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kfalsreads's reviews
282 reviews
The House by Christina Lauren
4.0
It’s been a LONG time since I’ve read a spooky read, and this gave me Goosebumps vibes with the thread of romance CLo is known for to keep me engrossed.
I knew this was YA, so I adjusted my expectations accordingly, but CLo’s writing, plot and relationship development definitely exceeded them. I made it about 70 pages in before I decided to start tabbing because I was finding too many moments and lines I wanted to save.
I loved both Gavin and Delilah right away, especially Delilah. She was a wild card, confident, unique, and a total badass. And Gavin was just the absolute sweetest! Their connection was genuine and unbreakable.
This story brings up so many questions that require answers and CLo did an amazing job of answering EVERY one of them and filling every potential plot hole. I really appreciated the nuance and effort they put into this story.
Christina Lauren has never let me down, and their streak continues with this genre anomaly in their backlist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend you add it to your spooky, fall TBR!!
I knew this was YA, so I adjusted my expectations accordingly, but CLo’s writing, plot and relationship development definitely exceeded them. I made it about 70 pages in before I decided to start tabbing because I was finding too many moments and lines I wanted to save.
I loved both Gavin and Delilah right away, especially Delilah. She was a wild card, confident, unique, and a total badass. And Gavin was just the absolute sweetest! Their connection was genuine and unbreakable.
This story brings up so many questions that require answers and CLo did an amazing job of answering EVERY one of them and filling every potential plot hole. I really appreciated the nuance and effort they put into this story.
Christina Lauren has never let me down, and their streak continues with this genre anomaly in their backlist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend you add it to your spooky, fall TBR!!
Kiss Her Once for Me by Alison Cochrun
4.0
I read The Charm Offensive in February and it became one of my favorite romances of all time, so you can guess how excited I was to get an early copy of Alison’s latest sapphic romance!
As with The Charm Offensive, Alison brought her A game in this story when it comes to LGBTQ+, sexuality, and mental health representation. However, I think this was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time for me as I was in the throes of a reading slump. It took me a month to get through, and I kept putting it down to try other reads.
The artistic angle of the story felt unique to me with the way she incorporated Ellie’s webcomic series into the past and present plotlines. I loved the nod to While You Were Sleeping (one of my favorite rom-coms), the grandmas, and the family dynamics—but the relationships all fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t connect with the insta-love in this case between Ellie and Jack (maybe dual POV would have helped
As with The Charm Offensive, Alison brought her A game in this story when it comes to LGBTQ+, sexuality, and mental health representation. However, I think this was a case of the wrong book at the wrong time for me as I was in the throes of a reading slump. It took me a month to get through, and I kept putting it down to try other reads.
The artistic angle of the story felt unique to me with the way she incorporated Ellie’s webcomic series into the past and present plotlines. I loved the nod to While You Were Sleeping (one of my favorite rom-coms), the grandmas, and the family dynamics—but the relationships all fell a bit flat for me. I didn’t connect with the insta-love in this case between Ellie and Jack (maybe dual POV would have helped
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
5.0
This one gets all the stars!! It was perfect! It was the sweetest, most inclusive, and empathetic love story I’ve read yet. I absolutely adored it—and I’m not even a fan of The Bachelor!
Resting Scrooge Face by Meghan Quinn
4.0
This was my first holiday novella and my first Meghan Quinn, and I fully enjoyed it! It was laugh-out-loud funny, witty, heartwarming, and had great elderly side characters.
I loved the idea of two exes, Nola (back home after a breakup) and Caleb, who are secretly set up by the neighborhood mailman to become nameless pen pals and bond over griping about the town’s holiday cheer. It provided a great way to showcase their banter and tangible bond despite years apart.
The execution of the pacing of the story—providing context for the breakup, where they are in their lives now, and how they felt and feel about each other while providing a means for them to reconnect—was flawless. It was a satisfying story of just under 70 pages.
If you’re looking for a funny, feel-good, quick holiday read, I definitely recommend this one. I can’t wait to read more from Meghan Quinn next year!
