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teagzreads's reviews
354 reviews
Not Here to Make Friends by Jodi McAlister
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one had a rocky start but I stuck with it. I almost had to DNF in the first half, because it wasn’t holding my interest. If it wasn’t an ARC I likely wouldn’t have picked it back up. It does pick up in the second half and I was more invested, I’m glad I finished it.
I liked the idea of a romance book centred around a reality dating show, but unfortunately I have read others I enjoyed more. I think this one had a bit too much focus on the inner workings of making the show, and it took away from the romance development. Even in the then portions of the timeline where we’re learning their history, it was more focused on the show production. I think it could have been utilized differently to create more build up. If you’re a reality dating show super fan, you might actually love those parts!
I wanted Murray’s pining to pay off and I became more invested in the romance in the second half. I also wanted to know what was going on in Lily’s head. She was interesting, and unpredictable. A bit unhinged and in need of therapy, but undeniably fascinating. Even if her nickname “Lily Fireball” made me cringe. I also liked how diverse the cast of characters were, but I wished some of the side characters had been more fleshed out.
A fine time, but not a personal favourite for me.
**Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with an advanced copy! All opinions are my own**
I liked the idea of a romance book centred around a reality dating show, but unfortunately I have read others I enjoyed more. I think this one had a bit too much focus on the inner workings of making the show, and it took away from the romance development. Even in the then portions of the timeline where we’re learning their history, it was more focused on the show production. I think it could have been utilized differently to create more build up. If you’re a reality dating show super fan, you might actually love those parts!
I wanted Murray’s pining to pay off and I became more invested in the romance in the second half. I also wanted to know what was going on in Lily’s head. She was interesting, and unpredictable. A bit unhinged and in need of therapy, but undeniably fascinating. Even if her nickname “Lily Fireball” made me cringe. I also liked how diverse the cast of characters were, but I wished some of the side characters had been more fleshed out.
A fine time, but not a personal favourite for me.
**Thank you to Atria Books for providing me with an advanced copy! All opinions are my own**
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Of Cages and Crowns by Brianna Joy Crump
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Easy 5⭐️
Wow. What a ride. There was quite literally never a dull moment while reading this one!
The world building and writing style was so immersive, I didn’t want to stop reading! I was intrigued by the tense political and religious dynamics at play in Erydia and how they intertwined. The high stakes of the the culling kept me on the edge of my seat. A perfect read for fans of The Hunger Games and The Selection Series! This YA fantasy has some of the vibes of both, but with magical abilities🔥
The lines between right and wrong blur when you’re fighting for your life, and trying to protect the people you love. Brianna Joy Crump wrote the internal conflict her characters were feeling so well. You could feel the turmoil in so many scenes. Both main characters have interesting and challenging family dynamics, that added another layer of conflict to their stories. The side characters were memorable and stood out from one another well.
The romance between Monroe and Cohen was slow burn with lots of little touches, build up and longing. This was not an open door romance😘🚪
This book needs so much more hype! The Culled Crown series will be 3 books total, and luckily for us book 2 Of Princes And Poisons is already available!
**Thank you to @netgalley and @wattpadbooks for providing me an ARC to review! All opinions are my own**
Wow. What a ride. There was quite literally never a dull moment while reading this one!
The world building and writing style was so immersive, I didn’t want to stop reading! I was intrigued by the tense political and religious dynamics at play in Erydia and how they intertwined. The high stakes of the the culling kept me on the edge of my seat. A perfect read for fans of The Hunger Games and The Selection Series! This YA fantasy has some of the vibes of both, but with magical abilities🔥
The lines between right and wrong blur when you’re fighting for your life, and trying to protect the people you love. Brianna Joy Crump wrote the internal conflict her characters were feeling so well. You could feel the turmoil in so many scenes. Both main characters have interesting and challenging family dynamics, that added another layer of conflict to their stories. The side characters were memorable and stood out from one another well.
The romance between Monroe and Cohen was slow burn with lots of little touches, build up and longing. This was not an open door romance😘🚪
This book needs so much more hype! The Culled Crown series will be 3 books total, and luckily for us book 2 Of Princes And Poisons is already available!
**Thank you to @netgalley and @wattpadbooks for providing me an ARC to review! All opinions are my own**
Cold Hearted by Leia Stone, Julie Hall
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was easy to fall into this one and enjoy the adventure. I had no trouble becoming invested in princess Dawn. She bears the weight of the world on her shoulders, the responsibility to save her people. She must go to Ethereum and take the heart of an Ethereum lord. Bringing it back to Faerie will heal a curse upon her realm and restore their magic. I suspected something was off when her mother instructed her to end the lord without allowing him to speak. Things quickly go awry on her quest and we follow her discovery that things aren’t quite as she’s been taught to believe. The introduction of Zander and her capture was funny and I loved the banter and forced proximity that introduced.
Though it was predictable at times, I enjoyed the reading experience. It turned out to be a fun and fast-paced fantasy romance! It did feel a bit more instalove than I typically like, even for fated mates, I do wish we’d had more time to explore their connection.
