simplyalexandra's reviews
874 reviews

After the Forest by Kell Woods

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

4 stars - this was such and interesting book, and nothing like I expected. I loved the German setting, Greta, the bear, and the mystery in the story. I will say this was much darker than I had expected it to be. It’s fairly bleak from the beginning, and there are some fairly graphically dark and violent moments toward the end of the book. I was imagining a bit more whimsy and cozy scenes. This isn’t that book. All that to say I enjoyed it quite a bit and found it very fun and different than other things I’ve read recently. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence

The South Wind by Alexandria Warwick

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

3.5 stars - I absolutely love The Four Winds series! This one had such a different setting, and vibe than the ither two. I really enjoyed the second chance romance in this book. It definitely felt steamier than the other two to me. I loved the side characters, and the atmospheric setting. The sailers and the action related to the sand storms were really interesting to read. I understand where the plot went related to music and battling demons, but it felt so different from the other books and I found that a little distracting. Maybe it was a mixture of pulling from so many stories, and the fact that it was left open ended. Overall I liked it, but it wasn’t my favorite in the series.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy!

Grow Wild: The Whole-Child, Whole-Family, Nature-Rich Guide to Moving More by Katy Bowman

challenging informative inspiring medium-paced

4.5

4.5 stars - I really enjoyed this book! It was packed with a lot of information and research on movement from many different lenses. I appreciated that this was approached in a really flexible manner. It was factual, and yes, wants you to move more, but is also realistic. There were so many sections filled with reflection questions, practical ideas, and in depth information on choosing clothes, shoes, traditions, activities, etc. etc. that work for you and your family. Definitely worth a read or a listen for parents and caregivers.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

4 stars - this was cute! There were several parts that had me laughing out loud, and definitely some steamy moments. This wasn’t my overall favorite of the series,  but I love the whole group of characters and I’m excited for the next book. 

The West Wind by Alexandria Warwick

adventurous fast-paced

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

4.0

4 stars - I'm not sure what I expected from this one, but the plot was not at all what I imagined. I enjoyed the abbey setting, Brielle as a character, and zephyrus, too. The Under wasn't my favorite setting to read, very creepy, but the plot moved quickly enough and was action packed enough that I didn't worry too much about it. This one definitely left me emotional at times. The characters had a lot of growth, and I really enjoyed the relationships between the characters.

Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare

emotional lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

4 stars - it’s been a long time since I’ve read a Tessa Dare novel. This one was very swoony and fun. It was fast paced and hard to put down.

Midnight Masquerade by Halley Larkin

lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

3 stars - this was a fun book. I liked the premise of a foreign duke in hiding as a servant. It felt a bit slow in pace, and some parts felt drawn out. I wish for all of the swoony moments it wouldn’t have faded to black at the ending.

Collision by Kristen Granata

emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

I wish I would have realized this was a duology before I started listening to it. 🙈 It was entertaining and very dramatic, but I felt like it was also fairly drawn out. Not sure what all will happen in the second book to make it feel necessary.

The Rule Book by Sarah Adams

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Oh I really liked this one! It’s probably one of my favorite second chance romances I’ve read. Nora and Derek had such good chemistry right from the beginning. The level of intensity and pining was absolutely on point. As a note: this author usually writes closed door romances, this book is open door!

Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys

2.0