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thesmutsister_emma's reviews
355 reviews
Out with the Tide by Julie Olivia
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell by Taj McCoy
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
The Song: That's My Girl by Little Mix
The Tropes
✔️ friends-to-lovers
✔️ transformation
✔️ rom-com
The Characters
Savvy: Girl. I don't know that I have ever related to a character as much as I have you. You represent me in a book character in a way I haven't had in a long time. I think the last time I related this much to a character was Spoiler Alert. I felt a security through you I haven't felt in a long ass time either.
Spencer: Spencer, my love, we did not get near enough of you.
The Things I Loved
I loved the fact that Savvy didn't go through this huge transformation for Spencer to lover her. He liked her for who she was and loved her along the way. This is something that I don't see often and I truly love it.
The Things I Didn't Love
I feel like I expected more romance, but I am more than happy with the way it turned out. It's safe to say this is what I needed in the moment rather than what I wanted.
The Final Verdict
Do not go into this book expecting a romance novel. That is not what this is. It has aspects of romance to it, but this novel is about a woman’s journey to loving herself.
The Tropes
✔️ friends-to-lovers
✔️ transformation
✔️ rom-com
The Characters
Savvy: Girl. I don't know that I have ever related to a character as much as I have you. You represent me in a book character in a way I haven't had in a long time. I think the last time I related this much to a character was Spoiler Alert. I felt a security through you I haven't felt in a long ass time either.
Spencer: Spencer, my love, we did not get near enough of you.
The Things I Loved
I loved the fact that Savvy didn't go through this huge transformation for Spencer to lover her. He liked her for who she was and loved her along the way. This is something that I don't see often and I truly love it.
The Things I Didn't Love
I feel like I expected more romance, but I am more than happy with the way it turned out. It's safe to say this is what I needed in the moment rather than what I wanted.
The Final Verdict
Do not go into this book expecting a romance novel. That is not what this is. It has aspects of romance to it, but this novel is about a woman’s journey to loving herself.
The Fae Princes by Nikki St. Crowe
adventurous
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Y'all I hated this book so much. That is all I have.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
The Song The Line by dvsn
The Tropes
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ autism representation
✔️ interracial romance
The Characters:
Eve: This girl was a bad. ass. and I love her for it so so so much. Truly.
Jacob: All I know is if this man had shown his ass to me like he did Evie girl, we would not have made it past me hitting him with my car.
Jacob: All I know is if this man had shown his ass to me like he did Evie girl, we would not have made it past me hitting him with my car.
The Things I Loved
Can I just list the whole book?
The Things I Didn't Love
Literally nothing about this book was unlikable.
The Final Verdict
Two things I can count on Talia for: to make me fall in love with the characters as they fall in love and to make me cry. Was I expecting to cry quite as much as I did during this one? No. It came close to how much I cried over Get A Life, Chloe Brown and that’s saying something. I wasn’t on medication at that point.
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy, Sierra Simone
The fucking second half. I read reviews about this and saw the second half sucked ass and didn't listen because I was like how bad can it be? It was bad.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
The Song
The Tropes
✔️ accidental/surprise pregnancy trope
✔️ plus size representation
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ plus size representation
✔️ workplace romance
The Characters
Winnie: Winnie, bless your sweet, sweet heart. You deserved so much better than the cards you were dealt.
Kallum: I feel like I really loved Kallum in the beginning but then the second half ruined it for me. I can't see past how stupid he was in the second act.
The Things I Loved
I loved the first half of this book. I loved the representation, and the openness about religious trauma. I really loved the first half of this book.
The Things I Didn't Love
The Final Verdict
This one is worth it until act 2. You can stop with act 1.
This one is worth it until act 2. You can stop with act 1.
Nobody's Darlin' by Sarah Blue
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.5
The Song: This Life by Curtis Stigers
The Tropes
✔️ omegaverse
✔️ step-sibling romance
✔️ interracial romance
✔️ biker romance
✔️ step-sibling romance
✔️ interracial romance
✔️ biker romance
The Characters
Lily: I really enjoyed Lily's character a lot. I feel like there was a lot of development in her character even though she had a lot of maturity to start out with.
Lily: I really enjoyed Lily's character a lot. I feel like there was a lot of development in her character even though she had a lot of maturity to start out with.
Axel: Axel's batshit crazy ass. I thought I would want a man like this but I feel like I would only be okay with it in fiction.
Tate: I'm not even going to talk about how pissed Tate had me most of this book.
Cash: Cash, bless his heart, is the ideal partner that I want in real life. I truly feel like I would love Cash though and through in real life.
Tate: I'm not even going to talk about how pissed Tate had me most of this book.
Cash: Cash, bless his heart, is the ideal partner that I want in real life. I truly feel like I would love Cash though and through in real life.
The Things I Loved
I loved the omegaverse aspect of this book so much. The nesting scene was one of my favorites because it felt so so safe. I also liked the parallels to SoA.
The Things I Didn't Love
It felt like ages before the pack was rocking and rolling.
The Final Verdict
Sarah Blue is such a comfort author for me. I love everything I have read by her and continue to love it. I am so grateful to have been accepted for this ARC and literally loved this book cover to cover. It had everything I wanted and needed in an omegaverse book.
Sarah Blue is such a comfort author for me. I love everything I have read by her and continue to love it. I am so grateful to have been accepted for this ARC and literally loved this book cover to cover. It had everything I wanted and needed in an omegaverse book.
Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.25
The Song: Rules by Doja Cat
The Tropes
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ friends-to-lovers
✔️ fake dating
✔️ friends-to-lovers
✔️ fake dating
The Characters
Dani: Danika Brown, you are who I aspire to be. The baddest bitch who is truly busting balls and kicking ass. I want so badly to be just like you. My outlook on men is getting there. I just want to be able to discuss my feelings.
