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bookishlychar's reviews
2277 reviews
Haunted Ever After by Jen DeLuca
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
3.5
Cassie has bought a home in the small town of Boneyard Key, what she didn’t know, was that the town is haunted and ghosts are always around. Cassie has moved, unbeknownst to her, into a home occupied by its previous resident. Nick, the local coffee shop owner has lived in Boneyard Key his whole life. He soon becomes enamoured with Cassie. Nick helps Cassie uncover some of the ghost stories in the town, but are they perhaps working on their own love story?
I enjoyed this quaint seaside town romance. Jen Deluca did a great job transporting me to Boneyard Key, I felt like I was there, exploring the town with Cassie. Nick and Cassie’s romance was cute, but I thought that the romance aspect of the story took a backseat to the rest of the story. I wanted more of the romance since this is dubbed a romance.
There is a bit of mystery here, and I enjoyed that. I would have liked to get more mystery even! I thought it was great that even though it was a mystery, it didn’t veer into suspense territory, and kept itself in the rom-com genre.
I did not expect the paranormal aspect, and I think it didn’t work for me. That is not the author’s fault, but mine, for missing it in the description. If you like a little bit of spooky, but in a cute spooky way, this may be the book for you! Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
The Break-Up Pact by Emma Lord
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I have been a fan of Emma Lord’s YA novels and was excited to read her foray into an adult romance.
June and Levi were friends as teens. They were connected by her sister, Annie, who has sadly passed away. Now both are back in their hometown after their break-ups with their exes went viral. They decide to fake date to get back at the exes and help June with some needed funds for the tea shop she owns. Spending more time together gets hearts involved, and they must decide if a chance at love is worth the risk of heartbreak.
Emma Lord writes messy characters well and writes their love stories even better. June and Levi are perfect for each other. They both have messy lives, but they work great together. The two together had a lot of chemistry which led to a lot of funny moments. June did irritate me a bit sometimes, she just seemed all over the place, and so stuck, but there was also a reason for who she was. She was living the dream of her sister.
I loved so much about this story. Both June and Levi are struggling in their own lives and with the help of each other are reminded of who they are and what they want. I did feel at times these characters acted a bit younger than they were. They are around 27 years old and I felt that they read closer to 22, especially with some of their communication and avoidance.
Overall this was a cute premise, that is perfect for a small town lover. I continue to enjoy Emma Lord’s novels and can’t wait to see what else she writes!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
read if you like: fake dating, second chance-ish, friends to enemies to lovers
Throne of Vengeance by Rina Kent
challenging
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? It's complicated
3.0
This book picks up right where book 1 left off.
I thought the end of this book was great. We got to learn more about who Kyle really is. He of course saves the day, but Rai is pretty bad ass too. Kyle did some pretty terrible things, even to Rai, which frustrated me at times. I think some of the things he did go beyond the realm of what is acceptable.
Overall the two books were good and I liked being introduced to mafia members that we are going to get stories from in the future.
I thought the end of this book was great. We got to learn more about who Kyle really is. He of course saves the day, but Rai is pretty bad ass too. Kyle did some pretty terrible things, even to Rai, which frustrated me at times. I think some of the things he did go beyond the realm of what is acceptable.
Overall the two books were good and I liked being introduced to mafia members that we are going to get stories from in the future.
Throne of Power by Rina Kent
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Rai nearly broke when Kyle left seven years ago. To save her niece from an arranged marriage, she agrees to marry Kyle, son of a high-up mafia member. Rai doesn't trust Kyle, but this can't stop her attraction to him. She worries that she shouldn't open her heart to him when he will just leave again.
This book sucked me in from the beginning. Rina Kent can suck you in with a story and keep you reading with the spice. Rai does what she can to show she is badass, and can take care of herself. Kyle is a badass hitman, who though he left seven years ago, cares for Rai. I know that Kyle is controlling, and an alphahole like most of Rina's characters, but I did hate some of the things that he did. Especially when he hurt Rai.
I liked the bit of mystery/suspense plot in this book with the different mafias. The first book ends on a cliffhanger, and I immediately picked up book two!
This book sucked me in from the beginning. Rina Kent can suck you in with a story and keep you reading with the spice. Rai does what she can to show she is badass, and can take care of herself. Kyle is a badass hitman, who though he left seven years ago, cares for Rai. I know that Kyle is controlling, and an alphahole like most of Rina's characters, but I did hate some of the things that he did. Especially when he hurt Rai.
I liked the bit of mystery/suspense plot in this book with the different mafias. The first book ends on a cliffhanger, and I immediately picked up book two!
