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siesssie's reviews
299 reviews
Once You're Mine by Morgan Bridges
1.0
1.75 ★
Please save me from coming across someone as deranged as Hayden.
Please save me from coming across someone as deranged as Hayden.
God of Fury by Rina Kent
4.0
4.5 ★
Mood rating, for the vibes and the vibes only.
I feel torn writing this because I loved reading Bran & Niko’s story so much, I felt deeply for them, and theirs might now be my favorite book of the series. Yet, I can’t support certain aspects of this book.
I have a complicated relationship with Rina’s books. I went in not knowing what to expect, to then hate reading this series because I grew attached to the characters (despite disliking and being against certain behaviors and actions), and now my brain chemistry is altered or I’ve had some kind of lobotomy because I’ve accepted the recyclability of her storytelling abilities and the nature of the relationships she writes.
Starting Niko’s first chapter describing a 5-year-old’s erection, mixing his inner thoughts as an adult with those of him as a child was weird and uncomfortable to read. I’m sorry, but I simply don’t want to read the words “whore” and “boner” followed by “at the fresh age of five”.
This could have been done entirely differently, still conveying Niko’s displeasure of conveying to “social restrictions” when it comes to nudity and how early on that impacted him and his sexual awakening. But not as a literal child.
Moving on, I strongly dislike Rina’s obsession with forcing sexual relationships, specially when one party vocally refuses, several times at that and it being justifiable by “deep down I know I wanted it but I couldn’t admit to it,” yeah, it’s called consent and a no is a no, never a maybe or a yes. Which is why it’s so damn difficult to fully enjoy Rina’s books and the initial stages of the relationships she writes about.
In the end, I couldn’t help but fall for Brandon and Nikolai. Hard. Despite all that I’ve mentioned, I really enjoyed their dynamic and how they complemented one another. I had my feet in the air, giggling like a schoolgirl, blushing from ear to ear at all their tender moments and their domestic interactions.
I think I laughed all throughout Levi’s chapter, he really can’t catch a break.
I wept internally for all the pain Bran lived through, and it hurt immensely to see him struggle with his mental health and how he saw himself. I’m so happy he asked for help and pursued therapy.
I lived for all his possessive and jealous moments and how he never backed down when they clashed with Niko’s. But what I mostly enjoyed was how they couldn’t stop showing affection for one another, with kissing possibly being their love language, probably tying with physical touch.
I can’t emphasize enough how freeing and good it felt to read that Rina didn’t force a kink into their relationship, like in the previous books. This opened up a level of intimacy that came across as more believable and real, without diverting attention from the struggles already present.
Like Bran said, deep down, Niko is a big teddy bear, who loves his lotus flower more than anyone or anything in the world. His praise, words of affirmation and all his terms of endearment made my heart so full. I don’t think he initially realized how important those were for Bran to hear, even if he doubted them and felt he wasn’t deserving of his love.
I couldn’t stop grinning at his obsessiveness and how desperate he was to gather any possible information on his baby.
On the other hand, Niko’s mental health was poorly written, and I strongly disliked how medication was talked about. Rina never delved deeper into his condition, and it was a shame not to see Niko growing and learning to also seek help and better ways to deal with his manic episodes. It was barely mentioned at the end, and honestly, not enough.
My vigil for Eli and Ava’s book continues, we deserved more than the almost nonexistent crumbs we got.
PS: Nikolai, Landon and Kyle teaming up to get revenge for Brandon, chefs kisses. A shame she didn’t suffer more actually.
Mood rating, for the vibes and the vibes only.
”Normal is whatever you decide it is.”
I feel torn writing this because I loved reading Bran & Niko’s story so much, I felt deeply for them, and theirs might now be my favorite book of the series. Yet, I can’t support certain aspects of this book.
I have a complicated relationship with Rina’s books. I went in not knowing what to expect, to then hate reading this series because I grew attached to the characters (despite disliking and being against certain behaviors and actions), and now my brain chemistry is altered or I’ve had some kind of lobotomy because I’ve accepted the recyclability of her storytelling abilities and the nature of the relationships she writes.
Starting Niko’s first chapter describing a 5-year-old’s erection, mixing his inner thoughts as an adult with those of him as a child was weird and uncomfortable to read. I’m sorry, but I simply don’t want to read the words “whore” and “boner” followed by “at the fresh age of five”.
This could have been done entirely differently, still conveying Niko’s displeasure of conveying to “social restrictions” when it comes to nudity and how early on that impacted him and his sexual awakening. But not as a literal child.
