a main plot point) until halfway through the book. I would’ve liked to see more efficient pacing. Despite that I did enjoy this book and would recommend it for fans of an enemies to lovers/grumpy sunshine vibe.

Content Warnings

Untamed

M.J. Hendrix

5.0

emotional mysterious 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

Wow, I read this book on a whim after reading one review and boy am I glad that I did! Between the suspense, drama, and compelling and tension-filled romance this book is a page turner. The chemistry and tension between Holden and Rosie was electric. I loved the push and pull they had and when they finally let their desire take over. Holden is a hot af protective cowboy and the fact that she is the only thing that keeps his nightmares away? Catch me melting in a puddle. They really saved each other in so many ways. I absolutely loved this book and am super excited for book 2 next year!

Content Warnings

More...