iowa_reads's reviews
611 reviews

Season of the Dragon by Natalie Wright

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

3.0

Thoughts: I wanted to love this, but it fell a little flat for me. It was a lot to dive into with a whole world and vocabulary, plus politics? It was....a lot. And very dense. And honestly - the plot could have fit in half the length.  Still going to read book 2 but this was a fight to the finish for me. 
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

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inspiring mysterious

4.0

Thoughts: So many plot twists! Time travel, love, vampires, and witches. I'm really enjoying this series and the different places it takes me. 
Etched in Frost by L.R. Friedman

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

5.0

Thoughts: I first fell in love with L.R.'s writing with Celestial Haven and I have to say - she did it again. The absolute joy I have in her work, from the characters I fall in love with to the world building, is what I love about reading. I can't wait to see who comes next in this series of harbingers.  This one is a Jack Frost retelling with ballerinas in DC, and I STRONGLY recommend it. 

Tropes: forbidden love, fated mates, shifter/mortal
A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

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adventurous emotional
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

I was a little worried this wasn't going to pick up but man, once the plot drops - she DROPS. This was a super fun read about the politics of vampires, demons, and witches. I can't wait to see where this series goes! 
Spitting Gold by Carmella Lowkis

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

3.0

Thoughts: Someone will love this book, but it fell a little flat for me. It had such potential but just didn't do it for me.  I'm not mad I read it, but I'm also not thrilled. It was a book, it had a plot, and I'm meh with it. 
Don't Whisper in My Ear by Sandy Dal Santo

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challenging slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

I have never in all of my days been so angry about a book. This needed a proofreader and major editing. We're just not going to find out why her mom treated her like trash or why her dad didn't want her? This book takes place in 1979, but the female character decides that she's going to name her future daughter Katniss Everdeen after The Hunger Games which isn't even published until 2008.  WHO PROOFREAD THIS!?!?!?
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver

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

3.0

I wanted to love this book because book 1 was so good. But it fell short for me! I'm not a slow burn person and waiting over 300 pages for them to kiss drove me INSANE.  
Unloved by Peyton Corinne

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emotional funny hopeful
  • 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

ARC REVIEW - Absolutely adorable.  A romance with wonderful characters, relatable backstories, realistic expectations, and still light and fluffy enough to make you feel good. I do recommend book 1, Unsteady, first. The characters and stories overlap. 
Unsteady by Peyton Corinne

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lighthearted
  • 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

4.0

Thoughts: Am I becoming a hockey romance girlie? Because this was cute as heck. It started a little slow, because you don't know the characters pasts, but you learn it quick! I'd love some more Bennett in my life, not going to lie. 

Tropes: hockey romance, he falls first, single "mom", golden retriever MMC
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

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mysterious tense
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I went into this knowing nothing other than it was an audiobook and it was "skip the line" on Libby. Holy smokes am I glad I took a chance on this one! Thriller novel with murder, family drama, and just general chaos. So many twists and turns that kept me guessing but didn't frustrate me for not knowing.