thebookstagrambabe's reviews
878 reviews

One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware

challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a fun and captivating thriller. I listened to it while I was working and it kept me engaged without needing to be super involved in the minor details. I liked that there were these diary entries that played along with the real events happening in the book keeping us guessing the whole time. I liked Lyla as the narrator. since she was a scientist you saw her be more rational and observant than just reacting on instinct like most of the other contestants were doing. My one negative about this book was at the beginning I couldn't find myself caring about any of these people. Then I got invested when the storm hit and people were dying and weird shit was going down, but at some point, it started to feel a bit repetitive. I liked the ending. I liked that it wasn't some big unrealistic plot twist, but more of a thinker we made the bad guy look like the good guy, and the whole point was to show how bad he was. 

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Let me start by saying if you want a review full of details about this book and the war strategy and the complexity of this book, you won't be getting that from me. Look, I'm still enjoying this series but does anyone else feel like they are only grasping the most basic level of understanding here? Like half the characters in this book, I did not remember from books prior. Maybe it is just because there are so many characters, but maybe if we had fewer characters and didn't kill them all off I might understand more of this book. The chemistry between Violet and Xadien are always enjoyable, but it felt like there was a lot less romance and much more dense strategy and world-building. I liked it when Violet was off with her crew scouring the land for Andarna's family and her father's lost books. I found it odd when she finally found all of them we never got to see what was in them.   I'm not gonna lie, I feel like a lot of this was filler, maybe she over-promised on 5 books and didn't actually need 5 books. However, the cliffhanger at the end obviously pulled us all back in for book 4 and I can't wait to see how she is going to explain this!

The Charlie Method by Elle Kennedy

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Holy Moly, I think this is Elle Kennedy's steamiest book to date. This book packs so much plot into one story. Charlotte also known as Charlie has a lot of substance to her. She's adopted, trying to find her birth parents all the while finishing her college career and maintaining her standings in the sorority. Will and Beckett are classic Elle Kennedy hockey heroes. They are wildly different but work so well together. I liked each relationship on its own and together as a throuple. I enjoyed the commentary and thoughts about non-traditional relationships and the emotional processing it takes to be fully comfortable and happy with yourself. I loved that most of the Briar characters of books & series past make an appearance. 

I have to admit, considering I am well outside my college years, I really related to Charlotte. She is struggling between these two personalities. There the one she shows the world and the self she shows only certain people. That is something I also struggle with. It is a great theme throughout the book that if you are comfortable with yourself, ultimately you won't care what other people think and won't take their thoughts into account whether it is finding your birth family, or being in a throuple. 

One thing that threw me off was some of Charlotte's characteristics. She feels like she was written for the male gaze. She states her ex couldn't handle her overly active sex drive and she loves cars so much they turn her on. It felt weird. And even weirder was after all this focus on her car fetish in the first part, it never seems to be brought up again after like a third of the way through the book. It literally gave nothing to the story and could have been cut as this book is already pretty big at 500+ pages. Besides that, I really enjoyed this book. I had never really given a romance about a throuple a chance but this was a fun exploration about a taboo topic. 

Read if you like an unconventional sports romance, with plenty of heat. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/25. 

Get Lost with You by Sophie Sullivan

hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

I liked this book much more than the first book which is always good for a sequel. I loved the aspect that both characters had crushes on each other but never knew and are testing the waters 10 years later. I liked Levi as the main hero. He wasn't afraid of his feelings and was straight up about his intent which I feel like is pretty rare. I liked Jilly and the complexity with her ex and the dynamics with her family. She is definitely spinning more plates than she can handle. While I enjoyed this book, overall something felt off. I found myself skimming at some points because it was slow. The pacing in their relationship was super fast and felt unrealistic. 

Read if you like a best friend's sibling, second chance, small-town romance. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/11. 

Change of Heart by Falon Ballard

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I am a huge Falon Ballard fan! I flew through this book. It's a quick and fun read perfect for Valentine's Day! However, this was a little too Hallmarky for my liking. It was a little too predictable and hokey. Campbell is super unlikeable in the beginning and is then told she has to change everything about herself to come out of this town and back to reality. (not great messaging there). Ben felt more like a tool to get her to realize her misguided stance than an actual person and character with flaws etc. I wish he had more of a reason to be in Heart Springs than to help Campbell. My one huge pet peeve here was how many times the term 'sweetheart' was used. It was often used sarcastically in the beginning then eventually a term of endearment, but I just cringed every time it was said. I wish I had a count of how many times it was overused. While this book wasn't for me, it will definitely be a hit for a certain crowd. I will continue to read this author because every other book before this one was a 5-star read for me. 

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/11!

