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theaclaire's reviews
105 reviews
No Cooldown for Love by Aliyah Burke
medium-paced
3.0
I had super high hopes for this book given the diverse characters (plus size, BIPOC and a doctor? Yes pls.), but the second half of this book had me feeling like it was written by someone completely different. The romance felt forced. Props for the diversity, just wasn't my cup of tea.
Managing the Matthews by Haleigh Wenger
medium-paced
3.0
Wanted to love this one so much because it definitely gave peak Jonas Brothers' vibes. But unfortunately, I just couldn't.
The MCs were flat, and the romance storyline felt a little forced. There were some sweet moments with the sort of found family aspect that made me feel a little feels.
The MCs were flat, and the romance storyline felt a little forced. There were some sweet moments with the sort of found family aspect that made me feel a little feels.
Kiss and Don't Tell by Meghan Quinn
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
โญ๏ธ 4/5 | ๐ถ๏ธ 4/5
Still in my โจ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โจ and still having a blasty blast.
When it comes to character development, Meghan Quinn is supreme. No one gives a slow burn time to stoke like her, and Kiss and Donโt Tell is no exception.
As the start of any series, we expect a full intro of the players, and this does not disappoint. Our lay of the (guys) land happens pretty quick, and itโs well done. I enjoyed getting to know the Agitators and their various personalities/histories.
Winnie is just quirky enough to keep things funny (ie, breast milk - youโll get it when you read it), but not so much that itโs overstated or annoying. Pacey is a great mix of self-awareness with that athlete cockiness we all love.
The spice was great, it was fun getting to experience things from Winnieโs perspective for a variety of reasons.
Still in my โจ๐ ๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐โจ and still having a blasty blast.
When it comes to character development, Meghan Quinn is supreme. No one gives a slow burn time to stoke like her, and Kiss and Donโt Tell is no exception.
As the start of any series, we expect a full intro of the players, and this does not disappoint. Our lay of the (guys) land happens pretty quick, and itโs well done. I enjoyed getting to know the Agitators and their various personalities/histories.
Winnie is just quirky enough to keep things funny (ie, breast milk - youโll get it when you read it), but not so much that itโs overstated or annoying. Pacey is a great mix of self-awareness with that athlete cockiness we all love.
The spice was great, it was fun getting to experience things from Winnieโs perspective for a variety of reasons.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
โญ๏ธ 4.5/5 | ๐ถ๏ธ 3/5
Yโall. I get it. The hype. I finally understand. Because thereโs nothing like crying at your desk over your lunch break to make you realize that people werenโt kidding when they said this book is incredible.
We all love (well, should love) a chronic illness baddie, but Violet takes that in spades as she ventures into a journey she didnโt even want to take in the first place. Ride or die, quite literally.
Violets relationship with her mother and her position in the hierarchy of her siblings is so relatable, and itโs clear that itโs impacted her self worth and perception of her own personal abilities.
The dynamic between Violet, Dain, and Xaden is very reminiscent of Katniss, Gale, and Peta from Hunger Games, but in a way, that made it easier to understand from the get go. There are pieces of the โpledgingโ process that were also VERY Divergent-esque.
I loved every moment of Violet working on building her strength, her power, and truly this would have been a 5 star read if it werenโt for the instances that really brought me out of the story, mostly centered around very modern or out of place phrases/situations.
Yโall. I get it. The hype. I finally understand. Because thereโs nothing like crying at your desk over your lunch break to make you realize that people werenโt kidding when they said this book is incredible.
We all love (well, should love) a chronic illness baddie, but Violet takes that in spades as she ventures into a journey she didnโt even want to take in the first place. Ride or die, quite literally.
Violets relationship with her mother and her position in the hierarchy of her siblings is so relatable, and itโs clear that itโs impacted her self worth and perception of her own personal abilities.
The dynamic between Violet, Dain, and Xaden is very reminiscent of Katniss, Gale, and Peta from Hunger Games, but in a way, that made it easier to understand from the get go. There are pieces of the โpledgingโ process that were also VERY Divergent-esque.
I loved every moment of Violet working on building her strength, her power, and truly this would have been a 5 star read if it werenโt for the instances that really brought me out of the story, mostly centered around very modern or out of place phrases/situations.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-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
As college sports romances go, I feel like this one is pretty iconic all around. And while Iโm late to the game (pun intended?), I really enjoyed this as part of a hockey themed buddy read.
Was I expecting to enjoy this as much as I did? Absolutely not. But Iโm here for an author that makes me reevaluate my tropes - and I was surprised by how much I appreciated this by the end!
Anastasia is the bossy side of every Uber-organized girl and the planner had me rolling. As someone who also has a paper planner that stays with me at all times, I couldnโt relate more to a FMC.
Nate Hawkins has officially joined my list of top book boyfriends. His absolute dedication to both his team, friends, sister and Anastasia is *chefโs kiss.*
Their relationship is so so fun to watch evolve, and the spice is next-level fun as they try to pretend like theyโre not totally made for each other.
The cast of supporting characters in this book is incredible, from the clearly neuro-diverse underclassman (Henry, honestly, may have more of my heart than Nate), to the inter-abled couple whose story I wish we were able to see from their perspective.
Was I expecting to enjoy this as much as I did? Absolutely not. But Iโm here for an author that makes me reevaluate my tropes - and I was surprised by how much I appreciated this by the end!
Anastasia is the bossy side of every Uber-organized girl and the planner had me rolling. As someone who also has a paper planner that stays with me at all times, I couldnโt relate more to a FMC.
Nate Hawkins has officially joined my list of top book boyfriends. His absolute dedication to both his team, friends, sister and Anastasia is *chefโs kiss.*
Their relationship is so so fun to watch evolve, and the spice is next-level fun as they try to pretend like theyโre not totally made for each other.
