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bellebookcorner's reviews
1251 reviews

Count Their Graves by Jennifer Chase

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challenging mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

If you like a police procedural stories, then this book is for you! 
It’s really nice to get back with Det. Katie Scott and her partner as well as her K9 dog, Cisco which becomes the star of the show on this book! 
 
Another interesting case has appeared in Pine Valley for Det. Scott to solve and this time her enemy isn’t just the killer but also against time as she has to found the missing girl before it’s too late. 
 
I really like Det. Scott and her partner, they are one of the best detectives with great teamwork which is why I keep coming back to this series every time a new book is out. 
 
As much as I like the mystery of the case and also the way the investigation is going, I’m quite disappointed with Chad (Katie’s fiancée)’s action. 
I know the romance is just a side plot, but still I was annoyed to see him behave like that towards Katie. 
 
Nonetheless, Katie is a strong FMC and I’m sure she’ll get back up again… I’m also sensing the romance aspect may take a different path and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 
 
Overall, a good addition to the series and I feel satisfied with how things got wrapped up in the end. I’m really looking forward to the next book of this series! 
 
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
 
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: kidnapping, murder, injury, death, child death 
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The Lantern of Lost Memories by Sanaka Hiiragi

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

“You see, once you get here, it doesn't matter how wealthy or important you were in life. All you're left with are your memories.” 
 
If you’re looking for more stories like Before the Coffee Gets Cold then you'll have to get this one! 
 
This wonderful life-affirming stories centred around what happen after you die like those who experience ‘memories flashing before your eyes’. 
Set in a place between life and death, Hiraka’s photo studio will help each person to choose their most fond memories to be placed on a lantern. Once completed, the lantern will be spun to guide them to the afterlife. 
 
I really like getting to know how each character live their lives especially the old woman from the first story. 
I absolutely love the way how each story will eventually connect with each other and in just 200 pages this book manage to made me shed a few tears. 
 
Overall, it’s a touching well-written story with meaningful and powerful messages scattered throughout the book. 
 
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
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Practical Rules for Cursed Witches by Kayla Cottingham

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

If you’re looking for a cozy adventure YA sapphic fantasy then this one would be for you! 
Comes with loveable characters, found family trope and interesting storyline, this book really captivate me from the beginning until the end. 
 
A well-written stories about witches, curses, love, acceptance and friendship. 
I really like the parts where we got to know each character’s background story, who they are before joining Kieran and his mission to break his family’s curse. 
 
Overall, a really good heart-warming story that comes with a satisfying ending.  A simple and enjoyable read which will be the perfect read for the upcoming autumn/Halloween season!! 
I’ll keep an eye out for more books by this author in the future! 
 
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily! 
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The Lies of Alma Blackwell by Amanda Glaze

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challenging dark emotional 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? No

5.0

If you’re looking for a YA gothic horror witchy read then this one would be perfect for you!

It was so well written, I devoured this book so fast – it was almost impossible to put down!

The story follows Nev Blackwell, Alma Blackwell’s descendants a hundred years later. 
She was preparing herself to take the Vow but found herself deep in a dark tmystery which might have something to do with her family….

I really enjoy my time reading about Nev’s investigation and her new found friend, Cal that help her uncover the truth about the Blackwell’s family. 
 
The last few chapters are filled with twists after twists that made this story far from simple. I was surprised by each secrets that Nev and Cal uncovered throughout the story. 

What a captivating book! A dash of sweet young romance with dark mystery is a perfect combination for a great book. 
I’m definitely going to look out for more books by this author in the future!
The Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan

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challenging emotional mysterious 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

I had mixed feelings about this book… 
 
Medici Heist has a strong opening that I was intrigued and my eyes are glued to my kindle, however the pacing turns slower as that made me wonder the direction of this story. 
The motive of the heist wasn’t revealed until it hit the 60% mark which is where the pace finally picks up and things gets interesting again. 
 
The first few chapters is where the author spend the time to introduce the character as well as the world building. I really like the setting of the palace but I can’t say the same for the characters. 
 
The last few chapters where the heist finally takes place really had me at the edge of my seat - wondering how they were gonna pull it off. It has a very surprising twist which I didn’t see coming. 
 
In conclusion, for a debut novel it was okay. It still need developments on some parts. 
I enjoy the found family trope and the world building despite the slow pacing and lack of character depth. 
 
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
 
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Grief, death of a parent, brief mention of confinement and physical abuse 
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Born of Blood and Shadows by Jamye Smith

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adventurous challenging dark emotional 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

3.5

Born of Blood and Shadows is recommended for those who especially enjoy reading Anti-Hero main characters. 
 
This book started with a strong opening, getting me hooked into the story pretty quickly at the beginning. 
I was interested in seeing how Ameris (the FMC) changed throughout the story after going through many major events which leads her to made some questionable choices. I was a tad frustrated by her a few times, but I was curious in seeing what the future hold for her. 
 
As for the romance, I don’t really agree shipping Ameris with Xander (the MMC)…. 
Sure, they are attracted to each other but sometimes Xander can be dismissive towards her and even underestimate Ameris, which really annoys me. 
I’m hoping there’ll be more relationship development in the next book. 
 
The last few chapters are quite intense, a betrayal I didn’t see coming and also a show of true power really surprised me. 
 
