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karenmsecrest's reviews
296 reviews
Blood on the Tide by Katee Robert
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 31%.
It’s book bingo season, and this doesn’t match any categories.
Dance Upon The Air by Nora Roberts
emotional
fast-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
2.5
“Sleeping with the Enemy” meets “Practical Magic” in a 2001 book that did not age well. Specifically with regards to the treatment of domestic violence and the way Zack treats and speaks to Nell.
Nell is a strong survivor, and Zack knows she has a traumatic history… but the way he talks to her is inconsiderate (at best) and controlling (at worst). The resolution explains his perspective and feelings, but there were some lines of dialog that were hard to read.
I love the witches on an island theme, so I’ll probably read the next two books in the series.
Nell is a strong survivor, and Zack knows she has a traumatic history… but the way he talks to her is inconsiderate (at best) and controlling (at worst). The resolution explains his perspective and feelings, but there were some lines of dialog that were hard to read.
I love the witches on an island theme, so I’ll probably read the next two books in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
The Dragon's Bride by Katee Robert
dark
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? Yes
3.0
How do you rate a dark romance starring a dragon with 2 dongs?!?
4 stars for character building
4 stars for world building
69 stars for spice
4 stars for character building
4 stars for world building
69 stars for spice
Daring and the Duke by Sarah MacLean
emotional
fast-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
5.0
3rd in the Bareknuckle Bastards series amps up the emotion and the stakes. Sarah MacLean is a storytelling sorceress and somehow makes the reader root for the villain from the first 2 books. Magic!
The banter, the emotion, the spice readers expect in the MacLeanaverse PLUS groveling. So good!
The banter, the emotion, the spice readers expect in the MacLeanaverse PLUS groveling. So good!
Fair Game by Annette Dashofy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Reading for book bingo and already got this category done.
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Couldn’t put it down. Loved the prose, loved the time travel elements, loved the little bit of romance, loved the historical references, stayed up way too late finishing the book and had to re-read the end.
I wouldn’t call this a Romance, but there is a love story element in the plot.
I guess I’m a Speculative Fiction fan after all?!?
I wouldn’t call this a Romance, but there is a love story element in the plot.
I guess I’m a Speculative Fiction fan after all?!?
Crashed Out by Tessa Bailey
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
3.5
A novella that cranks the smut up to 11 and never turns down. Super spicy cinnamon roll rock star hero (can a cinnamon roll be a rock star?) with just enough plot between the bedroom (and living room and bar and car) scenes.
Story - 3.5 stars
Heat - 11 stars
Story - 3.5 stars
Heat - 11 stars
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
adventurous
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
It takes a gifted writer to make a Murderbot charming and relatable.
I’m not a sci-fi reader, but I find these characters and the world building details entertaining and understandable. Viva La Murderbot (and ART).
I’m not a sci-fi reader, but I find these characters and the world building details entertaining and understandable. Viva La Murderbot (and ART).
A Woman Entangled by Cecilia Grant
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Stopped reading to focus on Bingo books.
Random in Death by J.D. Robb
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Haven’t read any of the books in this series. Can’t keep up with characters or weird “future” elements (like soda tubes and on demand coffee).