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thebookishmechanic's reviews
266 reviews
Holding the Reins by Paisley Hope
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.25
Honkers Under the Holly by Amy Award
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Once again I am absolutely enamoured with the strong, confident, plus size female character that Amy Writes.
To be able to read books about characters with bodies like mine is and continues to be a breath of fresh air.
This is no mistaking the body type of these characters, there is no way to skinny wash these characters and erase their fatness.
The Story of Mac, Sara Jayne and their absolutely chaotic goose Sir Honksalot, is both wildly chaotic and absolutely adorable. How they managed to get out of this unscathed is beyond me but it was fun to watch it all happen.
Seeing some of our beloved Kingman men before they were the sexy confident football players we've all come to love was really cute and I enjoyed seeing their mother and the bond they had with her, as someone who has also lost a parent very young I understand the experiences they go through in these books.
This cute little Christmas novella was the perfect little prequel we didn't know we needed.
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I’m going to be completely honest, I didn’t think I would like this book. I don’t read comedies, I am not usually a big fan of slow burn and I really have to be in the mood for a dark romance. When a friend picked it off my wishlist as part of our monthly book exchange I was honestly disappointed, but I am the one who put it on my list.
So fast forward months and months later, I haven’t picked a book up off my shelf and opened it in months. I’ve still been doing audio and e books but my mental capacity for a physical book just wasn’t there, until I was looking at my shelves and my brain decided it was time for me to read Butcher & Blackbird. I’ll preface with the fact that I was already listening to the audio book for Lights Out by Navessa Allen and they have similar vibes so I guess I was in the mood.
Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver sucked me in IMMEDIATELY. That night when my husband came to bed I was still up reading, and he said “you’re up late!” To which I said “… is it late? My book is really good” and then continued to stay up late reading every night. I haven’t stayed up late because I needed to keep reading in years, which isn’t to say I haven’t read good books but I usually fall asleep with the book in my hand. That should tell you how sucked in I was.
Also to find out that Brynne weaver wrote this book on a farm in Nova Scotia, a little over an hour from where I live and close to wear my husband was born is pretty neat and that made things extra fun for me.
I know I’ve barely talked about the book itself in this review and mainly just focused on my experience but honestly I think my experience is the review. I am on a book buying ban right now and I don’t have book 2, which might be my biggest disappointment of the entire year, because I need it, like last night I needed it.
So fast forward months and months later, I haven’t picked a book up off my shelf and opened it in months. I’ve still been doing audio and e books but my mental capacity for a physical book just wasn’t there, until I was looking at my shelves and my brain decided it was time for me to read Butcher & Blackbird. I’ll preface with the fact that I was already listening to the audio book for Lights Out by Navessa Allen and they have similar vibes so I guess I was in the mood.
Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver sucked me in IMMEDIATELY. That night when my husband came to bed I was still up reading, and he said “you’re up late!” To which I said “… is it late? My book is really good” and then continued to stay up late reading every night. I haven’t stayed up late because I needed to keep reading in years, which isn’t to say I haven’t read good books but I usually fall asleep with the book in my hand. That should tell you how sucked in I was.
Also to find out that Brynne weaver wrote this book on a farm in Nova Scotia, a little over an hour from where I live and close to wear my husband was born is pretty neat and that made things extra fun for me.
I know I’ve barely talked about the book itself in this review and mainly just focused on my experience but honestly I think my experience is the review. I am on a book buying ban right now and I don’t have book 2, which might be my biggest disappointment of the entire year, because I need it, like last night I needed it.
The Shadows Rule All by Abigail Owen
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This series, these books are everything. They have everything that a romantasy girlie could as for. You want a shadow daddy? I give you Reven, well, he’s a little young for me to call shadow daddy but you get the point. If he was older I might even love him more than Rhysand, I said what I said.
Meren is so relatable, she just wants to be accepted and known for who she is and not for the life that was decided for her. She has grown into such a strong and courageous leader and it has been a pleasure to read her journey.
This story is filled with so many twists and turns and heart wrenching moments, but I wouldn’t change a moment of it.