🚪Fans of closed door fantasy romance this one is for you! I hardly ever come across closed door romances anymore.
There will be interconnected books in this series. At the end of the ebook there was a preview for the next book “Faint Hearted” and I’m really interested in that story too! An assassin princess with a heart condition and lots to prove. Sign me up!
**Thank you to The Nerd Fam, Leia Stone and Julie Hall for providing me a copy to review! All opinions are my own**
Though it was predictable at times, I enjoyed the reading experience. It turned out to be a fun and fast-paced fantasy romance! It did feel a bit more instalove than I typically like, even for fated mates, I do wish we’d had more time to explore their connection.
🚪Fans of closed door fantasy romance this one is for you! I hardly ever come across closed door romances anymore.
There will be interconnected books in this series. At the end of the ebook there was a preview for the next book “Faint Hearted” and I’m really interested in that story too! An assassin princess with a heart condition and lots to prove. Sign me up!
**Thank you to The Nerd Fam, Leia Stone and Julie Hall for providing me a copy to review! All opinions are my own**
Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
This was so cute!☺️ I really liked both Elle and Darcy and how well fleshed out each of their characters were. We got to know their passions, their personalities, and their family drama. I was actually surprised to find Darcy was my favourite character, because grumpy characters typically aren’t my favourite. But as we saw her softer side peek out, and how sensitive she was underneath it all it, I just wanted the best for her. Elle was an easy character to love, quickly and relatable right from the start. They were so opposite on the surface, Elle outspoken and bubbly, and Darcy reserved and prickly, but somehow they worked really well together. I loved how protective Darcy became of Elle, the dinner with Elle’s family was one of my favourite moments💙
I read this as part of the #bookwormbuddyread and I’m grateful to @nicoleisbooked for introducing me to this author! I can’t wait to read more from her.
If you’re on the lookout for a super cute own voices sapphic romance with some spice🌶️ check this one out!
I read this as part of the #bookwormbuddyread and I’m grateful to @nicoleisbooked for introducing me to this author! I can’t wait to read more from her.
If you’re on the lookout for a super cute own voices sapphic romance with some spice🌶️ check this one out!
A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
I think I’ve finally found the cozy fantasy that works for me. I loved this so much, I expect it will be one of my top reads for 2024! I was hooked from the first paragraph and smiling the whole way through☺️ I probably could have read it in a day, but I found myself taking my time because I just wasn’t ready for it to end. Do you ever just wish you could climb inside a book and live there? That’s what I felt while reading about Faerwyvae.
I loved the rival authors sharing a book tour storyline both for all the cozy and whimsical book store settings it gave, and the top tier banter between William and Edwina. While the books are not the same at all, the character dynamics remind me a little of Roman and Iris in Divine Rivals. Only adult and their chemistry is sizzling off the page. So if you loved that couple, but it was too young adult and you wanted more, or the war time setting wasn’t for you, try this one! The slow burn and tension between these characters is so good, as they go from enemies to tolerating one another to more. The spice was excellent too, but didn’t dominate the story.
My first Tessonja Odette book but definitely not my last. I’m so happy she will be writing more standalones in this series. The side characters were all so charming and interesting I’m dying to learn more about them! In the mean time the cozy feel good vibes of this book guarantee it will be one I revisit again and again🩵 I’ve already pre-ordered my physical copy!
**Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam and Tessonja Odette for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own**
I loved the rival authors sharing a book tour storyline both for all the cozy and whimsical book store settings it gave, and the top tier banter between William and Edwina. While the books are not the same at all, the character dynamics remind me a little of Roman and Iris in Divine Rivals. Only adult and their chemistry is sizzling off the page. So if you loved that couple, but it was too young adult and you wanted more, or the war time setting wasn’t for you, try this one! The slow burn and tension between these characters is so good, as they go from enemies to tolerating one another to more. The spice was excellent too, but didn’t dominate the story.
My first Tessonja Odette book but definitely not my last. I’m so happy she will be writing more standalones in this series. The side characters were all so charming and interesting I’m dying to learn more about them! In the mean time the cozy feel good vibes of this book guarantee it will be one I revisit again and again🩵 I’ve already pre-ordered my physical copy!
**Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam and Tessonja Odette for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own**
Rewriting Grey by L.A. Ferro
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
The first part of the book was a hit for me. The set up of the romance and small town was interesting and I was intrigued from the start. The mystery pulled me in and kept me reading. There were some really great quotes, and the spicy scenes were really good! Though their romance is very instalust to instalove, Iverson and Quinn were really great together once they got out of their own way(particularly Quinn).
"I want your stories, Quinn. Some people believe their destiny is written in the stars. I believe it's written on our hearts, and I'm pretty sure the one inside you holds mine."
The middle part of the book and second half was a lot of miscommunication. Not my favourite trope. It ended up making the book feel too long even though it isn’t that long in reality.
