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the_cover_contessa's reviews
1705 reviews
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I'm so hesitant these days to read hyped books or books that end up on TikTok. More often than not I'm disappointed with the writing, the characters, or even just the story in general. This book, though. This book was worth every bit of hype I have heard about it. This was so much more entertaining than I could have imagined it would be.
Imagine a world where paranormal beings such as necromancer's and devils exist. This is that world. Set in the lush and magical landscape of New Orleans, the story follows Ophelia, a necromancer who has inherited her gifts from her recently departed mother and who must save her sister from certain ruin.
There so much I could say about this book but I don't want to give the story away. I will say that Smith builds a rich, immersive world where people compete for a chance to earn the devil's favor. The games they play are deadly and the price of staying alive steals them of their humanity as the contestants move through a house full of supernatural beings who want nothing but to see them suffer. It pits the contestants against each other for the pleasure of the devils. Think Hunger Games with magic and surreal landscapes.
Ophelia is not a character I thought I'd grow to love. At first glance, she is all "oh wo is me" because she has been groomed to carry on her family legacy while her sister was able to lead a more normal life with friends and parties and fun. She hides herself from everyone and is completely closed off. But you do see the love she has for her family, her sister and mother, from the start. So there was always hope for me she would open up and bloom. And she did. She went from a bit of a timid flower to this powerful person who was willing to fight to keep what makes her happy. The inclusion of her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder makes her that much more interesting and Smith handled this part of Ophelia's personality with care and understanding. The mental health of this character becomes paramount to how she progresses through the competition.
Blackwell, well, he's a being on a totally different plane. And I mean that since he's a Phantom. I was enchanted by him from the very start and knew I would only grow to love him more as the story progressed. I loved how he never lost sight of exactly what he wanted and how he chose to immediately protect Ophelia. Of course there were times I wasn't sure he was trustworthy. But I love me some morally gray characters and he fit that bill well.
The slow burn forbidden romance hit all the right spots for me. I loved the chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell. It was magnetic and explosive and it wasn't insta-love, which I appreciate. But you definitely feel their pull to each other from the very beginning of the story. Smith also does the spice in this book very well. It wasn't over the top and the complete center of the story.
The pacing of the book is fast. Set inside a fantastical mansion where things are never quite what they seem. Smith creates a world where paranormal beings are the norm and no one is surprised to meet something otherworldy. New Orleans, with it's rich history of spirits and mystery, was a great backdrop for this story. It added a wealth of gothic ambience. Add in the seven deadly sins as the themes of the trials and you've got yourself a story that is captivating. There are many twists and turns throughout the story that are unexpected and keep it moving forward and keep the reader wanting more. The ending as not what I expected at all, though I had my suspicions things were not quite as they seemed.
This is my first dark fantasy romance that I can remember reading and it hit all the good spots with how the world was built, how the romance progressed, and just that right amount of horror and suspense that kept me wondering what would happen and how things could possible end up right at the end. Smith has created a unique concept that drew me in and made me want more. I'm excited to read Genevieve's story and see where Smith could possibly take it!
Imagine a world where paranormal beings such as necromancer's and devils exist. This is that world. Set in the lush and magical landscape of New Orleans, the story follows Ophelia, a necromancer who has inherited her gifts from her recently departed mother and who must save her sister from certain ruin.
There so much I could say about this book but I don't want to give the story away. I will say that Smith builds a rich, immersive world where people compete for a chance to earn the devil's favor. The games they play are deadly and the price of staying alive steals them of their humanity as the contestants move through a house full of supernatural beings who want nothing but to see them suffer. It pits the contestants against each other for the pleasure of the devils. Think Hunger Games with magic and surreal landscapes.
Ophelia is not a character I thought I'd grow to love. At first glance, she is all "oh wo is me" because she has been groomed to carry on her family legacy while her sister was able to lead a more normal life with friends and parties and fun. She hides herself from everyone and is completely closed off. But you do see the love she has for her family, her sister and mother, from the start. So there was always hope for me she would open up and bloom. And she did. She went from a bit of a timid flower to this powerful person who was willing to fight to keep what makes her happy. The inclusion of her Obsessive Compulsive Disorder makes her that much more interesting and Smith handled this part of Ophelia's personality with care and understanding. The mental health of this character becomes paramount to how she progresses through the competition.
