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constancenorene's reviews
377 reviews
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I wish this one wasn’t so spicy. I love small town romance books, I love the characters Laurie Gilmore has created, but this one was just so horny. Get off of her dude! 😭 While the plot line of The Cinnamon Bun Bookstore was extremely cute, the constant smut scenes gave me the ick. I will still be reading the rest of this series, don’t get me wrong- but I’ll be manifesting there’s less stream in the rest of them.
Hazel Kelly feels like she hasn’t done anything with her life. She’s two months away from turning 30, and what does she do? Manage the bookstore and read. When mysterious highlighted clues start appearing in books in her shop, she recruits Noah, Dream Harbor’s resident fisherman and flirt, to help her add some adventure into her life.
Noah has been hopelessly crushing on Hazel for far too long now, making every excuse he can to stop into the bookstore and buy her recommendations. So when she asks him to help her get to the bottom of the book clues, he’s thrillled to get closer to his crush! There’s just one problem: while our playboy is used to casual, he doesn’t want that with Hazel. He wants her, body and soul.
Can they find out who keeps vandalizing the books before Hazel’s birthday? And can they realize how they feel about the other before it’s too late?
Hazel Kelly feels like she hasn’t done anything with her life. She’s two months away from turning 30, and what does she do? Manage the bookstore and read. When mysterious highlighted clues start appearing in books in her shop, she recruits Noah, Dream Harbor’s resident fisherman and flirt, to help her add some adventure into her life.
Noah has been hopelessly crushing on Hazel for far too long now, making every excuse he can to stop into the bookstore and buy her recommendations. So when she asks him to help her get to the bottom of the book clues, he’s thrillled to get closer to his crush! There’s just one problem: while our playboy is used to casual, he doesn’t want that with Hazel. He wants her, body and soul.
Can they find out who keeps vandalizing the books before Hazel’s birthday? And can they realize how they feel about the other before it’s too late?
To Steal From Thieves by M.K. Lobb
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars!
Do you like heists? What about reluctant partners, both plotting to betray the other? Oh, and what about platonic soulmates? And some explosives? Then boy, do i have the book for you.
Zaria Mendoza has been struggling to fulfill her father’s remaining alchemology commissions since his passing. The illegal trade takes pieces of you each and every time you create, and if she doesn’t find a magic source soon, she knows she’s going to follow in her father’s footsteps. She and her best friend Jules have been dreaming of escaping London’s Slums, and so after unsatisfied clients start hunting her, Zaria is more desperate than ever.
Kane Durante wants out. He’s been serving the kingpin Alexander Ward since he was a small child, and lately Ward has been threatening his friend Fletcher’s life. His one and only chance at saving Fletcher arrives with The Great Exhibition, and the mysterious necklace Ward wants brought to him at any cost. But he and Fletcher can’t do this alone- and so Kane recruits Zaria, plotting to betray her at the Exhibition and flee with the necklace as soon as possible.
I loved the high stakes in this book, but i do wish that Zaria and Kane’s feelings for each other were developed a little better! I also struggled with the pacing- the plot felt like it moved a little slow. The ending left me with more questions than answers, so hopefully a sequel is in the works soon!
Thank you to Netgalley and Brown Books! To Steal from Thieves debuts on March 25!
Do you like heists? What about reluctant partners, both plotting to betray the other? Oh, and what about platonic soulmates? And some explosives? Then boy, do i have the book for you.
Zaria Mendoza has been struggling to fulfill her father’s remaining alchemology commissions since his passing. The illegal trade takes pieces of you each and every time you create, and if she doesn’t find a magic source soon, she knows she’s going to follow in her father’s footsteps. She and her best friend Jules have been dreaming of escaping London’s Slums, and so after unsatisfied clients start hunting her, Zaria is more desperate than ever.
Kane Durante wants out. He’s been serving the kingpin Alexander Ward since he was a small child, and lately Ward has been threatening his friend Fletcher’s life. His one and only chance at saving Fletcher arrives with The Great Exhibition, and the mysterious necklace Ward wants brought to him at any cost. But he and Fletcher can’t do this alone- and so Kane recruits Zaria, plotting to betray her at the Exhibition and flee with the necklace as soon as possible.
I loved the high stakes in this book, but i do wish that Zaria and Kane’s feelings for each other were developed a little better! I also struggled with the pacing- the plot felt like it moved a little slow. The ending left me with more questions than answers, so hopefully a sequel is in the works soon!
Thank you to Netgalley and Brown Books! To Steal from Thieves debuts on March 25!
