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thereadinghammock's reviews
576 reviews
Burden's Bonds by Abigail Kelly
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Abigail continues to be a master of world building, story pacing, breadcrumb trails, and cliff hangers! An unprecedented bounty, an involuntary road trip, some hard core nesting, a voluntary road trip--mix it together and you've got a recipe for a delectable adventure where finding the right partner can help you find the road to healing old wounds.
Kaz is as broody as ever as he fights elvish AND orcish mating instincts. As the EVP's spymaster, he's convinced he's not a man made for matehood. Atria is on the verge of announcing a world-changing scientific discovery with her best friend Ruby Goode. She just needs to get to the conference in United Washington and make the presentation.
I was so ready to watch Kaz get suckerpunched by matehood after listening to him rail against the idea for two books. And Abigail delivered so well on that promise. Having dual POV in this book was vital to how the characters interacted with each other. Atria's power as an empath relies on her ability to feel what the people around her are feeling. Experiencing the power and depth of emotion that Kaz kept buried so deep was critical to her understanding him as her mate and as a person. Sifting through the layers of his gruff exterior and finding the deepest, warmest ocean of his soul was beautiful to read and achingly poignant to watch unfold.
Watching Atria fight her own battle with old insecurities and realize that the "flaws" she was told she had as a Bonded priestess just made her human. The learning curve for matehood is just as steep on the receiving end of that care when you've never experienced unconditional love and affection. I loved watching Atria and Kaz navigate the very uncharted waters for both of them in their fledgling matehood in this novel.
Oh, and who can forget Delilah fucking Solbourne, the biggest BAMF to ever grace the page, and whom gets better and better with every cameo and storyline she's a part of.When she found Atria and said, "You were never lost to me. No one is." I nearly sobbed. I could hear the emotion and heartache and relief all at once in her voice (in my head) and feel the weight of the hug she was giving Atria in that moment. Abigail writes such visceral moments like that all. the. fucking. time.
Kaz is as broody as ever as he fights elvish AND orcish mating instincts. As the EVP's spymaster, he's convinced he's not a man made for matehood. Atria is on the verge of announcing a world-changing scientific discovery with her best friend Ruby Goode. She just needs to get to the conference in United Washington and make the presentation.
I was so ready to watch Kaz get suckerpunched by matehood after listening to him rail against the idea for two books. And Abigail delivered so well on that promise. Having dual POV in this book was vital to how the characters interacted with each other. Atria's power as an empath relies on her ability to feel what the people around her are feeling. Experiencing the power and depth of emotion that Kaz kept buried so deep was critical to her understanding him as her mate and as a person. Sifting through the layers of his gruff exterior and finding the deepest, warmest ocean of his soul was beautiful to read and achingly poignant to watch unfold.
Watching Atria fight her own battle with old insecurities and realize that the "flaws" she was told she had as a Bonded priestess just made her human. The learning curve for matehood is just as steep on the receiving end of that care when you've never experienced unconditional love and affection. I loved watching Atria and Kaz navigate the very uncharted waters for both of them in their fledgling matehood in this novel.
Oh, and who can forget Delilah fucking Solbourne, the biggest BAMF to ever grace the page, and whom gets better and better with every cameo and storyline she's a part of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Gun violence, Abandonment, and Death of parent
Minor: Trafficking and Murder
Not So Kind Regards by Clio Evans
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I went into this booking thinking it would be a fun and sexy romp, and for sure it was. I just wasn't expecting myself to enjoy it quite as much as I did. I think I learned a bit about myself reading this book, or rather confirmed a few things I think I knew but this was like a neon sign saying "If you didn't know before, this is your 100% confirmation you're into this." I don't hate it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
A Witch's Guide to Fake Dating a Demon by Sarah Hawley
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I love the idea and premise of this book. The main characters were great, the banter came around after the FMC/MMC found their bearings with each other. Some of the one-liners had me actually laughing out loud. But almost all of that was drowned out by the nightmare that was Diantha Spark. That witch was horrific to everyone. Her abuse and cruel treatment of her daughter, and the conniving, competitive, overbearing attitude she had toward everyone and everything else in the book made it so difficult to enjoy the rest of the hijinks and story development. I get that Mariel had to overcome all that to find how her magic worked for her and I'm thrilled that she got there eventually, but I almost gave up on this book two or three times because of Diantha alone because I couldn't stand her that much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Bullying
Moderate: Gaslighting
To Ravish A Rogue by C.M. Nascosta
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The world of monster romance need more monstrous FMC's. Let women be monstrous and beautiful! CM nails it yet again. Charlotte and Lirian are such a perfect match for each other. Each trying to out maneuver each other in the game of mental chess they're constantly playing with the world.
