sm_mccoy's reviews
50 reviews

Blood Wisp by Sarina Langer

hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

If you like the character development and banter of Jennifer Armentrout but YA instead of spicy this book has a rich world to explore and it's only just started. Yua discovers friendship and self confidence as she delves into the darkness that resides in her black veins. Most are afraid of what she's capable of, but it's an assassin that helps her accept herself and learn she's stronger than the darkness inside.

Of Monsters and Mazes by Leann Belle

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Leann is a new favorite instaread author and I can't wait to read what she comes up with next. This is my new favorite of hers. FMC Sela is 35 and  fighting for respect in the tech industry. Her perseverance earns her a position of power but it's built of personal sacrifice that the people surrounding her don't deserve from her. Everything changed when she connects with a psychopathic demon king on a dating app and whisked away to Tartarus for a twisted game of pain and lust, and potentially love. There are Labyrinth, Greek Mythology, and dark emotional vibes that Leann brings together to tear at your insides and make you question your sanity as you devour every spicy, and twistedly dark scene to its devilishly delicious end. Thank you for another awesome read.

Gang of Ghouls: The Complete Series by Eva Chase

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

Overall, across the series, the books got better with each installment, the last one being the best. I might have DNF'd this series if not for buddy reading, but I really enjoyed the multiple POVs of the gangster ghouls and loved the character development of them. The plot/story itself was not my favorite, but the relationship between them all was enjoyable. I'm glad the story redeemed itself in the final book.

Deathly Delinquency by Eva Chase

fast-paced

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

5.0

A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

4.5

Poppy (FMC) is strong warrior type who has been kept "locked" up most of her life, and kept unaware of her surroundings, her future, but for a few people who have helped her learn forbidden things is likeable, but continuously lashes out, and miscommunicates.

Stabbing people really isn't a problem for our (MMC) Casteel, also known as (Hawk), and I enjoyed the banter and way their relationship unfolds.

It is a fated mates vampire-witch-like romance set with a backdrop of a looming war between species the Atlantians and the Ascended, Poppy sees the truth of the horrors the Ascended are capable of, and though she is surrounded by those who do not trust her, she has found something far more valuable that she's willing to die for, or stab a few people along the way. The Ascended are like vampire descendants with bloodlust and the Atlantians are like children of the gods who feed (blood) from other Atlantians.

This book has a slow start, in fact, 40% of this book was difficult to get through, and I was very close to DNF-ing this series due to the repetitive nature of the character's dialogue. It was like they were simply repeating things over and over again to each other, and having the same conversation with each other so many times, with nothing actually happening that I was about to call it quits and listen to something else. It's saving grace was that I was listening to the audiobook, and the narrator is top notch that it didn't matter that the book was slow, I enjoyed listening to her voice. Half-way through the book, I was more invested, and I'm glad I stuck it out. I'm excited to listen to book three and see what happens next!

Lich's Love by Celeste King

slow-paced

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

4.5

I enjoyed reading this story, read it in a couple days, and was a good read. The FMC wasn't my favorite but that's because her actions didn't make sense sometimes, but I liked how they came together and the way the MMC cared for her was sweet. The spicy scenes were a bit odd to me, but not because of what they do, but the way it's written felt repetitive and I didn't really connect with them. But the story was great and I liked the character development that it more than made up for it.

If you like dark shadow tentacles and a grumpy mate who treats their love with tender affection while stabby stabby anyone who threatens her then this is your next read! You won't regret it! I think I enjoyed book two more than this one, but definitely look forward to more lich love! 

Grave Misconduct by Eva Chase

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

Love the cast of ghouls and the spice is great in this book, but I just couldn't give this book a solid 4 because at times I'm just annoyed by the FMC, and the plot. Their actions seem silly at times, but I do enjoy the supernatural unique powers between everyone. And like the rest of the series the book ends on a horrible cliffhanger. The only saving grace is that the series is complete otherwise it's highly likely I would not come back to find out how it ends.

I will continue to read book 4 to see what happens. The writing is good and the ghouls are fun to read 

Criminal Spirits by Eva Chase

adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced

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

3.5

We end off on another cliffhanger that I'd be irritated about its abruptness if the series wasn't complete, but since it is, I'm glad I can just continue reading.
We start to get some answers about her past, and introduce a villain for the ghouls to go after come book three. Though the motives are unclear at this point.
We'll see what book three brings.
My book bestie may continue on our buddy read. 

Jasmine's Enchanted Genie by Ava Ross

hopeful lighthearted 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? N/A

5.0

Jasmine is the street rat looking for a cure for her sister in a magical realm of healers, wizards, witches, and genies! But when she's granted 3 wishes... she can't save her sister's life, and strangely... she falls for the genies! When the wishes are gone, so too will her genie be gone, and they must find a way to stay together and break the curse that traps him in servitude.

The Stalking Dead by Eva Chase

dark medium-paced

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

4.0

Major cliffhanger on this book. Good thing the series is complete.

This is definitely a bully romance, and the "villains"/ bullies in the book are ridiculous and seriously over the top, but even with that the writing is awesome and the relationship between the ghouls and the FMC is fun and spicy with a mobster touch her and die not just vibes but actionable chaos reigns.

I'm really enjoying the book because I live for her connecting with all the ghouls even if I could care less about the outside world around those 5.

I'm not normally a bully romance reader but it's a testament to the writing and the characters that I still want to read more even with the villains being stupid. Read this book just for the Joker Harley Quinn vibes of this hot reverse harem romance of Ghouls and paranormal powers.

I'm buddy reading this book with my book bestie, and I give her permission to start book 2.