ebecks3's reviews
1073 reviews

The Awakening of Ivy Leavold by Sierra Simone

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

4.5

Really enjoyed this one… gave me Bridgerton vibes!!
Root Magic by Eden Royce

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious 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? No

4.0

This was such an interesting story! I’ve read about the Gullah Geechee before but this was such an interesting side of the story. I feel like this should be in the classroom, especially now. This showed the prejudice that they faced even from other Black families. I find root magic so fascinating and I would like my students to read this! 
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

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challenging dark emotional 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

4.0

This was crazy… read this with my husband on our road trip and he kept saying how much this was like The Running Man. I have no idea about that, but I do know that this book will make you think. 
I am glad it was written by a Black person so that our current president won’t read it and get ideas! 
The Baby Dragon Café by A.T. Qureshi

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adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-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

3.0

Super cute, grumpy/sunshine cozy fantasy. I had a very hard time getting into it, but once I did, I really enjoyed it. 
I’m never a true fan of headstrong or reckless FMC, so I took away a star for that. It bothers me and feels like they are trying to create drama. Just tell the story 😊
The Fight for Forever by Meghan March

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dark emotional 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

Perfect ending to an amazing series!!! I am so upset that I am almost done with March’s backlist! I hope she is writing some new books!!
Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas

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dark hopeful tense medium-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

4.0

This book was so fun. I didn’t know what to expect, but from the first scene I was hooked. I love that Krisjen is completely in tune with what she wants. She feels no shame and honestly I feel like a lot of women are like this (especially when they are younger) and I love the ownership of her and her body. 
I had my guesses on who the brother was that she truly wanted and I was glad when I was right. This was the perfect follow up for Credence, for me. And I am hoping that Douglas continues with more standalones about this family! 
Carving Shadows into Gold by Brigid Kemmerer

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adventurous emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I wanted to love this but it really dragged for me. I wanted to feel swept up in the magic like I was for the first book, but I was left with too many questions. I loved moments. I will definitely continue to see how it ends. But this truly felt like a book that was setting up things for the last book and that was frustrating for me. 
Love Jax and Nora and Cinna 
Callyn’s parts were truly exciting. 
Grey and Tycho AND Lia Mara were annoying to me.
House of Scarlett by Meghan March

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dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The endings these books are crazy!! 
I am wondering how this will play out… I love Legend and Scarlett so much. I truly love when the bad boy is only good for his true love. 
We Knew All Along by Mina Hardy

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mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This was just okay. I enjoyed the twist, but I just felt like something was missing. 
Jewelann was a fairly likable character and the author did a great job with making her an unreliable narrator, but I still don’t think this was Hardy’s best work. 
I’m very thankful to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for this edition in exchange for an honest review