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witchbuns's Reviews (228)
Absolute five-star read because this defies all the tropes and slashes them to the ground to make way for a slow burning, cauldron bubbling, sweet steamer of a novel with A+ chemistry, solid partner communication, and a family dynamic that felt real and whole. Claire Gilmore immediately establishes the setting (Knoxville and Nashville, TN, USA), the characters (Paige, a young songwriter, and Liam, her ex-boyfriend, a college athlete), central plot elements (Paige and Liam reconciling for song inspiration, Paige as the youngest of five daughters), within the first few chapters so that we care deeply for the characters and we believe that this is the right and just next move for them to get back together as a sort of poetic justice. Liam is a top five dreamboat of a MMC because he's always very clear in what Paige means to him, he's teasing and sexy but always focused on saying what he needs and how he means it. Even though this wasn't dual POV, he was such a clearly written character who verbalized his intentions (and oh, this loyal man!) and shared his inner conflict so vividly, that I understood his motivations and I trusted him with dear Paige, who is also honest, bruised, and still learning how much of her art she wants to keep locked inside. The dual timelines were never competing for my attention because the flashbacks were sweet and sticky as they slowly revealed how they fell in love, and how they fell in conflict. When the timelines came together, I felt so much deep empathy for the impasse they were overcoming.
I savoured this book and kept re-reading the dialogue between Liam and Paige because I was so touched by their honesty. Reading two characters who are forthcoming about how they feel and where they hurt is intoxicating. Claire Gilmore thank you for painting such an inspiring novel about how we release our works of art to heal one another and how specificity and our personal experiences draw us closer to one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.
I savoured this book and kept re-reading the dialogue between Liam and Paige because I was so touched by their honesty. Reading two characters who are forthcoming about how they feel and where they hurt is intoxicating. Claire Gilmore thank you for painting such an inspiring novel about how we release our works of art to heal one another and how specificity and our personal experiences draw us closer to one another.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.
This is not a rom com but a general fiction book about three people who are stranded in an airport en route to a wedding, each with plans to impede the wedding proceedings. There is more humour than romance and it becomes bit of a broken hearts meets breakfast club novel with each of them connecting and sharing their feelings in multiple layers. This was a difficult read at the onset because the characters weren't established as likable or intriguing, instead we see their bitterness at being the overlooked friend (Gemma), the sidechick (Fran), and newly estranged brother (Leon) and we don't know which of them to trust or even like as narrators.
Gemma immediately curses the bride character and we see her bitterness and anger at their relationship which sets the tone of this being a different type of story, but I needed to see more reasons to trust her and yes, even like her, to hook me into the novel. I felt that Fran was better drawn, apart from the spikiness she showed to Leon on the plane, because we saw that she listened to the other characters and showed traits of being a great friend. Leon as MMC and potential love interest later in the novel was less clear because we didn't get enough of an early swoon moment about him being handsome and/or a good friend growing up to Gemma or to Kay, the bride, elements that are shown in the final third.
What worked was the three POV - I've rarely read a book with three equal main characters and Beth Reekles pulsed the different POV's well so the flow was quite natural, picking up the story from alternate perspectives at perfect times. I really appreciated the friendship developing between Gemma and Fran, it felt naturally built and at the right layering. What would have made this stronger for me was the characterization in the front of the novel to make me root for these characters, a stronger slow burn on the romance, and clearer reasons why the bride was dear to so many people, because she was very two dimensional. However, if there was a sequel that explored the romance and a spinoff giving the other character her love story, then I would absolutely read that because once I was on board with these characters, I wanted to keep reading.
Thank you Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group and NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.
Gemma immediately curses the bride character and we see her bitterness and anger at their relationship which sets the tone of this being a different type of story, but I needed to see more reasons to trust her and yes, even like her, to hook me into the novel. I felt that Fran was better drawn, apart from the spikiness she showed to Leon on the plane, because we saw that she listened to the other characters and showed traits of being a great friend. Leon as MMC and potential love interest later in the novel was less clear because we didn't get enough of an early swoon moment about him being handsome and/or a good friend growing up to Gemma or to Kay, the bride, elements that are shown in the final third.
What worked was the three POV - I've rarely read a book with three equal main characters and Beth Reekles pulsed the different POV's well so the flow was quite natural, picking up the story from alternate perspectives at perfect times. I really appreciated the friendship developing between Gemma and Fran, it felt naturally built and at the right layering. What would have made this stronger for me was the characterization in the front of the novel to make me root for these characters, a stronger slow burn on the romance, and clearer reasons why the bride was dear to so many people, because she was very two dimensional. However, if there was a sequel that explored the romance and a spinoff giving the other character her love story, then I would absolutely read that because once I was on board with these characters, I wanted to keep reading.