Blackwell, well, he's a being on a totally different plane. And I mean that since he's a Phantom. I was enchanted by him from the very start and knew I would only grow to love him more as the story progressed. I loved how he never lost sight of exactly what he wanted and how he chose to immediately protect Ophelia. Of course there were times I wasn't sure he was trustworthy. But I love me some morally gray characters and he fit that bill well.
The slow burn forbidden romance hit all the right spots for me. I loved the chemistry between Ophelia and Blackwell. It was magnetic and explosive and it wasn't insta-love, which I appreciate. But you definitely feel their pull to each other from the very beginning of the story. Smith also does the spice in this book very well. It wasn't over the top and the complete center of the story.
The pacing of the book is fast. Set inside a fantastical mansion where things are never quite what they seem. Smith creates a world where paranormal beings are the norm and no one is surprised to meet something otherworldy. New Orleans, with it's rich history of spirits and mystery, was a great backdrop for this story. It added a wealth of gothic ambience. Add in the seven deadly sins as the themes of the trials and you've got yourself a story that is captivating. There are many twists and turns throughout the story that are unexpected and keep it moving forward and keep the reader wanting more. The ending as not what I expected at all, though I had my suspicions things were not quite as they seemed.
This is my first dark fantasy romance that I can remember reading and it hit all the good spots with how the world was built, how the romance progressed, and just that right amount of horror and suspense that kept me wondering what would happen and how things could possible end up right at the end. Smith has created a unique concept that drew me in and made me want more. I'm excited to read Genevieve's story and see where Smith could possibly take it!
Old Flames and New Fortunes by Sarah Hogle
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this title to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Provide me with a witch book to make me happy? Check! Make that book a second chance romance with tons of swoon? Check! When I was offered the second in this interconnected series, I was worried I would miss out on something by not reading the first book first. I have yet to read the second book so I can't say if it will make a difference but I can see where knowing the characters for book 2 might become important.
This book started out quite slow for me and was honestly a bit confusing at first with all the characters and the animosity between the FMC and MMC. The transitions from chapter to chapter didn't flow initially and I wasn't sure I would end up liking it. But about halfway through the book all the things clicked and I ended up falling in love not only with the characters but also the town of Moonville. There's something about a small town story that makes my heart super happy. Maybe it's because I grew up in the busy city and love the idea of slowing things down and everyone knowing everyone and looking out for them. This story gave those vibes for sure.
And the second chance romance with him falling and never letting go. Total swoon.
The FMC, Romina, so unsure of herself in any type of relationship having been burned before. Her heart not totally healing until she allowed herself to morn the loss enough to see it made her a stronger person. I do wish there was more witchiness in the story. It's billed as similar to Sarah Hawley's Glimmer Falls but there is not much paranormal in this story at all. It's more about intentions and the connections people have with nature. About how those connections lead us to certain places or people.
The MMC, Alex, was great. I loved how he had no qualms about making his intentions know to Romina, even if she didn't catch on at first.
I will say the FMC and MMC didn't come off as being in their 30s. I really got more of a 20s vibe. And their enemies to lovers vibe was a bit choppy. It went from enemies to lovers without much in between and I needed more from that part of their relationship.
Provide me with a witch book to make me happy? Check! Make that book a second chance romance with tons of swoon? Check! When I was offered the second in this interconnected series, I was worried I would miss out on something by not reading the first book first. I have yet to read the second book so I can't say if it will make a difference but I can see where knowing the characters for book 2 might become important.
This book started out quite slow for me and was honestly a bit confusing at first with all the characters and the animosity between the FMC and MMC. The transitions from chapter to chapter didn't flow initially and I wasn't sure I would end up liking it. But about halfway through the book all the things clicked and I ended up falling in love not only with the characters but also the town of Moonville. There's something about a small town story that makes my heart super happy. Maybe it's because I grew up in the busy city and love the idea of slowing things down and everyone knowing everyone and looking out for them. This story gave those vibes for sure.
