whatcha_listening_to's reviews
7117 reviews

A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K. Hamilton

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adventurous mysterious tense 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

4.0

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The book starts off a bit slow, but Merry and her guards are really interesting. They begin to recognize her potential and future leadership, and not just the princess they must protect.
She demonstrates strategic thinking by predicting actions and forming alliances effectively. This makes me feel like she can see 5 moves ahead.

As the story continued, the Goblin character became more likable. Doyle and Frost stand out to me the most. The battle scenes are especially interesting, if not a bit gruesome.

With the newly returned powers this is going to make the next book very, very interesting.
The narration gives each character a distinct voice, which enhances the listening experience. Again, I am saddened that the newly remade version didnā€™t have this. 
Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay

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emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

šŸŽ§ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­šŸŽ§

What a book, I didnā€™t really know what I was getting into, and it's lovely to be thrust into a story you didnā€™t know you needed. 

Emily Allen sent a letter to her most favourite author, Siobhan Riordan, who hasnā€™t been able to write for 10 years.  She has a series that left the main character in purgatory, and readers have been begging for the last book.  Only Siobhan couldnā€™t write it, it wouldnā€™t come to her, so when she received Emilyā€™s letter, something in her knew she needed to hire her. 

Emily needed to get out of her situation, and this was the best way forward for herself and her life.  Only she didnā€™t expect to fall in love or to become part of something that she could never walk away from.  The people became her home, and she became theirs.

Itā€™s an incredible story of overcoming obstacles and shining in the dark. I loved everything about this book.  

The narrator was perfect, just perfect.
This Could Be Us by Kennedy Ryan

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

3.5

 šŸŽ§3ā­ā­ā­.5šŸŽ§

My rating might surprise some because I am a big fan of Kennedy Ryan. But for me, this book didnā€™t deliver the same level of quality as Book 1.
Donā€™t get me wrong, I loved Soledad and all the kids. But it was Judah that I did NOT connect with at all. I wanted to like him because Edward was such a scum.

For me, the best part of Judah was the way he parented and co-parented. I just didnā€™t like the way he manipulates Soledad. She is still fresh off the divorce and getting herself and her kids in a place where she could potentially bring someone else in. But he was pushy and made her feel bad for the way she felt. He had years from the divorce, and Soledad hasnā€™t even had a year.

This book is emotional and did bring out so many emotions in me. I wish Judah was different.
The narrators were phenomenal. 
House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

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I enjoyed ACOTAR, I loved TOG, but I am in love with CC. This book, this world, is unlike any of the others, and I am here for it. Bryce is a total badass. She doesnā€™t know just how badass she is, but she will.

This story brings us pain, tragedy, hope, despair, happiness, and love. It exceeded my expectations. I donā€™t feel like I can describe this book without giving spoilers, but let's just say you will embark on one wild ride of self-discovery and betrayal, all within the span of this book. You wonā€™t want to put it down, and just when you think you know whatā€™s coming, you donā€™t.

Itā€™s fast-paced, and I am here for it. I need the next book ASAP. The narrator was perfect, and I love the way she narrated. 
A Kiss of Shadows by Laurell K. Hamilton

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Ok, so I started this book with Stella Hunter as the narrator, and I canā€™t honestly believe I am going to say this, but I had to change back to the original.
I felt like Stella was almost monotone. She didnā€™t give any distinction between any of the characters, and I just was not connecting with the story at all.
Not that this book has a whole lot of plot, it's more setting us up for court and Merry to become a very love-struck princess by some very beautiful men.
Lots of politics as expected from Fae books.
I am excited for book 2. 
Firebird by Juliette Cross

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adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

šŸŽ§ā­ā­ā­ā­.5šŸŽ§ 

I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Macmillan Audio. 

What a great first book. I always approach these books with an open mind, knowing that there will be a lot of worldbuilding at the beginning. And yes, that does happen, but it was effortless to follow along. 

