Scan barcode
zluvsreading's reviews
423 reviews
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was such a cute Christmas romance short story!!!!
When we essentially get a snowed in story of two colleagues, but instead they are basically in a Weenie Mobile, and it was just everything.
The harboring crush, the spice, the friendships. Chefs kiss!!!!
I loved how sweet the romance was on top of the spicy scene. I found it to be really endearing and I enjoyed the humor in this as well.
I liked Claudia’s role in this and her at the ending because she was so funny for that really. So iconic of her.
I will definitely be reading more from Olivia Dade, as her writing is easily digestible and interesting/snappy.
Easily five stars.
Thank you to Amazon Original Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me access to this ARC. All opinions are my own.
When we essentially get a snowed in story of two colleagues, but instead they are basically in a Weenie Mobile, and it was just everything.
The harboring crush, the spice, the friendships. Chefs kiss!!!!
I loved how sweet the romance was on top of the spicy scene. I found it to be really endearing and I enjoyed the humor in this as well.
I liked Claudia’s role in this and her at the ending because she was so funny for that really. So iconic of her.
I will definitely be reading more from Olivia Dade, as her writing is easily digestible and interesting/snappy.
Easily five stars.
Thank you to Amazon Original Publishers and NetGalley for allowing me access to this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think this would be better if she didn’t talk about how big and large the MMC is. This feels very hetero and I’m reminded of how sometimes straight romances make me sick.
I can’t take Daddy serious in any context, even though it was kind of said ironically.
I did enjoy some aspects, such as the dad in him and the smut was good I suppose. It kind of made me laugh sometimes, but it was really filled with lots of tension and se*ual chemistry that you can tell they had with one another.
The little moments/sweet moments were cute as well. The gifts that they gave one another were just so cute, I found myself saying “awwww” out loud.
This is one of those books where it’s sort of a hit or miss, and for me it was a hit with a couple misses. Or a miss with a couple hits. Good, but not my favorite.
As someone who loves insta-love stories, this was just way quick. I just wouldn’t be able to give someone my all, and allow them around my child if I’ve only known them for such a short time.
Thank you to the publishers & NetGalley for access to the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I can’t take Daddy serious in any context, even though it was kind of said ironically.
I did enjoy some aspects, such as the dad in him and the smut was good I suppose. It kind of made me laugh sometimes, but it was really filled with lots of tension and se*ual chemistry that you can tell they had with one another.
The little moments/sweet moments were cute as well. The gifts that they gave one another were just so cute, I found myself saying “awwww” out loud.
This is one of those books where it’s sort of a hit or miss, and for me it was a hit with a couple misses. Or a miss with a couple hits. Good, but not my favorite.
As someone who loves insta-love stories, this was just way quick. I just wouldn’t be able to give someone my all, and allow them around my child if I’ve only known them for such a short time.
Thank you to the publishers & NetGalley for access to the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Rani Choudhury Must Die by Adiba Jaigirdar
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for approving me for the ALC.
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ADIBA JAIGIRDAR PLS TAKE ALL MY MONEY (full rtc)
I loved this book so much! I’ve been really into audiobooks and I knew I would be able to consume this really well.
I think the narration was stellar. Since it was dual POV, it was read by two different women and it added a special element to the story. I would still love the story if I had read it in any other format, but I think the audiobook will forever be my favorite.
You can tell the distinct difference between the voices and the characters’ personalities, which I enjoyed a lot.
I usually listen to books in 2x speed, which I did with this one and I liked that I could still understand what was happening and the emotions in the narrators voices during certain scenes. Whether it was frustration, anger, sadness, or anything else, the narration made sure to make that clear. Pacing was great in my opinion.
It said that the book was about 9 hours long but to me, it felt shorter due to the great way the story went and how smooth flowing it was. There was never a point where I got bored and that’s amazing. The flow was good.
Adibas writing is so beautiful and snappy. I’ve only read one other book by her, which was a collaboration with Faridah, but I will definitely be looking to read her other books sooner.
I enjoyed all of the representation that Adiba adds to her stories. The two main characters, Rani and Meghna, are Bangladeshi/Bengali. Meghna also has two best friends, one who is trans/nonbinary and another who I’m pretty sure is Filipino. I heard it mentioned but I am not 100% sure on that.