And the second chance romance with him falling and never letting go. Total swoon.
The FMC, Romina, so unsure of herself in any type of relationship having been burned before. Her heart not totally healing until she allowed herself to morn the loss enough to see it made her a stronger person. I do wish there was more witchiness in the story. It's billed as similar to Sarah Hawley's Glimmer Falls but there is not much paranormal in this story at all. It's more about intentions and the connections people have with nature. About how those connections lead us to certain places or people.
The MMC, Alex, was great. I loved how he had no qualms about making his intentions know to Romina, even if she didn't catch on at first.
I will say the FMC and MMC didn't come off as being in their 30s. I really got more of a 20s vibe. And their enemies to lovers vibe was a bit choppy. It went from enemies to lovers without much in between and I needed more from that part of their relationship.
Always Only You by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
The Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Abby always gives great stories. Her shorts are no exception. It takes a good story teller to capture you and make you fall in love with the characters in just a few pages of a novella.
First I love that she centered it around Valentine's Day weekend, with two characters who had zero reason to celebrate. Of course you knew the outcome of this story would be some kind of attraction between the main characters but it's not about that knowing. It was about how Abby got us there. Insert an event where the main characters are forced to be in the same space and you have the kindling for some love to grow!
Seth is recovering from an injury and a recent divorce. I fell in love with his character right away. I connected with his trust issues and his grieving process.
Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation. Her past has caused her to keep to herself in order to feel safe. She doesn't trust men and she certainly can't trust her new next door neighbor. I could feel her fear and it gave me great empathy for her.
Abby has a way of treating heavy situations with such care. You can see the research she puts into her stories. I knew the ending would have conflict resolution and it was done with kindness and grace. And she inserts a the perfect amount of humor and swoon to keep you connected with the characters and story.
As a side note, the friends, Izzy and Gabe, really need their story! I hope we get that one.
Overall, I wish this story was longer! In just a few short pages, Abby has these characters opening up to each other and becoming friends. If you're looking for a meet cute, forced proximity read with witty banter and great side characters, check this one out!
Abby always gives great stories. Her shorts are no exception. It takes a good story teller to capture you and make you fall in love with the characters in just a few pages of a novella.
First I love that she centered it around Valentine's Day weekend, with two characters who had zero reason to celebrate. Of course you knew the outcome of this story would be some kind of attraction between the main characters but it's not about that knowing. It was about how Abby got us there. Insert an event where the main characters are forced to be in the same space and you have the kindling for some love to grow!
Seth is recovering from an injury and a recent divorce. I fell in love with his character right away. I connected with his trust issues and his grieving process.
Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation. Her past has caused her to keep to herself in order to feel safe. She doesn't trust men and she certainly can't trust her new next door neighbor. I could feel her fear and it gave me great empathy for her.
Abby has a way of treating heavy situations with such care. You can see the research she puts into her stories. I knew the ending would have conflict resolution and it was done with kindness and grace. And she inserts a the perfect amount of humor and swoon to keep you connected with the characters and story.
As a side note, the friends, Izzy and Gabe, really need their story! I hope we get that one.
Overall, I wish this story was longer! In just a few short pages, Abby has these characters opening up to each other and becoming friends. If you're looking for a meet cute, forced proximity read with witty banter and great side characters, check this one out!
The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Only When It's Us by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
The Scorpion and the Night Blossom by Amélie Wen Zhao
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Thank you to Delacorte Press for asking me to read and review this title. The opinions expressed here are my own.
First let me say how I'm really into the Asian lore I've been seeing in books these days. I don't know anything about most Asian lore so it's fun to read stories to learn. More often than not, though, I've been a bit disappointed with what was offered. I thought perhaps this book might solve that issue. I was not correct.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this title and ended up DNFing it at 30% in. I wanted to love it. I wanted to fall for the world and the characters and the story, but it just wasn't grabbing me and I found myself skimming passages and not paying attention to what I was reading.
