sdupont's Reviews (556)

A Perfect Vintage

Chelsea Fagan

3.5

emotional tense slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Reading this book will make you wish you were lounging poolside with a glass of wine and some cheese. This book wasn’t my cup of tea, while I can get behind messy af characters (I mean I love a reality show) I found most the main character pretty unlikeable. Lea thought she knew better than everyone around her even though she was generally unhappy with her life (aside from her job and a Stephanie/Maya). I found that to be grating over time. The romance aspect of this story fell flat for me, it was lacking a deeper emotional connection and seemed purely sexual. I wanted more of the romance and less of Lea’s daily workplace tasks content-wise. I was hoping for more out of this book, but still found myself wanting to read more and see what would happen. This book is great for fans of unlikeable, messy characters.

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

Content Warnings

The True Love Experiment

Christina Lauren

4.5

emotional funny lighthearted 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 is a fun feel good book, perfect for fans of reality tv and romance! I love how two of my favorite worlds collided in this book- romance and reality tv. I would SO watch a show with a romance author dating different guys representing tropes. The connection to The Soulmate Equation with the DNA testing was a fun added twist. I absolutely adored Fizzy in The Soulmate Equation and was so excited to her story. I loved getting to dive into her head and learn more about her. Her charisma is infectious and I want to be her friend! Connor developed into quite the babe, I wasn’t sure at first but he quickly turned out to be a swoony MMC. He truly saw her and understood her in a way no one other than her bestie Jess has. I loved that moment (and obviously the grand reveal/gesture). I absolutely recommend that people pick this one up!

Content Warnings

Neutral Zone

Teagan Hunter

4.5

emotional funny 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

Teagan Hunter always delivers up a fun and spicy hockey romance! I enjoyed this book. Ivan is so sweet, I love his obsession with strawberries. Rosie is a character you really root for, I wanted her to be able to feel secure in herself. I wish we saw a little more journey to self love and acceptance, it seemed quickly resolved. I liked Ivan and Rosie together. He really saw her and she was so supportive. They gave the other what they needed and had been missing out on. Honorable mention to the scenes involving the characters from the other books. I totally recommend this series!

Content Warnings

Rewrite Our Story

Kat Singleton

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

Wow! This book is hot and angsty af but will also have you swooning. I love a second chance romance and this one was *chef’s kiss* This book really delivers a couple who you immediately are rooting for because they so deeply love and care for each other but at the same time have realistic baggage and history to work through and move past. It’s so well balanced. I love Goldie and Cade! He’s grumpy and a sucker so in love- bonus points for the cowboy vibes. Goldie is very relatable, she is someone readers can easily connect to. I think the jumping between timelines and POVs really enhances the story, you get such a full picture of the couple. I absolutely recommend this book and need everyone to download it asap! I’m so excited to read book 2 later this year.

Content Warnings

Under the Stars

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

I just adore Laura Pavlov’s books and this one is no different! Under the Stars offers up great banter, chemistry, pining, sweetness, and spice all in the backdrop of a cozy small town workplace romance. I loved Georgia and Maddox. She balances him out and both of them really wanted to be what the other needed. I appreciated the baggage that Maddox had to confront and think that it was handled really well. Also enjoyed that there wasn’t a traditional third act breakup. I couldn’t put this book down and am already dying to read the next book in this series. Definitely recommend for fans of grumpy (but sweet) billionaires!

Content Warnings

The Neighbor Favor

Kristina Forest

4.0

emotional 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

Secret identity is one of my least favorite tropes. I hate when the foundation of a relationship is tainted by lies and secrecy. Despite this I still did enjoy reading this book. This book is a cute romance. I liked Lily and her sisters, those scenes were my favorite. I had a hard time connecting with Lily and Nick’s relationship but at the same time I couldn’t put the book down. That’s a testament to Kristina Forest’s great writing. I’d still recommend giving The Neighbor Favor a chance. I’m definitely looking forward to Violet’s book!

Content Warnings

You & Me

Tal Bauer

4.5

emotional 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

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can’t Lose!! This book is perfect for anyone who loves Friday Night Lights. I honestly had a hard time putting this one down. I loved seeing the sweet friendship between Luke and Landon develop and then evolve into a romantic relationship. You really got a good sense of the characters thoughts and feelings- even Landon (who is not the narrator). I equally loved the evolution of Luke and Emmett’s relationship and how Luke, Emmett, Landon, and Bowen became a family. This book is so feel good, but also delivers on the chemistry tension and spice. I absolutely recommend this book, I need everyone to go pick it up!

Content Warnings

Some Sort of Love

Melanie Harlow

4.0

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

I haven’t met a single dad romance written by Melanie Harlow that I haven’t enjoyed. Jillian and Levi definitely have sexual chemistry in this book. They also are kind and supportive, particularly Jillian who really sees Levi. At times I found it so frustrating that Levi was so stubborn and committed to his own unhappiness though I understand why he was so hard on himself. This book did feel too much like instalove-

they said I love on the second date!

Despite that I still enjoyed reading this book. Melanie always delivers a fun spicy read!

Content Warnings

Some Sort of Crazy

Melanie Harlow

4.5

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

Melanie Harlow is one of the few authors who can write an

accidental pregnancy

story that is so good! Miles and Natalie have lots of chemistry right from the start of the book. I am a sucker for friends to lovers and this one really delivered on the strong bond and hot spicy scenes. I think Miles’s whole flirty playboy vibe really enhanced the plot. It added this barrier that went beyond protecting the friendship for the couple to get past. I thought this was a stronger book compared to the first one in the series. I totally would recommend and am excited to finish the series!

Content Warnings

Some Sort of Happy

Melanie Harlow

4.0

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

Even though the characters knew each other in high school this book was a little too instalove for me. Despite this I liked Skylar and Sebastian. They tried to support the other’s insecurities and anxieties. I do wish Skylar researched OCD with the same effort and diligence as she did researching and preparing for her job interview. She tried her best to help Sebastian cope but I think if she did more prep work on her end she could’ve avoided getting frustrated with him about certain things earlier on. It was clear the character had deep feelings for each other and they are a couple you will find yourself rooting for. While I am not knowledgeable on OCD, I do feel like Melanie did a good job of writing Sebastian’s internal thoughts in a way that helped the reader relate to him and out themselves in his shoes.

Content Warnings

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