Moving on, I strongly dislike Rina’s obsession with forcing sexual relationships, specially when one party vocally refuses, several times at that and it being justifiable by “deep down I know I wanted it but I couldn’t admit to it,” yeah, it’s called consent and a no is a no, never a maybe or a yes. Which is why it’s so damn difficult to fully enjoy Rina’s books and the initial stages of the relationships she writes about.
In the end, I couldn’t help but fall for Brandon and Nikolai. Hard. Despite all that I’ve mentioned, I really enjoyed their dynamic and how they complemented one another. I had my feet in the air, giggling like a schoolgirl, blushing from ear to ear at all their tender moments and their domestic interactions.
I think I laughed all throughout Levi’s chapter, he really can’t catch a break.
I wept internally for all the pain Bran lived through, and it hurt immensely to see him struggle with his mental health and how he saw himself. I’m so happy he asked for help and pursued therapy.
I lived for all his possessive and jealous moments and how he never backed down when they clashed with Niko’s. But what I mostly enjoyed was how they couldn’t stop showing affection for one another, with kissing possibly being their love language, probably tying with physical touch.
I can’t emphasize enough how freeing and good it felt to read that Rina didn’t force a kink into their relationship, like in the previous books. This opened up a level of intimacy that came across as more believable and real, without diverting attention from the struggles already present.
Like Bran said, deep down, Niko is a big teddy bear, who loves his lotus flower more than anyone or anything in the world. His praise, words of affirmation and all his terms of endearment made my heart so full. I don’t think he initially realized how important those were for Bran to hear, even if he doubted them and felt he wasn’t deserving of his love.
I couldn’t stop grinning at his obsessiveness and how desperate he was to gather any possible information on his baby.
On the other hand, Niko’s mental health was poorly written, and I strongly disliked how medication was talked about. Rina never delved deeper into his condition, and it was a shame not to see Niko growing and learning to also seek help and better ways to deal with his manic episodes. It was barely mentioned at the end, and honestly, not enough.
My vigil for Eli and Ava’s book continues, we deserved more than the almost nonexistent crumbs we got.
PS: Nikolai, Landon and Kyle teaming up to get revenge for Brandon, chefs kisses. A shame she didn’t suffer more actually.
God of Ruin by Rina Kent
Well, fuck me.
This was 5/5 Rina Stars.
Rina girl, your books are so niche in their unique fucked up way, you get your own additional special rating.
How you made me care for Landon, despite despising him from the start, is an incredible feat of its own merit. I don't know what happened, but before I realized it, his psychopathic, narcissistic rants stopped making me want to pluck out my eyeballs and started making me giggle with my feet in the air. He’d spew the most arrogant shit with an annoying smirk or insult someone’s entire genealogy, and I’d find myself laughing like an idiot.
When he dragged Killian to filth, I became his n°1 fangirl and the leader of his fan club.
Mia instantly became my favorite fmc of this series. She’s cunning and intelligent, incredibly strong and resilient, and my favorite goth Barbie.
I wish we would have had more time and attention focused on Maya’s involvement with the nanny. We can’t solely blame her or overlook that she also grew up traumatized and in direct fear for her sister and herself.
As I've said before, it's annoying how recycled the plot lines are. The haunted house was so Jeremy & Cecily coded. Go off, Queen, convert us all into recycling reading bees.
I’m now counting my hairs one by one until[b: God of Fury|201871211|God of Fury (Legacy of Gods, #5)|Rina Kent|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701553841l/201871211._SY75_.jpg|96305224] comes out, I’m salivating for Bran & Niko.
I’m also increasingly more obsessed with Eli, I need his book and to be inside his head.
4.0
"Thank you for letting me into your world."
"Thank you for being my world."
Well, fuck me.
This was 5/5 Rina Stars.
Rina girl, your books are so niche in their unique fucked up way, you get your own additional special rating.
How you made me care for Landon, despite despising him from the start, is an incredible feat of its own merit. I don't know what happened, but before I realized it, his psychopathic, narcissistic rants stopped making me want to pluck out my eyeballs and started making me giggle with my feet in the air. He’d spew the most arrogant shit with an annoying smirk or insult someone’s entire genealogy, and I’d find myself laughing like an idiot.
When he dragged Killian to filth, I became his n°1 fangirl and the leader of his fan club.
”I can't really use animals if they're incapable of being manipulated, now, can I? Unlike popular psychological bollocks, however, I've also never considered hurting them like wannabe psychopaths.
Only mentally weak psychos with mummy issues hurt helpless beings, and I refuse to be lumped in the same category as the idiots.”