The good:
The cover to this book is absolutely gorgeous. I would buy it just based on that.
The pacing was fairly fast, moving the characters from scene to scene.
The bad:
Nothing happened for me. I needed something to happen that was exciting. Something to draw me in and keep me there. It just wasn't happening. I didn't feel like picking up the book and falling back into the story.
The world building was lacking, as well. By 30% I should have had some idea of it, but it just wasn't there. And I didn't understand the magic system at all. Both things integral to building a unique fantasy and creating an interesting story.
The romance, I saw it building, but I really didn't feel any chemistry happening between the FMC and the MMC.
My biggest issue with the book was I was bored. I didn't care about the characters at all. It didn't matter to me if they lived or died, fell in love or didn't, got out of chaos or fell victim to it. I just didn't care. I hope others like it more than me.
First let me say how I'm really into the Asian lore I've been seeing in books these days. I don't know anything about most Asian lore so it's fun to read stories to learn. More often than not, though, I've been a bit disappointed with what was offered. I thought perhaps this book might solve that issue. I was not correct.
Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this title and ended up DNFing it at 30% in. I wanted to love it. I wanted to fall for the world and the characters and the story, but it just wasn't grabbing me and I found myself skimming passages and not paying attention to what I was reading.
The good:
The cover to this book is absolutely gorgeous. I would buy it just based on that.
The pacing was fairly fast, moving the characters from scene to scene.
The bad:
Nothing happened for me. I needed something to happen that was exciting. Something to draw me in and keep me there. It just wasn't happening. I didn't feel like picking up the book and falling back into the story.
The world building was lacking, as well. By 30% I should have had some idea of it, but it just wasn't there. And I didn't understand the magic system at all. Both things integral to building a unique fantasy and creating an interesting story.
The romance, I saw it building, but I really didn't feel any chemistry happening between the FMC and the MMC.
My biggest issue with the book was I was bored. I didn't care about the characters at all. It didn't matter to me if they lived or died, fell in love or didn't, got out of chaos or fell victim to it. I just didn't care. I hope others like it more than me.
Nine Month Contract by Amy Daws
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an egalley of this book to read and give my review. The opinions expressed here are my own
This is my first Amy Daws book. I love an author who can do representation well. The blurb of this book reminded me of Amy Award so I was excited to dive in and see what Daws could bring me.
This is my first surrogate pregnancy trop book. I don't have any triggers so I figured I'd be good with reading this. And I was. Though I will say I was surprised at how the author chose to present the insemination part. There are so many things that go into surrogacy. I haven't done a ton of research but I feel like this part could have been addressed better. It seemed a bit unreal to me how it all came about.
I was also excited to read an age gap book. I love this trope because it truly happens so much more in real life than most thing. The author did a fair job with this. I wanted a bit more of the tension this trope normally brings. The differences in life circumstances, the differences in emotional maturity. I didn't get it as much as I would have liked though it was there enough to show the gap.
As for the characters, they were fun. Trista was definitely sunshine to Wyatt's grumpy. Though he definitely softens a bit throughout the book. Trista came across to me as a bit all over the place. Definitely a girl who wasn't sure where her life was going with no plans to actually stick a family in the mix. Wyatt, on the other hand, is settled in what he wants. I loved Wyatt's relationships with his family. I'm a huge lover of books where family is close and they take care of each other.
I didn't read the connected series to this one but did see there are some characters brought over from that. I was surprised by the points of view from Everyly and actually thought the book could do without them. They didn't add much for me.
Overall, this was fun, though the execution was not as tight as I would have liked. Also, I think the story was stretched out much longer than it should have been and I do wish we had seen the birth of the child the story centered around. I would pick up more books by this author.
This is my first Amy Daws book. I love an author who can do representation well. The blurb of this book reminded me of Amy Award so I was excited to dive in and see what Daws could bring me.
This is my first surrogate pregnancy trop book. I don't have any triggers so I figured I'd be good with reading this. And I was. Though I will say I was surprised at how the author chose to present the insemination part. There are so many things that go into surrogacy. I haven't done a ton of research but I feel like this part could have been addressed better. It seemed a bit unreal to me how it all came about.
