thisismybooknook's reviews
637 reviews

Does It Hurt? by H.D. Carlton

challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

• 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

4.0

I ate this up. 

I went into this with no expectations, and I think that's what this book needs. It's so hyped up - and I get it. I simultaneously get why it's hyped up and why some people absolutely hate it. I was sucked into this book and I didn't want to put it down - I wanted to see what insane thing was going to happen to Sawyer and Enzo next. 

This book is not for the feint of heart. 

American King by Sierra Simone

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

2.5

This book wasn't it for me. I feel like it sort of fell off the wagon from where the others were. This went in all sorts of directions that didn't quite make sense to me... but I liked the end, I think.

Royally Rebellious by Maude Winters

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

A rebellious rebel man, and a virgin Queen - what could they possibly have in common? The Dowager Queen hopes nothing, but just enough that her granddaughter, the Queen, will agree to marry him. Celeste, the Dowager Queen is controlling, and Queen Alexandra will do anything in her power to get out from under her spell, including thinking about marrying. 

"I could find a man who would let me be me and would mostly keep to himself, I Could tolerate it."

Watching Rick and Alex get to know each other in this book is a struggle. Their energies are so similar to each other, but they don't realize it. They mesh so well, but they're both so stubborn and doing it for what they think are the right reasons. Watching them grow together was an enjoyable journey!

"He was a kind-hearted asshole."

It took me no time to read this book - while it took me a chapter or two to get into it, once I got to know the characters I was absolutely rooting for the FMC & MMC to get their happy ending and throw Celeste out. 

"Her candour surprised me. It was also kind of hot."

I received an advanced copy and these are my honest thoughts. Thank you to Maude Winters 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse

Minor: Mental illness, Suicide, Death of parent, and Physical abuse

Lights, Camera, Passion! by Isabel Lucero

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

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

5.0

 

MY good lord. I didn't think I could fall in love with two actors who hate each other... but here we are. I'm not really a follower of the celebs in the real world other than maybe an instagram page here or there. I don't read gossip stuff or headlines, even. Would I for Jacoby and Roman? Absolutely.

You're too beautiful to be doing such filthy things.

Why you will love this book:
🩵💙MM
🎬Celebrity (actors)
🔥Opposites Attract
🖤Enemies to Lovers
❤️‍🔥Secret Relationship
🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼Dual POV

I want you to be slow and deliberate. I want you to worship me.

This book reminded me of Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston - but the filming part of turning it into a movie. Guys, I can't say this enough. This book was awesome. This was my first Isabel Lucero book, and it won't be my last. I was into this book from the first chapter - these characters are well written, well thought out, and perfect for each other.

Just like you don't judge a book by it's cover, these boys learned you don't judge a person by first meet. I loved the story of them falling for each other - so angsty and so many hidden feelings. Definitely one to keep on the shelf.

I received a complimentary copy for an honest review. Thank you.

 

Bound by Shannon Elliot

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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? Yes

5.0

 This is my favorite Shannon Elliot book so far! I've read two others, as of today. This book has so many good things! Here's your bullet point list:

🪢BDSM/Kink/Sex Club (mostly rope and impact play)
🦄 Couple + Unicorn
👯 WLW (curvy WMCs)
🤠 Cowboy MMC
🩹 Trauma Healing
📚Standalone, Interconnected to a series

I've been looking forward to this book since Devil In The Dark came out, and I'm thrilled to say that this exceeded my expectations. Bex, Naomi, and Alvie had so much chemistry. They felt right. The quality of instant love versus developing love was written in a way that was so believable. Alvie is an exceptionally patient man, and I absolutely adore how he loved his women. This book handled mental health issues so well. Even if you haven't read Angels or Devil in the Dark, this book can standalone, and it would do that quite well.

Shannon Elliot grabs 'unconventional' by the horns and she does it skillfully.

ARC Review: I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest review. 

Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel Smythe

4.0

My last read of 2023! I'd read volume five but I left it at home, and am visiting my parents. Whoops! Either way, this is another that I absolutely adore in the series. I was surprised to not see Hades or Persephone on the cover, but the storyline plays out and seeing Ares makes some sense.

Lore Olympus: Volume Three by Rachel Smythe

4.0

I just love these two. They're SO cute and the more I read them the more I like them. The artwork is always great - but in this one I noticed that when there were tears or someone was too in their own head to fully hear the conversation, the text was even blurry and only half there in the text bubble. Absolutely amazing attention to detail. I also love how the relationship between Persephone and Eros has evolved in this one.

Lore Olympus: Volume Two by Rachel Smythe

4.0

I love this series. The art style and characters always make me happy.  I'm excited to read the next one!

Paris: The Memoir by Paris Hilton

4.5

 Wow. This is gut-wrenching, heartbreaking, captivating, and absolutely telling. I went into this book knowing absolutely nothing about the dark contents and oh my gosh, I was sucked in. Paris tells the story of her life and makes her ADHD a part of the storytelling, which I thought would be annoying - but she makes it make sense, and explains it all. Loved this book.

The Christmas Swap by Talia Samuels

3.0

Decent book. Not the best holiday romcom I've ever read and not the worst. Parts of this were wholly unrealistic but what do you expect in a fake dating him for the holidays, sapphic love story with the sister kind of book. A mostly enjoyable Christmas read.