Mia instantly became my favorite fmc of this series. She’s cunning and intelligent, incredibly strong and resilient, and my favorite goth Barbie.
I wish we would have had more time and attention focused on Maya’s involvement with the nanny. We can’t solely blame her or overlook that she also grew up traumatized and in direct fear for her sister and herself.
As I've said before, it's annoying how recycled the plot lines are. The haunted house was so Jeremy & Cecily coded. Go off, Queen, convert us all into recycling reading bees.
I’m now counting my hairs one by one until[b: God of Fury|201871211|God of Fury (Legacy of Gods, #5)|Rina Kent|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1701553841l/201871211._SY75_.jpg|96305224] comes out, I’m salivating for Bran & Niko.
I’m also increasingly more obsessed with Eli, I need his book and to be inside his head.
Carnal Urges Special Edition by J.T. Geissinger
3.0
3.75 ★
Mood rating, for the vibes and the vibes only.
This is a girly pop mafia romance, and I had the best time reading every single page.
The plot was all over the place and even though that usually bothers me, I was in for the ride not really batting an eye at all the silliness.
I didn't expect to laugh out loud as much as I did. Sloane & Declan have one of the best banters I've ever read!
Sloane is incredibly charming, and I did fall instantly in love with her. Her being an actual genius only made me fall even harder.
I kept imagining Declan as a version of Pierce Brosnan circa 1985, so it wasn't difficult to also be charmed by him, although I did want to punch him for how he reacted on the abortion topic. But he redeemed himself.
I enjoy stories the most when couples stand on equal ground, and the relationship truly becomes a partnership. Specially in mafia romances or other similar tropes.
This dynamic solidified my appreciation for this story. Declan wasn’t a cliché toxic alphahole (well, not too much), nor did he diminish or infantilize Sloane’s capacities and worth to feel superior.
┏━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┓
QUEENS & MONSTERS SERIES
1. [b:Ruthless Monsters|60658710] — 3 ★
2. Carnal Urges — 3.75 ★
3. [b:Savage Hearts|68480572] — 2.75 ★
4. [b:Brutal Vows|68480582] — 3.25 ★
┗━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┛
Mood rating, for the vibes and the vibes only.
This is a girly pop mafia romance, and I had the best time reading every single page.
The plot was all over the place and even though that usually bothers me, I was in for the ride not really batting an eye at all the silliness.
I didn't expect to laugh out loud as much as I did. Sloane & Declan have one of the best banters I've ever read!
Sloane is incredibly charming, and I did fall instantly in love with her. Her being an actual genius only made me fall even harder.
I kept imagining Declan as a version of Pierce Brosnan circa 1985, so it wasn't difficult to also be charmed by him, although I did want to punch him for how he reacted on the abortion topic. But he redeemed himself.
I enjoy stories the most when couples stand on equal ground, and the relationship truly becomes a partnership. Specially in mafia romances or other similar tropes.
This dynamic solidified my appreciation for this story. Declan wasn’t a cliché toxic alphahole (well, not too much), nor did he diminish or infantilize Sloane’s capacities and worth to feel superior.
┏━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┓
QUEENS & MONSTERS SERIES
1. [b:Ruthless Monsters|60658710] — 3 ★
2. Carnal Urges — 3.75 ★
3. [b:Savage Hearts|68480572] — 2.75 ★
4. [b:Brutal Vows|68480582] — 3.25 ★
┗━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┛
Brutal Vows Special Edition by J.T. Geissinger
3.0
3.25 ★
Reyna is one of the strongest, baddest fmc’s I've read this year, and I'm in love with her and her vicious wit. Spider is a cinnamon roll, and I blushed with a big smile on my face every time he basked in Reyna's praise and love.
It warms my heart that they now have each other to heal from both their very painful pasts.
Tbh, it took me until the wedding to be fully immersed in the story, but from that point onward, I was on cloud nine. What I mostly enjoyed was the key role communication played in their relationship. I was afraid of the miscommunication trope at one point and felt so relieved when it was resolved in the following chapter.
I started this series with the second book and just kept going with the rest, so Nat & Kage, here I finally come.
┏━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┓
QUEENS & MONSTERS SERIES
1. [b:Ruthless Monsters|60658710] — 3 ★
2. [b:Carnal Urges|68480577] — 3.75 ★
3. [b:Savage Hearts|68480572] — 2.75 ★
4. Brutal Vows — 3.25 ★
┗━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┛
Reyna is one of the strongest, baddest fmc’s I've read this year, and I'm in love with her and her vicious wit. Spider is a cinnamon roll, and I blushed with a big smile on my face every time he basked in Reyna's praise and love.
