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tobereadbookshelf's Reviews (935)
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Complicated
I’ll be honest, my expectations for this were low - like on the floor. I was fully prepared for this to be another overhyped dud, but in this case, I was happy to be wrong. I have now read ten of Tessa’s books and while reading her work, I have often felt that the balance was a little off. Too many explicit scenes (yes, there is such thing as too much smut), sex between the MC’s too quickly (like fast enough that you’d probably call the police if someone tried that IRL), too many cheesy lines that made me roll my eyes, etc.
In Fangirl Down, Tessa got the formula just right. The romance was beautifully written and progressed at just the right speed. They fell for each other quickly, but they had known each other prior so it did not feel like insta love. Sure, it had its cheesy moments, but they did not detract from the story. He was head over heels for her and I was here for it. Healthy adult relationships in books are sexy - we love to see it 🙌🏻.
Happy to report that Tessa has at least two great books out there. I will definitely pick up the sequel! I believe Tessa Bailey may have found her niche in sports romance.
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Pre read: I’ve read 9 of Tessa Bailey’s books and I only thought one was truly good. A couple others were okay, and the rest were god-awful. But here I am… reading another Tessa Bailey book. Why am I like this? Maybe I’m an optimist… sure, let’s go with that. Here’s hoping this isn’t another doozy. 🥴
Can you guess which one I loved?🦀💅🏻🍺😋
In Fangirl Down, Tessa got the formula just right. The romance was beautifully written and progressed at just the right speed. They fell for each other quickly, but they had known each other prior so it did not feel like insta love. Sure, it had its cheesy moments, but they did not detract from the story. He was head over heels for her and I was here for it. Healthy adult relationships in books are sexy - we love to see it 🙌🏻.
Happy to report that Tessa has at least two great books out there. I will definitely pick up the sequel! I believe Tessa Bailey may have found her niche in sports romance.
—————————————————————————
Pre read: I’ve read 9 of Tessa Bailey’s books and I only thought one was truly good. A couple others were okay, and the rest were god-awful. But here I am… reading another Tessa Bailey book. Why am I like this? Maybe I’m an optimist… sure, let’s go with that. Here’s hoping this isn’t another doozy. 🥴
Can you guess which one I loved?🦀💅🏻🍺😋
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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:
Complicated
As my high school Latin teacher used to say, there’s “nothing new under the sun“ (nihil sub sōle novum). If you read enough books, you start to see a lot of recycled ideas, plot lines & tropes. This book lacked originality but I did find it to be an enjoyable read. Maybe since this felt so similar to other books, I am really struggling to review this so I think I will bullet this out.
What I loved…
-The characters! All of them were likable, had their own personalities, had well developed back stories and promising possibilities for character arcs, etc.
-Okay, so maybe the characters were the main thing I loved. I think they may have carried this book for me…🙃
What left me unsatisfied…
-The public reasoning for killing/banishing the powerless makes sense, but the actual reasoning felt underdeveloped. The most logical reason would have been that Kai’s family is powerless themselves unless they surround themselves with powered people. I kept waiting for the author to say this, but if she did, I completely missed it. Am I wrong that his whole family had the same power? Maybe it was just Kai and I assumed… If this wasn’t part of the plot, it should have been.
-I don’t believe for one second that Kai would have been convinced that Paedyn wasn’t an ordinary. He barely even questioned it and it really bothered me. I think it would have made for a more interesting plot if he knew and helped to hide her.
-Why are the trials held and how does the king enforce participation? Some flimsy reasoning was given, but I didn’t feel like there was sufficient explanation for this. It made even less sense to me that Kai or his brother would be selected to participate.
-Why would the Princes not question the reasoning behind these things themselves? They’re supposed to be future leaders, not sheep. 🐑🐑
Again, I honestly did enjoy reading this and I think I might have rated it more favorably if some or these holes had been filled before the book concluded. It’s fine to leave some questions unanswered until later books, but all of these felt too integral to the world building to not be fleshed out in book one.
This book is a testament to the fact that some plots just work. People seem happy to read them over and over. I personally am happy for any author who can find a formula that works. As they say, don’t hate the player hate the game. 😉 The two series I would most closely compare this to would be The Hunger Games and Red Queen. I am sure there are others out there with similar vibes.
What I loved…
-The characters! All of them were likable, had their own personalities, had well developed back stories and promising possibilities for character arcs, etc.
