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spectacles_and_books's Reviews (138)
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
A great way to round off The Nest series. So glad to see Tweedie get his happy ending.
But what did J.D. stand for? What is Tedi's real name? Is it actually Tedi? I hate that I still want to know. Plus, Tweedie should have gotten another tattoo!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
"The Second Death of Locke" was heartbreakingly romantic and just the thing to further feed my new found penchant for lady knights.
Mages pull magic from their wells, but Grey's unrequited love for Kier goes beyond the tether between a mage and his hand. She is not only his source of power, but as the missing heir to Locke, she is the source of all power.
I adored the equal devotion between Grey and Kier. The story expressed so beautifully the tension of sacrificial love. The writing was very atmospheric and I felt swept away in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Australia and New Zealand for an eARC of "The Second Death of Locke"
Mages pull magic from their wells, but Grey's unrequited love for Kier goes beyond the tether between a mage and his hand. She is not only his source of power, but as the missing heir to Locke, she is the source of all power.
I adored the equal devotion between Grey and Kier. The story expressed so beautifully the tension of sacrificial love. The writing was very atmospheric and I felt swept away in the story.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette Australia and New Zealand for an eARC of "The Second Death of Locke"
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-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:
No
A solid second instalment in the series. I enjoyed this far more than Dragon Keeper. Hobb builds on the foundations and delivers her signature character work.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
My favourite of the series so far. Both the main narrators did a fantastic job. And as with the other audiobooks in "The Nest", the duet style with a full cast of side characters makes reading this so fun.
Conor redeemed himself from his antics from book one. I liked his character arc, learning not to always cast himself in the "White Knight" role. Eloise was a great FMC and again, the way in which her growth as a character was handled was excellent.
Perhaps the plot point introduced in the final thirdwith Conor's stalker was a bit dramatic. But I think it served it's narrative purpose in providing Conor and Eloise with one last obstacle for character growth.
Now for Tweedie's story...
Conor redeemed himself from his antics from book one. I liked his character arc, learning not to always cast himself in the "White Knight" role. Eloise was a great FMC and again, the way in which her growth as a character was handled was excellent.
Perhaps the plot point introduced in the final third
Now for Tweedie's story...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Stalking
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
A really sweet second chance (hockey) Romance. I will say that I enjoyed this more than book 1 in the series. The relationship between Jade and Henry was really lovely. I also enjoyed the POV chapters from little Bodhi.
One small thing that I couldn't willingly suspend my disbelief for was the conflict of interest with Jade being Bodhi's (substitute) teacher for part of the book. That and in the US can you be a substitute teacher without a teacher degree or any previous experience?
One small thing that I couldn't willingly suspend my disbelief for was the conflict of interest with Jade being Bodhi's (substitute) teacher for part of the book. That and in the US can you be a substitute teacher without a teacher degree or any previous experience?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
If you're looking for a quick hockey romance read this will hit the spot. The plot is quite spice forward, so if that's not your scene (or is!) just FYI.
The full cast narration was excellent and I'm looking forward to reading some of the other books in this interconnected series where the premise/tropes are more to my personal taste.
The full cast narration was excellent and I'm looking forward to reading some of the other books in this interconnected series where the premise/tropes are more to my personal taste.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
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
This was a perfect rockstar romance!
When Clementine is given the opportunity of a lifetime to take her friend's place as a back-up singer on Halloran's tour, she does so reluctantly. Having spent her years suppressing her ambitions to take care of her mother, Clem finally steps out on her own. Tom Halloran is the epitome of the tortured, soulful singer-songwriter genius. He's made his name unpacking heartbreak and knows it well. Painfully reserved, until he unleashes his magic on stage, Halloran is about to fall for the one girl determined to save herself from ever having her heart broken.
The thing that I most loved about "If Not For My Baby" was the fresh take on the rockstar persona that Tom's character embodied. As someone who prefers a "green flag" guy, his introspective nature and gentleness with Clem was so beautiful. As opposed to the high ego, womanising rockstars that I've read in other books of this genre.
Clementine was also a beautifully written character, with her fatal flaw of being scared to risk her heart providing the perfect tension. I also loved that she was a Musical Theatre lover. The chemistry between the characters had me. The first scene when they really speak for the first time in front of the hotel vending machine will live rent free in my mind.
Kate Golden's prose was so atmospheric and beautiful and really made me feel like I could hear the music and feel it's emotional impact on the characters. I can't wait to sell out other work from this author.