Casket Case by Lauren Evans

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I should have DNF'd this book. It felt like it was lacking some depth. Their first date is lacking chemistry. The pacing was all off. I mean within 2 dates they want to be exclusive and I feel like within 2 weeks they said I love you. where is the development of this relationship? Where are the feelings? Honestly, I just found the main character insufferable. Something about her communication or insecurities felt toxic. When she ultimately finds out what Garrett does for work, she almost takes it as a personal attack on herself and she can't come to terms with it. Then the story takes a whole other plot for a while before ultimately coming together with a HEA. Again the pacing needs some work. The third act breakup happened like 40% in and we start a whole new story with another guy. I did like that the story focused a bit on grief and depression after the loss of loved ones. It felt very realistic 

Read if you like an instant-love small-town romance with some magical realism. 

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Well, this book has my WHOLE HEART! It is just so precious! You had me at a modern-day Sleepless in Seattle-style romance. That was one of my favorite movies in college. You think, who listens to the radio anymore how could this work? Trust me...IT WORKS!

I loved Lucie's found family. Grayson, Macy's dad, lives next door with his husband and is a supportive partner post-breakup. It's so heartwarming. I love seeing split-up parents with healthy happy boundaries post-breakup. Lucie's found family is so sweet and supportive and I love how even though both Lucie and Grayson have strained relationships with their family they still have beautiful support systems around them. Aiden is so grouchy and has kind of isolated himself after years of struggling with his mom's cancer. He never processed those feelings and doesn't know how to have a relationship when he sees how hard it has been on his dad to see his mom suffer so much. Because of that, he is keeping everyone at arm's length. That is until Lucie breaks through and now he has to figure out his feelings and heal from past traumas. He isn't a relationship guy and is supposed to help find Lucie the big love she deserves. Except maybe what he thinks she deserves and who she actually wants are two different things and who she actually wants is him.  

I do have to admit I aged them both up in my head. I had a hard time picturing her as a 29-year-old with a 13-year-old daughter. 

Read if you like a forced proximity, single mom, slow-burn romance. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/11. 

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

You know, I was about to call this author a "not for me" author, but then I listened to this one, and I think I have changed my mind on this series. Emily was the first main character who seemed to have some depth and personality. I liked how Emily and Jack's frenemies-ship grew when he moved back and into the house next door to hers. The trajectory from rivals to frienemies to lovers had great timing. I liked that Emily had other problems besides getting the man. She is struggling with one of her sisters being away, she is struggling to find herself as a writer and getting published. She was a much more well-rounded character. I also feel the same way about Jack. he is hiding a secret from everyone. He published best-selling novels under a pen name and without the help of his famous father. Not to mention his father is emotionally abusive and Jack is trying to balance boundaries with his family. Overall this book was a step in the right direction for me and I hope we get the last sister's romance soon!

Read if you like an enemies-to-lovers, small-town romance. Thanks to PRH audio for the ALC. 

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams

hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I am wondering if this series just isn't for me. It's almost too wholesome. I Found Annie Walker to be a walking cliche of a romance heroine. Even the narrator spoke in a Disney princess-esque accent. I mean she couldn't even say Hell but said H-E-Double Hockey Sticks. I just felt like she was lacking substance. And sadly I think I could have related to a character like Annie. When it comes to experience in dating/romance I am a bit behind for my age and can be a little prudish, but even I found Annie's lack of ability to speak up for herself and be the main character in her own story a little off-putting. Besides that most of this book was forgettable. I mean I listened to this a week ago, and already have a hard time picking something else to talk about. 

Read if you like an opposites attract, fake dating/ practice dating, small-town romances. 

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was so hyped for this book after seeing both their cameos in book 2. A little forbidden romance with Tessa Bailey's steam is just a perfect match. I loved Sig as a main hero. He was so swoony. He will do whatever it takes to help Chloe blossom on her own two feet. And it's not just Chloe, but any of his friends and family. Chloe was also a likable heroine who had a ton of growth. She was like Rachel Greene from Friends. She's never had to think about life and then decides to leave the nest and has to come to terms with reality and watching her grow and seeing how Sig shows up for her through it all was so nice. She never lacks confidence or doubt, she just knows she can do it and I loved that about her. 

By Tessa Bailey's standards, the romance is a slow burn. We have a ton of back and forth between can we do this? We have to do this. We can't do this because of appearances, and vice versa. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of the Insta-love trope, I just find it a little too unbelievable. I mean they meet for 20 minutes at a country club and they without a doubt know the relationship is end game? It seems unrealistic. It's lust and all about appearances. So because of that, this wasn't my favorite of the series. However, I am excited to see what happens with Book 4. Is one of the two orgasm donors gonna be tamed?! 😂

Read if you enjoy a forbidden sports romance with dual POV. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/4!