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thebookishmechanic's Reviews (281)
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Icebreaker - Hannah Grace
My friends have been telling me to read this book for a while now, and to be completely honest I’ve been putting it off because I didn’t think it would really be my vibe. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was wrong.
“I’d say she’s going to ruin all other women for me, but I don’t think about anyone but her”
Icebreaker strikes a delightful balance between charming romance and steamy moments, enriched with witty banter and tender scenes. I was immediately captivated when Nate Hawkins entered the scene. Anastasia's observation that “Nate Hawkins was most definitely a man written by a woman” made me smile, as he reminded me of my own husband.
However, I felt the initial portrayal of Nate was misleading. We first meet him waking up from a drunken night, expressing a desire to become a better man, yet this playboy persona seems to vanish too quickly. Genuine character development doesn’t happen overnight and insta love shouldn’t change a characters entire personality from one page to the next.
Anastasia on the other hand had a ton of reasonable and realistic character growth that was extremely relatable. Hannah Grace skillfully portrays Anastasia's anxiety in a way that resonates deeply. As someone who has experienced anxiety firsthand, it was refreshing to see it represented so authentically. There were moments when I wished I could reach into the book and give Anastasia a nudge—after all, she’s got the perfect man in front of her, but she’s distracted by a less-than-ideal roommate. Anastasia's struggles with food were also depicted with sensitivity and realism, reflecting challenges many face in a way that felt genuine and relatable.
Overall, this book offers a light, enjoyable romance with lovable characters and an engaging plot.My only significant gripe is the “surprise pregnancy” at the end, a trope I find quite off-putting and which slightly marred my overall enjoyment.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After some enthusiastic recommendations from friends, I finally picked up Spark of The Everflame, and I’m wondering why I waited so long. I’m absolutely hooked.
In a recent landscape dominated by heavy hitters like Iron Flame and Crescent City, I’d been feeling burnt out on fantasy. However, from the moment I started this book, I was captivated. Thanks to Marissa and Becks for the recommendation—I devoured it in just two days. Which if you know me and my schedule says a lot for this book.
Penn Cole’s world-building and unique characters won me over immediately. Diem, the fiercely independent healer, is both relatable and compelling. Trained to heal and defend, she struggles with inner conflicts and the sudden disappearance of her mother that leads her to the palace and the enigmatic Luther. Speaking of Luther—I’m already hooked. Shadow daddy? Say no more.
While the book may seem somewhat predictable, especially from the outset of its world-building, this predictability isn’t necessarily a drawback. It made for an enjoyable and easy read that didn’t require too much mental energy.
Some reviewers criticize Diem’s decision-making, but I find her reactions and choices completely understandable. She’s thrust into unforeseen circumstances, grappling with high-stakes decisions under immense pressure. Her sass and quick-witted remarks make her a refreshing and relatable character, embodying the “tough woman who won’t take any nonsense” archetype that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Overall, Spark of Everflame was a five-star read for me, and I’m diving into the next book immediately!
In a recent landscape dominated by heavy hitters like Iron Flame and Crescent City, I’d been feeling burnt out on fantasy. However, from the moment I started this book, I was captivated. Thanks to Marissa and Becks for the recommendation—I devoured it in just two days. Which if you know me and my schedule says a lot for this book.
Penn Cole’s world-building and unique characters won me over immediately. Diem, the fiercely independent healer, is both relatable and compelling. Trained to heal and defend, she struggles with inner conflicts and the sudden disappearance of her mother that leads her to the palace and the enigmatic Luther. Speaking of Luther—I’m already hooked. Shadow daddy? Say no more.
While the book may seem somewhat predictable, especially from the outset of its world-building, this predictability isn’t necessarily a drawback. It made for an enjoyable and easy read that didn’t require too much mental energy.
Some reviewers criticize Diem’s decision-making, but I find her reactions and choices completely understandable. She’s thrust into unforeseen circumstances, grappling with high-stakes decisions under immense pressure. Her sass and quick-witted remarks make her a refreshing and relatable character, embodying the “tough woman who won’t take any nonsense” archetype that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Overall, Spark of Everflame was a five-star read for me, and I’m diving into the next book immediately!
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Imagine my surprise when I check my email only to discovery that net-galley and Source Books had granted my wish for an advance copy of Dark Restraint, just one day before its release! Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Dark Restraint delves into the evolving relationship between Ariadne and The Minotaur. I'll admit, I initially struggled to connect with the characters. While Ariadne began to win me over in the previous book with her intriguing situation, I found myself hesitant about The Minotaur's chapters at first. However, his devotion and compelling words gradually won me over. I'm always a sucker for a character who is dark and rugged yet tender with his love interest, and The Minotaur's intense, almost obsessive affection for Ariadne delivered just that.
Katee Robert's talent for world-building is truly captivating. She seamlessly blends politics and romance without detracting from the story's momentum. Dark restraint has left me begging for more particularly with the intriguing Dionysus and the enigmatic Hera, whose presence added depth to the plot.