Thank you Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group and NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest review.
This didn’t have a strong premise for me compared to her other books where I just wanted to spend time with the characters because they were so unique and fascinating, and this book didn’t resolve the third act completely for me. I loved Will as a MMC but I didn’t fully understand how he had reconciled the conflict he felt in being reckless. It was a great scene with his friend in the parking lot but I needed more evidence that he felt free and unburdened. Also shoutout to the best friend doctor character and his ex-wife because that was top shelf dialogue and writing. With Nora, I still don’t understand enough of why she wanted her life in stasis and wanted more steps of her exploring that behaviour. I also needed the two of them to date more because they had insta-chemistry but not enough talking. Compare this book to Love Lettering where the characters walk and talk and get deep on their psychological backgrounds before they even kiss and then we get a good portion of them dating in the middle of the book.
If anything, Nora’s story was just the least developed for me and I wanted more reasons to root for her and more character attributes that made her stand out, as compared to Will that we start the book with and we understand his vulnerability and his strengths as a doctor and friend and his intense personal drive. However - this is still a brilliant book from an all star author.
If anything, Nora’s story was just the least developed for me and I wanted more reasons to root for her and more character attributes that made her stand out, as compared to Will that we start the book with and we understand his vulnerability and his strengths as a doctor and friend and his intense personal drive. However - this is still a brilliant book from an all star author.
Kate’s novels really stand out to me in having fully fleshed out FMC and also detailing out the supporting members who make them so realized. I loved the vulnerability in the love story of this book but it was so heightened by the storyline with Sibbyl (her best friend) and the alienation she felt in the last year. The resolution in that storyline made her love story so much deeper and personal. All these parts together just send these books deep into my heart. I love Kate’s writing. These are not rom coms but really personal explorations of how to connect with the people who matter most.
This is a straightforward sports romance with fun moments between the leads and it doesn’t have instalove or too many miscommunication moments. Definitely worth a read if you love tennis and want a light afternoon cozy romance. I didn’t love it because the insecurities the FMC experienced could have been negated if she talked to her best friend (umm do they not talk every day??). I needed more evidence that Flora was serious about her art and more interiority about her passions. When she wasn’t with the MMC she seemed to loaf about. Overall, I read this because I liked the surfing romance by this author (Ride the Wave) and that one is stronger. I’m interested in her next one because I like that these touch other sports.
I was 65% of the way through and realized there was no magic in this book (I just assumed it was dark fantasy by the cover art and title and school with four houses). I wish it had supernatural elements because the FMC was very naive in building a case against an infamous titan who worked with the Mafia. She tried to solve a mystery but was missing some Hermione instincts and craft. This did pick up when the love story took hold and as a couple, they were very sweet and savoury (the pocket hanker chief? Yum).
For part two, less enthused to pick it up because I’m not sure how this story fills out another book and I’m nervous how people will likely die in whatever is building. The stakes feel hopeless in defeating the bad guys because they are so violent but I did love the shadow daddy main male character so I would read if it’s mostly his POV moving forward.
For part two, less enthused to pick it up because I’m not sure how this story fills out another book and I’m nervous how people will likely die in whatever is building. The stakes feel hopeless in defeating the bad guys because they are so violent but I did love the shadow daddy main male character so I would read if it’s mostly his POV moving forward.
I loved her earlier books with the doctors but I don’t want to read about social influencers or any plot points about followers and engagements. Just skipping this one but will read her next.
I loved this version of succession with a steamy romance and a female protagonist who was steady even in the craziest of unhinged family moments. The sibling dialogue and character development was grade A and the romance was extremely hot, I didn’t really process how it all happened in a week because it felt very real. This book was a dessert and I was licking the bowl clean. So much fun, I wish I’d read it on a beach towel seaside. It had intrigue and mystery and family debauchery, all the best bits. I wanted to make this a five but I needed more with Greta and I’m still confused why her father wanted her to break up with Tony. I didn’t see why he wanted her to separate from him? We understood the brother was in a dead marriage but Greta had a strapping hot love?
Kate Clayborn, the writer you are. Absolutely magical. The mystery behind this was compelling but she balanced all the characters as complex humans. The love story was so full and sweet. I’m usually not into podcast subplots but this was so suspenseful. I need to own this and Georgie All Along. I’m going to read all the rest of her catalogue. I’m her reader for life.
An absolute delight. I can’t believe this was a debut novel. I loved that Eva took her time to find the slow burn and I LOVE Finn as MMC because he was so much and too much and ten times perfect. This title and the cover art are some bullshit because it looks like a light beach read but instead this book is swooning and lonely and takes the time to build towards a mature relationship. Almost five stars for me. Just a wonderful reading experience.