Geɴre: Romantic Comedy / Holiday / Short Story
Trope(ѕ): Second-Chance Romance / It’s Always Been You / Small Town Romance / Right Person Wrong Time
Sтeαм Rαтιɴɢ: N/A
I loved the idea of two exes, Nola (back home after a breakup) and Caleb, who are secretly set up by the neighborhood mailman to become nameless pen pals and bond over griping about the town’s holiday cheer. It provided a great way to showcase their banter and tangible bond despite years apart.
The execution of the pacing of the story—providing context for the breakup, where they are in their lives now, and how they felt and feel about each other while providing a means for them to reconnect—was flawless. It was a satisfying story of just under 70 pages.
If you’re looking for a funny, feel-good, quick holiday read, I definitely recommend this one. I can’t wait to read more from Meghan Quinn next year!
Geɴre: Romantic Comedy / Holiday / Short Story
Trope(ѕ): Second-Chance Romance / It’s Always Been You / Small Town Romance / Right Person Wrong Time
Sтeαм Rαтιɴɢ: N/A
The Christmas Blanket by Kandi Steiner
4.0
Did I think I would ever read a book with the title, The Christmas Blanket? No. No, I did not.
A Very Merry Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams
5.0
This was my second Bromance book, and I loved it! I went into it with tempered expectations because I had issues with the first one, but this one delivered across the board for me.
I loved the dynamic of Colton and Gretchen’s relationship—him being the sunshine to her grinchy demeanor. Sometimes with this trope, I’m not entirely sold on nice, happy people being attracted to, well, grumps; I’m just along for the ride. But the way Colton dealt with her grumpiness worked so well. It was funny (you could tell it was his kink), and they had some really great banter.
The guys were awesome (I had no doubts they wouldn’t be). I loved how they broke down romance tropes to give Colton advice on how to deal with Gretchen—big shoutout to Malcolm
I loved the dynamic of Colton and Gretchen’s relationship—him being the sunshine to her grinchy demeanor. Sometimes with this trope, I’m not entirely sold on nice, happy people being attracted to, well, grumps; I’m just along for the ride. But the way Colton dealt with her grumpiness worked so well. It was funny (you could tell it was his kink), and they had some really great banter.
The guys were awesome (I had no doubts they wouldn’t be). I loved how they broke down romance tropes to give Colton advice on how to deal with Gretchen—big shoutout to Malcolm
The Last Encore by Elodie Colliard
4.0
This book holds a very special place in my heart because it’s written by a friend who was sweet enough to offer me an early read last year. Needless to say, this review is a long-time coming, and I was so excited to get this physical copy in my hands to tab all my favorite moments and lines, and reread the final version of this beautiful story.
This book has so much heart; I can tell Elodie put every ounce of herself into these two characters—their struggles, their triumphs, their independent, ambitious nature—to lay the foundation for this story.
Josh and Avery each had their own past traumas to overcome and seeing them find their way back to each other was emotional and heart-warming. I loved how right out of the gate during their reconnection the air was cleared, apologies made and accepted, and their relationship started anew. I found that to be rare so early on in a romance read. While this wasn’t a textbook second-chance romance, it was a second chance at a friendship, and a chance to make the long-awaited leap into something more. Also, another unique angle.
I loved that this is a mature, adult romance. It covers heavy themes, career and life decisions, and there is communication, tenderness, and patience between Josh and Avery throughout. It has all the things I love in a romance.
This book has so much heart; I can tell Elodie put every ounce of herself into these two characters—their struggles, their triumphs, their independent, ambitious nature—to lay the foundation for this story.
Josh and Avery each had their own past traumas to overcome and seeing them find their way back to each other was emotional and heart-warming. I loved how right out of the gate during their reconnection the air was cleared, apologies made and accepted, and their relationship started anew. I found that to be rare so early on in a romance read. While this wasn’t a textbook second-chance romance, it was a second chance at a friendship, and a chance to make the long-awaited leap into something more. Also, another unique angle.
I loved that this is a mature, adult romance. It covers heavy themes, career and life decisions, and there is communication, tenderness, and patience between Josh and Avery throughout. It has all the things I love in a romance.