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hopecobbledpots's reviews
454 reviews
The Stars Could Save Us by Valerie Rivers
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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
The Stars Could Save Us (Book 2 of The Stars Would Curse Us Series)
Authors: Stephanie Combs and Valerie Rivers
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Star Rating: πππππ
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆ ΒΎ
This is one of my most anticipated books of 2024. The conclusion to The Stars Would Curse Us series by the Award Winning Sister Author Team of Stephanie Combs and Valerie Rivers. If you have not read the 1st book of the series, STOP! Even though this is going to be as spoiler free as possible, if you haven't read the first book, you need to read it before this one. I also recommend reading The Stars Couldn't Break Us, a novella.
After the cliffhanger of the first book, I was left reeling. The characters were left in impossible situations. Aella & Arianwen both were heartbroken. The situation was in shambles. The King emboldened, the Rebellion desperate, Prince Kaleidos scrambling for the safety of those he cares for.
I spent this book gasping, crying, screaming "No, No, NO!" and "YEEEEEESSSSSS". This sister duo of authors have absolutely blown me away with a piece of the long game they played. Oh, the key. THE KEY! Round of applause on this whole series.
I will be posting a more indepth review. For now, make sure you read the first book and novella, and then read this book for:
β¨οΈ Amazing Worldbuilding
β¨οΈ Chosen One
β¨οΈ Incredible Beasts
β¨οΈ Love Triangle
β¨οΈ Elemental Magic
β¨οΈ Truth & Consequences
β¨οΈ Reunions
β¨οΈ True Mates
β¨οΈ Revolving Door of Emotions
β¨οΈ She may be silver but he's Morally Gray
I would like to thank @stephdevourerofbooks and @valerieriversauthor for trusting me with this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Authors: Stephanie Combs and Valerie Rivers
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Star Rating: πππππ
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆ ΒΎ
This is one of my most anticipated books of 2024. The conclusion to The Stars Would Curse Us series by the Award Winning Sister Author Team of Stephanie Combs and Valerie Rivers. If you have not read the 1st book of the series, STOP! Even though this is going to be as spoiler free as possible, if you haven't read the first book, you need to read it before this one. I also recommend reading The Stars Couldn't Break Us, a novella.
After the cliffhanger of the first book, I was left reeling. The characters were left in impossible situations. Aella & Arianwen both were heartbroken. The situation was in shambles. The King emboldened, the Rebellion desperate, Prince Kaleidos scrambling for the safety of those he cares for.
I spent this book gasping, crying, screaming "No, No, NO!" and "YEEEEEESSSSSS". This sister duo of authors have absolutely blown me away with a piece of the long game they played. Oh, the key. THE KEY! Round of applause on this whole series.
I will be posting a more indepth review. For now, make sure you read the first book and novella, and then read this book for:
β¨οΈ Amazing Worldbuilding
β¨οΈ Chosen One
β¨οΈ Incredible Beasts
β¨οΈ Love Triangle
β¨οΈ Elemental Magic
β¨οΈ Truth & Consequences
β¨οΈ Reunions
β¨οΈ True Mates
β¨οΈ Revolving Door of Emotions
β¨οΈ She may be silver but he's Morally Gray
I would like to thank @stephdevourerofbooks and @valerieriversauthor for trusting me with this Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, and War
Whims of the Wicked: A Fantasy Romance Reading Advent Calendar by Rebecca Grey
There is a bonus chapter that is sexy times and The author gives a clear warning if Spice isn't your thing, skip it. I really thought this would have been an engagement scene, not just a sex scene. And taking someone's virginity that roughly when you love them is a bit much. I would have preferred a more tender sex scene. Ride the horse, ride the cowboy.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
A delightful story told in 24 chapters as an Advent Book for Christmas.
Sonnet is a fiesty, cunning FMC who strives to help her family by gaining standing in society and Malcolm Black is going to help her whether he happens to fall for her or not.
While I really enjoyed the book, I took off a .5 for a lot of typos. Sending stories through Beta and Alpha readers real helps with this.
Sonnet is a fiesty, cunning FMC who strives to help her family by gaining standing in society and Malcolm Black is going to help her whether he happens to fall for her or not.
While I really enjoyed the book, I took off a .5 for a lot of typos. Sending stories through Beta and Alpha readers real helps with this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content, Violence, and Death of parent
How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix
challenging
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As much as people fear dolls and puppets, I found myself amused throughout this book. I'm getting jaded.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Blood
Moderate: Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, and Death of parent
Since There's No Place To Go by K.M. Gillis
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
Corrupting Cupid by Effie Campbell
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
As a Cupid fan, this is a nice, quick read about a virgin Cupid wanting to sow his oats but not with a nymph or another god, with a human. And he finds one. Who teaches him.