-Okay, so maybe the characters were the main thing I loved. I think they may have carried this book for me…🙃
What left me unsatisfied…
-The public reasoning for killing/banishing the powerless makes sense, but the actual reasoning felt underdeveloped. The most logical reason would have been that Kai’s family is powerless themselves unless they surround themselves with powered people. I kept waiting for the author to say this, but if she did, I completely missed it. Am I wrong that his whole family had the same power? Maybe it was just Kai and I assumed… If this wasn’t part of the plot, it should have been.
-I don’t believe for one second that Kai would have been convinced that Paedyn wasn’t an ordinary. He barely even questioned it and it really bothered me. I think it would have made for a more interesting plot if he knew and helped to hide her.
-Why are the trials held and how does the king enforce participation? Some flimsy reasoning was given, but I didn’t feel like there was sufficient explanation for this. It made even less sense to me that Kai or his brother would be selected to participate.
-Why would the Princes not question the reasoning behind these things themselves? They’re supposed to be future leaders, not sheep. 🐑🐑
Again, I honestly did enjoy reading this and I think I might have rated it more favorably if some or these holes had been filled before the book concluded. It’s fine to leave some questions unanswered until later books, but all of these felt too integral to the world building to not be fleshed out in book one.
This book is a testament to the fact that some plots just work. People seem happy to read them over and over. I personally am happy for any author who can find a formula that works. As they say, don’t hate the player hate the game. 😉 The two series I would most closely compare this to would be The Hunger Games and Red Queen. I am sure there are others out there with similar vibes.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“You can love someone and not have it rule you, not have it dictate your every waking thought and decision. You can love someone and still retain your power and autonomy. You can love someone and have it just be there, a part of you, and still have a completely functional life. Even if it's a life without them. Doesn't sound much like any life I'm interested in, actually.”
What kills me about these books is the frequency at which they intentionally hurt each other. This is not love. Saying things in the moment when you are angry is one thing, but making decisions based on what will cut the other person the deepest, staying in relationships with other people based on pride and spite? This is cruelty and codependency, this is a trauma cycle, but it is not love.
I want to yell at them. Just be single. You don’t need to have a boyfriend or girlfriend all the time. Sex is not equal to breathing. The fact that none of their friends ever coach them to just stay single and work it out is astounding. I think they must all truly live for the drama. They are their own worst enemies. They actively work to systematically dismantle their own happiness and it makes me want to throw something.
I could not spend extensive time with anyone in these books, but the character I loath the most is Magnolia. Get over yourself girl. Why do they continue to inflate her ego at every turn? She is obnoxious and self centered and wants everyone around her to essentially worship her. She needs a few blunt friends to deliver some much needed tough love. Stop playing the victim. If you are going to continue to chase after this relationship, it’s time to own up to your part in its demise. Communicate. Say what you mean. Stop running away and expecting everyone else to chase after you. Game playing at this level is emotional abuse.
The ending was a major cliffhanger. They were in a relatively good place relationally, but I have no doubt they will blow it all up after these new developments.
The thing that makes these novels so compelling is that the characters feel so real. I am angry at them like they are living breathing human beings I am acquainted with. The emotions are so tangible on the page that I sometimes wonder what the author has been through. I would still much rather read about Daisy, but I could see a sliver of hope that BJ & Parks might manage to find happiness together. I feel like they have to or people would riot. Can you imagine being put through all this second hand trauma for nothing?! 😅 It would be diabolical.
————————————————————————-
Pre Read: If Magnolia and BJ can win me over, I will be amazed. I wish there was some way to prepare myself for these books. Bracing myself for secondhand trauma. 😅
What kills me about these books is the frequency at which they intentionally hurt each other. This is not love. Saying things in the moment when you are angry is one thing, but making decisions based on what will cut the other person the deepest, staying in relationships with other people based on pride and spite? This is cruelty and codependency, this is a trauma cycle, but it is not love.
I want to yell at them. Just be single. You don’t need to have a boyfriend or girlfriend all the time. Sex is not equal to breathing. The fact that none of their friends ever coach them to just stay single and work it out is astounding. I think they must all truly live for the drama. They are their own worst enemies. They actively work to systematically dismantle their own happiness and it makes me want to throw something.