The tropes
🎸 Rockstar X Back-Up Singer
🇮🇪 Irish MMC
❤️ He falls first
🚍 Found family on tour
🌶️ Yes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette (Australia and New Zealand) for an eARC of this title.
When Clementine is given the opportunity of a lifetime to take her friend's place as a back-up singer on Halloran's tour, she does so reluctantly. Having spent her years suppressing her ambitions to take care of her mother, Clem finally steps out on her own. Tom Halloran is the epitome of the tortured, soulful singer-songwriter genius. He's made his name unpacking heartbreak and knows it well. Painfully reserved, until he unleashes his magic on stage, Halloran is about to fall for the one girl determined to save herself from ever having her heart broken.
The thing that I most loved about "If Not For My Baby" was the fresh take on the rockstar persona that Tom's character embodied. As someone who prefers a "green flag" guy, his introspective nature and gentleness with Clem was so beautiful. As opposed to the high ego, womanising rockstars that I've read in other books of this genre.
Clementine was also a beautifully written character, with her fatal flaw of being scared to risk her heart providing the perfect tension. I also loved that she was a Musical Theatre lover. The chemistry between the characters had me. The first scene when they really speak for the first time in front of the hotel vending machine will live rent free in my mind.
Kate Golden's prose was so atmospheric and beautiful and really made me feel like I could hear the music and feel it's emotional impact on the characters. I can't wait to sell out other work from this author.
The tropes
🎸 Rockstar X Back-Up Singer
🇮🇪 Irish MMC
❤️ He falls first
🚍 Found family on tour
🌶️ Yes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette (Australia and New Zealand) for an eARC of this title.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Car accident, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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:
No
I would die for the gargoyle.
I adore the way Rachel Gilig writes her prose. She has a very unique way of making her stories so atmospheric. The narrator also did an amazing job of portraying Six and the rest of the characters.
I feel like this book was quite quest focused and really laying the groundwork for the sequel. I will definitely continue reading this series.
I adore the way Rachel Gilig writes her prose. She has a very unique way of making her stories so atmospheric. The narrator also did an amazing job of portraying Six and the rest of the characters.
I feel like this book was quite quest focused and really laying the groundwork for the sequel. I will definitely continue reading this series.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
If there's anything you can count on Chloe Liese for, it's swoony, heartfelt and gorgeous Romance. This was a beautiful way to end the Wilmot Sisters series.
Green flags abound for Will (as do all of her MMCs) and he was such a perfect match for our Juliet. The pacing slowed a little for me in the last 25% but the ending and epilogue more than made up for it. Overall, I loved it.
Green flags abound for Will (as do all of her MMCs) and he was such a perfect match for our Juliet. The pacing slowed a little for me in the last 25% but the ending and epilogue more than made up for it. Overall, I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Sexual content
Minor: Toxic relationship
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
No
When burgeoning popstar Avery Fox faces backlash for her Rolling Stone cover, she's forced to escape to her estranged Grandmother's ranch. With the world questioning her right to claim Native American heritage, connecting with family and community is her first priority. She immediately clashes with gorgeous ranch hand Lucas Iron Eyes. Avery will need to find out what really matters to her as she navigates her place in the world.
"Love is a War Song" was a sweet and refreshing take on the cowboy romance genre. There was plenty of humour and swoon worthy moments. It was great to be on the journey with Avery, learning about her culture and community as she does. It was so evident that Danica Nava wrote beautifully about issues close to her own heart and experience, sharing those perspectives with her readers. Lucas was also a great character who was well-developed and got his own story.
The plot itself followed a lot of conventions and I would classify it as a rom-com more than a straight romance. This one would definitely appeal to anyone looking for a rom-com with a cowboy X popstar twist, with excellent and diverse representation.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette (Australia & New Zealand) for access to an eARC of "Love is a War Song"
"Love is a War Song" was a sweet and refreshing take on the cowboy romance genre. There was plenty of humour and swoon worthy moments. It was great to be on the journey with Avery, learning about her culture and community as she does. It was so evident that Danica Nava wrote beautifully about issues close to her own heart and experience, sharing those perspectives with her readers. Lucas was also a great character who was well-developed and got his own story.
The plot itself followed a lot of conventions and I would classify it as a rom-com more than a straight romance. This one would definitely appeal to anyone looking for a rom-com with a cowboy X popstar twist, with excellent and diverse representation.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette (Australia & New Zealand) for access to an eARC of "Love is a War Song"
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cultural appropriation