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thebrownbibliomane's reviews
95 reviews
Priest by Sierra Simone
2.5
Priest by Sierra Simone is my first audiobook. It's a daring story that mixes romance with religious themes. The book is about a priest falling in love with a member of his church, which many might find interesting but also controversial. Be aware that this book may not be for everyone due to its challenging content.
Jacob Morgan narrates the story, giving a strong voice to the main character, Father Tyler Bell. He does a good job showing Tyler's inner struggles. However, the story can feel repetitive at times. The main character often thinks about the same issues over and over, which can make it hard to stay interested. Some parts of the story focus more on being shocking than being meaningful.
The love story between Father Bell and Poppy is meant to be passionate and test their beliefs. But it often feels like it's mostly about physical attraction rather than deep emotions. Father Bell's constant struggle between feeling guilty and desiring Poppy can become tiring to read about, and it doesn't seem to lead anywhere clear. Also, we don’t learn much about Poppy throughout the story.
Overall, Priest tries to be edgy and push boundaries, but it doesn't quite deliver the emotional depth I was hoping for. If you like romance stories that challenge social norms, you might enjoy this book. But keep in mind that it might not connect with you on a deeper level. I personally enjoyed this book thanks to the narrator and for the taboo romance.
2.5⭐️
4🌶️
The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I loved this book! Just five pages in, I knew I was going to enjoy reading it. I’m really happy I decided to pick it up. I laughed out loud many times and even nearly cried at some points.
Connecting with Emma was effortless. Charlie, on the other hand—water on cereal, really?! Charlie might be a sociopath! Jokes aside, I genuinely loved Charlie. His relationship with Emma was captivating, making even the simplest activities interesting.
The story balances the main plot with the development of side characters and their relationships. I really enjoyed the storyline between Sylvie (Emma's sister) and Emma. It was both beautiful and painful, showing the strength of familial love and support. And the dad was the most adorable character ever.
Some parts of the story at the end of Act 2 seemed unnecessary. However, the final act fixed these issues. (I am using screenwriting lingo becaude the MCs are screenwriters).
I loved this book and read it in just two days! If you enjoyed Book Lovers and Beach Read by Emily Henry, you need to pick this up. This is my first book by Katherine Center, and I am very happy with my choice. Her writing is wonderful, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
This quote from the book really speaks to me, and I want to share it. Don't worry, it won't spoil anything.
"I fell in love all the time. Just.. nobody fell in love with me back.
Fiction really kind of was all I had in the romance department.
But that wasn't a weakness. That was a strength.
I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life.
Whatever were longing for —adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we're struggling with—sometimes questions so deep, we don't even really know were asking them—we look for answers in stories."
4.5⭐️
Connecting with Emma was effortless. Charlie, on the other hand—water on cereal, really?! Charlie might be a sociopath! Jokes aside, I genuinely loved Charlie. His relationship with Emma was captivating, making even the simplest activities interesting.
The story balances the main plot with the development of side characters and their relationships. I really enjoyed the storyline between Sylvie (Emma's sister) and Emma. It was both beautiful and painful, showing the strength of familial love and support. And the dad was the most adorable character ever.
Some parts of the story at the end of Act 2 seemed unnecessary. However, the final act fixed these issues. (I am using screenwriting lingo becaude the MCs are screenwriters).
I loved this book and read it in just two days! If you enjoyed Book Lovers and Beach Read by Emily Henry, you need to pick this up. This is my first book by Katherine Center, and I am very happy with my choice. Her writing is wonderful, and I can’t wait to read more of her work.
This quote from the book really speaks to me, and I want to share it. Don't worry, it won't spoil anything.
"I fell in love all the time. Just.. nobody fell in love with me back.
Fiction really kind of was all I had in the romance department.
But that wasn't a weakness. That was a strength.
I had a theory that we gravitate toward the stories we need in life.
Whatever were longing for —adventure, excitement, emotion, connection—we turn to stories that help us find it. Whatever questions we're struggling with—sometimes questions so deep, we don't even really know were asking them—we look for answers in stories."
4.5⭐️
Grimstone by Sophie Lark
2.0
Sophie Lark’s Grimstone is set in a small beach town where everyone knows each other. Remi Hayes cares for her younger brother, Jude. After their uncle dies, he leaves her a large, old mansion, which she wants to renovate.Complications arise with her neighbor, Dane Covett, a reclusive doctor rumored to have killed his wife. Remi discovers she must use his road to reach the mansion, so they strike a deal. Dane soon becomes obsessed with Remi, trying to hide his feelings. Despite her friends' warnings, she grows attracted to him. As strange events occur in the mansion—like odd noises and broken items—Remi questions if the house is haunted or if Dane is truly dangerous.