I liked that Meghna was sort of coming into her queer identity. There was a conversation she had with a certain person that was like one of my favorite scenes here.
Every character feels fully fleshed out with their own personality/likeness. I liked almost all of them (besides that stupid cheater) and other very minor characters.
This is also set in Ireland but there is a trip to Amsterdam in here as well, which was so much fun! I love reading books that aren’t just set where I am (US) all the time.
The plot of this sort of resembles John Tucker Must Die (which is mentioned), but it’s also unique and so unlike that at the same time. It has childhood best friends to strangers/enemies/academic rivals to sort of friends to lovers!
I won’t give away anything that happens in this, but I was shocked at some of the things that happened/what the people did. It’s like disappointed but not surprised (or least shouldn’t be surprised lmao).
I would definitely say that audiobook would be the best way to consume this book, but once I read the physical version, I will come back and see if that’s better.
But for now, if you could get a hold of the audio format, run!!!!
5 stars from me!
I loved this book so much! I’ve been really into audiobooks and I knew I would be able to consume this really well.
I think the narration was stellar. Since it was dual POV, it was read by two different women and it added a special element to the story. I would still love the story if I had read it in any other format, but I think the audiobook will forever be my favorite.
You can tell the distinct difference between the voices and the characters’ personalities, which I enjoyed a lot.
I usually listen to books in 2x speed, which I did with this one and I liked that I could still understand what was happening and the emotions in the narrators voices during certain scenes. Whether it was frustration, anger, sadness, or anything else, the narration made sure to make that clear. Pacing was great in my opinion.
It said that the book was about 9 hours long but to me, it felt shorter due to the great way the story went and how smooth flowing it was. There was never a point where I got bored and that’s amazing. The flow was good.
Adibas writing is so beautiful and snappy. I’ve only read one other book by her, which was a collaboration with Faridah, but I will definitely be looking to read her other books sooner.
I enjoyed all of the representation that Adiba adds to her stories. The two main characters, Rani and Meghna, are Bangladeshi/Bengali. Meghna also has two best friends, one who is trans/nonbinary and another who I’m pretty sure is Filipino. I heard it mentioned but I am not 100% sure on that.
I liked that Meghna was sort of coming into her queer identity. There was a conversation she had with a certain person that was like one of my favorite scenes here.
Every character feels fully fleshed out with their own personality/likeness. I liked almost all of them (besides that stupid cheater) and other very minor characters.
This is also set in Ireland but there is a trip to Amsterdam in here as well, which was so much fun! I love reading books that aren’t just set where I am (US) all the time.
The plot of this sort of resembles John Tucker Must Die (which is mentioned), but it’s also unique and so unlike that at the same time. It has childhood best friends to strangers/enemies/academic rivals to sort of friends to lovers!
I won’t give away anything that happens in this, but I was shocked at some of the things that happened/what the people did. It’s like disappointed but not surprised (or least shouldn’t be surprised lmao).
I would definitely say that audiobook would be the best way to consume this book, but once I read the physical version, I will come back and see if that’s better.
But for now, if you could get a hold of the audio format, run!!!!
5 stars from me!
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for approving me for the ALC.
Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My god Ali you just never miss and I feel SICK over it (affectionate).
Viola my sweet child. I FEEL SO SAD OVER THE WHOLE SITUATION AND THE MISSED TIME AND JUST UGHHHHH.
I hate misunderstandings. But I hate SAD misunderstandings more than anything and this was exactly that.
The fact that they both had crushes on each AT THE SAME TIME, but one thought the other one was indifferent and didn’t like her, while the other thought she told him to stay away and that’s what he was doing SIGH. I just feel so sad. Over them. Over the whole situation. It’s so disheartening.
They have the same brain I swear. I love the synchronized thinking about Limerence 3 and how that’s going to go down and what’s going to make it top notch. I’d love another novella like this that updates us on how that goes down.
JESSE YOU DUMB IDIOT. It’s so sad that he thought she told him to stay away because she was ranting and was talking about a man that kept trying to go after her and would not take the hint. So he assumed to think she wanted to be left alone, since this was after he asked her out and she said no (she didn’t know he was asking her out OUT).
He could’ve made it clearer, but when she started ranting and everything, I get why he wouldn’t. ITS JUST SO SAD!!! LIKE WHY ARENT YALL CRYING OVER THIS AND THEM???
