wureads's reviews
2 reviews

Chef's Choice by TJ Alexander

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funny lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Honestly, I don't have many words for this book. Each of the characters had their own reasons to be hated, but Jean-Pierre was probably the best written. I felt that most of the drama in the story was unnecessary and unrelated to the actual plot, other than the 'fake-dating' trope. Luna's character was mostly flat; she acted indifferent or spiteful toward Jean-Pierre until the last 4-5 chapters. There wasn't really a smooth or heartfelt transition from fake-dating to real-dating, it just sort of happened. The last maybe 10 chapters were entertaining and finally found their way to the main plot point, which made it somewhat easier to get through. 

All-in-all, this book was just not for me. In my opinion, it truly felt like I was reading a poorly written Wattpad fanfiction. I can see how some audiences would enjoy this style of writing, as it does feel very YA oriented- save for the two sex scenes. The spice was probable a 3 out of 5, nothing too crazy or detailed, but it didn't completely skip some details either. 

I do have to mention that this is the first adult romance novel I've read, as I'm mainly a suspense and mystery reader. Although I struggled to get through this book, I do think that seeing more LGBTQ+ representation in books is amazing. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes this writing style and trope, but again, it just wasn't of my taste. 

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Just One Look by Lindsay Cameron

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dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a mystery-thriller book, featuring quite the gaggle of stalking and one major plot twist. Cassie Woodson, a legal temp who works for a large firm, finds herself in a position of power; knowing the details of a corporate partner's personal emails, and therefore, his life. 

I found myself pretty entranced with the book, having finished it in a single weekend. However, I was disappointed with the amount of repetitive language and terms used throughout the book. While it made the book easy to navigate, I may have been a bit underwhelmed. The story over all was a slow-burn, that mostly focused on the nefarious dealings of Cassie. Up until the last few chapters, that is. 

I can admit that I did not at all see the twist that was to come, but when it came to the climax, I feel it may have been a bit rushed in execution. There was not a very satisfactory ending, as we see our protagonist go back to bad habits, not having learned from the shit show that played before her.

Overall, the storyline was solid and it all made sense in the end. I think it was worth the read, especially for those who enjoy an easy-to-read, but eventful stalker-thriller book. 

The font in the hardback version, (I'm not sure if there is a paperback version) was easy to see as it wasn't too big or small, which made for a quick read. 

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