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Kit and Theo were supposed to go on a European food tour four years ago, but they broke up on the way to the trip. Four years later, both, unbeknownst to the other, decide to use the voucher they received on the same trip. It’s not until they get on the bus that they discover they are on the same trip. Now they are trapped with each other for three weeks of travel across Europe. Because they are so over each other they challenge each other to see how many people they can hook up with while travelling. They begin to discover that spending time with each other is as fun as before.
First off, the food tour was truly transporting and I loved how it set the scene for this trip. We got to experience the idyllic countryside of France, Spain and Italy and I loved I felt as if I were in these towns. I also thought the cast of characters Kit and Theo meet along the way were perfect and such huge additions to the story.
I thought, in the first half, we got a good insight into Kit and Theo’s relationship and why things ended the way they did. We then get the second half told from Kit’s perspective and learn that not all is as it seems. You begin to realize that both Kit and Theo changed after their break-up and became more of their own people.
This second chance romance, while bumpy at times was a story that was beautiful for Theo and Kit. You can tell they truly care and love each other, but are frustrated by how things ended. I loved learning the break-up caused them to understand themselves more and make themselves more able to manage a relationship. If you love a story about a second shot at first love, this is the book for you.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
read if you like: second chance romance, forced proximity
Hawke by Jescie Hall
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book follows Nicole and Hawke. Nicole is living with her boyfriend Patrick and seems to have it all. She is loved and taken care of, or so it seemed. When Patrick's friend and ex-con, Hawke, moves in right out of jail, she immediately hates him. But as she gets to know him, she begins to understand him and take a deeper look at her life.
At first, I didn't like Nicole. She seemed to have it all and cheated on Patrick. As we see more into this relationship we begin to see and understand the toxicity that existed. I don't like cheating in books, but if there was ever a justified time, it was this. Patrick was emotionally abusive and gas-lit Nicole so much. I loved how Nicole grew in confidence and was finally able to stand up for herself.
I thought Hawke was an interesting character and it was interesting getting to know him through Nicole's eyes and have the changing opinion as we see who he is. I thought his backstory was so interesting and it truly helped me understand him more.
This book was by no means perfect, but I enjoyed it and the story and relationship between Nicole and Hawke.
At first, I didn't like Nicole. She seemed to have it all and cheated on Patrick. As we see more into this relationship we begin to see and understand the toxicity that existed. I don't like cheating in books, but if there was ever a justified time, it was this. Patrick was emotionally abusive and gas-lit Nicole so much. I loved how Nicole grew in confidence and was finally able to stand up for herself.
I thought Hawke was an interesting character and it was interesting getting to know him through Nicole's eyes and have the changing opinion as we see who he is. I thought his backstory was so interesting and it truly helped me understand him more.
This book was by no means perfect, but I enjoyed it and the story and relationship between Nicole and Hawke.
Bananapants by Penny Reid
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Desmond has returned to Chicago after 10 years for a job. He is a thief and needs to get something back for a friend. He left when he was 15 to learn to manage his mental health. He left his best friend, Ava, behind. She was heartbroken and hadn’t ever understood why. Feeling abandoned and needing a change she goes to an event playing the part of a coworker with a ridiculous accent and wig. Desmond immediately recognizes her and needs to get her away from a dangerous man, blowing her cover. They are unexpectedly reunited and begin to find their way back to each other again.
Ava and Desmond are captivating. I was intrigued by both of them from the beginning. The banter between these two was spot on, and they were able to match wits so well. There is an intensity in their romance, as they learn to trust each other and discover the love that has always been present.
The discussion of mental illness and its impact was done so well. Penny Reid handled the intricacies of mental health and its impact on everyone in such a true and honest way.
There were a lot of side characters, and they were characters from both the Knitting in the City and Winston Brothers series. We get to learn where these relationships led and meet Janie/Quinn and Fiona/Greg’s children. Though this is part of the story, it is not necessary to read any previous series for this book.
Bananapants was a perfect blend of heart and humour capturing me from the first moment. I loved Ava and Desmond so much and thought their story was messy and beautiful. Thank you to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
Empire of Desire by Rina Kent
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
Empire of Desire was my next read in the Rina-verse. Nate comes from a powerful and rich family. He is King's best friend and business partner. Kingston had a child when he was 17, Gwen, who is now all grown up. It has always been King and Gwen against the world. Gwen has been in love with her dad's best friend since she was 15, and she kissed him when she was 18. That resulted in Nate ignoring her existence for 2 years. Her world is thrown for a loop and now she is forced to marry Nate to protect herself.
