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buffyreads's reviews
497 reviews
Wrapped Up in You by Talia Hibbert
4.0
The Good
Yay! Another Talia Hibbert book! Will and Abbie were both so in love with each other but so scared. I love books with mutual pining and friends too lovers. From the first chapter it was sickeningly sweet and then became a very special and deep story.
The Bad
This book was much more angsty than the cover would suggest. I thought it was going to be a cute christmas story but it was quite sad actually.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
Yay! Another Talia Hibbert book! Will and Abbie were both so in love with each other but so scared. I love books with mutual pining and friends too lovers. From the first chapter it was sickeningly sweet and then became a very special and deep story.
The Bad
This book was much more angsty than the cover would suggest. I thought it was going to be a cute christmas story but it was quite sad actually.
Format:
Libby — Audiobook
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
A Scoundrel of Her Own by Stacy Reid
5.0
The Good
This book was very very good. From the characters to the plot, it was amazing. I never could guess what direction it was going in or what the characters were going to do and that was a delightful change in a historical romance novel.
The Bad
There was none. While reading I thought this was going to be another story where the male lead cannot admit to the female lead he loves her but that doesn't happen here. My every worry over where the novel could negatively go was completely sidestepped and I was so relieved.
The Rating
5/5⭐️ I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a spicy story with incredible lead characters and beautiful plot.
This book was very very good. From the characters to the plot, it was amazing. I never could guess what direction it was going in or what the characters were going to do and that was a delightful change in a historical romance novel.
The Bad
There was none. While reading I thought this was going to be another story where the male lead cannot admit to the female lead he loves her but that doesn't happen here. My every worry over where the novel could negatively go was completely sidestepped and I was so relieved.
The Rating
5/5⭐️ I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a spicy story with incredible lead characters and beautiful plot.
The Princess Trap by Talia Hibbert
2.0
I previously DNF-ed this book but for the sake of my Talia Hibbert binge I am re-reading it!
Highlights:
I love fake dating and vague european royalty stories so the concept is perfect for me. I loved the angst and how they addressed the power dynamic. Many stories have people forced into a a fake relationship situation but this is the first I've read with this type of angst surrounding it and I liked it.
Lowlights:
The insta-lust was the reason I originally dnf-ed and I couldn't remember why it made me so mad but I think it's how much Ruben's point of view is him just saying how hot Cherry is over and over like we know. I found it very repetitive and it wasn't adding anything to the story to have it be all he thought about constantly. I usually love Talia Hibbert books but this one was really strange. I didn't connect to Ruben at all and this and I didn't feel like I really knew either of them nor did I feel like they knew each other. I need more than sex out of couples to enjoy their relationships. I didn't care what happened to either of them by the end and wasn't rooting for them together.
Horn Level: 5/5
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 2/5
Highlights:
I love fake dating and vague european royalty stories so the concept is perfect for me. I loved the angst and how they addressed the power dynamic. Many stories have people forced into a a fake relationship situation but this is the first I've read with this type of angst surrounding it and I liked it.
Lowlights:
The insta-lust was the reason I originally dnf-ed and I couldn't remember why it made me so mad but I think it's how much Ruben's point of view is him just saying how hot Cherry is over and over like we know. I found it very repetitive and it wasn't adding anything to the story to have it be all he thought about constantly. I usually love Talia Hibbert books but this one was really strange. I didn't connect to Ruben at all and this and I didn't feel like I really knew either of them nor did I feel like they knew each other. I need more than sex out of couples to enjoy their relationships. I didn't care what happened to either of them by the end and wasn't rooting for them together.
Horn Level: 5/5
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 2/5
Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter
5.0
Characters:
Aja is a black woman with social anxiety trying to break out of her shell. Walker is a southern man back in his hometown to take care of his grandmother. He has a lot of hurt and trauma to deal with.
Plot:
The center of this story is anxiety and how it affects different people differently and presents differently as well. It really goes into depth on how it manifests itself and how each character deals with it. I felt so seen. I loved how their relationship progressed slowly and steadily even though there was instant attraction. Their level of communication was also great and it was so refreshing. I love that everything wasn't magically resolved at the end but hopeful. And that the characters were dedicated to being themselves and trying their best.
Secret Sauce:
Their flirting and chemistry is so good. Their conversations felt natural and they understood each other a lot.
Rating: I give this book a 5/5
Aja is a black woman with social anxiety trying to break out of her shell. Walker is a southern man back in his hometown to take care of his grandmother. He has a lot of hurt and trauma to deal with.
Plot:
The center of this story is anxiety and how it affects different people differently and presents differently as well. It really goes into depth on how it manifests itself and how each character deals with it. I felt so seen. I loved how their relationship progressed slowly and steadily even though there was instant attraction. Their level of communication was also great and it was so refreshing. I love that everything wasn't magically resolved at the end but hopeful. And that the characters were dedicated to being themselves and trying their best.