I loved that Charlotte and her sister were a reimagining of Scylla and the Charybdis. I was dying to know what kind of monster she was the whole book and that reveal was *chef's kiss*, perfection. That Charlotte and Lirian shared a call to heed their monstrous forms when they transformed was a nice duality they both could understand in each other.
The banter among the crew aboard the Malediction was, as always, delightful. That kind of comraderie makes everything feel so lived in, in the best way. That these characters really have known each other for years, working together, fighting together. I hope we get to see them in a cameo at least somewhere down the line!
The banter among the crew aboard the Malediction was, as always, delightful. That kind of comraderie makes everything feel so lived in, in the best way. That these characters really have known each other for years, working together, fighting together. I hope we get to see them in a cameo at least somewhere down the line!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Body horror
A Holly Jolly Diwali by Sonya Lalli
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
As someone relatively unfamiliar with south Asian cultural and religious celebrations, I was looking forward to maybe learning a few things about Diwali and its celebrations through the story. And while it gave a bit of insight into a celebration, I still feel about as lost as Nicki did as she asked several people early in the book as to what the Diwali holiday and celebrations meant. I suppose much like many other western holidays, the meaning can change from person to person, but I was expecting a bit more cultural context on that front. I also thought the holiday might have been a bigger part of the story, given the title, but really Diya's wedding was the star of the show on that plot front too.
I enjoyed Nicki and Sam--I loved Diya and kind of wished we'd gotten a bit more of her, btu totally understand why she was off page a bit more. Weddings are hard enough--let along a wedding with 1,500 guests!!! Nicki's struggle to be the "perfect Indian daughter" was relatable enough (again, not speaking as a south Asian person, but as a woman who was raised with high expectations even when your parents didn't actually enforce those kinds of expectations). It's like holding the weight of the world on your shoulders and when you finally start dismantling the yoke you've given yourself, the weightlessness is freeing, but the freedom is overwhelming too.
Nicki still has a lot of growing up to do, and by the end she was starting to come down from her head in the clouds a bit, but she still felt a bit immature for being almost 30. I'm glad she and Sam were able to work it out and were seeing where things led.
I enjoyed Nicki and Sam--I loved Diya and kind of wished we'd gotten a bit more of her, btu totally understand why she was off page a bit more. Weddings are hard enough--let along a wedding with 1,500 guests!!! Nicki's struggle to be the "perfect Indian daughter" was relatable enough (again, not speaking as a south Asian person, but as a woman who was raised with high expectations even when your parents didn't actually enforce those kinds of expectations). It's like holding the weight of the world on your shoulders and when you finally start dismantling the yoke you've given yourself, the weightlessness is freeing, but the freedom is overwhelming too.
Nicki still has a lot of growing up to do, and by the end she was starting to come down from her head in the clouds a bit, but she still felt a bit immature for being almost 30. I'm glad she and Sam were able to work it out and were seeing where things led.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Colonisation and Sexual harassment
Games with the Orc by Kathryn Moon
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I love Kathryn's world building. She thinks of so many tiny details that make everything feel so lived in that rarely do I question anything she includes in her characters and stories. Games with the Orc and the Monster Smash agency books are no different. She subverts microtropes where she can, flipping narratives we assume as basics for some monsters, like as simple as orcs being primarily vegetarian. Each book usually includes some kind of fun and sexy anatomy lesson, with some new bonus feature being introduced into the monster lore.
Overall, a fun romp of a story. Mostly light, fluffy, and kinky as all get out as most of us come to know and expect from KMoon!
Overall, a fun romp of a story. Mostly light, fluffy, and kinky as all get out as most of us come to know and expect from KMoon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't quite know what to expect when I dove into this book finally. I was surprised, curious, intrigued, satisfied, and wanting more at every stage. I loved Addie's resourcefulness and tenacity, but was frustrated by her hubris and how it took her so long to learn how fickle Luc's moods and inclination to kindness could be. I was nervous for Henry almost every step of the way. I was so afraid Henry WAS Luc or some kind of specific obstacle put in Addie's path to cause her to misstep on her deal.
