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agiecummings's reviews
365 reviews
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.0
I have a lot of mixed emotions after finishing this book. The last chapter and the epilogue really brought it home for me, but I felt it was clunky in places and the story takes a bit too long to get into. But I think the explorations of grief, addiction, sisterhood, and pain are beautifully done. And finally getting to a place of at least partial “happiness” at the end was definitely redeeming for me personally. My biggest issue is that I didn’t like most of the characters for 95% of the book and I just kept reading because I’m a hater by nature and want to have a reason behind my hate. Joke’s on me because I ended up really loving the end, despite it not being the most exciting or compelling way to get there from the jump.
P.S. I found parts of this writing style to be a bit weird. It was almost like we clicked “thesaurus” on a few words just to make it seem literary. For example, “insouciant” was used far too often in this book. It’s an obscure word at best. At worst it was distracting from the actual story we were trying to tell. I love a new vocab word, but this maybe went too far (and often).
P.S. I found parts of this writing style to be a bit weird. It was almost like we clicked “thesaurus” on a few words just to make it seem literary. For example, “insouciant” was used far too often in this book. It’s an obscure word at best. At worst it was distracting from the actual story we were trying to tell. I love a new vocab word, but this maybe went too far (and often).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Grief
Moderate: Drug abuse
Powerful by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
This was so heartbreaking to read because I knew the ending having read Powerless. To then retroactively learn even more about the sassy, spunky Adena, before she meets the ending we know will come to pass, was just heartbreaking.
And I love her and Mak. Just delicious. Kinda hoping he finds a way into the Powerless trilogy. Because I think between him having the same power as Kai and Paedyn being an Ordinary, we could end up changing the way everyone is viewed by the end of the series. But we’ll see.
And I love her and Mak. Just delicious. Kinda hoping he finds a way into the Powerless trilogy. Because I think between him having the same power as Kai and Paedyn being an Ordinary, we could end up changing the way everyone is viewed by the end of the series. But we’ll see.
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
This (final 😭) installment of the Bergman Brothers series was so precious. It was a *slight* letdown for me because of how much I LOVED Ziggy’s story, which I read right before this one.
But honestly, what a beautiful example of choosing each other and loving each other through your hang ups, not giving up on each other. And let’s be honest, a diabetic thriller author who doesn’t believe in love falling in love with an ADHD book store owner was just a fab concept. And the execution is almost perfect.
Chloe Liese, you’ve done it again. Loved it. 🥹
But honestly, what a beautiful example of choosing each other and loving each other through your hang ups, not giving up on each other. And let’s be honest, a diabetic thriller author who doesn’t believe in love falling in love with an ADHD book store owner was just a fab concept. And the execution is almost perfect.
Chloe Liese, you’ve done it again. Loved it. 🥹
If Only You by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Ugh, wow. Ziggy and Seb. Sigrid and Sebastian. They have my heart. I love fake dating and this was a little twist: fake friends that leads to them fully being in love with each other and I lapped it up. Just absolutely delicious.
And wow I’m so sad that the next book is the last Bergman sibling book. I’m so deeply invested in their entire family. And I’m so happy to see peeks of each couple throughout the next books in the series.
I love them all, but Ziggy and Sebastian might be my favorite yet. Just so caring for each other. Seb working through his issues in therapy to be enough for Ziggy? Actually can’t handle that. And two athletes getting to appreciate each other? Pining and waiting for each other? Ugh literally so good.
Everything For You by Chloe Liese
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Omg this was so cute. 🥹😭 Oliver and Gavin just being basically in love with each other from the jump and pretending they weren’t? Chef’s kiss. A one bed, co-captaincy chat that turns into FWB for legit like 1 hookup and then they are like “fuck it never mind let’s just be together”? Hell ya.
There’s more to it than that but wow what a delightful story. And Chloe basically said in the author’s notes that Oliver and Gavin are inspired by Ted Lasso and Roy Kent? 10/10. No notes.
I just loved them so much. And their shared love of soccer. And their mutual attraction that they kept pretending wasn’t there. They also have basically a 2nd act breakup which leads to a longer time together at the end of the book and that freaking rules.
Chloe, I love your books and the Bergman world. Absolutely obsessed with the whole family. Also also, the nods to the other stories that keep getting woven into the new stories are just *chef’s kiss.*
There’s more to it than that but wow what a delightful story. And Chloe basically said in the author’s notes that Oliver and Gavin are inspired by Ted Lasso and Roy Kent? 10/10. No notes.
I just loved them so much. And their shared love of soccer. And their mutual attraction that they kept pretending wasn’t there. They also have basically a 2nd act breakup which leads to a longer time together at the end of the book and that freaking rules.
Chloe, I love your books and the Bergman world. Absolutely obsessed with the whole family. Also also, the nods to the other stories that keep getting woven into the new stories are just *chef’s kiss.*
With You Forever by Chloe Liese
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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 want to preface this review with saying: I understand that a marriage of convenience plot is absolutely ludicrous. Like I think it is one of the least realistic tropes ever. But, similarly to fake dating, it is one of my favorites. Escapism at its finest both of them. And, this marriage of convenience was basically fake dating on steroids and I loved every second of it.
Rooney and Axel are delicious. The premise for why he needed to get married was ridiculous but the fact that they are both just too attracted to each other to do anything but stay away from each other? Delightful. And Rooney is so dear to me (👀: divorced parents, feels unlovable, tummy troubles — REAL). And the love that she finds with Axel, who cherishes and loves her for every single part of her, was magic to witness.