Too much going on toward the end. Ultimately too convoluted and unbelievable when the twists were revealed. Without saying too much detail, the characters reactions to the twists often felt underwhelming. I have some personal experience that is similar to Quinn and I didn’t find her handling and reaction to a certain situation at all realistic or relatable. The very last conflict of the story felt really unnecessary and frustrating due to even more miscommunication. I would have preferred more time spent on developing their romance.
It held my attention, but I wanted more from both the mystery reveal and the romance. I know some people who have loved it though, so I think it probably comes down to how much miscommunication and instalust irk you.
Thank you to Hambright PR for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
"I want your stories, Quinn. Some people believe their destiny is written in the stars. I believe it's written on our hearts, and I'm pretty sure the one inside you holds mine."
The middle part of the book and second half was a lot of miscommunication. Not my favourite trope. It ended up making the book feel too long even though it isn’t that long in reality.
Too much going on toward the end. Ultimately too convoluted and unbelievable when the twists were revealed. Without saying too much detail, the characters reactions to the twists often felt underwhelming. I have some personal experience that is similar to Quinn and I didn’t find her handling and reaction to a certain situation at all realistic or relatable. The very last conflict of the story felt really unnecessary and frustrating due to even more miscommunication. I would have preferred more time spent on developing their romance.
It held my attention, but I wanted more from both the mystery reveal and the romance. I know some people who have loved it though, so I think it probably comes down to how much miscommunication and instalust irk you.
Thank you to Hambright PR for an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
Forbidden King by Laura Pavlov
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
5.0
I have a new favourite from Laura Pavlov! I loved this one so much. You could really feel the deep connection between King and Saylor, both their bond from a young age and how it progressed as they got older. I loved how protective King was of Saylor and that he never truly felt for anyone but her. The entire book King is there for Saylor in every way, and he completely stole my heart. The man calls her Dandelion and is helping her build and assemble her romance bookstore🥹 Saylor is living the dream, and she deserves every bit of it. I loved every moment of reading their romance.
As with the other Magnolia Falls books the found family and banter in the group chats only added to my overall enjoyment of the book. I love little Beefcake and how everyone in their group always shows up for him. This book had me laughing and swooning and I can’t wait for Nash’s book next!
**Thank you to Valentine PR and Laura Pavlov for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own**
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
My Royal Showmance by Lexi Blake
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
While this is technically book 2, you can absolutely jump into this one first if you want to. I haven’t read the 1st book yet but I loved this one! It was fun and exciting to follow, much like an addicting reality dating show you want to binge watch to see how it ends. This is an open door romance so expect some spice🌶️
The cute and swoon worthy moments you’d expect from a royal romance were all there courtesy of Luca, the dedicated but down to earth king. As with most single pov stories I wished we had his pov as well. I think that could have pushed this to a full 5⭐️ experience for me.
Anika is my hero. She was unafraid to stand up for herself and others around her when she needed to. Whenever she had to put someone in their place she did it in the best way. You could really feel the connection between Anika and her closest friends was strong, and they were all some bad ass women. I will have to read the other two girls books soon!
I also wanted to note there were some more serious topics touched on during the story and I felt like they were handled well by the author. I will be watching for the next Lexi Blake release!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Lexi Blake for the advanced copy! All opinions are my owns
Crossroads by Devney Perry
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
sad
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? No
5.0
It’s official, West Haven is my new favourite cowboy🤠 West and Indya meet when they’re 8 and 10 at Crazy Mountain Cattle Ranch, where Indya’s wealthy family chooses to vacation each year. We follow a past and present timeline, in the past we see flashbacks of them over the years as they build their connection to one another. I am such a sucker for a childhood friends to lovers story🥹
This was my first Devney Perry book, and I loved it start to finish! She somehow injected the relaxing, happy feelings of a Montana ranch resort vacation into this book. This should 100% be on your summer reading list! That’s not to say there wasn’t lots of emotionally charged moments as well, this book has a little bit of everything to keep you turning the pages while simultaneously wishing it wouldn’t end.
*check trigger warnings*
✨Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.✨
This was my first Devney Perry book, and I loved it start to finish! She somehow injected the relaxing, happy feelings of a Montana ranch resort vacation into this book. This should 100% be on your summer reading list! That’s not to say there wasn’t lots of emotionally charged moments as well, this book has a little bit of everything to keep you turning the pages while simultaneously wishing it wouldn’t end.
*check trigger warnings*
✨Thank you to Montlake and NetGalley for the advanced copy! All opinions are my own.✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
A Kingdom of Stars and Shadows by Holly Renee
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow! Possibly a new favourite romantasy series for me?! Time will tell, but I can tell you I did not want to put this down. Im really digging the From Blood and Ash/Reign vibes! A friend recommended this to me after I loved The Veiled Kingdom, and I’m officially a Holly Renee fan girl🤩 I’m obsessed, and I really hope as I read the next few books I continue to be. It’s a little more spice heavy than it probably needs to be, but I’m not upset about it. I love the chemistry between Adara and Evren❤️🔥 I can’t wait to learn more about them, because there’s a lot of questions going into book 2!