Andie
A solid, fun read. I think I might enjoy this one more if I read it before The Lie and The Plan (Allie and Luke's daughters' books). But I had fun reading Allie and Luke's story.
Their chemistry was fantastic, their emotional connection was very palpable and I loved Allie's relationship with Faith.
Interested in reading the next books in this series.
4.5 stars
I had so much fun reading this book!
Lucy is adorable and feisty, Josh is broody and sexy and the banter between this two was freaking PERFECTION.
Their games, the humor, and the characters were fantastic, the story was addictive and I didn't want to put down my kindle.
The elevator scene... AMAZING!
There are a few cheesy scenes, but overall I enjoyed it a lot. Now, I get the hype about this book. Worth it in my opinion.
This was so much fun!
A little too instalove on Erik's part. But these two were so cute together.
The chemistry was definitely there and the emotional connection made sense and was well established.
The miscommunication stuff was predictable, but it didn't bother me that much.
I liked how the author chose to write the dual timeline.
Overall, entertaining, sweet, and steamy.
Books, Coffee & Passion
This was a very sweet book.
Daisy was sweet and funny but Jordan was the star of the story. I loved him! He was not what I expected. I loved his layers. I liked his friendship with Liam and Gavin a lot.
Daisy and Jordan's interactions were great. I enjoyed how their relationship progressed and the way both of them acted when they were together. It was easy to see how great they were together.
The conflict was very predictable and a little overdramatic but I enjoyed the groveling afterward.
A very easy, entertaining, sweet read. I'm curious about Gavin's story. I'll definitely read his book.
Books, Coffee & Passion
What I loved most about this book was... the hockey crew! The loyalty, the friendships, and the bromance were perfect! Their group chat was fantastic and these guys made me laugh a lot.
I also enjoyed the chemistry and the banter between Pacey and Winnie. The humor, the setting, and the characters were great.
This was a solid, steamy, funny, sweet romance that kept me entertained. BUT I was somewhat more interested in the secondary characters. Pacey was a great character, but I was more interested in Holmes, Hornsby, and Taters. Winnie was great too. She was sweet, shy, awkward, and surprisingly fierce. I enjoyed her backstory (except her ex-boyfriend plotline – wasn't my favorite).
Katherine and Max, Winnie's besties, felt a little over the top at the beginning of the book. I did warm up to Max by the end, but not so much to Katherine.
Overall, super entertaining. I'm excited to read Hornsby's book next.
Books, Coffee & Passion
Only a Monster was so enjoyable and entertaining. I had a lot of fun reading it. The monster families' secrets and powers were very compelling.
The world-building was captivating, and the dynamics between humans and monsters as well as the time-traveling kept me engrossed in the story. The characters were solid too. Joan was ok, I did like her more towards the ending. Aaron and Nick were the most complex characters in my opinion. Aaron was an intriguing character and probably the most promising. His hideous family also seems to be the most thrilling of the twelfth monster families, I bet there are a lot of secrets regarding them.
I'm curious to see how it will play out in the next book. Nick was a layered character but I didn't like him much. Certain revelations in the final third of the book did make him more interesting though.
We follow the story through Joan's POV. It might have been more beneficial if we had more than one POV. The writing was ok, I loved the London setting (especially the Whitehall Palace) and the timeline details.
Overall, it was a fascinating and unique perspective of heroes vs monsters stories.
3.5 stars
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Lucy Foley is the queen of unlikeable characters.
I enjoyed the creeping apartment building vibes, the secrets, the characters, the different POVs, and surprisingly the slow pace worked for me. The story did drag in the middle of the book and nothing interesting happened for a while.
The cast of narrators was great, and the audiobook made the story more enjoyable for me. I didn't see the final twist coming and I liked it a lot. There were some details that were definitely far-fetched, so there's that.
Overall, I had fun listening to it and trying to figure out what happened. An enjoyable and entertaining thriller.