Zafir: Sweet, sweet Zaf. I adore you, baby. I want a baby like Zafir.
The Things I Loved
After this book, I feel like I will read absolutely anything Talia Hubert writes. I already enjoyed <I>Get A Life, Chloe Brown</I> and <I>Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute</I> but this solidified that I love Talia's writings.
The Things I Didn't Love
I feel like a grown woman like Dani would be better at discussing her feelings. It was frustrating watching a woman who is so academically intelligent be so detached.
The Final Verdict
I adored this book just like the first book in the series. I am writing this review after I have read all 3 books and can say this series is a comfort series for me now. I love the representation throughout the series and the way that the women are portrayed.
I adored this book just like the first book in the series. I am writing this review after I have read all 3 books and can say this series is a comfort series for me now. I love the representation throughout the series and the way that the women are portrayed.
Well Met by Jen DeLuca
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Song: hate u, love u by Olivia O'Brien
The Tropes
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ cheeky banter
✔️ small-town romance
The Characters
Emily: What a badass bitch. Holy hell. Girlie knows how to stand up for herself against who used to be Satan himself. I hope that someday I can have the nerve that Emily has throughout this book. I already have her support system 💜🥺
Simon: Sir, you could have been less insufferable at first for sure. You also desperately need therapy. Keep the earring though.
The Things I Loved
I truly loved the back-and-forth of the banter and the homey vibes this book gave off. I have avoided this series for so long because I was worried that it was a period piece (shows how much I read the blurbs of the books on my TBR), but this was such a comforting read. Don't get me wrong, it had its highs and lows during the book, but it was still very homey and comfortable.
The Things I Didn't Love
At times it did not feel like Emily was 24 or 25 (quite frankly I can't remember which one). It felt more like she was 21 or 19 based on her inner monologue. I can totally understand some of the conclusions she was jumping to, because what person who just went through what she did wouldn't? But there is a line between insecurities and flat-out maturity. This was a maturity issue in her case. It could just be me and my years of therapy and trauma, but it just felt like she was a lot younger than the book set her up to be.
The Final Verdict
Considering I now have the rest of these books on hold in my Libby app now, this is a pretty solid start to a series. I fully intend on making this series a staple of this year and cannot wait to have my next hold.
The Tropes
✔️ enemies to lovers
✔️ workplace romance
✔️ cheeky banter
✔️ small-town romance
The Characters
Emily: What a badass bitch. Holy hell. Girlie knows how to stand up for herself against who used to be Satan himself. I hope that someday I can have the nerve that Emily has throughout this book. I already have her support system 💜🥺
Simon: Sir, you could have been less insufferable at first for sure. You also desperately need therapy. Keep the earring though.
The Things I Loved
I truly loved the back-and-forth of the banter and the homey vibes this book gave off. I have avoided this series for so long because I was worried that it was a period piece (shows how much I read the blurbs of the books on my TBR), but this was such a comforting read. Don't get me wrong, it had its highs and lows during the book, but it was still very homey and comfortable.
The Things I Didn't Love
At times it did not feel like Emily was 24 or 25 (quite frankly I can't remember which one). It felt more like she was 21 or 19 based on her inner monologue. I can totally understand some of the conclusions she was jumping to, because what person who just went through what she did wouldn't? But there is a line between insecurities and flat-out maturity. This was a maturity issue in her case. It could just be me and my years of therapy and trauma, but it just felt like she was a lot younger than the book set her up to be.
The Final Verdict
Considering I now have the rest of these books on hold in my Libby app now, this is a pretty solid start to a series. I fully intend on making this series a staple of this year and cannot wait to have my next hold.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Cancer, and Death
Falling Back in Love with Being Human: Letters to Lost Souls by Kai Cheng Thom
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
The Song: Joke's On You by Charlotte Lawrence
The Tropes
🔪 friends to lovers
🔪 mutual pining
🔪 strong asf FMC
🔪 found family
The Characters
Sloane: what a kickass FMC y'all. Sloane has got to be my favorite FMC of this year. She has power and she knows it, yet she is humble enough to bee relatable to those of us that don't 🔪 for a living.
Rowan: what a simp and I adore it. I want my own Rowan for Christmas, please.
The Things I Loved
I cannot express how much I mean this entire fucking book.
The Things I Didn't Love
Orzo pasta reference. That has ruined pasta for me for the rest of the year.
The Final Verdict
I don't know what the fuck I expected going into this book, but whatever it was, I still was not prepared. And yet, I fucking loved this book. I fully intend on reading Brynne Weaver's entire backlog after this. Can I also request 1,000 copies of this book for Christmas and my (swiftly) upcoming 25th birthday?
The Tropes
🔪 friends to lovers
🔪 mutual pining
🔪 strong asf FMC
🔪 found family
The Characters
Sloane: what a kickass FMC y'all. Sloane has got to be my favorite FMC of this year. She has power and she knows it, yet she is humble enough to bee relatable to those of us that don't 🔪 for a living.
Rowan: what a simp and I adore it. I want my own Rowan for Christmas, please.
The Things I Loved
I cannot express how much I mean this entire fucking book.
The Things I Didn't Love
Orzo pasta reference. That has ruined pasta for me for the rest of the year.
The Final Verdict
I don't know what the fuck I expected going into this book, but whatever it was, I still was not prepared. And yet, I fucking loved this book. I fully intend on reading Brynne Weaver's entire backlog after this. Can I also request 1,000 copies of this book for Christmas and my (swiftly) upcoming 25th birthday?