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spectacles_and_books's Reviews (142)
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If there's anything in going to eat up, it's an audiobook with a Scottish MMC. Blame it on my ancestry!
Another thing I love is second chance romance. Especially when it's dual POV and a now/then timeline. I absolutely flew through the first two-thirds of the book. However one deviation from my personal taste waswhen Jack and Brooke got together without properly sorting out their past. In my opinion, a third act break-up in this kind of story ruins the vibe
Another thing I love is second chance romance. Especially when it's dual POV and a now/then timeline. I absolutely flew through the first two-thirds of the book. However one deviation from my personal taste was
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Sexual content, Terminal illness
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First Robin Hobb to get less than 5 stars for me 😭
The allegations that this was intended to be a duology or trilogy seem to ring true. The ending was so abrupt, it seems like a novel cut in half.
I did really enjoy it two FMCs in Alise and Thymara. Three more to go until I'm back with my man Fitz 🥹
The allegations that this was intended to be a duology or trilogy seem to ring true. The ending was so abrupt, it seems like a novel cut in half.
I did really enjoy it two FMCs in Alise and Thymara. Three more to go until I'm back with my man Fitz 🥹
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
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:
No
If you're looking for an interconnected, small town Romance series, Magnolia Falls is a great place to spend some time.
I really enjoyed Romeo and Demi's dynamic. It was refreshing in a way to have most of the conflict faced by the couple be external. The lovable "band of brothers" (and little Beefcake!) was also a great addition. I'm looking forward to reading their journeys as well.
I really enjoyed Romeo and Demi's dynamic. It was refreshing in a way to have most of the conflict faced by the couple be external. The lovable "band of brothers" (and little Beefcake!) was also a great addition. I'm looking forward to reading their journeys as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well that was a ride! Questions! Twists! More questions!
I really enjoyed Odessa as an FMC. Her character growth was great and it was refreshing to see a "ordinary" character or in a lot of effort to become what she did by the end. The Guardian was all you want in a broody, warrior hero type. There was some great banter and chemistry.
So many questions! This is well set up for the sequel. I'm just wondering if we're in for a duology or longer? I will definitely be reading the next one!
I really enjoyed Odessa as an FMC. Her character growth was great and it was refreshing to see a "ordinary" character or in a lot of effort to become what she did by the end. The Guardian was all you want in a broody, warrior hero type. There was some great banter and chemistry.
So many questions! This is well set up for the sequel. I'm just wondering if we're in for a duology or longer? I will definitely be reading the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, War
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
If Junebug is going to shenan-once, she's going to shenan-again! This time, Beau is on the receiving end of her mail-order bride ordering prowess.
This series keeps getting better and better. I adored Kit and Morgan's stories and Amy Barry has outdone herself with the "Bourbon Prince" himself, Beau. Mostly dismissed as just a pretty face, I loved how Beau who initially thinks there's not much else to want for in a wife than "symmetrical attractions", ends up having hidden depths himself.
Ellie was a beautifully written FMC. Her proclivity to putting other's happiness before her own was really relatable and her growth as a character was excellent. I'll also say that the chemistry and tension, oh my!
I also loved spending more time with my favourite meddling sister and the rest of the crew from the previous books. There is always such a great balance of plot and humour. I do hope to see more from this series, with a few more McBrides that need to get hitched and find their happily-ever-afters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the eARC of "Seven Brides for Beau McBride."
This series keeps getting better and better. I adored Kit and Morgan's stories and Amy Barry has outdone herself with the "Bourbon Prince" himself, Beau. Mostly dismissed as just a pretty face, I loved how Beau who initially thinks there's not much else to want for in a wife than "symmetrical attractions", ends up having hidden depths himself.
Ellie was a beautifully written FMC. Her proclivity to putting other's happiness before her own was really relatable and her growth as a character was excellent. I'll also say that the chemistry and tension, oh my!
I also loved spending more time with my favourite meddling sister and the rest of the crew from the previous books. There is always such a great balance of plot and humour. I do hope to see more from this series, with a few more McBrides that need to get hitched and find their happily-ever-afters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Australia for the eARC of "Seven Brides for Beau McBride."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Death of parent, Abandonment