Overall, this book represents a significant improvement over its predecessor. While the earlier book was enjoyable, it left something to be desired. While I wish more had been done to introduce us to both Ariadne and The Minotaur and their blossoming relationship leading up to Dark Restraint, the characters managed gradually won me over, despite my initial reservations.
Thank you, Katee Robert, Source Books and Netgalley for the ARC.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Did I absolutely love this book? Yes!
Was this book necessary? No even a little bit.
Here's the thing, the only useful and current information you get from this is in the first and last chapter. Boy was that last chapter a doozy though.
I love Casteel, he's a cheeky bastard and I wouldn't want him any other way. I love hearing scenes from his POV and finally getting to understand what pushed him to do what he did. Watching Cas fall in love and not knowing it has been a pleasure, and also so frustrating.
The internal battle between his budding love for poppy and his devotion to Malik is both heart breaking and annoying (because I already know what his choices are). It's pleasing to see Kieran pissed at Cas for making bad decisions when it comes to Poppy. Casteel is his most genuine murderous self in FBAA, and you really get to see and feel that again in this book.
Now; onto the spoiler
•SPOILER
I was not prepared for Casteel to shift into a cave cat just as poppy finished coming into her power. It was interesting and shocking, however in my opinion it did not feel integral to the story. Poppy is gonna be pumped to find out she can shift .
I want to start by saying that Nisha is probably my new favourite author and I only tag authors in good reviews.
Rule Of The Aurora King is book 2 in The Artifacts Of Ouranos series. Picking up book two was like coming home, even though I hadn't been gone for long. Lor has been keeping her secrets safe all of her life, she's not about to just let them slip free because a handsome fae prince wants her to. He's going to have to work for them, and work he does.
The world building in this book improves on the foundation laid out for us in book one. Lor continues to be true to herself and never wavers in her strength despite the many tests this life has thrown at her. The dynamic between Lor and Nadir is so entertaining and I can't wait to see where things go from here. The second I finished this book I was ready to email Nisha and beg her for the next instalment.
Thank you to Nisha J Tuli, netgalley and the publisher for this advanced reader copy.
dark
tense
fast-paced
Blair is your typical well behaved rule following pretty girl, who wants to keep everyone happy and has only dated that one guy from the football team.
Jackson is a carnie, because after he left prison he had no where else to go. He likes to mind his business and keep to himself.
This book gave me everything I wanted from a dark romance, spooky carnival read. When Jackson confronts Blair's ex-boyfriend he didn't expect anything of it, but she was dead set on thanking him.
Neither of them expected to end up playing a game that would forever change their lives.
With a trigger warning list a mile long this book is a wild and sexy ride from start to finish, and I loved every second of it. The descriptions painted a clear picture of the carnival atmosphere, right down to the scent of junk food and sweat. I loved that this was a fun, spicy, quick read but I also felt we could have fleshed out the characters a bit more in a full length novel, however this is not a criticism. I would have loved a full length novel. The spicy scenes were a fresh take on sexy dark romance.
If I can say anything specific to draw your attention just let me say. Sexy hide and seek.
Thank you to Harper and Wren for sharing an ARC with me, it was a sexy and wild ride.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Tyson Crawford is a L.O.R.D with different rules. Tyson gave up his perfectly planned out life for revenge, and it's time. Laikyn always knew she would someday marry a lord and be his lady but she didn't expect to be forced to marry the man she believes killed her sister.
In this forced marriage dark romance Tyson is out for revenge, and even though Laikyn didn't do the crime she's going to pay the leader of the underworld with her body. This story is full of betrayals, twists, murder and of course toe curling spice. Shantel has one again written an MMC that never leaves us wanting and an FMC who takes shit from no one, except her lord.
Tyson will watch the world burn for his little darling and I couldn't look away for a second.
These books have been so hyped by booktok and bookstagram and even the people around me, so I went in really expecting something great. I was disappointed. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the book I just didn't love the book.
I love the whole "he has a heart of ice but for her he'd burn the world" thing but there really wasn't much world burning happening. The brothers best friend trope was an exciting one I was ready to dig into but with Josh being away for the majority of the book there really wasn't enough sneaking around for me.
There wasn't enough detail surrounding Ava's father and everything that happened there. I feel like the entire plot of the book could have been fleshed out just a little bit more.
Overall I did enjoy the book and I will read the next one.
I always enjoy the overly rich morally grey bad boy who hates everyone but his girl trope.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
After much cajoling by my book club and an unreasonably long wait for Amazon prime to actually have it in stock I am so glad I read this book. It was everything I was looking for.
When misunderstanding lands Charlie on her knees in the middle of Emerson's office, things can only heat up from there. The dynamic between Charlie and Emerson is tense, sensual and everything i needed in my life.
Charlie is a 21 year old, fresh out of a crappy relationship and moved back into her mom's (garage).
Emerson is her ex boyfriend's rich handsome dad who also happens to own a sex club. You heard me.
"You mean, will people think it's wrong? That sounds like a them problem."
This book is spicy in all the right aways but isn't just a spice. There are emotions and feelings sprinkled throughout this book in ways that definitely *didn't have me tearing up
*I did