booksalacarte's reviews
714 reviews

The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

4⭐️1.75🌶️

Fantasy Romance
Single POV
Celtic/irish Mythology
Unique Magic System
Sentient Magic
Fae
Magical Beasts
Marriage of convenience 
Yearning
Slow burn

Mortal Queen is a republication of Aisling: Breath of the New Creature. I won’t lie, I think the old title and cover were more eye-catching than the new ones, though even the previous covers didn’t quite capture the fantasy vibe, so I understand the change. As for the title, The Mortal Queen feels a bit forgettable. I’m not sure why the team went with it, especially when Breath of the New Creature (or something close to it) would have been much more exciting.

It’s also a little odd to see Aisling referred to as “Mortal Queen” in the narration instead of her name so often—about 50% of the time, in fact. It took me out of the story at times, making me wonder if the author added her name later and used “Mortal Queen” as a placeholder. It definitely kept me from fully connecting with the characters.

That said, the mythology, descriptions of beasts, and the beautiful writing around the magic were my absolute favorite parts of the book.

I really enjoyed the romantic tension. It was so delicately done, letting the focus remain on Aisling’s growth as a character before introducing a more consuming romance. I’m excited to see where it goes in book two.

I’m so glad I have the second book as an eARC because I’m starting it right away!

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Book Boyfriend by Emily Wibberley

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

2.75

2.75⭐️3🌶️

First person
Work rivals
Cosplay 
Opposites attract

I couldn’t help but smile when Book Boyfriend seemed to nod to ACOTAR—specifically the Night Court balls. It was a fun reference that added a playful touch to the story.

The book starts off in New York, immersing us in the publishing world, but quickly shifts to a weeklong book fandom event on a small college campus. The setting felt a bit ambiguous, which was interesting in its own right, though I was never quite sure if I was supposed to take it literally or as a more whimsical backdrop.

The pacing took a while to pick up, with quite a bit of reflection before the plot truly kicked in. At times, it felt like a slow start. Personally, I would have preferred to see those reflective moments play out on the page in real time, rather than as a chapter-long memory. The jump back in time was a little jarring.

The characters had their moments of charm, but also some traits that didn’t quite resonate with me. I wasn’t a fan of the MMC trying to craft a “fantasy MMC” persona—it felt a little forced and ingenuine. As for the FMC, I found her character a bit too flaky for my taste. The miscommunication between the two was also a bit too contrived and felt a bit overdone.

There were certainly parts of the book that were endearing, but at times it seemed to lean too heavily on familiar tropes, making it feel a little stereotype-driven.

Thank you NeyGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

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adventurous challenging dark hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

3.75

3.75⭐️1.25🌶️

Fantasy
Slavery
Uprising
Multi POV
Rebellion

“There was always another secret”

Mistborn is one of those series that, honestly, intimidated me a bit. I don’t usually get nervous about starting new book series, but there was something about this one that had me second-guessing myself. But, here we are—my first Brandon Sanderson book—and I’m glad I took the plunge.

The magic system, based on metals, is really cool and unique. It’s definitely one of the standout features. The setting also works really well for the story—it just fits. The world-building is immersive. Honestly, it took about 35% of the book before I could stop worrying about figuring out the world and just let myself enjoy the story. Normally, I would have started hate reading at that point… and I didn’t. So that’s a positive.

Kelsier and Vin kind of share the “chosen one” role, and it was interesting. Kelsier is super dynamic, and his backstory is intriguing. As for Vin, it was nice that she’s learning the magic system as she goes, and taking us with her. 

The plot felt a little drawn out. The pacing felt slow at times, almost like it was cyclical, and I do think some parts could’ve been condensed to keep things moving a bit faster. But I totally get why people are so into this series.

I’ll definitely continue with the series, though I’m hoping the next book picks up the pace a bit more. But overall, it’s a solid start, and I’m curious to see where it goes!
The Gods Time Forgot by Kelsie Sheridan Gonzalez

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

1.75⭐️1.5🌶️

Memory loss
New York Setting
Dual POV
Irish Folklore
Irish immigrant MMC
Forced proximity

The cover of this book is gorgeous, but sadly, the story didn’t quite live up to it. The time period feels a bit unclear—likely sometime after the Revolutionary War in New York, probably before 1876, since Central Park is still wild and undeveloped. However, the setting has more of a Gilded Age vibe, which doesn’t really match the historical details.

The book also includes a lot of modern references that don’t quite fit the time period. It felt like the characters were living in a different world than the one described, which made it hard to fully immerse in the story. And just to clarify, I’m not talking about the mythical Irish folklore the plot is based on—those elements were fine, but the modern undertones threw me off.

The plot itself is filled with clichés, with situations piling up in a way that doesn’t always make sense. There are a lot of loose ends and plot holes that left me feeling frustrated rather than engaged.

While the main characters had potential, they were overshadowed by underdeveloped minor characters and unfinished dialogue that contradicted the characters’ arcs. Plus, withholding the full myth/fairy tale until the very end didn’t add mystery—it only detracted from the overall story.

Overall, it was a difficult book to get into.

Thank you NetGalley and Aclove Press for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

A Crown So Silver by Lyra Selene

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A Crown So Silver
4⭐️3🌶️

Book 2
High fantasy
Adult fantasy
Dual POV 
Swan lake retelling
Celtic folklore
Unique Magic System
Changlings
Assassin FMC
Royalty
Mythical creatures


The book picks up right where the first one left off, making it impossible not to binge after that cliffhanger.

I’d forgotten how lyrical and flowery the writing is in this series, which made it a bit tough to dive back in.