3.5 stars
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I love Devney Perry's writing, but I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought.
I loved the writing, enjoyed the banter between Bryce and Dash, and liked the murder mystery in it.
On the other hand, I was expecting Bryce and Dash to resist their attraction a little more. There was a lack of pining here. Bryce gave in to their attraction a little too soon, considering her goals and objectives.
I loved how she didn't let Dash get away with much, though. She was never intimidated and that was awesome!
The fact that the murder mystery wasn't solved in this book was annoying. I feel that the epilogue wasn't as enjoyable because we didn't get the whole picture.
It was an entertaining read for sure, but not a winner for me. I'm curious about the next book, so I might read it soonish.
This was a slow-burn mystery. The setting, the town, and the beach community made the story eerie and unique. Jane Harper's descriptions were vivid and impressive. It was like watching a movie.
The story was gripping and intriguing from the start. The community's secrets, lies, sad memories, and tragedies kept me invested in the book as everything unfolded. The layered characters, the mysteries, the emotions, the suspense, and the twists were interesting and very well done. The themes in it were intense and dark, the guilt and the grief were almost overwhelming at some points. I don't think this book will work for everyone.
I was suspicious of almost ALL the characters, so I wasn't sure what the ending would reveal. Unfortunately, I don't think the ending was what it could've been, it was a little rushed. The way it wrapped up felt close to anticlimatic, even though the ending made sense. I read The Survivors in February and I still think about this book. The atmospheric setting was that great. Apparently, an atmospheric, creepy, eerie setting really works for me.
Overall, a very suspenseful, slow, compelling, entertaining story. I definitely need to read more books written by Jane Harper.
Major trigger warnings: Dementia; Death; Grief; Loss of loved ones; Depression; Suicidal thoughts; Survivor's Guilt; Drowning
4.5 stars
A fantastic sequel! Can't believe that ending!!! That cliffhanger killed me!
The angst, the slow-burn romance, the plot twists made this a very addicting read.
I love these characters (Kiva, Jaren, Tipp, Naari, Torell, and Caldon) and I was SO invested in this story. I needed to know what was going to happen!
It was a roller-coaster for sure. I guessed a few details but I didn't even mind. I was so entertained!
I loved this book!
The only reason I'm rating it 4.5 stars was Kiva's befriending a certain character. It was a little too naive, considering the character wasn't even in her “circle” (trying very hard not to spoil anything here!). Why would Kiva trust Rhess to that extent? I get some of her decisions considering Kiva's loyalties were torn but she trusted Rhess way too soon.
Lynette Noni's writing is addictive and I can't wait for the third book!
If I rated this based on emotions, this would be a 5 star. I sobbed during some scenes of this book. But there were a few things that didn't exactly work for me.
What I liked:
- Aelin and Fenrys' bond and Aelin's storyline in the first part of the book;
- The characters;
- “You do not yield”;
- Manon/Abraxos and the Thirteen (Manon's storyline was my favorite);
- The strong relationships between characters, the friendships, loyalties, and the emotional scenes regarding sacrifices and fighting for a better world tugged at my heartstrings;
- the much darker/bloody vibe in this book.
What I didn't like:
- it was too long;
- the trope typically used in YA (I have no tolerance towards this trope anymore and I disliked it even more here with the twist that was added to it);
- Dorian tricking Maeve... REALLY? She overpowers everyone easily and we're supposed to believe Dorian tricked her... Ok... and he gets the chance to kill her but doesn't take it? And ALSO Erawan didn't detect him? None of this made sense
- Aedion (so many stupid decisions!).
Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot. It was an emotional rollercoaster because I was SO invested in these characters (hence the scenes where I cried). A good conclusion to the TOG series.
4.5 stars
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After reading The Lie, I knew I had to read The Plan to read Lydia's story. The Plan can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading The Lie too. It is worth it!