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆπΆπΆ
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆπΆπΆ
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
A Festive Feud by Maren Moore
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
The Traveling Book Goes to School: A Little Free Library Book by Charissa Bates
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A delightful tale of a book that goes to a school's little free library and then travels to various homes. The book also has a book friend in a book named Twisty - a book about tying knots.
Slow Time Between the Stars by John Scalzi
adventurous
hopeful
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Matchmaking Under the Mistletoe by Hollie Luckie
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
5.0
Scoville Spice Scale: πΆπΆπΆ
What a wonderful walk in a winter wonderland! This is my first Hollie Luckie book and it sure won't be my last. I saw the cover, read the description (very meet cute), and knew I wanted to be on the ARC Team. I begged in my application. And she granted me the opportunity to mingle in her world.
What did I love about this book? Fate played a huge part in getting Millie to Springside after her debacle of a marriage ended. Even though it was a freak accident during a freak snowstorm in Alabama, immediately her rescuer saw something in Millie. She needed a place to land and Springside needed a new Event Planner at the Inn. What Huey, her rescuer, didn't say, was the town of Springside's Mayor and Most Eligible Bachelor, needed someone but had holed himself off by staying busy. But it immediately becomes obvious there is an undeniable attraction between them. And watching their story unfold, from dealing with event planning to Millie's run in during her run with the town biddy, Miss Sally who accusses her of being in Spingside only to be a spy for her ex-husband's real estate company, to Millie falling off of a ladder on top of Brian, this charming story makes you root for these two to find love.
Read this story if you like:
βοΈ Meet Cute
π Outside Influences Matchmaking
βοΈ Slow Burn to Hot π₯
π Yes Sir/Good Girl
βοΈ Nosy Neighbors
π Use Your Words
βοΈ No Room At The Inn
If you love Christmas Romances with some comedic relief, this is the book for you!
What a wonderful walk in a winter wonderland! This is my first Hollie Luckie book and it sure won't be my last. I saw the cover, read the description (very meet cute), and knew I wanted to be on the ARC Team. I begged in my application. And she granted me the opportunity to mingle in her world.
What did I love about this book? Fate played a huge part in getting Millie to Springside after her debacle of a marriage ended. Even though it was a freak accident during a freak snowstorm in Alabama, immediately her rescuer saw something in Millie. She needed a place to land and Springside needed a new Event Planner at the Inn. What Huey, her rescuer, didn't say, was the town of Springside's Mayor and Most Eligible Bachelor, needed someone but had holed himself off by staying busy. But it immediately becomes obvious there is an undeniable attraction between them. And watching their story unfold, from dealing with event planning to Millie's run in during her run with the town biddy, Miss Sally who accusses her of being in Spingside only to be a spy for her ex-husband's real estate company, to Millie falling off of a ladder on top of Brian, this charming story makes you root for these two to find love.
Read this story if you like:
βοΈ Meet Cute
π Outside Influences Matchmaking
βοΈ Slow Burn to Hot π₯
π Yes Sir/Good Girl
βοΈ Nosy Neighbors
π Use Your Words
βοΈ No Room At The Inn
If you love Christmas Romances with some comedic relief, this is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Terminal illness and Death of parent
Blood Tribute by Vela Roth
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Star Rating π§ββοΈπ§ββοΈπ§ββοΈπ§ββοΈπ§ββοΈ
Scoville Spice Scale:πΆπΆπΆπΆπΆ
What a delightfully spicy, beautiful story in Vela Roth's Blood Mercy World. Nora and Dav evokes such passion in novella form. Vela skillfully draws the reader into an atmosphere of the clearing that holds trauma for Nora yet she persists on her mission. Dav also has a mission-to honor what his brother requested of him as he died. Watching the dance between these characters as they ignite into a roaring fire but with genuine feelings made this novella so very good. Dav's seductive charms strip Nora of her preconceived notions of Hesperines.
Read this book if you like:
Enemies To Lovers
Who Did This To You?
You're Vile/Take Me With You
Virgin
Mind Mage Magic
Blazing Burn
You can read this book as a standalone book if you haven't read any books in the Blood Mercy World. I highly recommend this novella.
Scoville Spice Scale:πΆπΆπΆπΆπΆ
What a delightfully spicy, beautiful story in Vela Roth's Blood Mercy World. Nora and Dav evokes such passion in novella form. Vela skillfully draws the reader into an atmosphere of the clearing that holds trauma for Nora yet she persists on her mission. Dav also has a mission-to honor what his brother requested of him as he died. Watching the dance between these characters as they ignite into a roaring fire but with genuine feelings made this novella so very good. Dav's seductive charms strip Nora of her preconceived notions of Hesperines.
Read this book if you like:
Enemies To Lovers
Who Did This To You?
You're Vile/Take Me With You
Virgin
Mind Mage Magic
Blazing Burn
You can read this book as a standalone book if you haven't read any books in the Blood Mercy World. I highly recommend this novella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent