chaptersofchase's reviews
1045 reviews

Under Your Spell by Laura Wood

Go to review page

funny 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

4.5

Laura Wood absolutely has me under her spell โœจ 
Thank you, Atria Books, for the gifted copy of Under Your Spell {partner} 
 
Genre: Romance 
Trope: Forced Proximity 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 6.24.2024 
Pages: 352 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†.5 
 
"Sometimes, you have to take a risk, follow a fork in the road you didn't see coming, and end up where you belong." 
 
Well, this book was an absolute treat! I devoured Under Your Spell in less than 24 hours because I couldn't put it down. 
 
For starters, even though the FMC is the daughter of a rock god (who I hilariously kept picturing as Mick Jager), she was genuinely relatable because she was trying to get her life together โ€” and aren't we all? Then, there were her sisters. Those two were an absolute hoot, and I would love to see them have their own books โ€” wink wink hint hint. And finally, Theo?? The absolutely biggest cinnamon roll, golden retriever, green flag boyfriend there ever was (and he's an incredibly famous celebrity). The whole cast of characters was a delight, and I loved them all. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿ˜Š Charming characters 
๐Ÿ˜‚ British humor 
๐Ÿ”ฅ Character chemistry 
๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ Cinnamon roll MMC 
๐ŸŽค Celebrity romance 
 
PS. The only reason I took off half a star is that I was expecting way more magic. So, if magic isn't your cup of tea, then Under Your Spell is likely to be your book. 
 
I recommend reading Under Your Spell if you liked The Idea of You, but this book doesn't have the age gap romance, and there's a happier ending ๐Ÿ˜‰ 

 
_
 
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 
 

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Go to review page

emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

F I V E   ๐Ÿ†   S T A R S 
Thank you, PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of  Real Americans by Rachel Khong {partner} 
 
Genre: Fiction 
Trope: Multi-generational 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 4.30.2024 
Pages: 416 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
"Time passes, indifferent to me. So much of my life I have let slip by because I have not attended to it. All this while, instead of seeking more time, I could have been paying attention." 
 
I can't believe it took me this long to read Real Americans. I had no idea what to expect, but Rachel Khong's exceptional storytelling swept me off my feet. I love that we, as the reader, were able to hear from Lily (mother), Nick (son), and May (grandmother) throughout the book. 
 
But what stuck out to me is the way the story unfolds. Instead of hearing from May first (chronologically), we hear from Lily first. We learn her story and see how her life was shaped before she became a mother and daughter and how her mother and son's choices impacted her. Because of this format, Lily was my favorite characterโ€”she tried hard to shield her son from the life (or lives) she left behind. 
 
Audiobook Review: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
If audiobooks are your thing, then I recommend reading Real Americans with your ears. Louisa Zhu, Eric Yang, and Eunice Wong brought this story to life. They did a phenomenal job of representing all of the emotions depicted by the characters they narrated. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿ“– Multigenerational stories 
๐Ÿฉถ Explorations of race and identity 
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Multiple POV 
๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ Phenomenal storytelling 
โค๏ธ Chinese representation 
 
Real Americas reminded me why multi-generational stores are some of my favorite books. They're packed with so much life that I forget I'm reading something "fictional." If you haven't already, I recommend adding it to your reading list for 2024. 
 
_
 
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Worst Case Scenario by T.J. Newman

Go to review page

adventurous emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Another explosive (see what I did there) thriller from TJ Newman ๐Ÿคฉ 
Thank you, Little Brown and Company  for the gifted copy of Worst Case Scenario {partner} 
 
Genre: Thriller 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 8.13.2024 
Pages: 336 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
TJ Newman never ceases to amaze me. How can someone pack that much action into a story and still find a way to make me feel so many emotions that I start crying? Every single book of hers has me an emotional mess at the endโ€ฆ and I love it. 
 