Luis Moreno and Samara Naeymi delivered an outstanding performance in narrating this book. Their ability to bring the story to life through distinct character voices and the perfect balance of emotion was truly impressive. The chemistry between their voices was seamless, and I found myself completely engrossed, able to listen for hours without hesitation. I'm confident their skillful narration significantly enhanced my overall enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to Entanged publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, thank you to recorded books and netgalley for the advance listening copy of this book.
Meren is so relatable, she just wants to be accepted and known for who she is and not for the life that was decided for her. She has grown into such a strong and courageous leader and it has been a pleasure to read her journey.
This story is filled with so many twists and turns and heart wrenching moments, but I wouldn’t change a moment of it.
Luis Moreno and Samara Naeymi delivered an outstanding performance in narrating this book. Their ability to bring the story to life through distinct character voices and the perfect balance of emotion was truly impressive. The chemistry between their voices was seamless, and I found myself completely engrossed, able to listen for hours without hesitation. I'm confident their skillful narration significantly enhanced my overall enjoyment of the story.
Thank you to Entanged publishing for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review, thank you to recorded books and netgalley for the advance listening copy of this book.
Starling's Weave by L.E. Sterling
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
First of all, a huge thank you to Entangled Teen for providing me with this ARC!
I recently devoured Starling's Weave, a captivating upper YA fantasy novel that held me spellbound from start to finish. Filled with unexpected plot twists, it challenged my usual talent for predicting storylines. In a world where magic is fading and sickness looms, Nieve, an outcast due to her lack of powers, refuses to let others define her. Instead, she embarks on a quest to save her people—and perhaps her world.
This gripping tale kept me on the edge of my seat, with surprises at every turn. I especially loved seeing Nieve forge friendships and discover love along the way.
I recently devoured Starling's Weave, a captivating upper YA fantasy novel that held me spellbound from start to finish. Filled with unexpected plot twists, it challenged my usual talent for predicting storylines. In a world where magic is fading and sickness looms, Nieve, an outcast due to her lack of powers, refuses to let others define her. Instead, she embarks on a quest to save her people—and perhaps her world.
This gripping tale kept me on the edge of my seat, with surprises at every turn. I especially loved seeing Nieve forge friendships and discover love along the way.
Frigid by Jennifer L. Armentrout
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book felt like a hallmark movie, the plot was predictable, it was Christmas time and the best friends have both been secretly in love since childhood.
Cue Mr. “I’m not good enough for the girl” Kyler (which is not a good name by the way) who’s solution is to numb his feelings by sleeping with any girl who offers. When has that ever been a good idea? Then we have Sydney, who instead of speaking on her feelings decided it would be best to pine after her best friend and watch him sleep around BUT also allow him to push away guys who get close to her.
I know they were college kids but the characters felt really immature to me. It really felt like one honest conversation could have solved all of their problems.
The bad guy of the story was obvious from the beginning but I didn’t have a problem with that.
Overall I didn’t hate this book but I also didn’t love it. I’ve been a big JLA fan since I read From Blood and Ash and I’ve like everything fantasy from her but maybe her contemporary romance isn’t for me. If you’re into cute Christmas hallmark movies where the guy always gets the girl you’ll probably like this one.
Thank you Netgalley and SourcebooksBloombooks for the review copy!
Cue Mr. “I’m not good enough for the girl” Kyler (which is not a good name by the way) who’s solution is to numb his feelings by sleeping with any girl who offers. When has that ever been a good idea? Then we have Sydney, who instead of speaking on her feelings decided it would be best to pine after her best friend and watch him sleep around BUT also allow him to push away guys who get close to her.
I know they were college kids but the characters felt really immature to me. It really felt like one honest conversation could have solved all of their problems.
The bad guy of the story was obvious from the beginning but I didn’t have a problem with that.
Overall I didn’t hate this book but I also didn’t love it. I’ve been a big JLA fan since I read From Blood and Ash and I’ve like everything fantasy from her but maybe her contemporary romance isn’t for me. If you’re into cute Christmas hallmark movies where the guy always gets the girl you’ll probably like this one.
Thank you Netgalley and SourcebooksBloombooks for the review copy!