It warms my heart that they now have each other to heal from both their very painful pasts.
Tbh, it took me until the wedding to be fully immersed in the story, but from that point onward, I was on cloud nine. What I mostly enjoyed was the key role communication played in their relationship. I was afraid of the miscommunication trope at one point and felt so relieved when it was resolved in the following chapter.
I started this series with the second book and just kept going with the rest, so Nat & Kage, here I finally come.
┏━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┓
QUEENS & MONSTERS SERIES
1. [b:Ruthless Monsters|60658710] — 3 ★
2. [b:Carnal Urges|68480577] — 3.75 ★
3. [b:Savage Hearts|68480572] — 2.75 ★
4. Brutal Vows — 3.25 ★
┗━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┛
The Mindf*ck Series by S.T. Abby
If Lana Myers has one million fans, I am one of them.
If Lana Myers has one fan, I am that fan.
If Lana Myers has no fans, I am dead.
If the world is against Lana Myers, I am against the world.
I was completely surprised by how much I fell in love with this series. Lana Myers is iconic and one of the fiercest FMC's I have ever read. Her cunning and her sense of humor are intoxicatingly unique. Instead of the tired old trope where the heroine falls from grace, Lana triumphs and fulfills every goal she set out to achieve. She is unstoppable. She is invincible. Babygurl, you deserve all happy endings.
I wish the writing could have been stronger, but honestly, that's the sole blemish in an otherwise flawless series. I wouldn't change a thing. Well, perhaps a few more scenes with Lana and Logan exploring their identities, I wish their relationship didn't feel so rushed but I understand, given the timeline. And more Jake. More Jake and Hadley. Okay, I think I'm done.
Update: rest in peace Christie Owens, your life was short but your impact is long lasting, thank you for all your stories.
5.0
"Sometimes people don't find justice.
Sometimes they have to take it."
If Lana Myers has one million fans, I am one of them.
If Lana Myers has one fan, I am that fan.
If Lana Myers has no fans, I am dead.
If the world is against Lana Myers, I am against the world.
I was completely surprised by how much I fell in love with this series. Lana Myers is iconic and one of the fiercest FMC's I have ever read. Her cunning and her sense of humor are intoxicatingly unique. Instead of the tired old trope where the heroine falls from grace, Lana triumphs and fulfills every goal she set out to achieve. She is unstoppable. She is invincible. Babygurl, you deserve all happy endings.
I wish the writing could have been stronger, but honestly, that's the sole blemish in an otherwise flawless series. I wouldn't change a thing. Well, perhaps a few more scenes with Lana and Logan exploring their identities, I wish their relationship didn't feel so rushed but I understand, given the timeline. And more Jake. More Jake and Hadley. Okay, I think I'm done.
"I've heard that time heals all wounds, but that's not true. Falling in love? That's what makes you forget your anger."
Update: rest in peace Christie Owens, your life was short but your impact is long lasting, thank you for all your stories.
Ruthless Creatures by J.T. Geissinger
3.0
I think Mojo’s nonchalance describes this book pretty well.
I was hoping for more but it wasn’t completely bad either.
I started this series with [b:Carnal Urges|68480577] and decided to read the rest in order for some semblance of continuity before flashing back to this one. Good thing Dory and I share the same brain cells because I forgot the plot of this book when Nat’s story was resumed in, well, can’t remember which one, but either Sloane’s or Spider’s book. Told you my memory was shit.
Ngl, I was a bit disappointed by how few chapters we got from Kage’s pov, he felt distant from the story despite being the mmc. I was expecting a plot more centered on both of them.
This was incredibly insta-love and insta-lust driven, but I'm going to cut Nat some slack because poor girl went through it during those five years. She certainly has a type. David/Damon should live the rest of his days as a eunuch.
Kage needs to take medication because damn, the whiplash from being a bossy dominant alphahole to a cinnamon roll who reads regency romance novels was crazy.
┏━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┓
QUEENS & MONSTERS SERIES
1. Ruthless Monsters — 3 ★
2. [b:Carnal Urges|68480577] — 3.75 ★
3. [b:Savage Hearts|68480572] — 2.75 ★
4. [b:Brutal Vows|68480582] — 3.25 ★
┗━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┛
I was hoping for more but it wasn’t completely bad either.
I started this series with [b:Carnal Urges|68480577] and decided to read the rest in order for some semblance of continuity before flashing back to this one. Good thing Dory and I share the same brain cells because I forgot the plot of this book when Nat’s story was resumed in, well, can’t remember which one, but either Sloane’s or Spider’s book. Told you my memory was shit.