Lydia is going through a hard time in her life that makes her question if the professional path she chose is the right one. As a social media influencer, she shares her daily life very publicly. However, now she doesn't feel comfortable sharing so much of herself with the world. She always had other plans for her professional life and she feels this is the time to start pursuing her goals.
Erik used to be a professional football player, that has been working as a bodyguard. He's closed off, strong-willed, and never talks about his past. He has been feeling a little lost after the end of his career. He's not interested in bonding with anyone. When Luke, Lydia's dad, gets in contact with him to be Lydia's bodyguard, he can't say no. But he doesn't know what he got himself into. Lydia is very different from the shallow girl he was expecting her to be.
The grumpy-sunshine vibes are in full effect! The fake-dating aspect also comes into play and I loved it! The chemistry, the sexual tension and the slow burn between these two were very intense. Erik was very broody and quiet but he was a sweetheart with Lydia, except when she started to ask questions about him! The way he supported her and protected her was incredible. Their dynamic was so funny! Lydia kept pushing his buttons and it was hilarious! He never guessed what she would do or ask him next. Lydia was an amazing character: strong, determined, funny, sassy, smart, and with a big heart. It was easy to love her from page one. Erik was also a great character, it just takes a while to get to know him. His backstory was so full of heartbreak and loss. He went through a lot, no wonder he was feeling a little lost. I loved them both! They were perfect for each other. I was screaming when Erik finally lost his iron control and acted on his feelings!
The story developed interestingly, the push and pull, the slow burn, the way their trust in each other increases and their connection builds was beautifully written. Erik resisted... a lot! Which only made their story even more funny and emotional. I couldn't read it fast enough! But I also didn't want it to end. I loved to see Lydia's relationship with her family. They were super supportive and loving. I enjoyed especially her conversations with her dad, loved those moments. I also loved the moments we got with Erik's family. It was wonderful.
There wasn't anything I disliked in this story. Sometimes Lydia was a bit pushy with Erik, but I understood her reasons, and Erik could've been a tiny bit less stubborn and started to open his heart to Lydia sooner. Karla Sorensen has a singular (magical?) way to make you love and root for her characters.
I loved this story. I enjoyed the writing, the backstories, the slow burn, these fantastic characters, and the secondary characters which were very, very promising... Are we getting Ian's book? I'll keep reading Karla Sorensen's books. I'm obsessed with the Washington Wolves world. The Plan is the perfect read if you enjoy emotional fake-dating, grumpy-sunshine, or bodyguard romance.
3.5 stars
This was addictive, couldn't stop listening to the audiobook! I needed to know!
The suspense was great, the writing was good and several possibilities came to my mind while listening to the different timelines and the multiple POVs.
The story was interesting and entertaining, there were so many ways it could go, and then when things start to take shape... there was not much logic in this. That's what bothered me most in this story.
Some details didn't make much sense when we finally put the pieces together. So, the ending felt disappointing.
A cute bodyguard romance.
The royal aspect of the book, the royal neighbors, was interesting and intriguing but I don't think it added anything special or different to the story.
Piper was an introvert, almost a hermit, she had a romance podcast (loved that) and she loved reading. I liked her as a character. The struggles concerning mental health and her mom's neurological issues added a more real feel to this book.
I didn't connect much with Harrison. Didn't quite feel the chemistry between them. The steam scenes were ok. I enjoyed the writing. I just wasn't very invested in these characters and their relationship.
Overall, it was an entertaining read. Not very memorable though.
2.5 stars
The plot was all over the place, the pacing was weird and honestly, I disliked Alex. He annoyed me a lot throughout the story, the way he talked to Ava... not my thing at all. It was too over the top and it didn't flow well. Ava was ok, I enjoyed her personality and her friendship with Bridget, Jules, and Stella.
The best part was the groveling but even that was ruined by the time jump. And the time jump didn't make any sense at all! Why do that when the hero needed to make the heroine (and the readers) swoon? A very weird choice if you ask me.
