sdupont's Reviews (553)

Surviving to Drive

4.0

funny lighthearted medium-paced

If you are a fan of Drive to Survive you will enjoy this book! I found it interesting to dive more into the world of F1 and learn about the inner workings of the teams. The 2022 season was an interesting one to focus in on. Gunther is hilarious on the show and he definitely entertaining on the page as well. While I didn’t read via audiobook, he is the narrator so I can imagine it is a better experience to hear his delivery.

Content Warnings

The Woman in Me

Britney Spears

4.25

dark emotional reflective medium-paced

I couldn’t put this book down, despite the topics covered this memoir was a quick and easy read. Britney’s voice shines through. I found The Woman In Me to be similar in tone and style to Open Book by Jessica Simpson. Fans of that memoir will enjoy this one. I do wish that Britney dove into my detail when discussing the earlier parts of her career. I would’ve loved some more insight into her recording process, performances, and music video production at that point in time. She focused more on her thoughts and feelings at the time rather than on events themselves. I definitely recommend reading this book if you are a fan of hers or celebrity memoirs in general!

Content Warnings

Wildfire

Hannah Grace

4.0

emotional funny slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

While I enjoyed Wildfire, it is not as strong as Icebreaker. I felt that the pacing was slow at times and that the book could’ve been a little shorter. I like Aurora and Russ, I think they were good about trying to support the other and their needs. I think the characters had nice development over the course of the book. Unfortunately this book left me wanting more of the fireworks that Icebreaker had. That being said I am excited to read Henry’s book next.

Content Warnings

Better Hate Than Never

Chloe Liese

4.5

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Chloe Liese can do no wrong, she always delivers a cozy loving romance with a smattering of spice. This one is a Taming of the Shrew retelling. Never fear, if you’re a 10 Things I Hate About You girlie there is still a paintball scene! I liked Christopher and Kate, they are two people you root for individually and as a couple. I really enjoyed all the scenes with the entire friend group. The one thing holding this back from 5 stars was the connection- their childhood “enemies” background didn’t make much sense to me it felt like a weak reason to be antagonistic with each other for so long. I also wanted more swoony moments. Chloe is an excellent author though and I still enjoyed this one and would recommend it!

Content Warnings

Hopeless

Elsie Silver

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

Start to finish this series has been *chef’s kiss* Elsie Silver can do no wrong! I really enjoyed Beau and Bailey’s story. I just love when fake dating/engagement are never really that fake because at least one of the MCs has real feelings. Bailey and Beau are well matched- she calls him out and keeps him on his toes, and he provides her love and care that she never had had. They are a couple you will root for. Theirs is a bit of a slower build up than some of the other books but it suits them and their story. This book is great for someone looking for an emotional romance with some spice.

Content Warnings

Caught Up

Liz Tomforde

5.0

emotional funny medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Liz Tomforde somehow found a way to outdo herself again with Caught Up. I devoured this book! I loved the previous two books in the series (5 stars all around) but this book truly surpassed my expectations. I love a single dad romance mix that with a nanny who is the coach’s dad? Hello, say less! I adored Kai, he is the sweetest dad to Max. He deeply cares about everyone in his life. I equally loved Miller, she is very relatable in her pursuits of awards and perfection/excellence. The relationship she develops with Max is so heartwarming. Kai and Miller are exactly what the other needs- grounding, supporting, and having fun. Honorable mention to the entire cast of characters, everyone is fabulous we love a found family moment! This book had me crying at so many different points, it definitely is the perfect mix of emotional, sweetness, and spice. I need everyone to read this book!

Content Warnings

You, Again

Kate Goldbeck

DID NOT FINISH: 18%

I was excited to read this book after all of the comparisons to When Harry Met Sally- the pinnacle of all romcoms. Unfortunately I could not get into this book. The writing style was not my jam. The chapters are extremely long (chapter 1 was 33 pages!), but what’s worse is the the POV constantly is flipping between Ari and Josh within the chapters. It is so hard to get a good perspective when you are struggling to remember whose POV you’re reading. I wanted to like this one but the retiring style was not for me.

Content Warnings

Before the Sunset

Laura Pavlov

5.0

emotional funny lighthearted 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

This series does not miss! I just love Laura’s writing, her books are always the perfect mix of sweet, swoony, and spicy. I love Finn and Reese, truly a perfect friends to lovers romance. They truly and deeply care about one another. They are so supportive and really see the other. The dual POV hits home how bad the other has it while they “fake date.” I love the scenes with all of the siblings together, they are always so funny. I recommend this for the friends to lovers girlies, this book will not disappoint. While I am extremely excited for Cage’s time to shine in the next and final book in the series, I will be so sad to see it come to an end!

Content Warnings

Enchanted to Meet You

Meg Cabot

4.0

emotional funny 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

Looking for a fun witchy read for Halloween? You’re in the right place! This book is written in Meg Cabot’s signature style and voice. I enjoyed reading about Jessica and Derrick. I felt that the romance was more of the secondary plot in this book so I was left wanting more development of their relationship. I was hoping for a little bit more of The Mediator vibes (but witchy) but this book was more mild. I still enjoyed it and found it to be fun and lighthearted.

Content Warnings

Tempting the Player

Rebecca Jenshak

4.75

emotional funny 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: Complicated

If you love the movie First Daughter this book is for you! Undercover bodyguard? Sign me up! I really enjoyed this one. I liked Jane and Hendrick. He was so protective and caring. I loved the scenes with his brothers. They were there for Jane and served as great comedic relief. They had a fun dynamic. Unlike the other books we didn’t get to see much of the girls which was a bummer but Jane was more isolated due to the nature of the plot so it made sense. Unlike the previous books in the series I think one didn’t suffer the rushed ending, things were allowed to play out more. I definitely recommend this one, it was my favorite in the series!

Content Warnings

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