I didn't know what to think about Gwen in this story. I felt for what she was going through, but I found her immature. I thought reading about 20-year-old her, was like reading someone more in high school. She did eventually grow on me and I ended up liking her and her tenacity. Nate was so protective of Gwen from the sidelines and loved her without realizing it.
I found Nate and Gwen to be very similar. They both have the same feelings of being discarded and truly seem to understand each other. These two worked together so well. Watching Nate fall for Gwen was an awesome site.
I liked seeing side characters that we will get future stories from, but also hated some of them. Gwen's father, King, seemed completely toxic with everyone he encountered and never stopped to consider other people's feelings. I'm not sure if he will be able to be redeemed.
This was a good story, that is not as dark as some of Rina Kent's other books. Her writing easily sucks you into her world.
read if you like: forbidden romance, father's best friend, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, age gap
I didn't know what to think about Gwen in this story. I felt for what she was going through, but I found her immature. I thought reading about 20-year-old her, was like reading someone more in high school. She did eventually grow on me and I ended up liking her and her tenacity. Nate was so protective of Gwen from the sidelines and loved her without realizing it.
I found Nate and Gwen to be very similar. They both have the same feelings of being discarded and truly seem to understand each other. These two worked together so well. Watching Nate fall for Gwen was an awesome site.
I liked seeing side characters that we will get future stories from, but also hated some of them. Gwen's father, King, seemed completely toxic with everyone he encountered and never stopped to consider other people's feelings. I'm not sure if he will be able to be redeemed.
This was a good story, that is not as dark as some of Rina Kent's other books. Her writing easily sucks you into her world.
read if you like: forbidden romance, father's best friend, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, age gap
Lotus by Jennifer Hartmann
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This story was so heartbreaking. I cried multiple times in this story, both for the pain these two experienced, but also for the happiness they ultimately could experience.
Sydney and Oliver were everything to each other. I did find that Sydney was a little "manic pixie dream girl"-esque for me, she was all over the place at times! I understood where she was coming from, with her worries about being in a relationship with Oliver, but I did think that her back and forth was whiplash for the reader and Oliver. I did like Oliver getting to know this new world he was in and that there was a passage of time for him to acclimatize to his new world.
I thought the side characters in this book were interesting and liked seeing how they were fitting into the main characters' lives. There is a mystery/suspense aspect to this story, but I felt that there wasn't enough build-up for it. At times I felt like it was more of an afterthought.
This was a heartbreaking, emotional book. These childhood best friends were put through some of the hardest things. Watching them come out the other side and end up happy, put a smile on my face.
Sydney and Oliver were everything to each other. I did find that Sydney was a little "manic pixie dream girl"-esque for me, she was all over the place at times! I understood where she was coming from, with her worries about being in a relationship with Oliver, but I did think that her back and forth was whiplash for the reader and Oliver. I did like Oliver getting to know this new world he was in and that there was a passage of time for him to acclimatize to his new world.
I thought the side characters in this book were interesting and liked seeing how they were fitting into the main characters' lives. There is a mystery/suspense aspect to this story, but I felt that there wasn't enough build-up for it. At times I felt like it was more of an afterthought.
This was a heartbreaking, emotional book. These childhood best friends were put through some of the hardest things. Watching them come out the other side and end up happy, put a smile on my face.
Losers: Part I by Harley Laroux
challenging
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? It's complicated
4.0
I'm still not completely sure what I just read. I started reading and was a little lost, I then realized I should pick up the Dare first, so I did. It is not necessary to read this book, but it does fill in a lot of blanks between chapters 1 and 2, and also for future parts of the story.
I did like the flashbacks to high school and pivotal moments where Jess interacted with each other guys, and how it impacted them. I love the relationship between Manson, Lucas, Jason and Vincent, and learning what their relationship was like pre-Jess, and how it looked now that Jess joined their group.
I'm interested to see where this is going to go. You can tell that people are starting to have feelings and more emotions in the relationship, but Jess is supposed to be leaving. I will be picking up the second book in this duet!
Please note, that this book has ALL the triggers. Please check them before you proceed if needed.
I did like the flashbacks to high school and pivotal moments where Jess interacted with each other guys, and how it impacted them. I love the relationship between Manson, Lucas, Jason and Vincent, and learning what their relationship was like pre-Jess, and how it looked now that Jess joined their group.
I'm interested to see where this is going to go. You can tell that people are starting to have feelings and more emotions in the relationship, but Jess is supposed to be leaving. I will be picking up the second book in this duet!
Please note, that this book has ALL the triggers. Please check them before you proceed if needed.