While I should have seen it coming, and eventually I did, Luc falling in love with Addie still managed to surprise me. I think the vehemence that Luc fell for her was what managed to surprise me. I thought he would fall in and out of love with her, or once he finally had her, he would quickly grow tired of her. But he didn't. Once he finally had her, he wanted her more. Wanted to keep her for himself. A Persephone to his Hades. And Addie only saw the betrayal of it; the malicious intent behind his actions, to lure her into a false sense of security and make her give up her soul to him before she was ready.
When I realized that this book was supposed to be a version of Henry's book, telling Addie's story, I loved that plot device. Subtle and witty. I legitimately cried when Addie read Henry's dedication to her in the finished novel, "I remember you." My heart broke and mended and grew and ached for them all at once. It was truly beautiful. And I love that it was perfectly paired with Addie's renegotiation with Luc at the end. She played his game of semantics with aplomb and I'm so proud of her. And Schwab kept us on that string until the very last sentence.
When I realized that this book was supposed to be a version of Henry's book, telling Addie's story, I loved that plot device. Subtle and witty. I legitimately cried when Addie read Henry's dedication to her in the finished novel, "I remember you." My heart broke and mended and grew and ached for them all at once. It was truly beautiful. And I love that it was perfectly paired with Addie's renegotiation with Luc at the end. She played his game of semantics with aplomb and I'm so proud of her. And Schwab kept us on that string until the very last sentence.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Death, and Toxic relationship
So Flocked by Sarah Estep
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I fell in love with Crane Cove and the Brunch Bros in Keyed Up, and I fell even more in love with everyone and everything about these books even more in So Flocked. Jordy and Annie are seriously goals. I love them to the ends of the Earth. This book might be my new favorite comfort read, and is easily in my top 5 for the year.
Jordy is facing the end of his football career, and possibly not on his terms. That alone is frustrating and anxiety-inducing, on top of the bigger conundrum he finds himself asking, "Who am I without football?" A few weeks away from LA to go visit Graham and Eloise before their big day will keep him out of trouble, right?
Annie finally has her ornithology PhD, but the job opportunities aren't exactly pouring in, and the boyfriend of almost 10 years didn't quite pan out and now she's feeling a bit adrift. Surely a few weeks at the lighthouse Eloise and Graham bought to expand the Crane Hotel's offerings and help Eloise with last minute wedding details will help her recenter and get back out there, right?
The meet-disaster Sarah promised was everything I wanted it to be and more. I was laughing out loud at the attempted subtle shenanigans Annie and Jordy get up to, swooning at every turn as Jordy soars to the top of my favorite book boyfriends list, and loving seeing Annie grow into the confident badass we all knew she was! And the teases for Sam's book and I'm EVEN MORE EXCITED FOR PETER'S STORY!!! I just want to move to Crane Cove, like, tomorrow. Is that too much to ask??
Jordy is facing the end of his football career, and possibly not on his terms. That alone is frustrating and anxiety-inducing, on top of the bigger conundrum he finds himself asking, "Who am I without football?" A few weeks away from LA to go visit Graham and Eloise before their big day will keep him out of trouble, right?
Annie finally has her ornithology PhD, but the job opportunities aren't exactly pouring in, and the boyfriend of almost 10 years didn't quite pan out and now she's feeling a bit adrift. Surely a few weeks at the lighthouse Eloise and Graham bought to expand the Crane Hotel's offerings and help Eloise with last minute wedding details will help her recenter and get back out there, right?
The meet-disaster Sarah promised was everything I wanted it to be and more. I was laughing out loud at the attempted subtle shenanigans Annie and Jordy get up to, swooning at every turn as Jordy soars to the top of my favorite book boyfriends list, and loving seeing Annie grow into the confident badass we all knew she was! And the teases for Sam's book and I'm EVEN MORE EXCITED FOR PETER'S STORY!!! I just want to move to Crane Cove, like, tomorrow. Is that too much to ask??
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Yours, Insatiably by Aveda Vice
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
I loved the enemies-to-lovers vibes between Avirin & Pye after reading Feed, but the animosity she harbored for him at the start of this book was bordering near open hostility. I know Avirin struggled with the emotions that Pye stirs in them, it almost felt a bit insurmountable a hurdle to overcome.