Overall, it’s a good start for a fantasy series. I’m hoping there’s more exploration of the world building and also more background story regarding the Fae kingdom. 
I can see it has potential to be a great series so I’m looking forward to read the sequel and find out what happens next especially after that HUGE CLIFF-HANGER at the end of it…. 
 
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and the author for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
 
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Full list of content warnings can be found on the author’s website. 
Love Requires Chocolate by Ravynn K. Stringfield

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adventurous funny lighthearted
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

“He wasn’t on the list. 
Well, Whit, the best things in life usually aren’t.” 
 
If you’re looking for a simple and quick YA grumpy x sunshine romance then this one might be for you! 
 
I really like the easy to read writing style, I love the way the author can describes some of the places mentioned vividly which makes me feel like I’m in Paris. 
 
I adore the grumpy x sunshine trope from this story. 
I love seeing Whitney and Thierry relationship slowly changes to something more as they spend more time together. Whitney definitely has her own unique way to melt Thierry’s cold heart! Absolutely adore them both! 
 
I also like getting to know more about Black history in Paris especially about Whitney’s idol – Josephine Baker which I’m not familiar with before reading this book. 
 
Overall, this is such a cute and entertaining read. I devoured this sweet romance in just one day! 
I’m looking forward to read more books by this author in the future! 
 
Thank you to TBR and Beyond Tour, Netgalley, author and publisher for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
Rising Dawn by Beck Michaels

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

“I may not always have the words to pull you back from the dark, 
but I will always be here to sit with you in it.”
 
RISING DAWN IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE WAIT!! 
 
This giant book is an emotional roller coaster; I laughed, I cried and I smiled while reading this book. 
Great writing style and fantastic storyline made it impossible to put down. I also like that the world building expanded again as we travelled to Rawn’s homeland and finally met the wife and son he talked about so much from the previous books. 
 
The characters are utterly loveable, especially Dyna and Cassiel. I felt so proud of them in this book, they have a major character growth in this book . I liked the person they came to be at the end even though the process was painful to read which manage to made me cried several times…. 
 
As for the romance, Dyna and Cassiel are still my favorite couple – they are the definition of a power couple. Their chemistry and bond is now stronger than ever, I’m curious to know what other obstacles they will have to face through next. 
There’s also a new couple rising – Klyde and Lucenna! Love seeing their bantering and flirting throughout the story! 
 
Overall, this was a beautifully well-written story. A great addition to the series that comes with a HUGE CLIFF-HANGER at the end!!! 
 I’m really looking forward to read the next book in this series cause things are still far from over guys! 
 
I received an advanced review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
 
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Sexual situations, strong violence, and gore, foul language, violence against women, mutilation, death, death of animals, heavy grief and loss, self-harm, captivity, torture, suicide ideation, alcohol and drugs used to cope with depression and PTSD. 
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A Legacy of Wrath and Reckoning by Victoria J. Price

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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? No

4.0

A Legacy of Wrath and Reckoning is a beautiful conclusion for A Legacy of Storm and Starlight trilogy! 
 
The book started right after the ending of the previous book, it took a while for me to be able to follow the plot because honestly I didn’t remember much about what happened in the previous book… 
Since there’s no recap of the previous events, I would highly suggest re-reading the 2nd book before diving into this one to avoid confusion and better understanding o the story and its characters. 
 
Once I remembered some of it, it was easy for me to get sucked into the story. 
Zylah, Holt and their friends’s has gone through so much but I admire their tenacity to continue fighting for their freedom. 
 
This book is a lot more action-packed, a lot of battles and show of power which is written very well. The last few chapters especially are quite intense, it was a bitter sweet ending but overall I feel satisfied with how things got wrapped up in the end. 
 
This trilogy has been an epic adventure filled with secrets, betrayal, love, heart-break, and hope. As a whole trilogy, I definitely enjoyed  the storyline. 
I’m really looking forward to read more books by this author in the future! 
 
I received an advanced review copy for free from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!
 
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: Violence, confinement, torture 
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Bride of the Sun by Jes Drew

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adventurous challenging lighthearted mysterious 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

3.75

I don’t think there’s a lot of Icarus x Apollo retelling out there and I’m not entirely familiar with the original story as well so I was very excited to read this the first time I saw the blurb! 
 
This story is told in dual POV, from Apollo and Icarus – our two main characters. 
Easy to read writing style makes the plot flows smoothly. 
 
A few things I enjoy reading about this book are seeing how Apollo’s character grow throughout the story from the pompous and arrogant God to someone who appreciate other people's decision as well as seeing how Apollo try numerous ways to woo Icarus into falling in love with him. 
 
While I like most part of the story, there are some moments that’s slightly repetitive especially during Icarus's POV. 
The last few chapters took an unexpected turn but all in all it has a satisfying ending that comes with a small epilogue which serves a teaser for what’s coming next cause things are far from over at Crete… 
 
Overall, this was a fun retelling story. I really enjoy my time reading this story! 
I’m looking forward to read the next book in the future and I hope it’ll be here soon. 
 
Thank you to Book of Matches Media and the author for giving me an e-ARC of the book and for having me on this book tour. I’m leaving this review voluntarily!
 
⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: The villain forced the heroine to kiss him when she was a child- this is a past event that is remembered/discussed. There is on-screen violence, but it is not graphically described. 
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