arireadsitall's reviews
1290 reviews

Madwoman by Chelsea Bieker

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This is a book I really took my time with, and I’m glad I did. The subject matter is very content warning heavy, and very raw. But the message behind it was so tragically beautiful. To me the main point of this book is motherhood and what that looks like.. I was warned before I started this book that I needed to be in a certain headspace for it and I’m really really glad I waited. The story won’t be for everyone, but I really do think it’s worth the read.
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Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars

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emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.5

A drag queen mystery?! I’m here for it! This read like an episode of murder she wrote mixed with clue but with drag queens and a Judy garland dress. It was witty and funny and smart. It was also so honest when it comes to the treatment of drag queens in our society.  I didn’t know what to expect when I started this, but I’m definitely ready for more Misty Divine mysteries!!
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver

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dark funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This was a very interesting one (for better or worse I’m not sure)! I was pleasantly surprised by the banter and you know I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers. As a thriller fan the gore didn’t bother me but the ice cream sure did (iykyk)! The dual pov paired with the will they won’t they with the mix of the murder games was fun. Will I continue the series? Unclear but a time was had!!
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Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

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

4.0

Thank you @berkleyromance for the gifted copy of Accidentally Amy! If you’re in the mood for a workplace romance, full of banter and one chaotic meet cute, this one is perfect. I loved the two main characters, and I loved that we got their point of view through all of the will they won’t they. This one reads quick is very funny and very steamy!! 
For One Night Only by Jessica James

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Thank you Berkley romance for the gifted copy! I’m kind of a sucker for a music themed romance and this was a solid second chance with a LOT of mess. I liked the dual POVs but I equally loved the side characters (bandmates). This wasn’t groundbreaking but it held my attention through a full day of watching every Boston sports team play. I love a good redemption story!! The songs in it were fun and the character struggles felt genuine. 
Is She Really Going Out with Him? by Sophie Cousens

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

This one was so cute and flirty and I LOVED that protagonist is in her late 30s getting her mojo back!! Closed door romance but you could still feel that tension. These characters are really fun and I really enjoyed myself! Sophie Cousens has  become some an auto read author for me!
The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

Starting the year off with a book this good is crazy. I had high expectations for this book because I loved the author’s other book They’ll Never Learn and I was NOT disappointed. This is the kind of book where once you start you truly cannot put it down. It reads like a way more vicious Daisy Jones sat in the world of figure skating rather than music. The characters you want to root for, but you also want to shake your head at every single thing they do. This book is full of chaos and madness and every time you think maybe we we’re getting something happy don’t get your hopes up.. that being said, I could not get enough. The audio I did with the book and it was so entertaining with the full cast. I really cannot recommend this one enough. 
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Wake Up, Nat & Darcy by Kate Cochrane

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emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Cute sapphic second chance enemies to lovers set around hockey and the Olympics. I liked it but I think I wanted more back story and build up and less hijinxs. Regardless we love a swoony ending!
All I Want is You by Falon Ballard

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m a huge fan of Falon Ballard and this one was no exception. It reads super quick which is honestly perfect for a holiday romance. I loved that this was the second chance and you got to actually see the before and the why things fell apart. The grumpy sunshine author pairing was perfect and like her other books the banter was spot on. It takes a little bit for things to get hot, but I think it’s worth it. I’m really glad I squeezed this one in this holiday season.!! 
A Home for the Holidays by Taylor Hahn

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dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Thank you @aaknopf for the gifted copy. This is a different kind of holiday read that focuses more of grief and found family. It was a little sad but I really appreciated it. The holidays always remind me of those who aren’t here and this book in a weird way is a celebration of that! 
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