And the fact that the video game they work on is based on a book series with unrequited love and a curse and love enduring and all that fun jazz, JUST MAKES IT EVEN SADDER. I want to sob for all of eternity.
She was harboring a crush. He was harboring a crush. THE LOST TIME. But no, they’re making up for it. They ARE making up for it and I’m so happy over it. The spice was top tier, they’re so funny together.
I need fan art of these two!!!!!! Like desperately!!!!!!! (Send any and all fanart to @zluvsreading on IG pls I beg of you).
The side characters were so funny. I love a British man because when they talk in audiobooks, they have a British accent. Mike and Otto, y’all are dumb and need to stop playing around!!!! Ethan, I love you. You and Shannon are not slick btw!!!
Oh hey! Let’s talk about Jesse getting mad at Ethan and cornering him bc he thought he was cheating on Viola. THATS SO FUNNY AND I LOVE IT. The jealous protective cave man of it all, as Ethan so funnily put it. It’s so UNLIKE Jesse that it just makes my heart melt.
It’s just like so cute that he never stopped thinking about her and just had this crush fester for YEARS!!!!!! AND SHE WAS CRUSHING TOO!!!!!! Sigh. If only he would have tried to atleast hear her out if she wanted a conversation or something. I needed it. My poor babies. 😭😭😭😭😭
Sorry, I’m so dramatic they had friends and dated and such between the years that they first met, BUT NO!!! They were missing each other for that whole time. 🥹
BUT NOW THEYRE GOING TO BE DATING AND WORKING ON LIMERENCE THREE YAY WE WON!!!!!! We won so badly!!!! I love these two idiots and wish them nothing but the best. 🥰
The writing was so fast paced and fun and quirky, maybe because it was audio only but man it’s so easy to go through. Very digestible. Love it. Love Ali. Love this book. Love these characters (except you John). 5/5. Possibly an infinity read for the year. I JUST CANT. This book is so sad. I cry.
Viola my sweet child. I FEEL SO SAD OVER THE WHOLE SITUATION AND THE MISSED TIME AND JUST UGHHHHH.
I hate misunderstandings. But I hate SAD misunderstandings more than anything and this was exactly that.
The fact that they both had crushes on each AT THE SAME TIME, but one thought the other one was indifferent and didn’t like her, while the other thought she told him to stay away and that’s what he was doing SIGH. I just feel so sad. Over them. Over the whole situation. It’s so disheartening.
They have the same brain I swear. I love the synchronized thinking about Limerence 3 and how that’s going to go down and what’s going to make it top notch. I’d love another novella like this that updates us on how that goes down.
JESSE YOU DUMB IDIOT. It’s so sad that he thought she told him to stay away because she was ranting and was talking about a man that kept trying to go after her and would not take the hint. So he assumed to think she wanted to be left alone, since this was after he asked her out and she said no (she didn’t know he was asking her out OUT).
He could’ve made it clearer, but when she started ranting and everything, I get why he wouldn’t. ITS JUST SO SAD!!! LIKE WHY ARENT YALL CRYING OVER THIS AND THEM???
And the fact that the video game they work on is based on a book series with unrequited love and a curse and love enduring and all that fun jazz, JUST MAKES IT EVEN SADDER. I want to sob for all of eternity.
She was harboring a crush. He was harboring a crush. THE LOST TIME. But no, they’re making up for it. They ARE making up for it and I’m so happy over it. The spice was top tier, they’re so funny together.
I need fan art of these two!!!!!! Like desperately!!!!!!! (Send any and all fanart to @zluvsreading on IG pls I beg of you).
The side characters were so funny. I love a British man because when they talk in audiobooks, they have a British accent. Mike and Otto, y’all are dumb and need to stop playing around!!!! Ethan, I love you. You and Shannon are not slick btw!!!
Oh hey! Let’s talk about Jesse getting mad at Ethan and cornering him bc he thought he was cheating on Viola. THATS SO FUNNY AND I LOVE IT. The jealous protective cave man of it all, as Ethan so funnily put it. It’s so UNLIKE Jesse that it just makes my heart melt.