Love Chloe Liese and her cutie little rom coms. And this one might be my new favorite 🥹😭.
Rooney and Axel are delicious. The premise for why he needed to get married was ridiculous but the fact that they are both just too attracted to each other to do anything but stay away from each other? Delightful. And Rooney is so dear to me (👀: divorced parents, feels unlovable, tummy troubles — REAL). And the love that she finds with Axel, who cherishes and loves her for every single part of her, was magic to witness.
Love Chloe Liese and her cutie little rom coms. And this one might be my new favorite 🥹😭.
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I have been very busy and this took me ages to read, but I ended up still liking it. It kinda has the energy of The Maze Runner and/or The Hunger Games (and a touch of The Selection - I’m looking at the king there) with just a touch more romance. EXCEPT, spoiler alert, the love interests don’t at least kiss?! After 500 pages… Also, I think the only reason this series is not consider like “YA fantasy” is because of the sexual tension and the intensity of the evilness of the king. There’s something just slightly more sinister about him.
I will say that the last 75 pages have me rabid to read book 2 because I’m very intrigued to see how they come back together/reconcile after all that was revealed at the end. Honestly, I think there was a lot of good groundwork laid in this book and I’m very intrigued to see how the love “triangle” pans out as well as how the Elites/Ordinaries battle gets resolved. So much mess, and only 2 books to finish.
Kai, I have faith that you’ll see the truth in book 2. Paedyn, I need you to get revenge but also find your way back to the light. And Kitt, I need you to shape up or ship out. Okay let’s see what happens in the sequel ✌🏻.
I will say that the last 75 pages have me rabid to read book 2 because I’m very intrigued to see how they come back together/reconcile after all that was revealed at the end. Honestly, I think there was a lot of good groundwork laid in this book and I’m very intrigued to see how the love “triangle” pans out as well as how the Elites/Ordinaries battle gets resolved. So much mess, and only 2 books to finish.
Kai, I have faith that you’ll see the truth in book 2. Paedyn, I need you to get revenge but also find your way back to the light. And Kitt, I need you to shape up or ship out. Okay let’s see what happens in the sequel ✌🏻.
Ever After Always by Chloe Liese
emotional
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
4.5
This was such a beautiful story of second chances and bringing joy back into a relationship. Freya and Aiden are so sweet and it was so special to get a peek behind the curtain at their relationship after seeing them interact and getting hints about their highs (and lows) in the previous books.
Honestly, there were a few too many moments of frustration for me. And the stuff with the marriage counselor (oh and Aiden’s dad) just felt a bit haphazard. Normally, I feel that Chloe’s storylines do a better job of being woven beautifully into the narrative of love as well. But I think it’s cause I just wanted them to be happy and they were struggling to find that for so much of the book. But in the end it was absolutely worth it. Chloe, you’ve done it again. ❤️
P.S. I loved the Bergman brother summits. They were so cute. Makes you love the fam even more.
P.P.S. The sneak peek of Rooney and Axel was delish. So excited for book 4.
Honestly, there were a few too many moments of frustration for me. And the stuff with the marriage counselor (oh and Aiden’s dad) just felt a bit haphazard. Normally, I feel that Chloe’s storylines do a better job of being woven beautifully into the narrative of love as well. But I think it’s cause I just wanted them to be happy and they were struggling to find that for so much of the book. But in the end it was absolutely worth it. Chloe, you’ve done it again. ❤️
P.S. I loved the Bergman brother summits. They were so cute. Makes you love the fam even more.
P.P.S. The sneak peek of Rooney and Axel was delish. So excited for book 4.
The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
I don’t think I’ve hated characters as much as I hated Amber and Jackson since Dolores Umbridge. Like these two people are vile, awful, horrible humans and while getting to their demise was satisfying, I’m actually so frustrated at all the twists, turns, and abuse that Daphne and Daisy Ann (and countless others) went through to get to that ending.
In the end, true female friendship is worth fighting for. And when you find women who actually love and support each other, you have to cling to that. Shout out to Meredith (and to some extent Daisy Ann), she’s a real one.
I literally had to finish reading this book in one day because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep until Amber and Jackson were bought to justice. UGH I’M SO ANGRY. The number to times I screamed WTF. So beyond frustrating.
A cautionary tale of the power of money to corrupt and to be wary of men and their red flags immediately. How are we supposed to trust any men ever after reading this book?
In the end, true female friendship is worth fighting for. And when you find women who actually love and support each other, you have to cling to that. Shout out to Meredith (and to some extent Daisy Ann), she’s a real one.
I literally had to finish reading this book in one day because I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep until Amber and Jackson were bought to justice. UGH I’M SO ANGRY. The number to times I screamed WTF. So beyond frustrating.
A cautionary tale of the power of money to corrupt and to be wary of men and their red flags immediately. How are we supposed to trust any men ever after reading this book?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Gun violence, Terminal illness, and Murder
The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is so shocking. And the twist is so stunning. This was technically a reread for me and I sped through the second half because once you realize Daphne’s real role in the story, it is absolutely riveting to read how it turns out.
Such a well done thriller. Honestly, check the content warnings, but stunning.
Such a well done thriller. Honestly, check the content warnings, but stunning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse and Eating disorder
Minor: Gun violence
*disordered eating more than an eating disorder
*gun violence meaning more one a domestic violence threat level, not a mass murder type situation