stephanieam's reviews
75 reviews

Can't Fix Cupid by Raven Kennedy

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad fast-paced

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

3.0

To Love Jason Thorn by Ella Maise

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

2.5

A Cup of Autumn by Melissa McClone

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

Spellbound After Midnight by Jenna Collett

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense medium-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

4.5

This book was a pleasant surprise! I randomly picked it up and was not expecting to like it as much as I did. I appreciated how it was not a traditional retelling of Cinderella. The mystery was great, even if it was a little predictable. Tessa and Derrick were wonderful main characters, and I enjoyed their banter and relationship development. The writing was strong, and I am looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series.

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

5.0

This book is hands down absolute genius from start to finish. No notes. What a fantastic premise and group of characters. The humor is so on point. The relationship development and slowburn romance is perfection. The mystery kept me guessing right until the end. I am so excited for the next book in this series. 

Teach Me by Olivia Dade

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

This was certainly better than the last Olivia Dade book I read! I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and the relationship development. Rose was so strong, and I appreciated her struggles with opening up and relying on others. The slowburn and build up between her and Martin was well done. I did not care for the spice to be honest. Never really a fan of how Olivia Dade writes it. A book I reached for and wanted to keep reading. Great ending.

Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious 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

4.0

Nontraditional but a fun rom-com read overall! Callum was a sweetheart, and I enjoyed watching him come out of his shell. He was so incredibly thoughtful and just a good man. Lark was fine, but she got on my nerves. I eventually reached a point where I was putting the book down frequently, rolling my eyes because I just could not with her anymore. I understand she had a lot of unpacked baggage in her past. However, her treatment of Callum after awhile was unacceptable. I kind of felt like she did not deserve him. Everything wrapped up well enough, and it was nice to see what happened into Callum and Lark's future together.

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? No

4.0

This book was so warm and cozy! I loved how genuine and kind it was. Individuals, regardless of who they were, looking out for each other and helping one another succeed in their endeavors and in life is a really powerful thing to read about, especially in this day and age. Great relationship development between characters, and a sweet slowburn romance. I think I would have appreciated this book even more if I was into the high fantasy genre and had a better understanding of the creatures and lore. Overall, this book was simple while still being incredibly thoughtful and deep.

The Newcomer by Mary Kay Andrews

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense 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

4.0

This book was solid. It was an entertaining story with fun characters. The mystery was a bit predictable and wrapped up a little too quickly, but overall, it was good. I enjoyed the relationship development between Letty and Joe. I would read other books from this author for sure.

A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad slow-paced

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

1.5

DNF at 41%

This was a total disappointment. By all accounts, I should have loved this book. The premise, the magic, the fact that it was described as like a Ghibli film. When I started reading this book, I noticed that it was difficult for me to get into it. I actually stopped and restarted it, which does not usually happen for me. I thought it was just me being tired after work and perhaps being in a bit of a reading slump. Despite it being well written with pretty imagery, I never had the feeling of eagerness to read it. It took me awhile to understand why, and it is because things were so slow moving, and the characters as a whole were not likable. Niamh was really annoying and super aggressive. I would have liked to see her rein it in a little and be a bit more mature and professional given her position. I can see someone getting under your skin, but not right out of the gate toward your employer and when this is what you are relying on to save your family. Also, the relationship development between Niamh and Kit was so incredibly bland and fell flat. I did not buy their slow progression into a romantic relationship. The fact that essentially all the characters, including Niamh and Kit, were attracted to their same gender in some capacity was not realistic. In a cast of characters from all walks of life from different parts of the world, there is just no way that all of them are going to have the same or similar sexual orientations. Of course representation is super important, and I was fine when it was Sinclair and then even Niamh. It felt genuine at first before feeling very forced, with Kit especially. I am guessing Rosa and Miriam end up together too since that was heavily implied. I could not feel the love between Niamh and Kit because both were set up as these tragic people who were hung up on their preferred gender. Why even make this an element of their identities if it is not going to lead to any sort of meaningful change in the society norms or their lives? This book was convoluted with too many characters and too many random layers while somehow, after 150+ pages, nothing had really happened besides people moping around and being mean to each other. I stopped caring and decided I could no longer continue. This story is not marketed properly because based on the description, endorsements, and reviews, I should have been the intended audience. However, that is not the case. I wish it had been made clearer. Like Bridgerton, sure, but the disrespect to say it is like Ghibli.