I could not spend extensive time with anyone in these books, but the character I loath the most is Magnolia. Get over yourself girl. Why do they continue to inflate her ego at every turn? She is obnoxious and self centered and wants everyone around her to essentially worship her. She needs a few blunt friends to deliver some much needed tough love. Stop playing the victim. If you are going to continue to chase after this relationship, it’s time to own up to your part in its demise. Communicate. Say what you mean. Stop running away and expecting everyone else to chase after you. Game playing at this level is emotional abuse.
The ending was a major cliffhanger. They were in a relatively good place relationally, but I have no doubt they will blow it all up after these new developments.
The thing that makes these novels so compelling is that the characters feel so real. I am angry at them like they are living breathing human beings I am acquainted with. The emotions are so tangible on the page that I sometimes wonder what the author has been through. I would still much rather read about Daisy, but I could see a sliver of hope that BJ & Parks might manage to find happiness together. I feel like they have to or people would riot. Can you imagine being put through all this second hand trauma for nothing?! 😅 It would be diabolical.
————————————————————————-
Pre Read: If Magnolia and BJ can win me over, I will be amazed. I wish there was some way to prepare myself for these books. Bracing myself for secondhand trauma. 😅
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For whatever reason, this reminded me a lot of The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand. I enjoyed both books, but I was hoping to be reminded of Garden Spells which left me a little disappointed. Garden Spells was one of the first books that I chose to read for myself as an adult that I remember truly enjoying. Unfortunately, I still believe it to be her best work but I always read her books hoping that they will inspire the same warm fuzzy feelings.
I was hoping for something a little more whimsical but instead got a whole line up of characters with uniquely depressing stories that somehow found each other. I think the Dellawisps should have played a more prominent role in the story. Perhaps they could have been more directly connected to the ghosts? I didn’t really see the point of them as is. The first half was pretty uneventful and I considered DNFing until the author started unearthing the details of each characters past. I think the author had a strong story base but that she could have developed and executed it a little better to make the reader feel more invested.
I also felt that the characters were perhaps a little too unique? It is important for readers to feel connected with the characters and I can’t say that I really connected with any of them. Those who have grown up in a physically or emotionally abusive home may feel differently, but that was about the only relatable detail about them. I think the author was trying to create a “found family” vibe, but she missed the mark a bit on that as well. Maybe what this story really needed was about a hundred more pages and more direct character interactions. I would have liked to have seen more evidence that our characters found happiness. The book ended a bit abruptly and I felt that the only characters who found true resolution were the ghosts.
2.5 ⭐️⭐️💫
I was hoping for something a little more whimsical but instead got a whole line up of characters with uniquely depressing stories that somehow found each other. I think the Dellawisps should have played a more prominent role in the story. Perhaps they could have been more directly connected to the ghosts? I didn’t really see the point of them as is. The first half was pretty uneventful and I considered DNFing until the author started unearthing the details of each characters past. I think the author had a strong story base but that she could have developed and executed it a little better to make the reader feel more invested.
I also felt that the characters were perhaps a little too unique? It is important for readers to feel connected with the characters and I can’t say that I really connected with any of them. Those who have grown up in a physically or emotionally abusive home may feel differently, but that was about the only relatable detail about them. I think the author was trying to create a “found family” vibe, but she missed the mark a bit on that as well. Maybe what this story really needed was about a hundred more pages and more direct character interactions. I would have liked to have seen more evidence that our characters found happiness. The book ended a bit abruptly and I felt that the only characters who found true resolution were the ghosts.
2.5 ⭐️⭐️💫
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Reading this triggered me to google “Lady Godiva” and I am surprised I have lived this long without ever hearing that story. If I’m honest, I think the naked ride was the least necessary aspect of the story and I personally would have preferred it to be left out. The author does explain the reasoning behind it near the end of the book, but it wasn’t enough to convince me that it was more than an attention grabber.
I can see the parallels to Snow White, but it only borrowed a few key aspects and not the main thread of the story. The author very obviously labeled Wolf as “The Huntsman,” but I felt the title did not really fit his character. I can see how this could be developed further since it looks like they will need to track down these magical beasts that are reawakening. With the addition of Sabine’s powers to speak to and connect with animals, I can see a lot of potential for the rest of the series. I’m personally not really an animal lover, but I can see how this could be developed into a very strong ability that most people would likely underestimate. If she can connect with the beasts and get them on her side, she would be unstoppable.
