vanislandcircus's reviews
887 reviews

Catch Her Heart by Julia Jarrett

challenging 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

5.0

Catch Her Heart is book three in the Vancouver Tridents series, and we finally get Monty and Lark’s story,  like Monty, one that  I have been pining for since it was first hinted at in a previous book in the series. The wait was worth it! Monty was everything I wanted him to be and all the things I didn’t know I wanted as well. 

I have read plenty of virgin tropes; however, this was the first time it was the MMC. Add in an accidental pregnancy, and the story only continues to shine. What Monty lacks in experience, he more than makes up for in enthusiasm, tenderness and thoughtfulness.

Julia knocks it out of the park with many endearing lines: “Birdie, you’re my end game. My championship.” And let us not forget how my beating geeky heart speeds up for all the Star Wars references.

I was sure that SIn and Willow (Break the Rules: Vancouver Tridents  #1 )still held first place in my Trident family ranking. However, Monty and Lark might have snuck in a stolen run! As for Mav and Sadie (Fake the Game: Vancouver Tridents #2) their story is a whole other game. If you haven’t read the series, waiting are you waiting for?

The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I throughly enjoyed the narrator chosen for this story. Joyce’s diary entries were witty and played nicely to move the story, characters and dialogue along. 

The Wingman by Stephanie Archer

adventurous challenging emotional funny informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I was beyond excited to receive an ARC of The Wingman and could not put it down. 

 

I discovered Stephanie’s books through an IG post and have been hooked ever since. They’re Canadian, they have hockey players, and they’re set so accurately in Vancouver, BC; how could I not fall in love? It doesn’t stop there, either. Add in MCs who love hard, banter that makes you laugh out loud, strong FM characters, friendships, and emotion. The Vancouver Storm series has it all. 

 

If you are going to write a friends-to-lovers story, having them be your BF, ex-girlfriend of your BF, multiple misunderstandings and eight years of unrequited feelings, then Hayden and Darcy hit all the checkmarks and light the sheets on fire! 

 

The Wingman solidifies a Hat Trick for Stephanie Archer, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series. I am dying to know what happens with Alexei and Georgia! 

 

Thanks to @stephaniearcherauthor and her team for an ARC of this book. 

Tandem by R. Snow

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

4.0

Tandem is R. Snow’s debut novel and a push out of my usual genre picks. However, I was entirely intrigued by FMC being a street racer. 

 
A good girl, Rosalie, meets an oh-so-bad boy with a morally grey compass, AJ. From the first rev of the engine to the sweat drops of illegal fighting covering the warehouse floor, I was in to see how this all played out. 

 

AJ and Rosalie’s lives continue to intertwine as secrets, lies, and a growing relationship unfold in the story, which leaves the reader on a cliffhanger without a happily ever after! 

 

As this series continues, I will be back to see where this story takes these characters. 

 

Thank you to @bookishbubbly.pr and @authorrsnow for an ARC of this book.

Trouble in Love by Bindi Kennedy

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

This was the first book I ever read by the author and the fourth in her West Village series.  

 

The story was filled with dynamic banter, romance, spice, and emotion. The characters grew and helped one another grow throughout the story. I really appreciated that there is always more to the story than when you are first told it. This fits Polly to a t, and Luca was willing to see the whole story. 

 

The twist at the end…oh my! 

 

I will definitely be picking up the first three books in the West Village series. 

 

The book has several trigger topics, and I suggest you read the trigger warnings first. 

 

Thank you to @bookishbubbly.pr and Bindi Kennedy for an ARC of this book. 

The Boyfriend Goal by Lauren Blakely

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring 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

The Anaconda Downstairs by Amy Award

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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

There were so many emotions in this book; it took me a minute to process them all, and my love for Amy and her writing only grew!

Aside from the best spicy scenes, the witty banter, the love and support that the Kingman family has for each other and those that they consider family, to the ridiculously hilarious names that are given to the pets that make appearances throughout the series, to the geeky references, is Amy’s ability to write such raw and honest characters, characters that can make anyone with fears and insecurities feel seen. 

I know that Pen was only supposed to be a secondary character and never supposed to have her own story. However, her story needed to be told, and what a powerfully moving story it was. Who knew that I would need a tissue here and there as I read about Penelope’s struggles and watched as she grew in confidence in herself with the support of her friends and Everett.

 

I have to say that this has been one of my favourite reads in the Cocky Kingmans series to date, and I cannot wait to see what Amy has in store for the rest of the boys and Jules.

Thank you to @lovenotes.pr for an ARC of this book and @amyawardbooks for sharing so much of yourself in these genuinely impressive FMCs and, let’s be honest, all the spice!

The P*ssy Next Door by Amy Award

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

The Fiancé Dilemma by Elena Armas

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad 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

5.0

Delayed Penalty by Teagan Hunter

emotional funny hopeful 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? N/A

5.0

I couldn’t wait for Teagan Hunter’s next release in the Seattle Serpents series, Delayed Penalty, which did not disappoint. 

 

Adam and Quinn’s story pulls at your heartstrings while steaming up the mirror in your bedroom! 

 

Adam finds himself thrust into the guardianship of his niece Flora, and she melts your heart from the moment you meet her. 

 

Watching Adam and Quinn grow as characters throughout the book and Flora emerges from her protective shell with the love she is shown was so beautifully written and had all the feels. 

 

I can’t forget to mention the hilarious text messages between Adam and his teammates; I would be lying if I didn’t tell you that I secretly wish for an entire story told through their text exchanges. 

 

Thank you to Valentine PR and Teagan Hunter for this fantastic opportunity to be an ARC reviewer.