sydney_marie13's reviews
202 reviews

Surprisingly Us by Erin Hawkins

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

3.5

A Deal with the Bossy Devil by Kyra Parsi

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Another 5 star book from Parsi! She really knows how to build the tension and then extinguish the flames while still keeping them burning between characters. She’s amazing!

My only caveat with this story is that they never verbally say “I love you” for me, that’s always a plot point I look forward to in romance novels.

Failure to Match by Kyra Parsi

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

I went in wondering why I had chosen this book but after you get to dig deeper into Jackson I was a goner just like Jamie. It was the perfect progression of character development and plot thickening while also unraveling. Loved it all! It was emotional, funny, intense, spicy, and intimate. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence

Alive at Night by Amelie Rhys

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

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

4.0

Marrow by Brynne Weaver, Trisha Wolfe

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Stalking, Death of parent, and Murder

Pucked by Helena Hunting
Did not finish book. Stopped at 15%.

As much as I wanted to get past her calling her lady parts “a beaver” I couldn’t. And then him waking up and wondering if the night they had was all a dream so he had to smell his fingers??? Nope. I tried. I loved “if you hate me”! But this book she made the main character childlike even in the first 56 pages. She knew they were going on a trip in the morning but hadn’t packed ONE thing? So she throws everything into a suitcase? Maybe it’s my ocd tendencies but I’d at least have some idea of what to throw in there. This girl just grabbed whatever.

Anyway, it’s cringe but if you can get past that then go right ahead. 

Catching Feelings by Maren Moore

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.5

Reese is your typical book boyfriend was SO much better. He’s emotionally intelligent while still remaining a goofy typical guy on the exterior. The way he respects Vivienne’s boundaries without giving her too much space. Viv has lots of baggage she keeps at her own baggage claim and throughout the book Reese doesn’t forcefully wear her down. Rather, he is there standing at the baggage claim with her peacefully waiting with her the realize he won’t leave.

The way Reese talks about Viv’s late father is just so perfectly written. And when Reese coincidentally purchases her a necklace that’s similar to the last gift her father bought her I screamed. Then when she finishes writing her book he has it bound for her. I was nervous for a third act break up just because of how the book was headed but that never happened and that scene had me almost in tears.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Car accident

If You Hate Me by Helena Hunting

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes by Stephanie Archer

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-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

4.0

Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.25