While Worst Case Scenario is a bit different from her other books, we spend some time inside the airplane right before impact, but most of the book takes place on the ground, inside the town lines of Waketa, Minnesota. It added a completely new spin on the โ€œlocked room trope.โ€ 
 
There was a lot seethed into this 336-page roller coaster of a book, but my favorite storyline involved Connor. The whole situation involving this kid made me a nervous, emotional mess, and I left crying, biting off what very few nails I had left, and hoping Newman didnโ€™t do the unthinkable. 
 
Needless to say, when I finished Worst Case Scenario, I needed a nap. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿ’จ Face paced 
๐Ÿ’ฅ Action-packed 
๐Ÿงฉ Problem-solving 
๐Ÿฅบ Emotional stories 
 
I recommend reading The Worst Case Scenario when you have an entire day free. Once you start, you wonโ€™t be able to stop. 


-
 
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley

Go to review page

mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

What a wild ride! 
Thank you, William Morrow, for the gifted copy of The Midnight Feast {partner} 
 
Genre: Mystery 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 6.18.2024 
Pages: 354 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
"It all began with a secret fifteen years ago. Now, the past has crashed the party. And it'll end in murder at The Midnight Feast." 
 
Even though Midnight Library got off to a slow start, I really enjoyed the dual timeline and atmospheric feel of the story. These two additions really gave the overall mystery a more sinister vibe. I love a good whodunnitโ€”especially when the opening chapter lets you know one of the characters will be dead by the end. 
 
However, when it comes to Lucy Foley's books, I need to remember that they will always be very character-heavy, have a bit of a slow burn, and usually have a wild ending. If I can remember that for her following books, maybe I won't be as let down by the ending. There was just something about the ending of The Midnight Feast that felt too over the top and left me wanting more. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
โ›ฐ๏ธAtmospheric settings 
โœŒ๐Ÿผ Dual timelines 
๐Ÿ” Slow burn mysteries 
๐Ÿ—ฃ๏ธ Alternating POV 
 
I recommend reading Lucy Foley if you love a character-driven mystery. 
 
 -
 
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

The Enemy by Sarah Adams

Go to review page

funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

The Enemy Review 
  
Sarah Adams - you are a true gem! ๐Ÿ’Ž 
Thank you, Dell Romance, for the gifted copy of The Enemy  {partner} 
 
Genre: Romance 
Trope: Enemies to Lovers 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 8.29.2020 
Pages: 256 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
โ€œIโ€™m basically trying to throw sprinkles on top of a broccoli sundae, hoping to make it look more appealing.โ€ 
 
After finishing The Match, I was eager to return to the world of Sarah Adams and the most recent installment in the It Happened in Charleston seriesโ€”The Enemy. In The Match, I was giddy over service dogs, but in The Enemy, I was drooling over delicious specialty donuts (naturally, I had to treat myself to donuts after finishing the book). 
 
The Enemy was, in true Sarah Adams fashion - light, funny, and refreshing. I adored Ryan and the ease/confidence of his character, but what I loved the most was that he was the one who (seemingly) fell first. I always adore an MMC who puts his heart on the line. The whole book had me beaming as it was a true delight to read. 
 
 
Audiobook Review: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
The Enemy was narrated by Connie Shabshab (who is new to me, and I enjoyed her narration style) and Will Damron. Will has narrated Listen for the Lie, Bride, and The Rule Book - he was the perfect choice to narrate Ryan. I feel like most rom-coms gravitate towards the FMCโ€™s point of view a lot, but in The Enemy, we heard a lot from Ryan, which just meant I could enjoy some extra time listening to Will Damron. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿšช Closed door romance 
โœŒ๐Ÿผ Dual Narration 
๐Ÿ”ฅ Character Chemistry 
๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ Strong FM 
๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ A Cinnamon Roll MMC 
๐Ÿฉ Specialty donuts 
 
I recommend reading The Enemy if youโ€™re in the mood for donuts - I promise youโ€™ll want to order them while reading this book. 
 
_
 

 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

The Match by Sarah Adams

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Another romance win from Sarah Adams ๐Ÿ’› 
Thank you, Dell Romance, for the gifted copy of The Match! {partner} 
 
Genre: Romance 
Trope: Single Dad 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 5.30.2020 
Pages: 284 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†.5 
 
"You can't control other people, but you can control who you surround yourself with." 
 
