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julisbookshelf's reviews
187 reviews
My December Darling by Lauren Asher
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
This was super fun and super cute!!
I ate it in just a few hours, Lauren putting this one out now was just what I needed 🙈
The plot is fun, the characters are fun, I mean… Luke Darling you surely know how to make a woman happy my friend.. he is, as expected.. a number one book boyfriend type of guy 😮💨
The LEGO building was just the cherry on top for me to crown this as my favorite Christmas read so far 😅🤭
I really loved how Lauren delivered this story, her writing was AS ALWAYS on top 🫶🏻
I obviously wanted more but yeah, 50k words and all that 🥲 so that’s why you’re getting a 130 words review too, happy holidays 🎅🏻🎄
I ate it in just a few hours, Lauren putting this one out now was just what I needed 🙈
The plot is fun, the characters are fun, I mean… Luke Darling you surely know how to make a woman happy my friend.. he is, as expected.. a number one book boyfriend type of guy 😮💨
The LEGO building was just the cherry on top for me to crown this as my favorite Christmas read so far 😅🤭
I really loved how Lauren delivered this story, her writing was AS ALWAYS on top 🫶🏻
I obviously wanted more but yeah, 50k words and all that 🥲 so that’s why you’re getting a 130 words review too, happy holidays 🎅🏻🎄
How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
This was really funny!!
From the narrator thing, I was laughing a crazy amount 😂 it honestly felt like watching a Christmas movie!
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would because let me tell ya I wasn’t having big expectations on this one. And maybe I liked it more just because it is Christmas season 😅
The town competition was so fun and the side characters added so much more!
Now, I think we can all agree that the candy cane scene was…. uncalled for? 😖 Idk about you guys but THAT I did not enjoyed not even for a second
It did felt a bit longer unnecessarily but overall it was a fun Christmas read 🎄🎅🏻
From the narrator thing, I was laughing a crazy amount 😂 it honestly felt like watching a Christmas movie!
I enjoyed it more than I thought I would because let me tell ya I wasn’t having big expectations on this one. And maybe I liked it more just because it is Christmas season 😅
The town competition was so fun and the side characters added so much more!
Now, I think we can all agree that the candy cane scene was…. uncalled for? 😖 Idk about you guys but THAT I did not enjoyed not even for a second
It did felt a bit longer unnecessarily but overall it was a fun Christmas read 🎄🎅🏻
Betting On You by Lynn Painter
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
This was so freaking cute. Just what I needed 🥹
It’s a perfect young adult pick, I laughed A LOT, and as a daughter of divorced parents my heart sank for Bailey 🥲
Charlie is such a cute, funny and sarcastic guy, his humor is EVERYTHING. I absolutely would’ve fallen for him too 😂
Bailey is an over thinker and that’s pretty much just what was needed to get me to sympathize with her in every sense 😅
But them together? They just fit! It wasn’t forced and it was really cute. The banter was there from the very first page, there’s this invisible string pulling them together (yup, TS reference here). And the friendship dynamic between the two was so good!
What I don’t love like EVER is third act breakups, so unnecessary 😭 it takes all the joy!
But overall this was a fun read, and I enjoyed it a lot!
It’s a perfect young adult pick, I laughed A LOT, and as a daughter of divorced parents my heart sank for Bailey 🥲
Charlie is such a cute, funny and sarcastic guy, his humor is EVERYTHING. I absolutely would’ve fallen for him too 😂
Bailey is an over thinker and that’s pretty much just what was needed to get me to sympathize with her in every sense 😅
But them together? They just fit! It wasn’t forced and it was really cute. The banter was there from the very first page, there’s this invisible string pulling them together (yup, TS reference here). And the friendship dynamic between the two was so good!
What I don’t love like EVER is third act breakups, so unnecessary 😭 it takes all the joy!
But overall this was a fun read, and I enjoyed it a lot!
The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt
challenging
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
This was… pleasantly surprising
It’s a marriage of convenience in kinda a different way? I don’t know, I perceived it differently than I always do, but in a VERY good way!
The plot is interesting, you can see the romance build up from scratch, the characters are likable.. the secondary characters are cute and have their own moments.
I wasn’t expecting that much of sadness at the beginning, but it eventually turned out to be pretty lighthearted, so I’ll take it.
The slow burn?!?!? GOD!! THE BANTER???? I. Died.
To clarify my rating has anything to do with the story, characters and beautiful pace and everything to do with the mixed timelines at the beginning.. I was all over the place until I finally got to catch up with everything 😅 I had a bit of a hard time through the first 15 or so chapters 🙈 but that’s just a ME thing 😅
Anyway, I strongly recommend this book 😮💨
And OH MY GOD, do I have to tell you that this book has an epilogue TEN YEARS IN THE FUTURE?!? I mean, I was in my freaking paradise, THANK YOU TARAH, you truly understood my needs for MORE 🥹💖
It’s a marriage of convenience in kinda a different way? I don’t know, I perceived it differently than I always do, but in a VERY good way!
The plot is interesting, you can see the romance build up from scratch, the characters are likable.. the secondary characters are cute and have their own moments.
I wasn’t expecting that much of sadness at the beginning, but it eventually turned out to be pretty lighthearted, so I’ll take it.
The slow burn?!?!? GOD!! THE BANTER???? I. Died.
To clarify my rating has anything to do with the story, characters and beautiful pace and everything to do with the mixed timelines at the beginning.. I was all over the place until I finally got to catch up with everything 😅 I had a bit of a hard time through the first 15 or so chapters 🙈 but that’s just a ME thing 😅
Anyway, I strongly recommend this book 😮💨
And OH MY GOD, do I have to tell you that this book has an epilogue TEN YEARS IN THE FUTURE?!? I mean, I was in my freaking paradise, THANK YOU TARAH, you truly understood my needs for MORE 🥹💖
Great And Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
That was absolutely the most beautiful and meaningful book I’ve ever read 😭
Rebecca, what are you doing to me?? Every single book of yours that I read is a 5 star for me!!
My heart aches for Art, even as stubborn and evil as he was when it came to Cam.. my heart broke a million times in a million pieces for the decisions of his life taken away from him. Nobody, EVER deserves that.
Cam, poor man. Beautiful soul, a villain of a story wrongly told. I’m so happy you got your happy ending love 😭
And Willow, you gorgeous strong woman Ilysm 😭
I ate this book so easily!?!?!! perfectly written, characters you actually WANT to know, amazing plot, with the perfect twist to cherry everything that was already a chef kiss.
And I won’t say more because you 100% NEED to pick this book and give it a try.
Rebecca you don’t EVER disappoint me, THANK YOU 🛐
Rebecca, what are you doing to me?? Every single book of yours that I read is a 5 star for me!!
My heart aches for Art, even as stubborn and evil as he was when it came to Cam.. my heart broke a million times in a million pieces for the decisions of his life taken away from him. Nobody, EVER deserves that.
Cam, poor man. Beautiful soul, a villain of a story wrongly told. I’m so happy you got your happy ending love 😭
And Willow, you gorgeous strong woman Ilysm 😭
I ate this book so easily!?!?!! perfectly written, characters you actually WANT to know, amazing plot, with the perfect twist to cherry everything that was already a chef kiss.
And I won’t say more because you 100% NEED to pick this book and give it a try.
Rebecca you don’t EVER disappoint me, THANK YOU 🛐
Wild Eyes by Elsie Silver
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.75
I thought I couldn’t love anyone more than I loved Ford Grant and then Weston appeared and told me “you were saying?”
God that man is just simply perfect. What else am I supposed to tell you guys? He’s a supportive, kind, caring, compassionate, hardworking, considerate, such a lovable man and on top of that a single dad of 2.
Oh my gosh how I loved Ollie and Emmy!! Those kinds melted my heart 🥹
And Skylar, my dear Skylar you didn’t deserved the hell you were put through, it was so lovely to watch her grow and evolve, to watch her come back to life.
The pace was amazing, the characters are lovable, background story is well described, it’s such a funny story since the very first chapter, the chemistry is there because I mean…. have you met Weston? How could you not love the guy??