Roman, the nephew of Emperor Julianus (who is a very bad man), has fallen for someone whom the law says he canā€™t be with. But it only took one look, and he was captivated. He knew who she was the moment he met eyes with her. When her life is in danger, he intervenes and takes ownership of her. Itā€™s to protect her, but itā€™s also for himself; he is about to make things very messy. 

Malina is fierce, yet she still has so much trust. Her gifts really are a blessing. She is just as intrigued by Roman. The way they gravitate towards each other, you know their story is going to be an epic one, and I am here for it. 

I felt like the book ended at the perfect spot, making me want book 2 like RIGHT NOW! 

The narrators, Blair Dade and Kale Williams, really brought this story to life; it was never dull, and they performed exceptionally well. 

A Wolf in the Garden by Allegra Hall

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense 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

šŸŽ§4ā­ā­ā­ā­šŸŽ§ 
I chose this book because I found the cover intriguing, and I am so glad I did.
The story is fun, interesting, and incredibly sexy. The Vale, or Unravelling, revealed all the monsters in their true forms. Ellie, a half-fae, lives her life in hiding because many people fear her due to her pointed ears.

Van, a werewolf/wolf hybrid, returns to town after the Unravelling, only to be shocked that Ellie, his past love and first love, is still there and thriving.
Vanā€™s wolves have claimed Ellie as their mate.

Ellie isnā€™t ready to forgive and forget. Van hurt her deeply, and she needs time to come to terms with that, but she canā€™t deny her attraction to him. Ellie is battling her feelings, her heritage, and how she connects with her culture.
The story is great, though I felt it was a bit overly long. Some of the inner monologue could have been trimmed.

The narrators were both wonderful and gave the book the voice it needed.
You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane

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emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

 šŸŽ§4ā­ā­ā­ā­.5šŸŽ§

I loved it. Was I a little disappointed that I didnā€™t know this was a second book? Heck yes, I was. I was so lost at the beginning but Audible didnā€™t mark it as part of a series.

Any who, Edie is a fun character, and I loved her relationship with Elliot they have a lot in common and a lot of love you can feel that. Even when Elliotā€™s job takes him away. He and Edie do communicate very well even if sometimes they donā€™t say what needs to be said until there is some miscommunication. But they work it out and they talk things through Edie isnā€™t shy about her feelings.

Itā€™s a story of struggles and learning how to be in a healthy relationship. I want more. I need more. The narration also was phenomenal. I loved it. 
The Girlfriend Zone by Lauren Blakely

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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

4.5

 šŸŽ§4ā­ā­ā­ā­.5šŸŽ§
The duet narration was exactly what I needed. Samantha Brentmoor and Jason Clarke were just wonderful.

The chemistry, smokenā€™ hot!
I am not a fan of keeping secrets, but I do see how this situation was a little unique. They did meet before they knew they were intertwined in a way neither of them suspected.
I am a big fan of Miles and Leighton and how they communicated even if they didnā€™t communicate with the right people.
Birdie is a gem and needs to be protected at all costs. I canā€™t wait until the next book because I already miss her.

I love that Laurenā€™s book are so low on the drama, but this one has it. And you are going to know about it. It worked for me with this one. 
Beautiful Exile by Catherine Cowles

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 šŸŽ§5ā­ā­ā­ā­ā­šŸŽ§

As a fan of Catherine Cowles, I always know I will enjoy the stories she writes. However, I didn't expect to devour this book in one sitting. I shouldn't have been surprised, given the small-town setting. With an FMC who is hiding from a tragic past, she finds a home and people who love and care about her.
Enter the MMC, who is looking for something but doesn't really know what it is until he finds it. He has everything he could ever want, except peace. He discovers it in the small town, along with the love of his life. I never saw the twist coming, and I loved it.

The narrators, Sebastian York and Samantha Brentmoor, are two of my favourites. They really do a fantastic job.