It’s just like so cute that he never stopped thinking about her and just had this crush fester for YEARS!!!!!! AND SHE WAS CRUSHING TOO!!!!!! Sigh. If only he would have tried to atleast hear her out if she wanted a conversation or something. I needed it. My poor babies. 😭😭😭😭😭
Sorry, I’m so dramatic they had friends and dated and such between the years that they first met, BUT NO!!! They were missing each other for that whole time. 🥹
BUT NOW THEYRE GOING TO BE DATING AND WORKING ON LIMERENCE THREE YAY WE WON!!!!!! We won so badly!!!! I love these two idiots and wish them nothing but the best. 🥰
The writing was so fast paced and fun and quirky, maybe because it was audio only but man it’s so easy to go through. Very digestible. Love it. Love Ali. Love this book. Love these characters (except you John). 5/5. Possibly an infinity read for the year. I JUST CANT. This book is so sad. I cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, and Death of parent
Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
FULL RTC BUT THIS WAS AMAZEBALLS
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was so fucking cute I can’t. It also packed a punch which says a lot about what a great writer, in my opinion, Ali is.
Them knowing each other their whole lives and getting to read about the flashbacks and how Marc’s love for Jamie sort of evolved was stunning. It was fun.
I wish we would’ve gotten to see more of them, and I would love any extended epilogues or anything like that for them, but I’m glad we got what we got.
I’m forever going to be curious about the sister who’s name I’m forgetting at the moment and how she will take everything, but also know that she will probably take it in stride as she was the one who told Jamie in the first place.
So many cute quotes in here. So many down bad quotes in here. So many funny quotes in here. Truly can’t wait to read the rest of the stories if they are anything like Ali’s.
I loved the forced proximity so bad!!!!! It just hits every time and I eat it up.
Truly such a remarkable fluffy adorable steamy cute read!! Ali Hazelwood, you’re an icon and I love you for this. (Do you ever stop writing??? Go you FR)
Them knowing each other their whole lives and getting to read about the flashbacks and how Marc’s love for Jamie sort of evolved was stunning. It was fun.
I wish we would’ve gotten to see more of them, and I would love any extended epilogues or anything like that for them, but I’m glad we got what we got.
I’m forever going to be curious about the sister who’s name I’m forgetting at the moment and how she will take everything, but also know that she will probably take it in stride as she was the one who told Jamie in the first place.
So many cute quotes in here. So many down bad quotes in here. So many funny quotes in here. Truly can’t wait to read the rest of the stories if they are anything like Ali’s.
I loved the forced proximity so bad!!!!! It just hits every time and I eat it up.
Truly such a remarkable fluffy adorable steamy cute read!! Ali Hazelwood, you’re an icon and I love you for this. (Do you ever stop writing??? Go you FR)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Tips and Trysts by Rebecca Kinkade
It just rubbed me the wrong way, idk. I may be overreacting but just something to note.
Okay, I just went back and read it and she was begging for him to “fuck her” and he goes “Not when you’re drunk like this.” But still proceeds to give her an orgasm with his fingers inside her. ?????????
I have no definition of what fucking or sex is, but in my mind, that IS sex.
AH! Erm. Yeah!
Also, this is not to say that the sex scenes were bad. I personally loved them and thought they were REALLY spicy and hot and just everything.
This is just personal preference, but I learned that anal play and anything related to fingers or anything going inside assholes makes me super uncomfortable. I just start thinking about certain things and get disgusted, but definitely not a shit on the author.
I couldn’t take her calling him good boy serious after she started saying it A LOT. I just got icked out and thinking about DOGS. 😭😭😭😭 Genuinely, not a shit on the author just personal preference.
Everything was so well written. I loved how much I laughed in this novel and while reading it. I loved how fast laces it was. I had a few issues with certain things, but overall, this was quite an enjoyable read and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys spicy books with rich men politicians and camgirls.
- zluvsreading
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this early!
This was a good book that I enjoyed in some parts, and didn’t enjoy in some other parts. However, it was mainly good! I will talk about what i liked first and foremost.
Cora was such a badass. I loved her absolute no-fucks-given attitude and confidence. Her bluntness. Her overall domineering personality. And she was just FUNNY. Out of pocket laughing out loud funny and I ate it up!!!!
The found family and friendships in this were also my favorite. The men’s GC messages and the women’s friendship was just so fun to read about.
