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theartsybookwitch's reviews
381 reviews
Play Pretend by Claire Brooks
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
"Every lie starts with a kernel of truth…or at least the longing for something more."
Play Pretend, Claire Brooks debut, and the first in the Cedar Ridge series, gives us the story of Ronan and Willow.
There's SO MUCH I can say about their story, but I will try not to spoil it all.
Everything about their relationship is amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them together. With the ups and the downs, and them realizing they're in love, in a random moment in time.
And all the other characters? Ronan's family and Grace? I need more.
I absolutely LOVED seeing the migraine representation with Willow, something you don't normally get to see in novels.
10/10 for me, and I cannot wait to see where Claire goes from here!
representation // OCD, migraine, PTSD, male mental health
tropes // sheriff x baker, neighbors, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, found family, age gap (33M, 27F)
tw // emotionally abusive parents, toxic parental relationship, burglary where FMC is in danger, mentions of a drugged sexual assault (not fmc), mentions of a suicide attempt (not fmc), kidnapping and assault, descriptive sexual content
Play Pretend, Claire Brooks debut, and the first in the Cedar Ridge series, gives us the story of Ronan and Willow.
There's SO MUCH I can say about their story, but I will try not to spoil it all.
Everything about their relationship is amazing, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them together. With the ups and the downs, and them realizing they're in love, in a random moment in time.
And all the other characters? Ronan's family and Grace? I need more.
I absolutely LOVED seeing the migraine representation with Willow, something you don't normally get to see in novels.
10/10 for me, and I cannot wait to see where Claire goes from here!
representation // OCD, migraine, PTSD, male mental health
tropes // sheriff x baker, neighbors, fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, found family, age gap (33M, 27F)
tw // emotionally abusive parents, toxic parental relationship, burglary where FMC is in danger, mentions of a drugged sexual assault (not fmc), mentions of a suicide attempt (not fmc), kidnapping and assault, descriptive sexual content
Dublin My Luck by Dee Garcia
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
"Who knew spilling bear on a sexy Irish man was the lucky charm?"
When Brigid gets cheated on, she goes out on Saint Patrick's Day to the bars. Crossing paths with two Irish men, Finn and Liam, her night turns around for the better.
I'm a huge fan of Garcia's and her Festive ASF series is no exception.
And the fact she added the Irish accents? Total goner.
A quick, smutty holiday read that everyone needs to read.
When Brigid gets cheated on, she goes out on Saint Patrick's Day to the bars. Crossing paths with two Irish men, Finn and Liam, her night turns around for the better.
I'm a huge fan of Garcia's and her Festive ASF series is no exception.
And the fact she added the Irish accents? Total goner.
A quick, smutty holiday read that everyone needs to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Live For Me by Brittany Ann
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
"Abbie Spears was branded into my soul."
Welcome back to Hallow Ranch.
I have been WAITING for Beau and Abbie's story and to say I absolutely love them is an understatement.
Taking us back into Hallow Ranch years later, Brittany, yet again, makes us fall in love with all the boys in her universe. After Abbie places a call to Red Snake Investigations, Beau brings her back to Hallow Ranch to protect her. Whether either of them want her to be there or not.
Their story is truly heartbreaking and beautiful. Six years after the worst heartbreak for both of them, are forced back into each others lives. Abbie is so strong and resilient after everything she goes through and she still manages to come out the other side with a smile. And Beau? A headstrong cowboy willing to die for the woman who broke his heart.
I loved that their relationship was rocky coming back. The push and pull of hatred, anger, sadness and angst. They mended each other's broken souls, and claimed their beauty in the pain of the other's years apart.
And having all the others back? *chef's kiss*
Quotes I Love
"I, Abbie Spears, would never be able to lie to Beau Marks, even when a lie was the only thing that could save his life."
"I may not be hers anymore, but she would always be mine, whether she wanted me or not."
“Don’t look at me. I just work here.”
“This place was your safe space, and it was my own version of hell.”
tw // stalking, kidnapping, drugging, suicide attempt (talked about not shown in detail), child abuse,
tropes // dark cowboy romance, slow burn, childhood friends to lovers, touch her and ***, second chance, angst, suspense
A HUGE thank you to Brittany Ann for the ARC. I can't wait to come back for Mags.
#hallowranch #darkromance #darkcowboyromance #childhoodfriendstolovers #romancebooks #booksky #bookstagram #forced proximity #morallygreycowboy #cowboyromance #slowburnromance #2025releases #2025arcs #arcreview #streetteams
Welcome back to Hallow Ranch.
I have been WAITING for Beau and Abbie's story and to say I absolutely love them is an understatement.
Taking us back into Hallow Ranch years later, Brittany, yet again, makes us fall in love with all the boys in her universe. After Abbie places a call to Red Snake Investigations, Beau brings her back to Hallow Ranch to protect her. Whether either of them want her to be there or not.
Their story is truly heartbreaking and beautiful. Six years after the worst heartbreak for both of them, are forced back into each others lives. Abbie is so strong and resilient after everything she goes through and she still manages to come out the other side with a smile. And Beau? A headstrong cowboy willing to die for the woman who broke his heart.
I loved that their relationship was rocky coming back. The push and pull of hatred, anger, sadness and angst. They mended each other's broken souls, and claimed their beauty in the pain of the other's years apart.
And having all the others back? *chef's kiss*
Quotes I Love
"I, Abbie Spears, would never be able to lie to Beau Marks, even when a lie was the only thing that could save his life."
"I may not be hers anymore, but she would always be mine, whether she wanted me or not."
“Don’t look at me. I just work here.”
“This place was your safe space, and it was my own version of hell.”
tw // stalking, kidnapping, drugging, suicide attempt (talked about not shown in detail), child abuse,
tropes // dark cowboy romance, slow burn, childhood friends to lovers, touch her and ***, second chance, angst, suspense
A HUGE thank you to Brittany Ann for the ARC. I can't wait to come back for Mags.
#hallowranch #darkromance #darkcowboyromance #childhoodfriendstolovers #romancebooks #booksky #bookstagram #forced proximity #morallygreycowboy #cowboyromance #slowburnromance #2025releases #2025arcs #arcreview #streetteams
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Child abuse and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual assault