What a cute, light romance this was! I loved the premise behind the story and was fully invested once we met Evie's dog, Charlie ๐Ÿค I loved Evie's kindness and selfless attitude towards those around her. She's one of those characters that genuinely brought me so much joy. 
 
The MMC, Jake, was equally adorable, but I did find him to be a tiny bit emotionally immature. This may have been due to his previous relationship, which began at a very young age. Either way, I enjoyed watching his character grow into the person Evie deserved. 
 
I especially enjoyed the parts of the story that discussed the importance of service dogs. I wish everyone who needs a service dog could have access to one, as they can make such a huge difference in someone's life. 
 
Audiobook Review: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† ( @libro.fm) 
The Match was narrated by Rusty Mewha and Leanne Woodward. Both narrators did a great job bringing their characters to life. I'm always hesitant to start an audiobook set in the South because some narrators overdo Southern accents, and it doesn't come out favorably. I also believe that every dual POV romance book needs to be narrated by two narrators. What a difference it can make to the book! 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿง๐ŸฝSingle Dad 
๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ Disability Rep 
๐Ÿฆฎ Service Dogs 
๐Ÿฅฐ Found family 
โ›ต๏ธ Charleston, SC settings 
โœŒ๐Ÿผ Dual POV 
๐Ÿ˜… Complex family dynamics 
 
I recommend reading The Match if you want a light and fun romance to add to your end-of-summer reading list. 
 
_ 
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn

Go to review page

emotional hopeful relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Hereโ€™s your next swoon-worthy romance ๐ŸŽฃ 
Thank you, St Martins Press, for the gifted copy of Catch and Keep {partner} 
 
Genre: Romance 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 10.15.2024 
Pages: 320 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
From start to finish, I was head over heels for Karen, Joe, and his two children, Anders and Lucy. I loved Marenโ€™s courage and positive nature - it was a joy to be a part of her flashbacks with her old fishing partner, Fost. Joe is one of those book boyfriends that will stay on my favorites list for a long time to come - I adored his honest, sensitive nature and wanted him to find someone to love him for him. 
 
The relationship between Maren and Joe was a breath of fresh air for the romance genre (there was no third-act breakup, by the way). There was just something about the ease of their relationship; it felt solid because it had been built on their friendship first. I couldnโ€™t put the story down because I wanted to hold onto that comforting feeling for a few moments longer. 
 
As I mentioned, I quickly fell in love with the characters, and I genuinely loved Joe and Maren together. But the relationship that stole the show (and brought tears to my eyes) was between Maren and Joeโ€™s children, especially Lucyโ€”a moment between those three characters at the end of the book turned me into a blubbering mess. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿ‘ฉ๐Ÿฝ Best friendโ€™s little sister trope 
๐Ÿง๐Ÿฝ Single dad trope 
โœŒ๐Ÿผ Dual POV 
๐Ÿ›ถ Beautiful settings 
๐Ÿคฉ No third act break ups 
 
I highly recommend adding Catch and Keep to your fall reading list! I hope you love it just as much as I do ๐Ÿฉท 
 
 
_
 
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Match Me If You Can by Swati Hegde

Go to review page

slow-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

3.0

Let's go to Mumbai! โœˆ๏ธ 
Thank you, Dell Romance & PRH Audio, for the gifted copy of Match Me If You Can {partner} 
 
Genre: Romance 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 6.4.2024 
Pages: 304 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
"A young magazine writer in Mumbai must prove her matchmaking skillsโ€”and contend with growing feelings for her close family friendโ€”in this debut desi romance." 
 
Unfortunately, I wanted way more from Match Me If You Can. There was very little to no romance - maybe a drunk kiss here and there, but we don't really see the characters together until the end. I also found the FMC to be annoyingly entitled and self-absorbed - she irritated me with her meddlesome behavior and disregard for those around her. The MMC was better, but he didn't seem emotionally available, which meant the character's chemistry was relatively non-existent. 
 