I loved how down bad both Cora and Everett were for each other. They were completely in lust, in love, obsessed, enamored, etc with each other and it was so fun to see.
I’ve always been a fan of insta love but especially where it’s books where it’s not really insta love, but more like “I’ve always loved you and wanted to be with you but I missed my chance back then” etc and along those lines.
Everett and Cora had only known each other through mutual friends (they’re best friends are together) and therefore are forced to hang out with one another every now and then.
Their whole friend group was so funny. I liked seeing them all together.
This was a good book that I enjoyed in some parts, and didn’t enjoy in some other parts. However, it was mainly good! I will talk about what i liked first and foremost.
Cora was such a badass. I loved her absolute no-fucks-given attitude and confidence. Her bluntness. Her overall domineering personality. And she was just FUNNY. Out of pocket laughing out loud funny and I ate it up!!!!
The found family and friendships in this were also my favorite. The men’s GC messages and the women’s friendship was just so fun to read about.
I loved how down bad both Cora and Everett were for each other. They were completely in lust, in love, obsessed, enamored, etc with each other and it was so fun to see.
I’ve always been a fan of insta love but especially where it’s books where it’s not really insta love, but more like “I’ve always loved you and wanted to be with you but I missed my chance back then” etc and along those lines.
Everett and Cora had only known each other through mutual friends (they’re best friends are together) and therefore are forced to hang out with one another every now and then.
Their whole friend group was so funny. I liked seeing them all together.
One thing that I thought was a bit off? In a way was a scene where Cora was drunk (Everett may have been as well). They don’t do anything per se, because Everett is aware that she’s drunk and not in the right mind. However, I’m pretty sure he still ends up sticking his fingers inside of her?????? And while that’s not sex I suppose, I think that’s also not something to be doing to a person while they are drunk.
It just rubbed me the wrong way, idk. I may be overreacting but just something to note.
I have no definition of what fucking or sex is, but in my mind, that IS sex.
AH! Erm. Yeah!
Also, this is not to say that the sex scenes were bad. I personally loved them and thought they were REALLY spicy and hot and just everything.
This is just personal preference, but I learned that
I couldn’t take her calling him good boy serious after she started saying it A LOT. I just got icked out and thinking about DOGS. 😭😭😭😭 Genuinely, not a shit on the author just personal preference.
Everything was so well written. I loved how much I laughed in this novel and while reading it. I loved how fast laces it was. I had a few issues with certain things, but overall, this was quite an enjoyable read and I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys spicy books with rich men politicians and camgirls.
- zluvsreading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence
The Last Dragon of the East by Katrina Kwan
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
How the actual heck do I convey my love for this novel? There’s just no way, but I will try I suppose.
This was such a compelling emotional read. The world building was great and I loved the characters that had so much personality.
Sai, my silly little man. He was everything and more to me. I admired his strength and how he handled everything that happened in the last few chapters of the book. He was so down bad for his Fated One, it was amazing to read about. Just overall such a funny character who I will cherish forever and want to protect forever. Sai fan page over here!!
Jyn!! Oh my heart bleeds for Jyn. She’s just such a badass and the fact that she had to deal with what she had to deal with for so long is just like wow. She’s stronger than I ever could be in every way imaginable. I love protective badass FMCs and she was the embodiment of that. It was so funny seeing her interact with Sai when they first met.
Okay, so I just started crying again thinking about the ending like!!!!!! I just think that this is such a great read and everyone should read it. A beautiful fantasy first and foremost but with a love story at the heart of it. The romance was so good, I was giggling and blushing and crying and just like so interested in everything that I was reading.
There’s lots of violence, gore, blood, and just overall death in this but it was written in a way that you can feel it so heavily. I could smell and taste and see and hear everything. All my senses were attuned to this book!!!! Truly no words for how much I love it. Possibly my new favorite romantasy of all time. I love Sai and Jyn and A-Ma. I wish nothing but the best for them.
I love that some characters got what they deserved but oh my god, the swift deaths in this made my heart drop because I was not expecting them at all. My heart hurts. 11/10. I love pain, do it again!
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for allowing me to read an eARC and Saga Press for providing me with a physical ARC as well.
Thank you to NetGalley and Saga Press for allowing me to read an eARC and Saga Press for providing me with a physical ARC as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
Moderate: Child death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0