I enjoyed the secondary characters and I'm still interested in reading the next book.
Overall, it was an average read for me. Not bad, not good, just average.
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I enjoyed Electric Idol more than Neon Gods. I liked Eros and Psyche more as characters than Hades and Persephone and that is probably the reason I was more invested in their story.
I loved Psyche. She was fierce! She was also kind and sweet, smart and cunning, bold, super confident, and sometimes not as confident as she seemed to be. She was flawed. A fantastic character. I loved Eros too! His relationship with his mother, his struggles, the way he dealt with his feelings, his sex appeal, his sense of humor. For sure, a complex character. Both of these characters felt real and flawed. The more we got to know them, the more their connection made sense. I understood why Eros was intrigued by Psyche and why Psyche was tempted by Eros. And they were perfect for each other!
The chemistry between Eros and Psyche was HOT, HOT, HOT. Holly hell, the sexual tension between these two was incredible. Even though it felt a little instalove, their emotional connection was palpable. The steamy scenes were great. Nothing over the top with little to no kinks. However, it still worked so well for these two characters.
The world is simple but engaging. The intrigue worked better here than in Neon Gods, maybe because we got to see several more threads between the characters and the story unfolds in Olympus. So many power plays!
The family bond between Psyche and her sisters, and even her mother, Demeter, was one of my favorite aspects of this story. A strong family dynamic with some level of dysfunction, despite Demeter's lust for power. I'm very curious about Callisto's story!
Overall, super entertaining and a fun read. I'll keep reading the series as soon as the next book is out.
I didn't have any expectations about this book. I don't think we needed it, but I still enjoyed reading it!
My favorite couples, before reading this book, were Allie and Dean, Garrett and Hannah. It's not a surprise that their stories were my favorites in this book.
It was great to read about these characters again.
Hannah and Garrett's story was my favorite because of his big decision in the end. It felt like a great step forward for Garrett. regarding his abusive father
I loved Dean and Allie's story too.
I think all of the 4 stories felt real and rooted in real-life struggles and issues.
It all was solved too fast ofc, considering the book is short and is focused on the 4 couples.
3.5 stars
I loved the setting! Moose Springs is amazing!
All the characters are great, even the secondary characters. I loved Zoey, I liked Graham a lot and their dynamic was very charming. But at a point, things started to drag a little and the hate on the tourists took a very unexpected turn... I found it a little repetitive too.
I still enjoyed it a lot though, so I'll read the next book in the series.
Entertaining and pure enjoyment.
There are some pacing issues with this one, but I enjoyed it a lot anyway.
The atmosphere and the world are amazing. There isn't a lot going on for a while but it kept me guessing. The revelation was very obvious from the start, but I still liked it when it came.
I'll definitely read the next one.
Books, Coffee & Passion
3.5 stars
Aurora's End was the first book I read in 2022. I was excited to read this one because I loved the first two books in this trilogy. It was a roller-coaster! I can't say much about it because I don't want to spoil it, so I'll try to keep it vague and brief.
The pacing was insane but some of the plot devices used to move the story further weren't my favorites. Specifically, because of that, the first half of the book felt a little disjointed. Still, I couldn't put it down and I enjoyed some of the storylines and moments. Especially Tyler's, which was kind of surprising to me. The character growth that Tyler and Zila go through was very well done. Tyler's POV was my favorite in this story.
The ending bothered me. A lot of YA books end with this trope and, even though, I enjoyed it at times, I just don't think it makes ANY sense in this book. I'm sad. Some of the choices made didn't make sense in my opinion, considering everything we were led to believe in the previous books. Some of it felt convenient. And I wanted so much more for the last book in the trilogy and these characters we love so dearly. Regardless, I love Squad 312 and I'll keep loving these characters.
Overall, despite everything I said and I'm definitely in the minority, it was still enjoyable. I liked the epilogue a lot. I only wish I loved Aurora's End as much as I loved books 1 and 2.