You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

emmreadsbooks's reviews
1163 reviews

Not Here to Stay Friends by Kaitlyn Hill

Go to review page

funny lighthearted 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

4.0

A friends to lovers romance on the set of a Bachelor franchise? GOD YES. Kaitlyn Hill writes such great relationships, especially those with a bit of a slow burn. I loved Sloane and Liam's friendship - they slowly realize that they've got some FEELS and it feels so true to life. Oh and it's also HILARIOUS. Seeing a friends to lovers from 2 PoVs is perfection because you can see the mutual longing, and it's even better when you get to listen to it. Not to mention that this is just such a sweet YA romance, focused wholly on friendship and finding your own happiness. Very cute, very fast read, highly recommend.

*Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to PRH Audio for an ALC*
All Downhill With You by Julie Olivia

Go to review page

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

4.0

It is definitely all downhill - a thrill ride of a romcom that left me feeling all the warm and fuzzies. Honeywood is the cutest dang theme park I've seen or read about for a long time and I can't wait to see the future books. Like seriously... Reading Bennett and Ruby is where I want to be right now. The premise of this alone was inspired - a marketing manager falls in love with the engineer she's suing for millions - but it goes past that. Emory is so devoted to finding the cause of the accident while Lorelai works towards revitalizing Honeywood. Not to mention that they each have their own bruises and injuries that they're recovering from... Give me Emory Dawson in a hot yoga class any day. 
Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly

Go to review page

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

4.5

Anita Kelly has this innate ability to write queer romances that wreck you and then build you back up into something better. From the rugged setting of the Pacific Crest Trail to Lex and Ben's blooming relationship, you get to watch everything develop in what feels like real time. While there's plenty of steam, this is more than a romance novel. It's more a coming of age story as Lex learns to accept himself as he is and Ben realizes what he truly wants in life. They subvert common tropes like the third act break-up in an excellent manner and also include some of the best epistolary romance I've read in awhile. It's a grueling tale much like the trail, but it's worth every tear.

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
The Faithless by C.L. Clark

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A series that gets better with each book? Yes please. This time we're in Balladaire which comes with more fun political intrigue and sabotaging factions. With the introduction of the Duke, we know things are going to go south fast for our Qazali friends... but man it's fun. We also get more PoVs, like Pruett and Fili, which is double the excitement. Getting to see how the Balladairan court schmoozes each other and their complicated chess games is just priceless. (Also a fun Jade City reference with the Fingers and the Fist!)

Does C.L. Clark kill every character I love? Yes. Do I love her for that? Absolutely. And I am SO SO SO excited to see what happens in the next one, given that cliffhanger ending. EEEEEEEE!!

*Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Happy Place by Emily Henry

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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? No

5.0

I'm a sucker for characters who communicate. Like it's literally sexier than any smut I've ever read. And mannnnnnn does Emily Henry deliver. It seems like everyone is writing second-chance romance now, but this is next level. It takes fake dating and turns it into fake "still engaged", but we all know that Harri and Wyn still love each other. Add in a lobster festival and a chaotically codependent friend group, and you know that it's gonna be GOOOOOOOD. Julia Whelan also kills it as usual - her gruff cinnamon roll man voice gets me every time. But what's even better is the personal growth that Harri goes through and all of the casual mental health rep. As someone with late diagnosed depression, it was so hard to realize that life isn't this tough for everyone else in the world. I felt so freaking SEEN.

Ultimately everyone and their mom is going to be screaming about this book for the next year, but I'm telling you that it's worth it.

*Thank you to PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious 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? No

5.0

I freaking loved this book!! I don't know why people are up in arms about wanting it to have more romance, but uh... It's branded as a fantasy. While there are some sweet romantic moments, it never eclipsed the story as a whole. Shiori really has to come into her own while facing down Raikama's curse, while also trying to survive. The story is dynamic as we traverse Kiata, with its various festivals and traditions. It felt so lush and vibrant, honestly a world that I would want to live in. The book reads so fast, yet doesn't feel predictable or rushed in any way. Overall a standout YA fantasy.
The Only Game in Town by Lacie Waldon

Go to review page

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

5.0

If you need a warm hug to comfort you about the end of Ted Lasso, this is it. Despite all of the character conflict and an unhinged game to win 10 million dollars, this book will give you the warm fuzzies. For romance fans, note that it's closed door - but the romance isn't really the key theme of the story. This is a story about Redford, with enemies reconciling and coming together for the sake of the town. But it's also mixed with a grumpy/sunshine pairing that's just so endearing, you can't help but root for them. I want to go hiking and fly down a hill in a Barbie Jeep, or eat some cupcakes from Evangeline's. Lacie Waldon, you nailed it.

*Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons and NetGalley for an ARC and PRH Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review*
My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones

Go to review page

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

3.25

I'm just really confused? Maybe I'm just not the intended audience since I'm only a casual horror reader, but I don't feel like I really got it. It was well written and had some really fucked up imagery (in the best way). I also enjoyed the Slasher 101 essays interspersed, especially their focus on the "classics". Jade is an incredibly unreliable narrator and I'm torn if I want to follow the rest of her story. Decisions, decisions...
Forget Me Not by Julie Soto

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful 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? No

5.0

I think this book might be perfect? The narration slayed me with the outright sexual tension between the broody Elliot and the perky Ama. The plot was killer and the steam was perfectly timed - it didn't feel like there was ever a sex scene just for the sake of it. This is a great second chance romance in that there are NO miscommunications! Their initial breakup made complete sense to me, but wasn't ultimately something that couldn't be worked past in time. So when they're thrust together for the wedding of the century? Yeah, something was bound to sprout. Also flower tattoos are a kink I never knew I had, but between Beckett in Lovelight Farms and Elliot Bloom... it's canon now.

I'm hoping that the moody cellist we see at the end is a setup for another wedding themed book, because I'm not done with Ama's stepsiblings yet. Julie Soto, you killed it girl.

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review and to LibroFM for the gifted ALC*
How to Win a Breakup: A Novel by Farah Heron

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

Cute baking and video game YA contemporary? It's like Emm bait. But it truly was adorable and SUCH. a quick read. (Literally the palate cleanser I needed so I could actually fall asleep after the horror book I finished previously)

Farah Heron knows how to write fake dating and slow burn romances, it's an art. I loved the various plot arcs, from the Lady Whistledown style gossip instagram to the game development club. It was busy, but so is high school. Samaya comes into her own in this book as she discovers that life DOES exist outside of videogames and high school clout. Daniel is, of course, the sweetest bumbleberry pie hockey himbo and a fabulous foil to Sam. It was also such fun seeing Tahira being a doting older sister and chasing her fashion dreams. Overall just a precious book for when you need something HAPPY to read.

*Thank you to Skyscape and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*