Secret Sauce:
Their flirting and chemistry is so good. Their conversations felt natural and they understood each other a lot.
Rating: I give this book a 5/5
The Perks of Loving a Wallflower by Erica Ridley
4.0
The Good
Tommy's pining was everything! Her love towards Philippa and willingness to help her even if it hurt really touch me. And her flirting... I was kicking my feet! I loved how bold and uncompromising she was with her love. She knew what she wanted and wanted nothing less. Philippa is an interesting character. She is kind, selfless, and a great friend. I also liked that she was flawed. She both wanted adventure and control but also was constantly willing to go along with anything her parents asked of her. It was often contradictory and difficult to which she sometimes choose to ignore. Tommy and Philippa has amazing chemistry. I loved the slow burn and the mutual pinning between them.
The Bad
I expected to dislike the subplot of this book which is why I didn't not finish it the first time. It's easy enough to ignore but I wish it had actually been more interesting. I wish the cover reflected how Tommy is described. Tommy is more butch than femme as shown in the cover. It's an very important aspect of the book and the cover feels wrong.
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
Tommy's pining was everything! Her love towards Philippa and willingness to help her even if it hurt really touch me. And her flirting... I was kicking my feet! I loved how bold and uncompromising she was with her love. She knew what she wanted and wanted nothing less. Philippa is an interesting character. She is kind, selfless, and a great friend. I also liked that she was flawed. She both wanted adventure and control but also was constantly willing to go along with anything her parents asked of her. It was often contradictory and difficult to which she sometimes choose to ignore. Tommy and Philippa has amazing chemistry. I loved the slow burn and the mutual pinning between them.
The Bad
I expected to dislike the subplot of this book which is why I didn't not finish it the first time. It's easy enough to ignore but I wish it had actually been more interesting. I wish the cover reflected how Tommy is described. Tommy is more butch than femme as shown in the cover. It's an very important aspect of the book and the cover feels wrong.
Format:
Audiobook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 4/5
The Love Con by Seressia Glass
3.0
Characters:
Kenya is passionate and confident. I loved how confident she was and her drive to win. But the amount she overthinks frustrated me. Cam is such a good partner and so supportive. Kenya's parents were the typical overbearing archetype but got really awful towards the end I was surprised.
Plot:
This story is a mixture of a lot of this I love. A story centered around cosplay and fandom, childhood friends to lovers, and fake dating all with a black lead! Muah! However, the ultimatum aspect from her parents seemed a bit silly to me since she is an adult who doesn't depend on them for money. It was added to make the stakes even higher but was unnecessary. The producers seemed realistic especially if you like the bachelor and know the behind the scenes things they do. There was much more emotional drama than I thought there would be and it caused the middle of the book to drag and it wasn't fun or satisfying towards the end.
Secret Sauce:
From the first scene of Cam and Kenya the chemistry was amazing. The banter was written very well and their flirting felt real. They reminded me of Barry and Iris on the Flash.
Rating: I give this book a 3/5
Kenya is passionate and confident. I loved how confident she was and her drive to win. But the amount she overthinks frustrated me. Cam is such a good partner and so supportive. Kenya's parents were the typical overbearing archetype but got really awful towards the end I was surprised.
Plot:
This story is a mixture of a lot of this I love. A story centered around cosplay and fandom, childhood friends to lovers, and fake dating all with a black lead! Muah! However, the ultimatum aspect from her parents seemed a bit silly to me since she is an adult who doesn't depend on them for money. It was added to make the stakes even higher but was unnecessary. The producers seemed realistic especially if you like the bachelor and know the behind the scenes things they do. There was much more emotional drama than I thought there would be and it caused the middle of the book to drag and it wasn't fun or satisfying towards the end.
Secret Sauce:
From the first scene of Cam and Kenya the chemistry was amazing. The banter was written very well and their flirting felt real. They reminded me of Barry and Iris on the Flash.
Rating: I give this book a 3/5
Count Your Lucky Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur
2.0
The Good
I second chance romance is hit or miss for me but I craved a good sapphic romance and decided to give this a shot. I loved Olivia and understood her. She's a people pleaser and that is a hard thing to break out of. Margot was more difficult of a character to like. The set up was interesting and fun but once they got into the friends with benefits situation is when it all falls apart.
The Bad
The lack of communication/ miscommunication was killing me. Especially when the second time they both know it was a communication issue that ruined their relationship the first time. They were such great friends but can't have one honest conversation and make so many assumptions about what the other person is thinking. A second chance romance with them making the exact same mistakes is so exhausting. I also wish there had been flashbacks of their friendship so we understood their relationship more and felt mire yearning between them. I felt like the middle of this book drags, nothing important was happening. I also found Margot's friends overbearing and oddly judgmental at times. It's like they knew what she was like but instead of changing things to include her they just didn't invite her or excluded her. I didn't read the previous books so maybe I would like them more but I found myself very annoyed.
