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karenmsecrest's reviews
309 reviews
All Chained Up by Sophie Jordan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
The heroine is so boring; the hero has too much inner monologue about jacking off. I’m over it.
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
It’s fun, entertaining, and spicy. The characters are college student athletes, so there are plenty of college antics… but also a level of maturity and straight forward communication that is sometimes missing from older books in the romance genre. I liked it!
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
This book has the best features of a contemporary romance:
- Good communication/emotional maturity
- Hot steam
- Representation
- Smut
- Fresh twists in classic tropes
- Sex positive attitude
- Spice
- Strong female characters
- thoughtful male characters
It’s fun, entertaining, and spicy. The characters are college student athletes, so there are plenty of college antics… but also a level of maturity and straight forward communication that is sometimes missing from older books in the romance genre. I liked it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Toxic friendship
There is a controlling relationship which includes a restrictive eating plan. Multiple references to disordered eating. Anastasia’s partner tries to control her with an unhealthy eating plan, and part of her character growth is deviating from that plan learning to appreciate cooking and eating. She is successful!
One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Library book. Had to return. Would rather read than listen to this one.
Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The layers to this love story! There’s so much plot here, but Kinsale brings it all together beautifully.
This is a gothic story full of nuance and character development and storytelling and risk and love. The last chapters are tear jerkers in the loveliest way, because OF COURSE they live happily ever after.
This is a gothic story full of nuance and character development and storytelling and risk and love. The last chapters are tear jerkers in the loveliest way, because OF COURSE they live happily ever after.
Scoring off the Field by Naima Simone
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 61%.
Writing is redundant, didn’t get invested in the characters. It’s a short book (330 pages, digital edition).
Gorgeous count: 15
Gorgeous count: 15
Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
It’s steamy and sweet and I loved it.
emotional
funny
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
4.5
This book features some of my least favorite contemporary tropes and turns them into features instead of bugs.
Josh and Hazel nail:
Josh and Hazel nail:
- Friends to lovers
- Manic Pixie Dreamgirl (but Hazel has is competent and has heart and substance)
- Banter
- Dual POV
- Emotion
- Secrets (but they get resolved quickly so you don’t have to slog through 5 chapters of a misunderstanding)
It’s steamy and sweet and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy
So good! But the last 2 chapters have a pregnancy and subsequent miscarriage scare (which is just a scare, nothing bad happens, it all turns out great) which might be difficult for some readers who don’t want to read about pregnancy.
He's So Fine by Jill Shalvis
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
Small town contemporary set in a fictional PNW coastal town. Cute with some steamy scenes.
Story is sweet, writing is ok. (“Gorgeous” is overused and describes 16 different things … from the hero’s torso to the local scenery.)
Story is sweet, writing is ok. (“Gorgeous” is overused and describes 16 different things … from the hero’s torso to the local scenery.)
The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ocean’s 11 meets Downton Abbey with twists and turns that keep ratcheting up the tension.
Would absolutely watch this as a movie or tv show.
Would absolutely watch this as a movie or tv show.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren
funny
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
4.0
A flirty, filthy, fun contemporary romance about two beautiful people - one of them has emotional baggage from a recent divorce. A fun read with cute banter and vivid smut.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A funny, contemporary, absurd spy story. Come for the sentient cats and talking dolphins, stay for the satirical take on extreme wealth and villainy. The setting is current day, and the Zoom calls in chapter 22 had me laughing out loud.
The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton, who captures the “what the actual f?!? tone of the story.
The only negative: I wish Wheaton was better at differentiating between character voices. There were parts that were a little confusing to listen to… is that Charlie talking or his cat?
The audiobook is narrated by Wil Wheaton, who captures the “what the actual f?!? tone of the story.
The only negative: I wish Wheaton was better at differentiating between character voices. There were parts that were a little confusing to listen to… is that Charlie talking or his cat?