cwrose's reviews
396 reviews

Pacific Tails by Michelle Sauer

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adventurous hopeful fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A fun, fast-paced and action-filled read that doesn’t feel like it’s 500+ pages! As the title suggests, mermaids are the main mythological creature here, but we also have demons, werewolves, and ancient guardians in an urban setting.

The ending is a cliffhanger, as this is part 1 of a series. Overall, I enjoyed this! Perfect for fans of the found family trope, fast-paced new adult urban fantasy with romantic elements. 
Love and Other Alien Concepts by Catie O'Neill

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emotional inspiring lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

I enjoyed so much about this book, as I’ve really been liking alien romances lately! I found this to be more of a cozy Sci fi romance, about a woman in her late 30s who’s all but given up on love until she meets a man from another planet.

I loved that the FMC was 37 and in STEM (she’s an engineer!). Elek is definitely book boyfriend material! And I really enjoyed watching Kate grow into her own, find herself, and learning about the new planet alongside her. 

I’d recommend this for anyone who enjoys urban sci-fi romance, lots of worldbuilding, cozy books, a faster-paced romance, and of course, STEM girlies and alien MMCs. 
Dishwasher Safe by M.J. Etkind

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

A sweet and cozy book about a mermaid restaurant owner and the human dishwasher she falls in love with! I loved this unique take on mermaids and the Pacific Islander rep. Alisi and Sean’s romance was so adorable and really made me root for them. To top it all off, it’s a great story about finding yourself and going after what you want :) I enjoyed this one a lot! 
Lost Crows and Fallen Stars by Abelia Sumpter

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

5.0

In the Name of Honor by Clarke Collins, Courtney Collins

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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? No

5.0

I was lucky enough to not only read this beautiful epic fantasy not once, but twice. I had my first opportunity as an ARC reader and then again for a blurb/ARC copy, and I thoroughly enjoyed it both times! 

This is a modern-day LOTR, complete with a sweet human bodyguard x half-elf princess romance, epic battles between good and evil, fantasy creatures both familiar and new, and a truly despicable villain. The authors also did a wonderful job exploring themes of grief, friendship, found family, and betrayal. 

I’m looking forward to book 2, and fans of classic epic fantasy will find much to love with ITNOH! 
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang

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

5.0

For those are familiar with the folklore of the Four Great Beauties of Ancient China and Xi Shi in particular, this is a very faithful adaptation of it. With beautiful prose and a deep dive into Xi Shi, Fanli, and Fuchai’s stories, I enjoyed this a lot, as a lover of Chinese mythology and folklore! There is a happy-ish ending. 
Happily Ever After? by Melissa John

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

5.0

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

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funny lighthearted mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

The Stillwater Girls by Minka Kent

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

5.0

Given to the Ghoul by Desirée M. Niccoli

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adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

A short, spicy read perfect for spooky season and lovers of monster romance, and it has an HEA. Kept me turning the pages and wanting to know what happened next. Mina and the ghoul had great chemistry, and I enjoyed this novella a lot!