shelf_possesed's reviews
54 reviews

Rewriting Grey by L.A. Ferro

emotional reflective tense 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

4.0

The last third of the book was a little messy, but it was still an enjoyable read.

One More Truth by Stina Lindenblatt

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

This is Book 4 in the Carson Brothers Series. Book 1 can be read as a stand-alone, but books 2-4 are a trilogy. As there are 4 brothers and the 4 books in the series only focus on 2, I am anxiously anticipating future installments. Book 2 is a little slower paced than I typically read, but the pace is related to the embedded narrative. I love the story within a story concept. This trilog is basically a nested narrative set in France during the Nazi occupation prior to D-Day within a modern frame trilogy told in dual POV, so you get a little historical fiction within the focus plot. I love how the author highlighted society's tendency to stereotype, dehumanize, and persecute those it views undesirable without regard for circumstances or personal characteristics. Book 4 was my least favorite in the series. There were a few minor things here and there that would have benefited from further explanation or development and some excessive, over-the top attitudes and repetitive character drama that got a little tedious, but the writing is solid. As a trilogy, it's an enjoyable 4 out 5 stars.

One More Betrayal by Stina Lindenblatt

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.0

This is Book 3 in the Carson Brothers Series. Book 1 can be read as a stand-alone, but books 2-4 are a trilogy. As there are 4 brothers and the 4 books in the series only focus on 2, I am anxiously anticipating future installments. Book 2 is a little slower paced than I typically read, but the pace is related to the embedded narrative. The pace accelerates in Book 3. I love the story within a story concept. This is basically a nested narrative set in France during the Nazi occupation prior to D-Day within a modern frame trilogy told in dual POV, so you get a little historical fiction within the focus plot. I love how the author highlighted society's tendency to stereotype, dehumanize, and persecute those it views undesirable without regard for circumstances or personal characteristics. There were a few minor things here and there that would have benefited from further explanation or development and some excessive, over-the top attitudes and repetitive character drama, mostly in Book 4, that got a little tedious, but the writing is solid. This was my favorite book, but my rating is for the entire trilogy. I found it difficult to rate the books separately. 

Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

dark 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? Yes

4.5

This was not what I was expecting at all. It has a strong Deadpool vibe. Given the dark content, the bursts of gallows humor and inside jokes are welcome comic relief reminiscent of parody or satire. There were a few times that I actually laughed out loud. The characters were more than loveable. They were adorable, and their inappropriately hilarious banter was presented  in such a way that it was almost cute and sweet. Aunt Ethel is the vodka aunt everyone wishes they had. I would have given it 5 stars, but I could have lived forever and and a day without the bonus chapter. WTAF? Nothing could have prepared me for that.

One More Secret by Stina Lindenblatt

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

This is Book 2 in the Carson Brothers Series. Book 1 can be read as a stand-alone, but books 2-4 are a trilogy. As there are 4 brothers and the 4 books in the series only focus on 2, I am anxiously anticipating future installments. Book 2 is a little slower paced than I typically read, but the pace is related to the embedded narrative. It's two expositions. I love the story within a story concept. This is basically a nested narrative set in France during the Nazi occupation prior to D-Day within a modern frame trilogy told in dual POV, so you get a little historical fiction within the focus plot. I love how the author highlighted society's tendency to stereotype, dehumanize, and persecute those it views undesirable without regard for circumstances or personal characteristics. There were a few minor things here and there that would have benefited from further explanation or development and some excessive, over-the top attitudes and repetitive character drama, mostly in book 4, that got a little tedious, but the writing is solid. My rating is for the trilogy. I found it difficult to rate the books individually.

Pawns In The Bishop's Game by Emilia Finn

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

This is book 1 in the series. There are a total of 8 with books 3 and 4 being more of a part 1 and part 2 of the same story. There is a common plot thread that intensifies as the series progresses with a little more of the mystery being revealed with each book. After book 1, I was hooked. It is by far the best series that I have read this year. The loveable and deliciously flawed cast of characters are working through some dark internal and external struggles, so peruse the trigger warnings before you commit. If you love strong MMC and even stronger FMC, clever banter, and some spice to flavor the chills and thrills, you can't go wrong with this series.

One More Chance by Stina Lindenblatt

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense 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

4.5

This is a new to me author. I went into it blind. I didn't even read the description. I am glad that I took a chance on it. It was well-written. The characters and plot were engaging. I am looking forward to reading the remainder of this series. 

Until I Get You by Claire Contreras

dark emotional mysterious tense 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

5.0

Verity by Colleen Hoover

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Are we sure Colleen Hoover wrote this book? She didn't show up to the party until the last few chapters of the book. The Epilogue though, straight up Hoover. I'm not typically a fan of hers, but this one grabbed my attention and didn't let go. It's a psychological thriller with a sick and twisted plot that was suspenseful enough to give even me the chills. If Basic Instinct and the Hand that Rocks the Cradle had a love child, this would be it. If it had ended with the last chapter, I would have been completely satisfied. It didn't need the Epilogue. I docked it a half star out of sheer frustration. WTF, Colleen????

Funny Story by Emily Henry

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

As the name implies, this is a funny, lighthearted rom-com. There are parts that had me laughing out-loud and a few that had me dying of second-hand embarrassment. I loved the literary references sprinkled throughout. The characters are well developed and loveable but show little growth as the story progresses. The MMC, Miles, is very much a hipster. I had a little trouble relating to him as a love interest, probably due to my age more than anything else. Still, it's an enjoyable, sweet read.