Am I putting this one up above Wild Love? Yes, yes I am. Just by a tiny little bit tho, I still love you deeply daddy Ford 🫶🏻
God that man is just simply perfect. What else am I supposed to tell you guys? He’s a supportive, kind, caring, compassionate, hardworking, considerate, such a lovable man and on top of that a single dad of 2.
Oh my gosh how I loved Ollie and Emmy!! Those kinds melted my heart 🥹
And Skylar, my dear Skylar you didn’t deserved the hell you were put through, it was so lovely to watch her grow and evolve, to watch her come back to life.
The pace was amazing, the characters are lovable, background story is well described, it’s such a funny story since the very first chapter, the chemistry is there because I mean…. have you met Weston? How could you not love the guy??
Am I putting this one up above Wild Love? Yes, yes I am. Just by a tiny little bit tho, I still love you deeply daddy Ford 🫶🏻
Crossroads by Devney Perry
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
My god..
Devney Perry has done it again
Five fucking stars. That’s it. When I tell you I loved this book… I mean how could I not?!?
The plot is common, yeah.. girl returns to small town BUT WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE BUYS HER EX’S (kinda) LAND?? Oh this one was juicy from the very first page, I CRAVED for more. I devoured this in 24 hours and it only took me that long to finish because I had to work my 8 hour shift and I obviously had to sleep too 😂
But damn, the characters are so damn good, the chemistry.. probably wasn’t there a lot in the past but dear god they have chemistry now 😮💨🤯 what do you mean they’ve been in love since they were 8 years?? YOU KNOW I’M A SUCKER FOR THAT!!!
Indya is a great woman, she just made it to my top 5 of favorite female characters now. And West is a beautiful sweet (caveman) man. I couldn’t resist this!!
And what do you mean is set in Montana? I FREAKING LOVE MONTANA!! (never been, but looks gorgeous).
Now let me tell ya, the dual timeline.. I pretty much always hate those ones because I get so confused (yes I’m not that smart sometimes, thank you), but hell yeah this one was AMAZINGLY written 😮💨
I loved this book? Yes. Do I care if some people didn’t? No, don’t give a f. Would I recommend this book? You’ll always ALWAYS find me recommending a Devney Perry’s book.
So if you didn’t liked this one, I’m so sorry cause it was pretty great 🥲
(Yes this review contained a lot of rage uncommon in me but bare with me guys I’m two days from my period) love u (less)
Devney Perry has done it again
Five fucking stars. That’s it. When I tell you I loved this book… I mean how could I not?!?
The plot is common, yeah.. girl returns to small town BUT WHAT DO YOU MEAN SHE BUYS HER EX’S (kinda) LAND?? Oh this one was juicy from the very first page, I CRAVED for more. I devoured this in 24 hours and it only took me that long to finish because I had to work my 8 hour shift and I obviously had to sleep too 😂
But damn, the characters are so damn good, the chemistry.. probably wasn’t there a lot in the past but dear god they have chemistry now 😮💨🤯 what do you mean they’ve been in love since they were 8 years?? YOU KNOW I’M A SUCKER FOR THAT!!!
Indya is a great woman, she just made it to my top 5 of favorite female characters now. And West is a beautiful sweet (caveman) man. I couldn’t resist this!!
And what do you mean is set in Montana? I FREAKING LOVE MONTANA!! (never been, but looks gorgeous).
Now let me tell ya, the dual timeline.. I pretty much always hate those ones because I get so confused (yes I’m not that smart sometimes, thank you), but hell yeah this one was AMAZINGLY written 😮💨
I loved this book? Yes. Do I care if some people didn’t? No, don’t give a f. Would I recommend this book? You’ll always ALWAYS find me recommending a Devney Perry’s book.
So if you didn’t liked this one, I’m so sorry cause it was pretty great 🥲
(Yes this review contained a lot of rage uncommon in me but bare with me guys I’m two days from my period) love u (less)
The Unwanted Marriage by Catharina Maura
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This started out SO STRONG!!
