x_miss_mcrae_x's reviews
163 reviews

Mother of the Bride by Quinn Avery

tense medium-paced

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

4.0

This took a little while to get into, but once the story unfolds, I was at the edge of my seat. The twists are non-stop, and all the characters are suspicious in some way. I can't say i particularly liked any of the characters, which was understandable to the events. Ford is a walking red flag from the get go, Melody/Dede is completely naive, and Amara was strange! I did guess the murderer but it still had me shocked it all unravelled, and the conclusion was satisfying. Overall, it was a suspenseful, gripping, and solid 4-star thriller.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Murder

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Into the Mountains by Kelsey Schulz

emotional hopeful 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

I've been in a bit of a romance slump for a little while now but I think this has just dragged me out of that and given me a new book boyfriend in the process😅 This was utterly adorable. Charlotte and Elias are cute and thoroughly deserve their second chance at romance after 15 years. Honestly, they were couple goals! Ethan was also a lovely addition to the story, which made it feel more realistic. It is rare to see a child involved like this instead of blending into the background, so that was a very nice change. The writing is truly beautiful and really hits you in all of the feels. My heart broke for Charlotte after her parents' death. It was extremely raw and emotional, and I really admire the author for penning her own grief into the book for those chapters.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer

ATOM INC by O.C. Heaton

adventurous tense fast-paced

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

4.5

This is the 3rd book in The Race Is On series, and it picks up right where Green Ray ends. I am absolutely loving these books. As expected, it's as action-packed and suspenseful as always, and I'm really glad to see Uma and Ethan back in action, with some old and new faces tagging along. I really love that those 2 are both strong, likeable lead characters, and i hope there is still more of their story left to come. I appreciate the amount of research that must go into creating these books to make them sound entirely plausible and realistic. The attention to the world building in this is also absolutely spot on. Honestly, before this, i wasn't a sci-fi fan at all, but i think i might be slowly converting.

Aged to Perfection by Niloufar Lamakan

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

This has very Bridget Jones meets SATC vibes😍. Told in a sort of diary entry format, we join Sophia as she navigates the big 60 with a year of romps, fun and good times as she searches for a fulfilling relationship. It was really nice to see a female MC of a mature age for a change. She was flirty, quirky and clearly still had it in her😅 The dating scene nowadays is definitely a mindfield in itself and this was a truly witty, entertaining and accurate take of the horrors, the mishaps and everything in-between that singletons will likely face on our journey to love. She was borderline delusional at times but aren't we all?! I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a rom-com read alongside your Bridget boxset! 

A Portrait of Evil by Gabriel Galletti

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

The Kiss Lottery by Ilsa Madden-Mills

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This is a fun, friends-to-enemies-to-lovers small town romance. It's a quick read at only 150ish pages long, which is perfect for a cheeky little Valentine's Day treat. The characters are cute and funny and get their shot at a second chance love story. They've literally loved each other forever! Everly is the girl who got away, whilst Beckett was left behind. They are quite cute, and the spice is mild and not overpowering to the story, but Beckett really should have done a bit more grovelling! This would definitely make a lovely rom com/chick flick but for a short novella there is too much crammed in that it became a little bit overwhemling, like side story's, a secret and sub plots, etc. We need to know more but over a longer period of time.

Close Your Eyes by Teresa Driscoll

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I'm very conflicted by this book. I read this in less than 24 hours, and from start to finish, it was packed with suspense and had me gripped. There was so much potential but i did feel the ending let it down. I was extremely invested in Olivia's story, and if I'm honest, she was the only person I actually felt really sorry for.  BUT i was expecting a bigger twist in regards to her mum. I didn't gel with Matthew at all. For an "ex" police officer/private investigator, he sure did a lot of the scared cowering man act over a threat made by an angry grieving mother 10 years prior, to the point he vowed his whole life plan on it, which in my opinion was slightly ridiculous.🙄

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis

The Seven by Robyn Delvey

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? Yes

5.0

I loved the Law & Order vibes here, and I was very intrigued to see a crime/legal thriller from the CPS side of things, with multiple chapters from the surviving victims. Told in a dual timeline, you get to see what happened on the night of the bombing and the present day, where the trail is unfolding as Eve is tasked with reviewing the evidence. This was super suspenseful and had me instantly gripped with the numerous twists. To the point where I actually guessed one of them early on, but with so much happening, i had forgotten about that person by the end😅 This honestly would make an excellent TV drama. The characters are super engaging, and i hope some of them follow Eve along into the next book.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Murder, and Classism

I loved the Law & Order vibes here and I was very intrigued to see a crime/legal thriller from the CPS side of things, with multiple chapters from the surviving victims. Told in a dual timeline, you get to see what happened on the night of the bombing and the present day, where the trail is unfolding as Eve is tasked with reviewing the evidence. This was super suspenseful and had me instantly gripped with the numerous twists. To the point where, I actually guessed one of them early on but with so much happening, i had forgotten about that person by the end😅 This honestly would make an excellent TV drama. The characters are super engaging and i hope some of them follow Eve along into the next book.

Paradise In Progress by Alexis Buxton

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

it's safe to say that I absolutely adored this book!! I haven't been this invested in a romance read in a long time, especially when it's a slow burn. The chemistry and connection were electric with a little bit of spice that wasn't overpowering. There was everything i looked for in the enemys to lovers' trope, from banter and humour to tension and swoon-worthy main characters. I'm definitely a sucker for when he falls first, and he literally crawls on the floor for her!! The only thing I didn't like was the third act break up, but, regardless, Tristan Nelson has firmly secured a spot on the book boyfriends list! 😍