I really appreciated the Pye chapters in this book. Avirin's disdain for them was so palpable, but being able to see their affection for her only grow; the desire to help her understand herself better and feel more comfortable in her own skin. To have a friend when she needed one the most. I was expecting Pye to be a bit more of a fuck-boi, but I was so pleasantly surprised to be so incredibly wrong. They were supportive, actually quite romantic, even when he was being an absolute bastard during the sex scenes--never pushing her farther than she was already willing to go, always checking in with her and making sure she was still ok.
I especially loved the epilogue letters. The cheeky formality of them was both a surprise and such a delight! I would love to get a chance to read a few of the shorts Aveda has on her patreon someday just to get a fun revisit to these characters (and to see some more art!)
I really appreciated the Pye chapters in this book. Avirin's disdain for them was so palpable, but being able to see their affection for her only grow; the desire to help her understand herself better and feel more comfortable in her own skin. To have a friend when she needed one the most. I was expecting Pye to be a bit more of a fuck-boi, but I was so pleasantly surprised to be so incredibly wrong. They were supportive, actually quite romantic, even when he was being an absolute bastard during the sex scenes--never pushing her farther than she was already willing to go, always checking in with her and making sure she was still ok.
I especially loved the epilogue letters. The cheeky formality of them was both a surprise and such a delight! I would love to get a chance to read a few of the shorts Aveda has on her patreon someday just to get a fun revisit to these characters (and to see some more art!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Dysphoria
Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé by C.M. Nascosta
Harper's role in the shake up heading for Cambric Creek is going to be an important one and I can't wait to see the new coven emerge from the ashes of the old.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
First thing's first, PLEASE be gentle and kind with yourself when choosing to read this book. The themes of grief, depression, and loss are HEAVY in this story and a very important component. I do think this is a very pivotal book within the larger Cambric Creek meta story, but this story will always be there to come back to if and when you are ready to read it. Mental health is far more important than getting a few character cameos. That being said, the amount of foreshadowing, lore development, cameos, and nods to characters only previously seen patreon shorts was a Cambric Creek lover's dream.
Harper Hollingsworth is a witch struggling with clinical depression, in the throes of grieving her father, and uprooted back to her mother's hometown of Cambric Creek. Feeling lost in the depths of her grief, Harper struggles to find any reason to get out of bed or off the couch until a spark of a conversation with her younger sister gives her a nudge to try to be present enough for her, even if it's just sometimes. After a Goldilocks trip through town (the library was closed; Black Sheep Beanery is too loud; Viol, Violet, and Vine is a retail shop), Harper finds Azathé is just right to settle down and read a book somewhere that's not her couch.
With the encouragement from a surprise "free agent" familiar and the shadowy proprietor of the tea shop, Harper begins to find herself again, as a woman and as a witch. She begins those first tentative and terrifying steps toward "finding her new normal," as trite as that saying becomes after a loss so profound. Harper's healing path is full of new faces who understand the profoundness of her grief and never try to diminish it. They support her and share their own grief experiences in ways that demonstrate for her that the hurt never ends, but becomes a part of you, not what defines you.
Harper Hollingsworth is a witch struggling with clinical depression, in the throes of grieving her father, and uprooted back to her mother's hometown of Cambric Creek. Feeling lost in the depths of her grief, Harper struggles to find any reason to get out of bed or off the couch until a spark of a conversation with her younger sister gives her a nudge to try to be present enough for her, even if it's just sometimes. After a Goldilocks trip through town (the library was closed; Black Sheep Beanery is too loud; Viol, Violet, and Vine is a retail shop), Harper finds Azathé is just right to settle down and read a book somewhere that's not her couch.
With the encouragement from a surprise "free agent" familiar and the shadowy proprietor of the tea shop, Harper begins to find herself again, as a woman and as a witch. She begins those first tentative and terrifying steps toward "finding her new normal," as trite as that saying becomes after a loss so profound. Harper's healing path is full of new faces who understand the profoundness of her grief and never try to diminish it. They support her and share their own grief experiences in ways that demonstrate for her that the hurt never ends, but becomes a part of you, not what defines you.
Harper's role in the shake up heading for Cambric Creek is going to be an important one and I can't wait to see the new coven emerge from the ashes of the old.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts