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karenmsecrest's reviews
296 reviews
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I loved Uprooted by Naomi Novik, but I just couldn't get into this book. The main character (El) is miserable. She attends a school that is actively trying to kill its students. The hero (Orion) has a literal savior complex and his only character trait is that he is trying to save every student in the school. There are mals and malia and enclaves... and I think I only understood about 85% of the plot.
This book is like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (times) evil Hogwarts (minus) any adult supervision (plus) at least one person dying everyday (divided by) magic rules I don't understand.
This book is like "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" (times) evil Hogwarts (minus) any adult supervision (plus) at least one person dying everyday (divided by) magic rules I don't understand.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
Remedial Rocket Science by Susannah Nix
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Kinda boring, plus reviews say this is closed door… so I’ll pass. Plot and characters aren’t interesting enough to keep me going.
Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey
Overall, a strong balance of romance, love, lust, partnership, and smut.
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? Yes
4.0
The setup and beginning of this book moves so quickly it gave me whiplash; getting Wells and Josephine together requires a lot of "romance reasons" and some eyerolls. But once they're together, the pace slows down and the action heats up.
Tessa Bailey is always good at dialog and communication between the characters; and she cranks the spice up to 11 in this one (spoiler-but-not-a-spoiler: there's butt stuff).
Good for readers who like:
Tessa Bailey is always good at dialog and communication between the characters; and she cranks the spice up to 11 in this one (spoiler-but-not-a-spoiler: there's butt stuff).
Good for readers who like:
- Grumpy sunshine
- Banter and dialog
- Strong communication between characters (we don't waste any time with misunderstandings)
- Both characters grow and complement each other
- An alpha male who breaks down doors (literally) and walls (emotionally)
- Career elements folded in organically (good if you like or want to know more about golf)
- Spice with a capital S-E-X
Overall, a strong balance of romance, love, lust, partnership, and smut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Abandonment
A Gentleman Undone by Cecilia Grant
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? Yes
5.0
Romance, chivalry, passion, gambling, MATH(!?!), and a heroine who does not apologize for the choices she’s made all add up to a great f’ing book.
Enemies to lovers. One bed. Wagers. I loved it so much.
Enemies to lovers. One bed. Wagers. I loved it so much.
Battle Royal by Lucy Parker
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? Yes
4.5
Sweet (pun intended) enemies to lovers story in a British Baking Show + Royal Wedding world.
The story was entertaining. Both main characters are competent and professionally skilled! Both are good at communication! Both have strong character traits and act with agency! I’m not a fan of the contemporary romance trend of main characters having ALL of the trauma. This story balances the baggage (dead parents, neglectful childhood) with the banter.
This might be my favorite contemporary romance?!?
The story was entertaining. Both main characters are competent and professionally skilled! Both are good at communication! Both have strong character traits and act with agency! I’m not a fan of the contemporary romance trend of main characters having ALL of the trauma. This story balances the baggage (dead parents, neglectful childhood) with the banter.
This might be my favorite contemporary romance?!?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer and Death of parent
Smash Cut by Sandra Brown
mysterious
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? No
4.0
Plenty of twists and a little bit of heat in this killer (ha!) story from Sandra Brown. A good mix of mystery, murder, possibly unreliable narrator and romance without getting too deep into the mind of the killer. Most of the crimes happen off page, so readers don’t get stuck reading gratuitous violence (looking at you, James Patterson).
Will definitely read more Sandra Brown books!
Will definitely read more Sandra Brown books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
emotional
slow-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
4.5
Heart plus heat! Took a while for me to get into, but this book is super spicy and the 3rd act break up and reunion are super emotional. Manuela’s growth is exceptional (thankfully… because I found her annoying in the first half of the book).
2nd in a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.
Also, the historical aspects of the Paris exposition, artists, and Sapphic lifestyles of the time are fascinating!
2nd in a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.
Also, the historical aspects of the Paris exposition, artists, and Sapphic lifestyles of the time are fascinating!
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Don’t like the audio narration. Will consider reading the physical book (maybe the Harry Potterishness will be less glaring)
The Terminal List by Jack Carr
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Not in the mood for so much “perfect military man fighting the system” when the system seems to be California gun laws and female politicians.
Head Over Heels by Hannah Orenstein
A decent read if you’re fired up about the Olympics and like a closed door romance.
informative
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
3.5
Lots of insight into the world of Olympic qualifying gymnastics, including all the tumbling moves you love (and some you’ve never heard of). A story of personal growth with just a little bit of romance thrown in - mostly kissing.
This incudes my least favorite contemporary romance trends:
This incudes my least favorite contemporary romance trends:
- First-person narration
- therapy-adjacent language
- heroine journey to self-improvement
- hero is perfect, makes one minor mistake, goes way above to apologize and atone for it
A decent read if you’re fired up about the Olympics and like a closed door romance.