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wolfiereads's reviews
47 reviews
Captivated by Eve Dangerfield, Tessa Bailey
3.0
Two of my favorite authors wrote a book together?! Hell. Yes.
First off, Blake is my grumpy, hermit dream and I think about him at least once a week. I normally don't dig alphas, but I'll make an exception for him. What's fascinating about this book is you could tell who wrote which part - Blake's chapters and all the filthy talk is definitely Bailey's doing, and Autumn's chapters and all the slightly off-center humor is all Dangerfield. With that said, not a big fan of Autumn but maybe that's just a personal take. Not a fan of her immature, irresponsible personality (although, I do understand what led her to be like this) or the scenes with her stand-up act, and a lot of the dialogue made me physically cringe. "Fun size" as a pet name? No thanks.
I loved this on my first read, but got more mixed on the subsequent re-reads. I do like parts of this book - hi, Blake - but as a whole it's tough. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.
First off, Blake is my grumpy, hermit dream and I think about him at least once a week. I normally don't dig alphas, but I'll make an exception for him. What's fascinating about this book is you could tell who wrote which part - Blake's chapters and all the filthy talk is definitely Bailey's doing, and Autumn's chapters and all the slightly off-center humor is all Dangerfield. With that said, not a big fan of Autumn but maybe that's just a personal take. Not a fan of her immature, irresponsible personality (although, I do understand what led her to be like this) or the scenes with her stand-up act, and a lot of the dialogue made me physically cringe. "Fun size" as a pet name? No thanks.
I loved this on my first read, but got more mixed on the subsequent re-reads. I do like parts of this book - hi, Blake - but as a whole it's tough. I'd give it 3.5 out of 5.
By a Thread by Lucy Score
4.0
Holy cow, this is a long book. Don't get me wrong, I loved every bit of it but it felt like some fat could've been trimmed off. Shaving off half a star for it, so it's a 4.5/5 for me!
Aside from that, I genuinely love how Score's books get more and more absurd with each new release. If you're looking for a realistic story, Rock Bottom Girl is fantastic and is as close to reality as you can get. This? Not so much. I could totally understand how the implausibility/shtick-y tone could drive readers away, but for me, it worked. It's basically Score's version of The Devil Meets Prada, which is a cutthroat, unforgivable world I'm grateful to not be apart of but secretly love reading about whenever I get the chance. The heroine is so independent and kickass, albeit frustratingly stubborn at times, that it's hard to root against her. Would love a follow up to this, even if it's a novella!
Aside from that, I genuinely love how Score's books get more and more absurd with each new release. If you're looking for a realistic story, Rock Bottom Girl is fantastic and is as close to reality as you can get. This? Not so much. I could totally understand how the implausibility/shtick-y tone could drive readers away, but for me, it worked. It's basically Score's version of The Devil Meets Prada, which is a cutthroat, unforgivable world I'm grateful to not be apart of but secretly love reading about whenever I get the chance. The heroine is so independent and kickass, albeit frustratingly stubborn at times, that it's hard to root against her. Would love a follow up to this, even if it's a novella!
Faker by Sarah Echavarre Smith
2.0
Makes me think of the "yeah you can copy my homework, just change around a few things" meme. Aside from the workplace and character names, it's basically a carbon copy of The Hating Game, even down to the plot structure, but with awful characters and head-scratching conflicts. Only giving it two stars instead of one because it's an alright read if you're craving something similar to THG, but even then I'd just re-read THG and not pick this up.
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
5.0
Seriously a breath of fresh air. I tend to stray away from rom-coms and I had been putting this off for a long time, but this is a riot. The characters have top quality banter with undeniable chemistry and I appreciate how well-fleshed out they are. Thorne has a unique writing style with special attention to detail and character quirks. Not a lot of steam, but it's the perfect amount for a book whose characters are more far interesting than their sex.
It's currently one of my go-to reads if I'm feeling down or need a palate cleanser after a bad book. I love this so much I have a physical copy and an e-book!
It's currently one of my go-to reads if I'm feeling down or need a palate cleanser after a bad book. I love this so much I have a physical copy and an e-book!
Open Hearts by Eve Dangerfield
4.0
I really want to give this 5 stars because I love Dean to death, but man, Ash is just insufferable. Dangerfield has a strange ability to craft amazing stories with unlikeable heroines. Act Your Age is, so far, the only book of hers whose heroine I really loved, enjoyed and identified with. I could empathize with Ash on some level, but she's the type of person I'd avoid irl. Dean is an absolute cinnamon roll/doofy sweetheart who has ruined me for other male leads. Great story otherwise and would love a full-length follow up (or at least more male leads like Dean!)
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
5.0
In absolute love with this book! It's the first in awhile that's made me laugh and cry at the same time. Backman meticulously crafts a world that seems implausible on the surface but is more relatable than I anticipated. I found myself rooting for characters I'd normally be predisposed to hate, and that's truly a feat. I'd never heard of Backman prior to reading this, but I'm definitely checking out his back catalogue now!
Good Boy by Elle Kennedy, Sarina Bowen
5.0
I'm not usually big on sports romances, but I love the world that Bowen and Kennedy have built. The vibe is comforting and cozy and makes me long to be in this world. I'm a sucker for himbo male leads, so of course I was drawn to Blake. His jovial, frat boy optimism is the perfect balance for Jess's tightly wound personality. The pacing was spot on, not too short and not too drawn out. I would love a follow up in this series!
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
5.0
It's a classic for a reason. It's a slow burn in the beginning, but the pace picks up once the cause of Rebecca's death is revealed. I had a feeling I knew who killed her from the beginning, but I wasn't anticipating the revelation about what Max and Rebecca's marriage was truly like. Such a good novel.
Additionally, the first three or so chapters (up until the heroine meets Max for the first time) serve as an epilogue, for those unsatisfied with the ending.
Additionally, the first three or so chapters (up until the heroine meets Max for the first time) serve as an epilogue, for those unsatisfied with the ending.
Maggie Finds Her Muse by Dee Ernst
4.0
Refreshing light read about a writer trying to overcome writer's block. I appreciate that the heroine is in his 40's-50's - unusual for the atypical romance heroine usually in her 20's-30's - and the setting will make you long for a trip to Paris.
It's fantastic if you're looking for something light and feel good, but for me it's not my cup of tea. The plot and setting are great, but I think it could've been tightened up more. The characters don't quite feel lively or natural. The groundwork is there, it just feels like it needs another draft.
It's fantastic if you're looking for something light and feel good, but for me it's not my cup of tea. The plot and setting are great, but I think it could've been tightened up more. The characters don't quite feel lively or natural. The groundwork is there, it just feels like it needs another draft.