The only thing I am unclear about is what she would need to accomplish with so much power. At this point in the story I can only see what her personal motivations might be, and if I’m honest, none of those motivations seem overly pressing. I don’t deny that she (and everyone) deserves to be free, but she does not seem to be in any real danger and her life is arguably much better than it was in the convent. Perhaps I am jumping too far ahead, but my assumption is that she will soon have the ability to command mythical beasts. Generally speaking, I don’t want any one character to have that much power unless they will use it for the greater good.
The romance unfortunately fell pretty flat. It felt very rushed and insta lusty rather than anything that looked like love. I am hoping that maybe they are both Fae and that they are mates because without some cosmic reasoning, I don’t think I will be convinced of their connection. Frankly, even that might not be enough. At this point I could even see Sabine falling for her fiancé. Now that I’ve written it down, I feel certain the author will go there. Authors just can’t seem to help themselves when presented with the prospect of a love triangle. 🙄
Overall this was an enjoyable read and I feel like the rest of the series has a lot of potential. I wish I could give half stars but I think I’ll have to round down on this one.
3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I can see the parallels to Snow White, but it only borrowed a few key aspects and not the main thread of the story. The author very obviously labeled Wolf as “The Huntsman,” but I felt the title did not really fit his character. I can see how this could be developed further since it looks like they will need to track down these magical beasts that are reawakening. With the addition of Sabine’s powers to speak to and connect with animals, I can see a lot of potential for the rest of the series. I’m personally not really an animal lover, but I can see how this could be developed into a very strong ability that most people would likely underestimate. If she can connect with the beasts and get them on her side, she would be unstoppable.
The only thing I am unclear about is what she would need to accomplish with so much power. At this point in the story I can only see what her personal motivations might be, and if I’m honest, none of those motivations seem overly pressing. I don’t deny that she (and everyone) deserves to be free, but she does not seem to be in any real danger and her life is arguably much better than it was in the convent. Perhaps I am jumping too far ahead, but my assumption is that she will soon have the ability to command mythical beasts. Generally speaking, I don’t want any one character to have that much power unless they will use it for the greater good.
The romance unfortunately fell pretty flat. It felt very rushed and insta lusty rather than anything that looked like love. I am hoping that maybe they are both Fae and that they are mates because without some cosmic reasoning, I don’t think I will be convinced of their connection. Frankly, even that might not be enough. At this point I could even see Sabine falling for her fiancé. Now that I’ve written it down, I feel certain the author will go there. Authors just can’t seem to help themselves when presented with the prospect of a love triangle. 🙄
Overall this was an enjoyable read and I feel like the rest of the series has a lot of potential. I wish I could give half stars but I think I’ll have to round down on this one.
3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Rewrite this as a shadow daddy romance Gwenda.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Not for me. My interest and overall enjoyment level were extremely low. 😴
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Just as cute and cozy as book one with a slightly less interesting plot. These books make good pallet cleansers for the long and involved fantasies I typically read, but they aren’t in the running for favorites.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
This was either the best or worst book to read the week of my birthday. I truly can’t decide. I have nothing in common with Dolly, and yet, I feel that Dolly is every aging single woman out there in the world. This was a beautiful memoir that somehow managed to both read like fiction and also feel raw and real and true. I have read so many disappointing books lately, but I’m happy to report that this one is deserving of all the praise it has received. Hats off to Dolly for being brave enough to share her story with the world.
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Is there a rule that every book written by a British woman has to mention Joni Mitchell? 😅
————————————————————
Is there a rule that every book written by a British woman has to mention Joni Mitchell? 😅
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
At face value I expected this to be a fluffy romance but it ended up being kind of deep. There were actually three or four points in the story when I thought I had this book all figured out and then the author would add another layer to the narrative that would take me completely by surprise. It is rare that I read a book without reading the description or any reviews, but in this instance, it made for an intriguing experience. There was a big part of me that kept circling back to the idea that “if he wanted to he would,” but the storyline the author crafted did make the events feel believable, frustrating and tragic at times, but believable. This was a refreshing read that went beyond the standard romance tropes. I was initially a little put off by the last “will they won’t they” twist, but the more I think on it, the more I believe it was actually exactly what the story needed. This one is definitely worth the read! I’d recommend going into it as blind as possible if you still have the option.