book_lover_irl's reviews
437 reviews

Enjoying the Show by Marie Harte

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

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Bad Boss by Stella Rhys

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medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Enjoyable with lovable characters. Decent but predictable plot, but let's face it - when you read as many deliciously smutty novels as I do, the storylines and tropes tend become repetitive. Good pacing and wonderful spice. Narrators voices a little less than ideal but still worth listening / readinG
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Rocker by Marie James

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.25

Meh. I've read several of the books in the Cerberus MC series now. This one fell a little flat for me. True to form of all MC members, Rocker and Jinx were insanely overprotective. The novel gave off stalker vibes with their inability to give FMC the briefest of reprieves from their nonstop. Not highly recommended. I encourage you to pick a different novel from the Cerberus MC series.
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Twisted by Emily McIntire

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I had high hopes for this novel. The premise of a modern day retelling of Aladdin sounded great and the Never After series is so highly lauded. However I just couldn’t get into the novel. The FMC was so incredibly whiny. Her insistence at not telling her dad her real feelings was obnoxious at best. Only made it through chapter 11 (of 40-some) when I decided to call it quits. I’ll try a different book from the series and hopefully like it better. 
Dominic by Marie James

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dark tense medium-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

3.0

Lots of trigger warnings. Make sure you carefully review them prior to starting this book. 

Super dark and twisted kinky. Unlike the other 4 Cerberus MC books I’ve read so far. Not sure how to rate it given how conflicted I am with the topics it touches on. 
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Snatch by Marie James

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

4.0

I've been waiting for Snatch's story since the Cerberus MC series began. I knew he would have a heart of gold under all his sarcastic brashness. I adored this story soooo much! Just read this one if you like any MM storylines.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: 
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, MM

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERN0. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing h0t
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak f0replay count?

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A Double Life by Flynn Berry

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2.0

Started out strong. I like the blurb about the plot / storyline but it quickly lost its sense of urgency. Wasn’t a fan of the way the story was choppy from past and present POVs. Maybe if you like slow burn novels, this will be your jam but in general, I wouldn’t recommend. Had to force myself to finish it after making it halfway through.
November 9 by Colleen Hoover

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

3.0

Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

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3.0

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

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After hearing a lot of good things about this book, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it. I feared the plot summary wasn’t my cup of tea and I hate getting my hopes up on hyped books. 

I’m still trying to decide how I feel about the ending. I enjoyed the story, setting and characters growth and progression. But something about the ending... I can’t tell if I am unsettled by how events were led t or if I wanted additional wrap up before the book ended?

Overall I’d recommend the book. I liked the exploration of what it means to be a “good” mom; the hidden lives of teenagers (parents not knowing all that goes on with their kids); and the intricate and complex feelings associated with class, race, adoption and parenting. 

The issues raised in the book were semi-nuanced. I appreciate that the author did not provide “easy”, clear cut judgements about how the reader “should” interpret things as right or wrong. The  complicated, emotional dilemmas were not solved by clear black and white answers.