The story felt like one of those reality dating shows you watch, and then you find out the characters split up a few months after the show ended. 
 
Audiobook Review: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
Match Me If You Can was narrated by Mayuri Bhandari, and she did an excellent job. I look forward to listening to her next audiobook narration! 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐ŸŒ Slow Burn 
๐Ÿคท๐Ÿฝโ€โ™€๏ธ Not much romance 
๐Ÿ“– Debut novels 
๐Ÿซ  Miscommunication trope 
๐Ÿ™„ Meddlesome MC's 
 
While Match Me if You Can didn't feel like my special cocktail, I look forward to reading the author's next book! 
 
 
_
  
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer

Go to review page

adventurous emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Perfect for all you magical realism lovers โœจ 
Thank you, PRH Audio and Random House Books, for the gifted copy of The Lost Story {partner} 
 
Genre: Fantasy/Magical Realism 
Format: ๐ŸŽง๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 7.16.2024 
Pages: 352 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
"All books are magic. An object that can take you to another world without leaving your room? A story written by a stranger, and yet it seems they wrote it just for you or to you? Loving and hating people made out of ink and paper, not flesh and blood? Yes, books are magic. Maybe even the strongest magic there is." 
 
I read and loved The Wishing Game last year, so I was eager to return to Meg Shaffer's vivid imagination. I wasn't prepared for all the adventure and emotion I would feel while reading this story. It read just like an adult fairy tale, and there was just something about the story that helped to ease my anxious heart and left me completely mesmerized. The Lost Story is one of those books that is best to go into with an open heart and mind. 
 
Trigger warnings: child abuse, homophobia 
 
Audiobook Review: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
The Lost Story is narrated by the lovely and talented Jorjeana Marie (she has also narrated Practice Makes Perfect, The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley, and Recipe for a Perfect Wife). My only two complaints about the audio are that Marie gave the MC's voice an almost childlike quality, which didn't match the 20-something-year-old character. I also struggled to keep track of the POV, but this was mainly due to the story's formatting. This may be one of the few stories best read through the physical format. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿซถ๐Ÿผ Found family 
๐Ÿ”๏ธ Adventure 
๐Ÿ“š The power of books 
๐Ÿšช The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Vibes 
 
I recommend reading The Lost Story if you're looking for the right book to get lost in. 
 
 
_
 
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/ 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

F I V E  ๐Ÿฉท S T A R S 
Thank you, Dell Romance, for the gifted copy of Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young {partner} 
 
Genre: Romance 
Trope: Forced Proximity/Surprise Pregnancy 
Format: ๐Ÿ“– 
Pub Date: 7.11.2023 
Pages: 357 
Star Rating: โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜†โ˜† 
 
"Isn't that all that we ever want? To be seen and heard, validated even when we're not able to ask for it." 
 
Hannah Bonam-Young has stolen my heart with Out on Limb. I knew I'd love it as soon as I read her author's noteโ€”if she could evoke that much emotion in me before I started reading her book, I was destined to cry at some point in the story. 
 
I typically avoid surprise pregnancy tropes - some people love them, but they usually aren't for me. I've been hesitant to start Out on a Limb, fearing that I wouldn't end up liking the story and would have to DNF (and it's been such a hyped book). But I stuck with it, and it is seriously one of the best, most tender romances I have ever read. 
 
It was about so much more than Win's pregnancy. Instead, it was about Winifred and Bo finding one another after never feeling whole enough for anyone else. Their chemistry is unmatchedโ€”everyone should get to experience this type of love. 
 
Read if you enjoy: 
๐Ÿค A heartfelt authorโ€™s note 
๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ Disability representation 
๐Ÿฅน What true love should look like 
๐Ÿฅฐ Cinnamon roll MMC 
๐Ÿ  Forced Proximity 
๐Ÿ”ฅ Open door romance 
 
If you're like me and the accidental/surprise pregnancy trope is not your cup of tea, I highly recommend adding Out on a Limb to your reading list. It's well worth it! 

_
Follow me on Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/chaptersofchase 
Follow me on StoryGraph:https://www.instagram.com/chaptersofchase/