And then it all went downhill so fast 😅
I absolutely loved the idea of this book, the plot was pretty fantastic.. sadly it didn’t live up to MY expectations 🥴
I know many of you loved it but I simply couldn’t stand it anymore once I hit like the half of it, I got so damn bored.. likeeee nothing happened bro!! I felt absolutely nothing!!
The main characters lacked a lot of character if you know what I mean.. and they didn’t had that much of chemistry tbh
I mean it was obviously predictable from the plot but yeah, the third act break up was so unnecessary?? It honestly made no freaking sense I’m sorry 😭
Also the length?!! God damn that was long!
Anyway I felt I should get it off my chest, I’m sorry 😓
And then it all went downhill so fast 😅
I absolutely loved the idea of this book, the plot was pretty fantastic.. sadly it didn’t live up to MY expectations 🥴
I know many of you loved it but I simply couldn’t stand it anymore once I hit like the half of it, I got so damn bored.. likeeee nothing happened bro!! I felt absolutely nothing!!
The main characters lacked a lot of character if you know what I mean.. and they didn’t had that much of chemistry tbh
I mean it was obviously predictable from the plot but yeah, the third act break up was so unnecessary?? It honestly made no freaking sense I’m sorry 😭
Also the length?!! God damn that was long!
Anyway I felt I should get it off my chest, I’m sorry 😓
The Striker by Ana Huang
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Well I’m sorry in advance but this one didn’t live up to my expectations 😭 maybe it was the hype, maybe it’s just a me thing but I couldn’t actually LOVE this one, I did like it tho!! I promise!!
Okay straight to business:
This was a bit long for my liking.. and maybe a bit unnecessary to make it THAT long 😅 I felt like nothing happened for the majority of the story, it was cute but boring at the same time.. it was very predictable, which is okay, but why so long?!? 😭😂 sorry I’ll stop with that now
Characters: they were okay! I liked them both (main), and the side characters too. Asher is soooo cute and everything he does for her?? Ohhhh I died 🥹❤️🩹
The relationship was okay, I mean they jump into it a bit fast but it was okay!!
I was actually enjoying this one until that third act breakup and OMG can we just throw them into the trash already?? It’s so anticlimactic, and honestly? I don’t think anyone thinks they could forgive and forget stuff that easily, it’s just ridiculous 🙈
So yeah, it didn’t work out for me THAT WELL, but so many people love it so you should definitely give it a go!
Okay straight to business:
This was a bit long for my liking.. and maybe a bit unnecessary to make it THAT long 😅 I felt like nothing happened for the majority of the story, it was cute but boring at the same time.. it was very predictable, which is okay, but why so long?!? 😭😂 sorry I’ll stop with that now
Characters: they were okay! I liked them both (main), and the side characters too. Asher is soooo cute and everything he does for her?? Ohhhh I died 🥹❤️🩹
The relationship was okay, I mean they jump into it a bit fast but it was okay!!
I was actually enjoying this one until that third act breakup and OMG can we just throw them into the trash already?? It’s so anticlimactic, and honestly? I don’t think anyone thinks they could forgive and forget stuff that easily, it’s just ridiculous 🙈
So yeah, it didn’t work out for me THAT WELL, but so many people love it so you should definitely give it a go!
The Other Fork in the Road by Mary Lee Painter
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.0
First of all I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
This was fun!
You can clearly see Madison (fmc) evolving, and it was so cute to read how she coped with her situation 🤭
The plot was really something 🤭 interesting actually, it kept me going through it all. Sadly it didn’t work out well for me, I just think it lacked some sense.. as we don’t actually develop in the whole physic theme. I just think the plot got lost in the first chapters and we never got to it again.
The banter was so funny tho.
I would’ve loved to see more, it all happened too fast and I wasn’t able to enjoy a lot of the relationship between the main characters.. the chemistry felt a bit forced, and the whole third act at the end was a bit unnecessary and awkward and it didn’t make any sense for it to happen in my opinion 🥲
I did loved Grant, that kid was amazing. And Daisy too (so freaking funny) 😂💖