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a million times better than Hidden Pictures, and I couldn’t once figure out where the plot was going. It just kept twisting, which is something I look for in a thriller!
Frank Szatowski hasn’t spoken to his daughter in three years, ever since a fight caused Maggie to distance herself from him. He has his job as a UPS driver and his sister Tammy and her foster kids to keep him company, so his days aren’t too lonely. But when Maggie reaches out suddenly to let him know she’s getting married, and wants him at the wedding, Frank is ecstatic.
Things aren’t quite adding up, though. Maggie is marrying into the family that owns the tech company she works for, and Frank’s future son-in-law Aidan isn’t eager to bond with him at all. When a mysterious letter arrives containing the photo of Aidan and a woman who disappears, Frank begins to realize nothing seems right about this wedding.
As the wedding day approaches, Frank starts compiling the warning signs and clues together, and knows he has to stop his daughter from marrying into this family before it’s too late.
I do feel like the plot didn’t pick up for quite a well, and a lot of the characters were annoying- but they were written to be that way. No one here is good deep down- except for maybe Abigail, the ten year old foster kid.
Frank Szatowski hasn’t spoken to his daughter in three years, ever since a fight caused Maggie to distance herself from him. He has his job as a UPS driver and his sister Tammy and her foster kids to keep him company, so his days aren’t too lonely. But when Maggie reaches out suddenly to let him know she’s getting married, and wants him at the wedding, Frank is ecstatic.
Things aren’t quite adding up, though. Maggie is marrying into the family that owns the tech company she works for, and Frank’s future son-in-law Aidan isn’t eager to bond with him at all. When a mysterious letter arrives containing the photo of Aidan and a woman who disappears, Frank begins to realize nothing seems right about this wedding.
As the wedding day approaches, Frank starts compiling the warning signs and clues together, and knows he has to stop his daughter from marrying into this family before it’s too late.
I do feel like the plot didn’t pick up for quite a well, and a lot of the characters were annoying- but they were written to be that way. No one here is good deep down- except for maybe Abigail, the ten year old foster kid.
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
lost interest for the time being
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
fast-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
5.0
I fear this may be my new favorite Em Hen book. While Book Lovers didn’t make me cry as hard as Beach Read and Funny Story did, it was still an incredibly emotional read.
Charlie and Nora were MADE for each other. Their chemistry is clear from the beginning, middle, and the end. There’s just something about two book nerds gravitating towards each other with differing opinions, only to end up kissing later.
For all the oldest siblings out there, Nora is your girl. She’s spent her whole life looking after her baby sister Libby, and it’s gotten to the point where she’s scared to let go.
The banter, the hallmark movie curse, the small town setting- all of these parts come together perfectly.
Charlie and Nora were MADE for each other. Their chemistry is clear from the beginning, middle, and the end. There’s just something about two book nerds gravitating towards each other with differing opinions, only to end up kissing later.
For all the oldest siblings out there, Nora is your girl. She’s spent her whole life looking after her baby sister Libby, and it’s gotten to the point where she’s scared to let go.
The banter, the hallmark movie curse, the small town setting- all of these parts come together perfectly.
The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was lovely! A fresh take on the realm of the Faerie, with Celtic mythology weaved in. I’m a bit iffy about our love interests due to their age gap and a certain plot detail, but….
Bristol Keats lives a mundane life in the town of Bowskeep, delivering pizzas for the local restaurant. After the deaths of both of their parents, former nomads who finally placed down roots, life will never be normal, but she and her sisters make do. Until, that is, letters from a mysterious distant relative begin to arrive.
Desperate to save her sisters, Bristol agrees to meet with this relative- and finds herself thrown into a whole other world. The kingdom of Elphame is in danger, she may be the key to saving it, and her father may be alive after all. Bristol agrees to their terms, determined to bring her father home, but finds out that the things the irritatingly attractive king of the Danu, Tyghan, may not be as true as they seem.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bristol’s character, and the friendships she formed with the other recruits! Tyghan, however, can go kick rocks. I do not like that man.
Bristol Keats lives a mundane life in the town of Bowskeep, delivering pizzas for the local restaurant. After the deaths of both of their parents, former nomads who finally placed down roots, life will never be normal, but she and her sisters make do. Until, that is, letters from a mysterious distant relative begin to arrive.
