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the_cover_contessa's reviews
1714 reviews
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
challenging
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
This is totally boring. I'm not getting the appeal at all.
Morbidly Yours by Ivy Fairbanks
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.
I am totally bored. Zero chemistry between these characters. And I have no idea where this is going because there's no real plot.
A Legend in the Baking by Jamie Wesley
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
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for supplying me with an egalley of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I really enjoyed the first book. in this series. The idea of three brawny football players opening a cupcake shop is just great. I'm glad I got to read this second one and see what August and Sloane's story was all about.
I really love August. He's this big quiet guy who just wants to stay out of the limelight. Of course it's him who ends up as the face of Sugar Blitz Cupcakes when he accidentally goes viral after he goes off on a few guys bad talking cupcakes. It's always the quiet ones who have the most to say! I liked how Sloane was able to step in and use her social media manager powers to really help Sugar Blitz. Of course she and August have some history and spend the entire book pining for each other. I loved their banter and how easily they got along with each other. Their push and pull was fun, even if it was a little frustrating and I wanted to bop them both in the head and yell, "snap out of it!"
That being said, they were both very relatable despite August's fame as a pro football player.
The plot is nothing special but it was fun. And it did touch on a few social issues that I think are important for people to know about: gentrification being the foremost.
The one thing that bothered me was the sexual harassment August received. It was peppered throughout the book but never really addressed. For a man who was standing up for women, I was surprised to see the reverse happening and no one stepping in to say anything.
Jamie's writing is easy to read. It flows well and keeps the pace going. I liked the third person point of view used for this story, as well. It's an interesting way to go.
Overall this one was fun, though not great for me as the first. If you're looking for a cute second chance love story with lots of slow burn, this one will fit the bill!
I really enjoyed the first book. in this series. The idea of three brawny football players opening a cupcake shop is just great. I'm glad I got to read this second one and see what August and Sloane's story was all about.
I really love August. He's this big quiet guy who just wants to stay out of the limelight. Of course it's him who ends up as the face of Sugar Blitz Cupcakes when he accidentally goes viral after he goes off on a few guys bad talking cupcakes. It's always the quiet ones who have the most to say! I liked how Sloane was able to step in and use her social media manager powers to really help Sugar Blitz. Of course she and August have some history and spend the entire book pining for each other. I loved their banter and how easily they got along with each other. Their push and pull was fun, even if it was a little frustrating and I wanted to bop them both in the head and yell, "snap out of it!"
That being said, they were both very relatable despite August's fame as a pro football player.
The plot is nothing special but it was fun. And it did touch on a few social issues that I think are important for people to know about: gentrification being the foremost.
The one thing that bothered me was the sexual harassment August received. It was peppered throughout the book but never really addressed. For a man who was standing up for women, I was surprised to see the reverse happening and no one stepping in to say anything.
Jamie's writing is easy to read. It flows well and keeps the pace going. I liked the third person point of view used for this story, as well. It's an interesting way to go.
Overall this one was fun, though not great for me as the first. If you're looking for a cute second chance love story with lots of slow burn, this one will fit the bill!
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was just ok. I'm still wondering why she called him by his full name for the ENTIRE book. WTH is that about?
Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Lost Husband by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was just ok. I liked the story line but the narrator really took away from my enjoyment. She was so monotone.
Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group/Penguin Young Readers Group/Nancy Paulson Books for providing me with an egalley of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I enjoyed Thieves' Gambit a lot. It was a fun filled, action packed, story. Of course I wanted to see what the next adventure brought so I dove into this one. And I'm happy to say it was just as fun.
The first book definitely left you feeling there could be more, or it could have been done. So I'm glad the author decided to do another book.
This one was filled with action, adventure, unbelievable stunts, and a bit of romance (which started in the first book but never really blossomed).
We get a return of the old characters from the first book: Ross, Noelia, Deveroe, and others. But we are also introduced to a few new characters, which I enjoyed.
The story reminded me of Marie Lu's Stars and Smoke series. And if you like John Wick or James Bond, you'll definitely get those vibes here with the heists and shenanigans the characters are able to pull off. Reading this felt like a movie playing out in my head. But it's geared towards the younger YA crowd, in my opinion.
The plot is similar to the first book, but the stakes are set a bit higher with this one. I liked the twistiness of the story but I will say the ending felt a bit rushed to me. The writing is good but not fabulous. I had a hard time with some of the transitions the author made. I had to flip back a few pages to understand who was talking, what they were talking about, and why. Sometimes it felt like conversations were completely cut off other times it felt like the conversation switched gears in the middle or picked up on something I didn't even know was being discussed.
The only thing I would say for anyone who wants to read this, suspend your beliefs. Just like the first book, I had a hard time believing these young kids were basically spies sent to do unbelievable things in order to win a game.
Overall this was fun and I think a great book for YA readers who want a little mystery and thrill.
I enjoyed Thieves' Gambit a lot. It was a fun filled, action packed, story. Of course I wanted to see what the next adventure brought so I dove into this one. And I'm happy to say it was just as fun.
The first book definitely left you feeling there could be more, or it could have been done. So I'm glad the author decided to do another book.
This one was filled with action, adventure, unbelievable stunts, and a bit of romance (which started in the first book but never really blossomed).
We get a return of the old characters from the first book: Ross, Noelia, Deveroe, and others. But we are also introduced to a few new characters, which I enjoyed.
The story reminded me of Marie Lu's Stars and Smoke series. And if you like John Wick or James Bond, you'll definitely get those vibes here with the heists and shenanigans the characters are able to pull off. Reading this felt like a movie playing out in my head. But it's geared towards the younger YA crowd, in my opinion.
The plot is similar to the first book, but the stakes are set a bit higher with this one. I liked the twistiness of the story but I will say the ending felt a bit rushed to me. The writing is good but not fabulous. I had a hard time with some of the transitions the author made. I had to flip back a few pages to understand who was talking, what they were talking about, and why. Sometimes it felt like conversations were completely cut off other times it felt like the conversation switched gears in the middle or picked up on something I didn't even know was being discussed.
The only thing I would say for anyone who wants to read this, suspend your beliefs. Just like the first book, I had a hard time believing these young kids were basically spies sent to do unbelievable things in order to win a game.
Overall this was fun and I think a great book for YA readers who want a little mystery and thrill.
Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Guy at the Wedding by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0