The romance, which felt so solid in book one, didn’t have the same tension or excitement this time. It’s pretty much settled, leaving me as a romantic a little less invested in their journey throughout book two.

On the upside, the plot definitely picks up, offering a fresh twist on the “chosen one” trope. The Celtic-inspired lore is beautiful and creative, and I found myself drawn to the side characters and their own arcs.

However, the miscommunication between the main couple was frustrating. I felt the MMC (main male character) came off too much like a “simp”—he asked for forgiveness but never seemed to seek any compromise. I’m not a fan of seeing a man turned into a doormat, and honestly, I was more on his side in this particular conflict than hers.

The cliffhanger was solid, though I hope the author doesn’t rely on the same type of ending a third time.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

————————
Fair Folk Series
A Feather So Black 4.25⭐️3🌶️
A Crown So Silver- 4⭐️3🌶️
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

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funny lighthearted reflective tense 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? Yes

2.5

2.5⭐️3.5🌶️

Contemporary Romance
Hockey Romance
Forbidden Romance
Opposites attract



This book was messy… and not in a serves the plot way. I found the writing frantic and unteathered. 

I feel like the magnetic attraction from this couple in previous books was a good starting point, but TB seemed to have decided that it wasn’t enough and that she had to up the ante and make the MMC obsessive, in a red flag way, while making the FMC childlike and overly naive. There was opportunity for growth for both as individuals… that was offered and opened as a possibility… and instead the characters regressed or were handed what they wanted. It was very anticlimactic.


A side note, when did the big shots series turn into just hockey romance? I think the golf book was my favorite of the three that are in the series, so far.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager  For an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective 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

5⭐️3🌶️

New Adult
High Fantasy
Dragons
Silent disability MC Rep
Magic
Found Family
Untold History
Mythical Beasts
War
BIPOC
🏳️‍🌈 Side Characters
Disabled rep
On page, open door spicy scenes



This was a great book. The world building was so insane and intricate, I loved it. And the fact that there is more questions regarding the world building and magic system going into book 4 shows how great of a writer Rebecca is. 

I have so many questions, and I still have so many theories, and I adore that. Those make or break the vibes for me while reading a series. Keep my mind spinning and I’ll be addicted. 

The spice felt like stepping backward, but the yearning was good. I just feel like the story has superseded the need for the spice that doesn’t serve the plot.

Also, Riddick is now my absolute favorite side character. And broccoli had better be ok.

I’ll try to come back in a few days to see if I can refine my feelings on this book. But I loved it. 
Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde

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

4.0

4⭐️3.75🌶️

Contemporary romance
Dual POV
Small Town Romance
Friends to Lovers
Brothers Best Friend
Self Discovery
Forced Proximity
Football obsessed college town

Tw: gaslighting ex, emotional manipulation, toxic relationships, off page domestic violence and alcoholism

In this emotional and captivating story, Melody returns to her hometown after a breakup, only to come face-to-face with Zach, her first love, sparking unresolved feelings between them. The book’s epilogue is sweet, establishing both their friendship and the underlying romantic tension from the start, while the beginning effectively ignites those sparks between the characters.

The characters are well-developed and dynamic, with the female main character (FMC) going through a powerful journey of self-discovery, particularly as she comes to terms with the toxic, long-term relationship she’s leaving behind. It’s a heartbreaking and unique approach to her growth.

The male main character (MMC) is a perfect balance of stoic and tortured, but he never falls into the trap of being a doormat. His strong, individual personality adds depth to the story, especially in a “he falls hard” narrative, which I absolutely love.

The side characters were enjoyable, and I’m hopeful they’ll get their own stories in the future. My only wish would be for a bit more diversity among the characters, which would have added a richer layer to the story.

As for the romance, the spice level is high with many open-door scenes. While these moments are steamy, they did start to take a bit too much focus away from the overall plot at times, which was a minor drawback.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Accidentally Amy by Lynn Painter

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

5.0

5⭐️3🌶️
Contemporary romance
Romcom
Workplace romance

This book’s humor was right up my alley. I found myself smiling throughout, enjoying the witty, almost British-style humor and the moments that were unintentionally funny. The instant chemistry between the characters was cute but also a bit clichéd, though I didn’t mind it, especially with the fantastic banter. The dialogue had an effortless charm, reminding me of Notting Hill, where everything just flows with a “roll with it” vibe that’s both endearing and hilarious.

Also, there’s a cat named Darkling… a delightful nod to the Leigh Bardugo character. Hilarious.

I wish there had been a little more diversity, but it was a good book.

This was my first book by Painter, and I’m excited to dive into more of her work!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Spiral by Bal Khabra

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lighthearted slow-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

2.5

2.5⭐️3🌶️

Sports Romcom
Hockey romance
Pro-sports romance
Forced proximity
Fake dating
Slow burn


The main characters were charming, and I particularly enjoyed the ballet focus of the FMC (female main character). However, I felt that the potential for exploring themes like Misty Copeland and the broader impact of ballerinas of color wasn’t fully realized. I would have liked to see this aspect expanded upon.

While the characters were likable, they lacked depth, and I found myself not fully connecting with them.

The celibacy plotline felt forced and, at times, uncomfortable. It seemed out of place, particularly with the unexplained detail about the male lead’s piercing, which felt both strange and disconnected from the character.

As for the plot itself, it followed a fairly typical fake dating scenario, with social media acting as the central plot device. While the pacing was consistent, the story didn’t quite build the momentum I was hoping for, and the payoff ultimately felt flat.

Ultimately, the book didn’t leave as much of an impression as I had anticipated. I wanted to love it, but it fell short. Unfortunately, I don’t think this author’s style resonates with me.


Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.