Desperate to save her sisters, Bristol agrees to meet with this relative- and finds herself thrown into a whole other world. The kingdom of Elphame is in danger, she may be the key to saving it, and her father may be alive after all. Bristol agrees to their terms, determined to bring her father home, but finds out that the things the irritatingly attractive king of the Danu, Tyghan, may not be as true as they seem.
I thoroughly enjoyed Bristol’s character, and the friendships she formed with the other recruits! Tyghan, however, can go kick rocks. I do not like that man.
I Am Made of Death by Kelly Andrew
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
Kelly Andrew has done it again. I Am Made of Death has to be my new favorite of her books, when I don’t think anything could top Your Blood, My Bones. This is a Bubblegum Horror, a subgenre with bright colors and glitz, rather than just darker tones. The images of blood and rot are broken up by ballet shoes and pale pinks, a pillow of safety in the storm.
After the death of his father, Thomas Walsh has had to take many an odd job in order to keep a roof over his mother and sister’s heads. Anything to pay the bills, and keep his sick mother off of her feet. When he’s offered a high paying job as an interpreter for an heiress who doesn’t speak, Thomas doesn’t question it. As the hearing child of a deaf parent, he can sign in his sleep.
But something lurks under Vivienne Farrow’s pastel pink exterior. A selective mute, she hasn’t spoken a word in years, after a traumatic experience as a child left her unable to. Not only this, Vivienne is determined to shake her new babysitter, swearing she’ll drive him to quit. He’ll tell all of her secrets to her stepfather, including something she’s been searching to find for years- a cure to her little paranormal problem.
Thomas is thrust into a world of new money and secrets, ballet moves and the occult, and it seems like he and Vivienne are the only ones who can trust each other.
Kelly Andrew’s imagery is so VIVID. Every description seems to drip off of the page. I Am Made of Death was absolutely incredible, and I am so very grateful to the folks over at Netgalley and Scholastic for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early! It publishes on March 4, so place your preorders and look out for it in stores!
After the death of his father, Thomas Walsh has had to take many an odd job in order to keep a roof over his mother and sister’s heads. Anything to pay the bills, and keep his sick mother off of her feet. When he’s offered a high paying job as an interpreter for an heiress who doesn’t speak, Thomas doesn’t question it. As the hearing child of a deaf parent, he can sign in his sleep.
But something lurks under Vivienne Farrow’s pastel pink exterior. A selective mute, she hasn’t spoken a word in years, after a traumatic experience as a child left her unable to. Not only this, Vivienne is determined to shake her new babysitter, swearing she’ll drive him to quit. He’ll tell all of her secrets to her stepfather, including something she’s been searching to find for years- a cure to her little paranormal problem.
Thomas is thrust into a world of new money and secrets, ballet moves and the occult, and it seems like he and Vivienne are the only ones who can trust each other.
Kelly Andrew’s imagery is so VIVID. Every description seems to drip off of the page. I Am Made of Death was absolutely incredible, and I am so very grateful to the folks over at Netgalley and Scholastic for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early! It publishes on March 4, so place your preorders and look out for it in stores!
Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
Okay waitttttt hear me out! Why was the Cryptid romance actually good pretty good? Still too much smut for my tastes, but the plot and lore were absolutely fantastic, as well as the cast of characters. Grandma Rhona reminded me of Marilla Cuthbert, with how cold she was until she warmed up.
Keyanna Mackay is left lost after her father’s passing, having no other relatives back home. His dying wish was for her to bring him to his childhood home in Scotland, where the grandparents she’s never met live. Having nothing to lose and everything to gain, Key travels to Scotland, hoping to connect with her family and scatter her father’s ashes. But after an encounter with a rather rude man at the Loch, and a not-so-warm welcome from her Grandmother, Keyanna isn’t so sure about this anymore.
Lachlan Greer knows that he should avoid Keyanna, due to a prophecy passed down through his family. The daughter of Mackay is his bloodline’s end. Cursed to become a monster during the night and a man by day, he’s determined to avoid her- until it’s made clear that Key and her mysteriously growing powers might be the only chance he has at saving himself and his missing father.
The only problem? The feelings growing for each other along the way.
Filled with banter and a family mystery, magic and monsters, Loch and Key was actually a lot of fun!
Keyanna Mackay is left lost after her father’s passing, having no other relatives back home. His dying wish was for her to bring him to his childhood home in Scotland, where the grandparents she’s never met live. Having nothing to lose and everything to gain, Key travels to Scotland, hoping to connect with her family and scatter her father’s ashes. But after an encounter with a rather rude man at the Loch, and a not-so-warm welcome from her Grandmother, Keyanna isn’t so sure about this anymore.
