emmreadsbooks's reviews
1173 reviews

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

A super fun and subtle sequel to Mr Wrong Number, we get all of the laughs that come with navigating online dating with a one night stand to friends to lovers plot. Hallie and Jack have undeniable chemistry. Like seriously, Jack can give me a nickname that sounds like an infectious disease ANY TIME. But also we get text exchanges that'll make you giggle and swoon, the best chaotic roommate ever in Ruthie, and Tigger, king of all cats. I spent last night trying not to laugh out loud while my fiancé was sleeping, but even then Lynn Painter made me bust out a few times. And the STEAM - this is definitely steamier than Mr Wrong Number, starting with a literal bang and more than a few more. Give me Jack Marshall and an elevator any day.

*Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Dark Room Etiquette by Robin Roe

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

3.25

Very reminiscent of Room, this is a dark mystery novel that's a real page turner. While Sayers is wholly unlikeable at first, we grow to empathize with him as he finds himself trapped in a bunker-like prison. I had some issues with the portrayals of mental health throughout, but it was interesting that the reader also isn't cognizant of how much time has passed in his captivity. I did enjoy how Sayers evolves as a character and learns from the mistakes of his past, I just wish that we got to see him seek treatment after this harrowing experience.
If Only You by Chloe Liese

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funny hopeful inspiring 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

This is by far my favorite installment in the Bergman series - full of swoony banter, sports galore, and a heroine who isn't afraid to go after what she wants. We've seen Ziggy in so many of the previous books, but it's worth nothing that it's always from her siblings' perspectives. And man, have they been sleeping on Ziggy. She's full of such power and fire, but keeps getting hung up on what other people think of her. Then there's Seb, the resident bad boy and brother's best friend. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to do some angry yoga with him but he certainly doesn't start as boyfriend material. Let alone even *friend* material.

I felt like this book showed the most character growth out of the 6 published thus far, and that includes even some of the siblings from previous books! It really helped me feel more invested in the characters and just the entire saga that is the Bergmans. This was also my first time reading the ebook rather than listening to the audio, and I didn't feel like it detracted from the experience. Rather it made sense that for the bookish gal Ziggy, I do it the old (but really new) fashioned way. This book is full of easter eggs to previous books, as well as some of Chloe's other novels! This may be the one series where reading them in order is *imperative* IMO (and that's coming from a serial chaos demon)

That being said, I would let Ziggy tickle me until I pee a little for any insider knowledge on Viggo's book because I need that joyful chaos in the world NOW.

*Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Lying in the Deep by Diana Urban

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

4.0

A YA version of The Lion's Den meets The Woman in Cabin 10 - really just an enjoyable thriller set at Semester at Sea. Jade's always wanted to travel, but she didn't expect she'd be trapped on a cruiseliner with her ex and her ex best friend. DRAMAAAAAA! There's so much gaslighting in this book, you really can't know what's real until the end. While certain plot points of this book were inevitable, I did enjoy the foreshadowing throughout. Plus it left me craving answers as to what happened NEXT with that bonkers ending.

*Thank you to Razorbill and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Everything for You by Chloe Liese

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hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

Do I like Ted Lasso? Yes. Do I like the Bergman Brothers? Yes. So why the hell wouldn't I like this epic mishmash?

This book is confetti and glitter shot out of a cannon compared to the rest of the series. There's so much angst and banter, rather than the ooey gooey instalove I've come to expect from Chloe Liese. Am I blinded by my love for Roy Kent? Maybe. But I really enjoyed how Oliver was portrayed from the perspective of someone with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and how we get to see some cracks in his sunshine and rainbows attitude. I'm left craving a Viggo book like it's nobody's business, but alas...
The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

While more romance than fantasy, it definitely felt like something *new*. With elements of mystery and whimsy, the mundane undertaker is catapulted to a distinguished position. I loved the epistolary trope along with enemies to lovers, even if it was the mail carriers who got to have all the fun. Hart is an absolute monster at 6'9", nicely offset by the curvaceous Mercy. While we do get a little bit of steam, the story is centered around the Birdsalls and their business. It almost felt like cozy fantasy - is that a genre? Regardless I loved it and I'm surprised by how much.
Somebody's Daughter: A Memoir by Ashley C. Ford

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reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

Memoirs are so difficult to review, but this one is heartbreaking and lyrical and everything I didn't know I needed. Narrated by the author, we get to hear Ashley's journey through life with its ups and downs, battling an abusive home life and the aftermath of being sexually assaulted. This book is heavy, despite its page count, so take that into account before reading.
And Other Mistakes by Erika Turner

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It almost feels like poetry. We have a young girl struggling with her home life and a semester of mistakes trying to rebuild. She has to deal with an abusive father, a homophobic mother, and just the stress of trying to keep it all together. Now add in the typical high school experience, and you understand just a fraction of what Aaliyah is dealing with. The book is primarily character focused as Aaliyah grapples with her sexuality and dreams, but worries about her little sister Trinity. As a character, she has more things on her mind than her best friend's drama or the upcoming cross country meet and that was refreshing. We'll definitely see more of Erika Turner.

*Thank you to Feiwel & Friends for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Only a Monster by Vanessa Len

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adventurous dark tense 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

It was just delightful. I love a fantasy that questions the line between good and evil and builds a well-crafted world without feeling too overwhelming. There's something about this society of monsters that feels so compelling and gritty. While it is a YA fantasy, I didn't think that it suffered from the normal pitfalls. June wants to understand who she is and find her role in this new monstrous world. The ending, while a bit of a cliffhanger, was still SO EXCITING! I can't wait to read the next one, or anything that Vanessa Len writes if I'm being honest.
With You Forever by Chloe Liese

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

4.0

As usual, I loved the audio. After the ending of Ever After Always, you just KNEW this pairing was coming and it was precious in its own way. The ending itself was a bit rushed and the marriage of convenience plotline was just kind of weird? It may come into play more in later books, but this book is JUST Axel and Rooney for the most part. Light on the shenanigans, but pretty fun overall. Axel is the most reflective of the brothers, being a broody artist, and I'm really happy that he finally got his happy ending.