I love dark romance. However, I found the story disappointing. The idea is interesting: Remi is a strong character who faces tough choices, makes deals with unpredictable people, and navigates a chaotic city. Despite these appealing aspects, the book did not meet my expectations. I liked Remi but the rest of the characters, not so much.
The pacing was uneven as well. There were moments of intense action followed by long breaks, making it difficult to stay engaged. Some plot twists felt predictable, while others seemed added just for shock value without enhancing the story overall.
Lark’s writing has a smooth flow and includes some intense moments. The world-building is strong and creates a vivid setting, even if it feels a bit stereotypical. The supporting characters add important variety to the story. However, Grimstone tries to do too much, which weakens its overall impact. Fans of darker romance might find it enjoyable, but it didn't meet my expectations.
This was my first book by the author, and it helped me break out of my reading slump. While the story presents a promising world, the character development and pacing were somewhat lacking, which prevented Grimstone from fully succeeding. Will I read Monarch, the next book in the series? Absolutely!
My rating: 2 ⭐️
I love dark romance. However, I found the story disappointing. The idea is interesting: Remi is a strong character who faces tough choices, makes deals with unpredictable people, and navigates a chaotic city. Despite these appealing aspects, the book did not meet my expectations. I liked Remi but the rest of the characters, not so much.
The pacing was uneven as well. There were moments of intense action followed by long breaks, making it difficult to stay engaged. Some plot twists felt predictable, while others seemed added just for shock value without enhancing the story overall.
Lark’s writing has a smooth flow and includes some intense moments. The world-building is strong and creates a vivid setting, even if it feels a bit stereotypical. The supporting characters add important variety to the story. However, Grimstone tries to do too much, which weakens its overall impact. Fans of darker romance might find it enjoyable, but it didn't meet my expectations.
This was my first book by the author, and it helped me break out of my reading slump. While the story presents a promising world, the character development and pacing were somewhat lacking, which prevented Grimstone from fully succeeding. Will I read Monarch, the next book in the series? Absolutely!
My rating: 2 ⭐️
Throne of the Fallen by Kerri Maniscalco
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? N/A
4.5
This book is dedicated to those girls who are touch-deprived (a.k.a moi)
Although I've never read any of Kerri Maniscalco's books before, this one can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy. As a fan of the Seven Deadly Sins (thanks to Fullmetal Alchemist anime which I watched 20 years ago), I was intrigued to learn that the kings and princes in these books are based on the sins. Kingdom of the Wicked explores Wrath, while Throne of the Fallen delves into Envy.
"Throne of the Fallen" is an exciting journey through a richly imagined dark fantasy world, full of mystery and unexpected twists. The pacing is fast, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Maniscalco’s writing is immersive, creating vivid images of the story's haunting landscapes.
The story's most compelling aspect is the strong connection between Camilla and Envy. Their dynamic is intense, filled with tension and complexity that adds depth to the story. You can’t help but root for them as they face their challenges, and their interactions create some of the book’s most memorable moments.
The pacing sometimes felt rushed, especially towards the climax. Some subplots could have been explored more to realise their full potential.
"Throne of the Fallen" is a captivating and rewarding dark fantasy book that is a must-read for fans of the genre. As a newcomer to this type of book, I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the release of "Throne of Secrets" at the end of this month. I'm also excited to add the "Kingdom of the Wicked" trilogy to my reading list.
⭐️ 4.25 ~ 4.5
Although I've never read any of Kerri Maniscalco's books before, this one can be enjoyed as a standalone or as part of the Kingdom of the Wicked trilogy. As a fan of the Seven Deadly Sins (thanks to Fullmetal Alchemist anime which I watched 20 years ago), I was intrigued to learn that the kings and princes in these books are based on the sins. Kingdom of the Wicked explores Wrath, while Throne of the Fallen delves into Envy.
"Throne of the Fallen" is an exciting journey through a richly imagined dark fantasy world, full of mystery and unexpected twists. The pacing is fast, keeping readers hooked from start to finish. Maniscalco’s writing is immersive, creating vivid images of the story's haunting landscapes.
The story's most compelling aspect is the strong connection between Camilla and Envy. Their dynamic is intense, filled with tension and complexity that adds depth to the story. You can’t help but root for them as they face their challenges, and their interactions create some of the book’s most memorable moments.
The pacing sometimes felt rushed, especially towards the climax. Some subplots could have been explored more to realise their full potential.
"Throne of the Fallen" is a captivating and rewarding dark fantasy book that is a must-read for fans of the genre. As a newcomer to this type of book, I really enjoyed it. I'm looking forward to the release of "Throne of Secrets" at the end of this month. I'm also excited to add the "Kingdom of the Wicked" trilogy to my reading list.
⭐️ 4.25 ~ 4.5