Lachlan Greer knows that he should avoid Keyanna, due to a prophecy passed down through his family. The daughter of Mackay is his bloodline’s end. Cursed to become a monster during the night and a man by day, he’s determined to avoid her- until it’s made clear that Key and her mysteriously growing powers might be the only chance he has at saving himself and his missing father.
The only problem? The feelings growing for each other along the way.
Filled with banter and a family mystery, magic and monsters, Loch and Key was actually a lot of fun!
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
2.5.
Enemies to lovers? More like enemies where one person hates the other and the hated one is in love with them. I found Penelope’s one-sided hatred for Neil a bit annoying, especially since they should be working together in the industry, not against each other. You never do get to see very many Indigenous characters in writing, especially romance settings, so it was a bit of a breath of fresh air to see some representation for once. (The author has been involved in a controversy for not being open about the fact she’s not actually registered as Indigenous, but we’re setting controversy aside and focusing on content.)
Now, the plot. This set up had potential. Four writers on a retreat in a haunted castle, a ghost only Neil and Penelope can see, and unresolved sexual tension. Great! A snow storm sealing them in? Fantastic! What happens next? Well, the longest smut scene I’ve ever come across. Can we get back to trying to solve the mystery behind the ghost in white, please? Less bumping uglies, more sleuthing!
I feel like if you enjoy reading instalust and characters ignoring the fact that they want to get into each other’s pants for like 200 pages, you’ll probably enjoy this more than I did.
Enemies to lovers? More like enemies where one person hates the other and the hated one is in love with them. I found Penelope’s one-sided hatred for Neil a bit annoying, especially since they should be working together in the industry, not against each other. You never do get to see very many Indigenous characters in writing, especially romance settings, so it was a bit of a breath of fresh air to see some representation for once. (The author has been involved in a controversy for not being open about the fact she’s not actually registered as Indigenous, but we’re setting controversy aside and focusing on content.)
Now, the plot. This set up had potential. Four writers on a retreat in a haunted castle, a ghost only Neil and Penelope can see, and unresolved sexual tension. Great! A snow storm sealing them in? Fantastic! What happens next? Well, the longest smut scene I’ve ever come across. Can we get back to trying to solve the mystery behind the ghost in white, please? Less bumping uglies, more sleuthing!
I feel like if you enjoy reading instalust and characters ignoring the fact that they want to get into each other’s pants for like 200 pages, you’ll probably enjoy this more than I did.
Mother of Rome by Lauren J.A. Bear
adventurous
emotional
fast-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
A woman becomes a wolf.
Mother of Rome is a retelling of how Rome was founded, told through Rhea Silvia’s eyes. While in the original myth Rhea and Lupa are two different entities, Lauren Bear combines them here, and it is beautiful.
When Rhea Silvia’s youngest brother is killed, her father, the king, falls into despair, leaving a space open for his younger brother to form a coup. Amulius sends Rhea to the Vestal Virgins, in an attempt to make sure she has no children to threaten his hold on the throne. But Rhea has other plans, and so after a night with Mars, the God of War, she must be careful to stay hidden and keep her sons alive.
Antho is Rhea’s cousin, and she never asked to become the new princess. Never asked for the bretrothal to a man thrice her age. Once Rhea is announced dead, Antho realizes nothing is as it seems, and begins plotting a coup of her own to bring her father’s sins to light.
Mother of Rome is a story of strong women rising above the circumstances they find themselves trapped in. And these women have sharper teeth than the men in their lives realize. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its take on who Rhea was!
Mother of Rome is a retelling of how Rome was founded, told through Rhea Silvia’s eyes. While in the original myth Rhea and Lupa are two different entities, Lauren Bear combines them here, and it is beautiful.
When Rhea Silvia’s youngest brother is killed, her father, the king, falls into despair, leaving a space open for his younger brother to form a coup. Amulius sends Rhea to the Vestal Virgins, in an attempt to make sure she has no children to threaten his hold on the throne. But Rhea has other plans, and so after a night with Mars, the God of War, she must be careful to stay hidden and keep her sons alive.
Antho is Rhea’s cousin, and she never asked to become the new princess. Never asked for the bretrothal to a man thrice her age. Once Rhea is announced dead, Antho realizes nothing is as it seems, and begins plotting a coup of her own to bring her father’s sins to light.
Mother of Rome is a story of strong women rising above the circumstances they find themselves trapped in. And these women have sharper teeth than the men in their lives realize. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and its take on who Rhea was!