anacarter's reviews
1039 reviews

Sweet Touch of Venom by Akita Sparks

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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

4.0

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense fast-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

4.0

Bang & Burn by Lindsey Nicole

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adventurous dark emotional lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

Like It's Christmas by Diana A. Hicks

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

4.0

The Only Song: A Rivals to Lovers Romance by Bianca Nara

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? N/A
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

 ⊹ dnf ⊹

started this in aug but put it on hold.

I liked the concept but it read like a self-help book.

It was boring but interesting at the same time?

bleh


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Fangs of Fate by Rebecca Parcha

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 69%.
adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

3.0

 ⊹ 3 stars, full Review on my blog ⊹

I want to start by saying this wasn't bad, but I just wasn't really vibing with it.

The beginning was hard to follow and I had a hard time getting into it.

There were also 2 stories being told, and I feel they might have worked better as separate books. It felt like a lot going on and crammed into 2 POVs where the main characters weren't really each other's love interests so I thought that was different. weird perhaps?

Ex/ around 45-50% Chance’s POV, which mind you wasn't really far into the story as things were very slow burn. I just thought while reading, "What’s the purpose of Chance’s pov when he's not really the love interest and he’s busy fucking other girls?"

But alas, there are 2 POVs with separate yet intertwined storylines. Chance and Tate, both are enlisted in the Gaura (an army-like organization) to pursue justice, each in their own way. Tate is forced into the Gaura after being caught 'overfeeding' (she's a vampire and Overfeeding/killing someone is a crime), while Chance sees enlistment as his birthright (he's a Dux = the equivalent of a colonel in the military; directly underneath the Anax rank also the 'Presidents' son)—a means to protect his people.

Chance and Tate were once friends to lovers but when Tate finds out Chance's father, President Dale was responsible for her mother’s death, allegedly accusing her of espionage. Tate then finds solace in Fletcher, a family friend who cares for her deeply. However, Fletcher harbors knowledge he shouldn't have, and basically, they kill him.

I loved our FMC character. Tatealia or "Tate" is strong and self-assured. She’s constantly drawn into challenging situations but stays grounded, looking within to uncover the truth. The twist of her being a predatory vampire who only feeds on evil humans is brilliant! But shortlived when she has to be enlisted in the Gaura.
She’s also undergoing mysterious changes, and even though she’s unsure of what’s happening, she refuses to rely on anyone else—she’ll always do things her way. She's relentless in making herself heard.

I did enjoy the parts with Aether🤭

I'll be honest I didn't really care for Chance's POVs. Right off the bat, in Chapter 2 he gave me the ick and gave off misogynist vibes. I cringed at the first interaction with Tate:

"His left eyebrow raised. “You better than anyone should know I have an exceptional sense of smell.” He lowered his head and sniffed. Actually sniffed. “You want me. Just admit it, shortie,” he said the last word in challenge, while pulling me closer to him. Much too close.


tbh I wanted to DNF after reading this😭 but I continued and suffered through it (not really but kinda? It was interesting enough that I wanted to continue but boring too?)

I think the world-building and Tate is the only reason I wanted to continue. Very immersive and atmospheric world the author created. It’s evident that a lot of thought went into the lore, and the complex political dynamics between humans and vampires add a compelling layer of intrigue.

Overall, for a debut, this was good, and well-written. I didn't mind it. However, I wish the story was solely about Tate and her journey (what she's been going through/new things about herself that she discovers, etc), with Chance's POV being explored in a separate book/series. With that being said, it was interesting to read about both MCs and their separate quests to uncover dark secrets that challenge their beliefs.

❥Dragons & Fae
❥Enemies to Lover
❥Vampires
❥Shadow Daddy
❥Slow Burn
❥Badass FMC
❥Spice
❥Intrigue

Thank you for the ARC, Rebecca!
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Venomous by Nicole M. Rubino

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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

4.5

Body Check by Elle Kennedy

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted sad tense fast-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

3.5

 3.5 stars rounded up

-I liked the 'romance' and MC's connection/personalities.
-the whole Doug thing felt unnecessary
-the ending of the major plotline felt a little lackluster

I liked Girl Abroad by this author but this wasn't as good IMO, but still entertaining overall

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Steel Heart Iron Claws by Evie Marceau

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious 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