I was also excited to read an age gap book. I love this trope because it truly happens so much more in real life than most thing. The author did a fair job with this. I wanted a bit more of the tension this trope normally brings. The differences in life circumstances, the differences in emotional maturity. I didn't get it as much as I would have liked though it was there enough to show the gap.
As for the characters, they were fun. Trista was definitely sunshine to Wyatt's grumpy. Though he definitely softens a bit throughout the book. Trista came across to me as a bit all over the place. Definitely a girl who wasn't sure where her life was going with no plans to actually stick a family in the mix. Wyatt, on the other hand, is settled in what he wants. I loved Wyatt's relationships with his family. I'm a huge lover of books where family is close and they take care of each other.
I didn't read the connected series to this one but did see there are some characters brought over from that. I was surprised by the points of view from Everyly and actually thought the book could do without them. They didn't add much for me.
Overall, this was fun, though the execution was not as tight as I would have liked. Also, I think the story was stretched out much longer than it should have been and I do wish we had seen the birth of the child the story centered around. I would pick up more books by this author.
I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Review:
Thank you to Scholastic for sending me a early copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I'm going to start by saying I dove into this book with no clue as to what it was about. I did not even read the blurb. It came in the mail and I found the cover so intriguing I just wanted to see what it was about. And it did not disappoint in the least. This is my first book by Kelly Andrew and it made me want to read everything else she has written.
Vivienne experienced something when she was four years old that changed her life forever and forced her to become a selective mute. I loved the idea of one of the main characters not being able (willing, really) to speak. It made for such an interesting dynamic between her, her handler (Thomas Walsh), her family, and her friends. The mystery of what happened to Vivienne persists throughout the book creating a mystery that you absolutely needs to see solved. I really liked her character and the mystery surrouning who she is and what happened to her. She was easily relatable and real. I could feel her emotions, despite her difference in how she communicated.
Right away her dynamic with Thomas is fraught with anger. She feels chained by her step-father's insistence that she need a handler to begin with. She does everything she can to push Walsh away, but it never works. Walsh is strong, and has some secrets of his own that he doesn't reveal. It makes their interactions very tense. But there's also something that draws them together. He sees Vivienne in a way no one else has and wants to know more of her. Their romance is a slow burn, which I loved. And it's not the center of the story, which also was refreshing. I liked Thomas right away. Though I was surprised at his young age and the fact he was hired for the job of watching over Vivienne. Understanding this comes later in the book, but there are hints strewn throughout if you pay attention.
I've seen the word horror thrown around for this book and I honestly didn't feel that for it. I was worried because I am not a reader of horror (tends to gibe me nightmares). Having now read the book, I would not classify it as such. Gothic, yes. Paranormal, definitely. Dark academia, just a bit.
Andrew does a fabulous job building the world in which Thomas and Vivienne live. You're never quite sure who can be trusted, though you do get a sense of who may have ties to the evil that is lurking throughout the book. There are so many secrets the characters are holding close to their chest. And those secrets really do surround Vivienne and shape who she is.
I see that this book is somehow connected to other books this author has written. At least by having them in the same universe and perhaps with some crossover characters. But this can be read as a stand alone, in my opinion. Perhaps had I read the other books associated with this world, I may say differently. I had no trouble understanding the world or any of the characters the author included. Of course now I want to go back and read the other two books I've seen associated with this one.
The only thing I will say I was not happy with was the rush that came at the end. I feel like all the mystery came out at once and the author was trying to tie up all the loose ends rather quickly.
The only thing I will say I was not happy with was the rush that came at the end. I feel like all the mystery came out at once and the author was trying to tie up all the loose ends rather quickly.
Andrew pulls you into her story with her gripping story telling, hooking you right from the start and keeping you on your toes the entire time. It was engaging, a little terrifying, and a bit disturbing. If you're looking for a gothic, young adult mystery with paranormal elements that has Leigh Bardugo and Flatliners vibes, pick this book up and give it a try.
Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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