Ngl, I was a bit disappointed by how few chapters we got from Kage’s pov, he felt distant from the story despite being the mmc. I was expecting a plot more centered on both of them.
This was incredibly insta-love and insta-lust driven, but I'm going to cut Nat some slack because poor girl went through it during those five years. She certainly has a type. David/Damon should live the rest of his days as a eunuch.
Kage needs to take medication because damn, the whiplash from being a bossy dominant alphahole to a cinnamon roll who reads regency romance novels was crazy.
┏━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┓
QUEENS & MONSTERS SERIES
1. Ruthless Monsters — 3 ★
2. [b:Carnal Urges|68480577] — 3.75 ★
3. [b:Savage Hearts|68480572] — 2.75 ★
4. [b:Brutal Vows|68480582] — 3.25 ★
┗━━━━━ ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ━━━━━┛
Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas
3.0
3.5 / 3.75 ★
I really wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. The 1st chapter is one of my favorite first chapters I’ve ever read. It was simple and raw and felt real. This is what I most appreciated in Douglas's prose, she has the ability to make you feel exactly what her characters are experiencing, as if you’re the one living them. Her words pull you in, and they’re the ones that decide when to let you go.
This was a slow book in every sense of the word. While some parts stood pretty close to the border of boredom, I weirdly savored it. Age gaps make for challenging stories when not relying on complete debauchery. The choice of the pace felt even more important because we were able to understand these characters on a more intimate level by accompanying them on their mundane day to day, time and time again.
I think Jordan is more complex than what people give her credit for in some of the reviews I’ve read. Her maturity is selective because she has had to be both an adult and a kid her entire life. She’s 19, of course, she’ll also act immature. I liked that she was a girly girl who just wanted a simple life in the end. She craved for her future all that she was denied growing up. While I wish she wasn’t so young, and at several points I was rooting for her independence from everyone, she “wanted the life”, and I’m not going to judge her for it.
I strongly wished Pike wasn’t such a possessive asshole. If he at least expressed what he was truly thinking instead of just accusing Jordan left and right, he would be so much more compelling. But, despite his shortcomings, I liked him a lot too. His quiet demeanor and simple existence pulled at my heartstrings, and after all he sacrificed, he deserved his hea.
While those two months were hell for him, I’m still not sure how I feel about Jordan forgiving Pike so quickly. That’s a lie, I’m not a fan. The ending felt too abrupt after so much anticipation. I honestly don’t rate this higher because of that as well as for the lack of communication, honest, thorough communication between these two.
Cole was a selfish, egocentric loser and his “redemption” arc can suck my clit.
His mom is a haggard low life bitch and I wish she dies choking on her saliva.
I really wasn’t expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. The 1st chapter is one of my favorite first chapters I’ve ever read. It was simple and raw and felt real. This is what I most appreciated in Douglas's prose, she has the ability to make you feel exactly what her characters are experiencing, as if you’re the one living them. Her words pull you in, and they’re the ones that decide when to let you go.
This was a slow book in every sense of the word. While some parts stood pretty close to the border of boredom, I weirdly savored it. Age gaps make for challenging stories when not relying on complete debauchery. The choice of the pace felt even more important because we were able to understand these characters on a more intimate level by accompanying them on their mundane day to day, time and time again.
I think Jordan is more complex than what people give her credit for in some of the reviews I’ve read. Her maturity is selective because she has had to be both an adult and a kid her entire life. She’s 19, of course, she’ll also act immature. I liked that she was a girly girl who just wanted a simple life in the end. She craved for her future all that she was denied growing up. While I wish she wasn’t so young, and at several points I was rooting for her independence from everyone, she “wanted the life”, and I’m not going to judge her for it.
I strongly wished Pike wasn’t such a possessive asshole. If he at least expressed what he was truly thinking instead of just accusing Jordan left and right, he would be so much more compelling. But, despite his shortcomings, I liked him a lot too. His quiet demeanor and simple existence pulled at my heartstrings, and after all he sacrificed, he deserved his hea.
While those two months were hell for him, I’m still not sure how I feel about Jordan forgiving Pike so quickly. That’s a lie, I’m not a fan. The ending felt too abrupt after so much anticipation. I honestly don’t rate this higher because of that as well as for the lack of communication, honest, thorough communication between these two.
Cole was a selfish, egocentric loser and his “redemption” arc can suck my clit.
His mom is a haggard low life bitch and I wish she dies choking on her saliva.
My Dad's Best Friend by Katee Robert
3.0
This didn’t hit as hard as I hoped it would.. but it was still good.