The Rating
I give this book a 2/5
I second chance romance is hit or miss for me but I craved a good sapphic romance and decided to give this a shot. I loved Olivia and understood her. She's a people pleaser and that is a hard thing to break out of. Margot was more difficult of a character to like. The set up was interesting and fun but once they got into the friends with benefits situation is when it all falls apart.
The Bad
The lack of communication/ miscommunication was killing me. Especially when the second time they both know it was a communication issue that ruined their relationship the first time. They were such great friends but can't have one honest conversation and make so many assumptions about what the other person is thinking. A second chance romance with them making the exact same mistakes is so exhausting. I also wish there had been flashbacks of their friendship so we understood their relationship more and felt mire yearning between them. I felt like the middle of this book drags, nothing important was happening. I also found Margot's friends overbearing and oddly judgmental at times. It's like they knew what she was like but instead of changing things to include her they just didn't invite her or excluded her. I didn't read the previous books so maybe I would like them more but I found myself very annoyed.
The Rating
I give this book a 2/5
To Marry and to Meddle by Martha Waters
Characters:
I like Emily, because of her story with her family but I didn't obsess over her. I wish she really had some growth or development and stood up for herself. Julian was ick to me. He came off as pretentious and not charming at all. Especially with this thoughts and ideas about "ladies". He is stubborn and selfish because of his established daddy issues but there isn't enough to him to make you over look his flaws.
Plot:
The book has things happening but it's boring at the same time. It's like it's stretched out to reach a word count minimum. It was so boring. The male lead owing a theater is something new and refreshing that I haven't seen before.
Secret Sauce:
Chemistry... It's not really there. I didn't really feel anything between them. It was lukewarm at best. Their banter was good at times but Julien's character was like nails on a chalkboard to me, especially in his point of view so I couldn't get into it.
Rating: I give this book a 2/5
2.0
Mini Review!~
Characters:
I like Emily, because of her story with her family but I didn't obsess over her. I wish she really had some growth or development and stood up for herself. Julian was ick to me. He came off as pretentious and not charming at all. Especially with this thoughts and ideas about "ladies". He is stubborn and selfish because of his established daddy issues but there isn't enough to him to make you over look his flaws.
Plot:
The book has things happening but it's boring at the same time. It's like it's stretched out to reach a word count minimum. It was so boring. The male lead owing a theater is something new and refreshing that I haven't seen before.
Secret Sauce:
Chemistry... It's not really there. I didn't really feel anything between them. It was lukewarm at best. Their banter was good at times but Julien's character was like nails on a chalkboard to me, especially in his point of view so I couldn't get into it.
Rating: I give this book a 2/5
The Blood Trials by N.E. Davenport
3.0
The Good
I love young adult stories badass women excelling and searching for revenge so this was right up my alley! Ikenna is a ball of anger, pride and grief. I love that she is unabashedly talented and knows it. Reed and Ikenna had good chemistry. I liked the push and pull between them. The trials were the best part and were each super interesting and fun.
The Bad
The story really dragged for me towards the end. The mystery of who killed Ikenna's grandfather couldn't keep my interest and once the trials were over I felt like the wind was taken out of the sails of this story. It felt like it turned into another book. I feel conflicted about Reed. He cares for Ikenna and is better than Chance but is ultimately entirely complicit in these sick trials and believes in them. I found it laughable in one part of the book where he wanted to know what Chance said because what exactly was he going to do about it? Nothing. He was all morals and protocol in a system he was aware was corrupt and unfair. That made him less appealing to me. This book was gruesome which I enjoyed at sometimes and hated at others. The cannibalism grosses me out very bad, so much so I considered dropping the book. This isn't a negative for those with a strong stomach but for my fellow squeamish folk here's a warning.
Format:
Ebook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5
I love young adult stories badass women excelling and searching for revenge so this was right up my alley! Ikenna is a ball of anger, pride and grief. I love that she is unabashedly talented and knows it. Reed and Ikenna had good chemistry. I liked the push and pull between them. The trials were the best part and were each super interesting and fun.
The Bad
The story really dragged for me towards the end. The mystery of who killed Ikenna's grandfather couldn't keep my interest and once the trials were over I felt like the wind was taken out of the sails of this story. It felt like it turned into another book. I feel conflicted about Reed. He cares for Ikenna and is better than Chance but is ultimately entirely complicit in these sick trials and believes in them. I found it laughable in one part of the book where he wanted to know what Chance said because what exactly was he going to do about it? Nothing. He was all morals and protocol in a system he was aware was corrupt and unfair. That made him less appealing to me. This book was gruesome which I enjoyed at sometimes and hated at others. The cannibalism grosses me out very bad, so much so I considered dropping the book. This isn't a negative for those with a strong stomach but for my fellow squeamish folk here's a warning.
Format:
Ebook — Libby
The Rating
I give this book a 3/5