The cast of supporting characters in this book is incredible, from the clearly neuro-diverse underclassman (Henry, honestly, may have more of my heart than Nate), to the inter-abled couple whose story I wish we were able to see from their perspective.
Beauty & The Tight End by Ava Woods, Ava Woods
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
On par with the first book in this series, ๐ต๐๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ ๐๐๐ ๐กโ๐ ๐๐๐โ๐ก ๐ธ๐๐ gives us lots of fun, character-driven storytelling with excellent spice.
In true best friendโs sibling style, it starts out with a look that leads to so much more. Thatโs where Hope and Tyler snag your heart - watching their clearly deep friendship turn into something else.
Both MCs are well developed and itโs clear from their internal dialogue what their motives and aspirations are from the beginning.
I had so much fun with this sweet-heat read!
In true best friendโs sibling style, it starts out with a look that leads to so much more. Thatโs where Hope and Tyler snag your heart - watching their clearly deep friendship turn into something else.
Both MCs are well developed and itโs clear from their internal dialogue what their motives and aspirations are from the beginning.
I had so much fun with this sweet-heat read!
Beauty and the Cornerback by Ava Woods
adventurous
funny
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
Oh no. Another four star sports read from Ava. ๐ผโ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ก๐๐ก๐๐.
Seriously though. The way that Cole and Kristen put your heart in a padlock almost from their limited interaction in book 2 of this series is crazy.
Best man/maid of honor? Accidental Vegas wedding? Sisters best friend? PLUS long time pining? Ugh. Itโs like a soup of all my favorite comfort genres.
Cole and Kristen are both commitment-phobic in their own ways and have different ways of desiring with it, but watching them find they way to each other was so fun.
Seriously though. The way that Cole and Kristen put your heart in a padlock almost from their limited interaction in book 2 of this series is crazy.
Best man/maid of honor? Accidental Vegas wedding? Sisters best friend? PLUS long time pining? Ugh. Itโs like a soup of all my favorite comfort genres.
Cole and Kristen are both commitment-phobic in their own ways and have different ways of desiring with it, but watching them find they way to each other was so fun.
Beauty & the Quarterback by Ava Woods
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.0
I have been so lucky in finding sweet, fun, 4 star+ romances this summer so far, and this book is no exception.
I read Beauty and the Quarterback in preparation for the ARC of the third book in the series. I was expecting a spicy quick read. What I got was a book that had me feeling *all* of the feels.
If you were/are -
- plus size
- bullied
- lost parents young
- have/had a toxic job
Then, this book is for you. When I say I could viscerally imagine the opening scene for Zoe, and I was immediately hooked.
Zoe and Prescottโs chemistry is wild, and her friendship with his son is something that had me doing all the *leg kickies.*
I will definitely revisit this one when I need a dose of sweet romance.
I read Beauty and the Quarterback in preparation for the ARC of the third book in the series. I was expecting a spicy quick read. What I got was a book that had me feeling *all* of the feels.
If you were/are -
- plus size
- bullied
- lost parents young
- have/had a toxic job
Then, this book is for you. When I say I could viscerally imagine the opening scene for Zoe, and I was immediately hooked.
Zoe and Prescottโs chemistry is wild, and her friendship with his son is something that had me doing all the *leg kickies.*
I will definitely revisit this one when I need a dose of sweet romance.
Hello Stranger by Katherine Center
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In the middle of my sea of angsty, spicy books, Hello Stranger was such a sweet, fun ride full of fluffy humor and my fave trope - Doggos!
Sadieโs journey of self discovery while navigating medical problems that leave her face blind was such a refreshing story to read. Her conflicting emotions when exploring her unintentional love (lust?) triangle were also super relatable.
Joe is a darling and a closed-door romance book boyfriend goal. What a sweetie to keep Sadie grounded and confident.
Sadieโs journey of self discovery while navigating medical problems that leave her face blind was such a refreshing story to read. Her conflicting emotions when exploring her unintentional love (lust?) triangle were also super relatable.
Joe is a darling and a closed-door romance book boyfriend goal. What a sweetie to keep Sadie grounded and confident.
The Pieces We Leave Behind by Elle Mitchell
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
Phew. What a ride this book was. But what a perfect start to my summer with this ultimate summer vibes year-before-college romance!
Have you ever woken up one day and realized youโve just been moving through life numb? I have. And so did our FMC. And thatโs where this story starts - a big move to try to feel something, for a change.
Maddie has a lot of self-realization in this book, and it was such a joy riding along with her as she finds both herself, and Ezra.
Ezra, on the other hand, needs therapy. Actually, everyone in this book does. *nervous sweat* BUT. His relationship with his dad, his friends, and especially his brother Liam, who absolutely calls him on his crap, is redeeming for me.
This ending and some of the later chapters felt super abrupt for me, and it felt like we spent a lot of time watching the build up to something and then the come-down was truncated to get to the HEA faster. I would have loved more exploration and discussion of that time between.
Overall, had a great time with this one.
Have you ever woken up one day and realized youโve just been moving through life numb? I have. And so did our FMC. And thatโs where this story starts - a big move to try to feel something, for a change.
Maddie has a lot of self-realization in this book, and it was such a joy riding along with her as she finds both herself, and Ezra.
Ezra, on the other hand, needs therapy. Actually, everyone in this book does. *nervous sweat* BUT. His relationship with his dad, his friends, and especially his brother Liam, who absolutely calls him on his crap, is redeeming for me.
This ending and some of the later chapters felt super abrupt for me, and it felt like we spent a lot of time watching the build up to something and then the come-down was truncated to get to the HEA faster. I would have loved more exploration and discussion of that time between.
Overall, had a great time with this one.