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lattes_lipstick_literature's reviews
404 reviews
A Properly Conducted Sham by Ally Hudson, Ally Hudson
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.25
* I received this book digitally for free and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review*
Hello Fellow Readers,
While A Properly Conducted Sham is book five in the 'Most Imprudent Matches' series you can read this as a standalone which is exactly what I did. However, I may have to go read the other books in this series because I enjoyed this book. A retelling of sorts of 'Beauty and the Beast' Lee 'the Beast' a disfigured man who lost his wife in a terrible accident, is such a sweet and precious cinnamon roll and I am so glad Charlotte, the Beauty, realized this. A widow who needs to get married, Charlotte started a little uptight, but I love how she was with Lee, She didn't care about his disfigurement, instead opening her heart and allowing this both to heal from past atrocities and grow into their marriage. Marriage of convenience isn't a trope I read often but I may need to pick up a couple of books because I always enjoy them.
While Lee and Charlotte's chemistry was more restrained than in most books, it was undeniable, and their love felt realistic. I was a little hesitant about the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book, but Hudson handled the sensitive topics well.
Overall, I enjoyed this romance, and I will be looking for more of Hudson's Books.
Fall In Love, You False Angels by Coco Uzuki
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
*I have received this book digitally for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
Fall in Love, You False Angels is about two 'perfect' high schoolers who have been pretending to be cute & innocent but actually have a bit of a wilder side to them. This mostly means they are not as sweet and perfect as their schoolmates like to think and will calculate, swear, and have a temper. Both Otogi and Toki have adopted personas at school, which leads them to be the envy of their classmates but one slips up and they both show their true selves to each other. They start to get close because they are the only two people at school who know how the other actually is. This is a cute story and I really enjoyed it, this does have the potential to lead into some funny high jinks, so I can't wait to see where Uzuki takes the story.
The Duke's Spinster by Eliana Piers
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
*I have received this book digitally for free and have voluntarily decided to leave an honest review*
Hello Fellow Readers,
I am not going to lie, I devoured this book. It had everything I love, a strong female main character, Chemistry between the two leads, and spicy goodness. Boudicca is such a great character, she knows what she wants, and no one will get in the way of that. She was logical and outgoing but also had a vulnerability that she showed with her family. She's what I wish more FMC are like in historical romances. I didn't think that I would like Wesley, but I did. Part of this was that we get to see things from his POV, I also like that he didn't try to change Boudicca or make her submit to him. Instead, he accepts who she is and even asks her for help. Boudicca is a woman and a warrior and I am glad that at the end of The Duke's Spinster she stayed one. I think while I wait for the next installment of the 'Duke Dare' series I will have to check out Piers other books.
Overall, a great romance.
The Kiss Bet by Ingrid Ochoa
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.5
* I received this book digitally for free and I am reviewing this voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Reader,
Based on a Webtoon, The Kiss Bet is a cute story about Sara Lin, an 18-year-old high school senior who has never been kissed. This leads her friend Patrick (Potential love interest #1) to make a bet to ask a random boy they see on the subway for a kiss. This ends badly, and this boy turns out to be Oliver (potential love interest #2), a junior at her school, her new calculus tutor, and the brother of her crush Joe (potential love interest #3).
Sara is a bit immature and forgetful, she can also seem very selfish which makes her somewhat unlikable. Oliver seems like he has a couple of issues regarding relationships, especially with his family, he's a grumpy goose who gets on Sara's bad side. I feel like I was more interested in the side characters like Sara's cool dad, her cousin, and a couple of others, so I hope eventually the comic fleshes them out more.
Overall, a fun high school comic.
My Big Fat Fake Marriage by Charlotte Stein
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
*I received this book digitally for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
This is my first read of 2025, and it's a five-star? How delightful. I hope this sets the reading tone for this year because I am ready for more great reads. The main female character, Hazel, was amazing. At a glance, you may think she is self-confident, but it becomes fairly obvious that her self-confidence needs a pick-me-up. From an overly critical mother to very, very, very awful ex-boyfriends, Hazel needs someone to love her and understand that she can be successful and loved.
In comes Beck, the nerdy, inexperienced teddy bear of a man, who has made up a wife because he didn't want Doug (screw you Doug) to tease him. Hazel steps up thinking she could put Doug (screw you Doug) in his place, not realizing that this will unlock exactly what she needs. Beck and Hazel's chemistry is off the charts and the spice is *Chef's Kiss*. Beck may just be the fake book husband of my dreams and I feel sorry for any book MMC love interest that has to compare.
Overall, a delightfully hot read in my favorite trope.
A New Doctor At Orchard Cottage Hospital by Lizzie Lane
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
I love strong female characters and Lizzie Lane's newest series is filled to the brim with them. The main character Francis will not let sexism and misogyny get in the way of her morals or keep her from being a doctor. After standing up for herself Frances loses her job at a hospital in London. To avoid homelessness and poverty she accepts residency at a small cottage hospital. Of course, not everyone is happy about her new position.
I love strong female characters and Lizzie Lane's newest series is filled to the brim with them. The main character Francis will not let sexism and misogyny get in the way of her morals or keep her from being a doctor. After standing up for herself Frances loses her job at a hospital in London. To avoid homelessness and poverty she accepts residency at a small cottage hospital. Of course, not everyone is happy about her new position.
Honestly, there were so many great characters it was hard to choose who I liked the best. They were all unique, but still strong in their own ways. I do know who I disliked with a burning hot passion, I won't spoil it but if you read the book you will know exactly whom I am talking about. I love how Lane portrays her characters, even the villains, they are all just so complex and will have you turning the page to get more. The ending did feel rushed to me, I felt like it messed with the pacing of the book.
Overall, a strong start to, hopefully, a strong series.
House on Highland Road by Melissa Peters, Melissa Peters
adventurous
dark
mysterious
4.0
*I received an advanced digital copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
Lately, I've been in a little paranormal kick and House on Highland Road did a great job at temporarily scratching that itch. I really felt for Lanie and I wanted above all else for her to be safe and happy at the end of this book (and this series). Her backstory breaks my heart and you all know I am a sucker for children with a troubled family. Add everything about Riley and Lanie immediately had my loyalty.
I honestly didn't know what to think about MAson Conrad and Bethy, at first. I eventually warmed up to Conrad and Bethy, even going as far as enjoying their interactions with Lanie. Peters did have me worried that Mason would become Lanie's love interest and I was not going to be a fan of that, however, Peters made the right decision on the romance aspect. Nat was great and it looks like she'll be around and helping Lanie out in the future. I really can't wait to see how that relationship grows. The story was interesting and I liked the small sections that gave us a historical perspective.
Overall, an interesting start that has caught my attention.
The Wolf's Curse by Alex Gates
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
I was curious about this book after reading the synopsis. Doryan seems like such an interesting character and his ability to interact with spirits and the Phoenix Project had me immediately picking this up to read. I was glad that I was correct about Doryan. He seems to be a very unique character and individual and the way he handles everything makes him feel real. The other characters were okay. I liked that the 'muscle' Adria was female (although, a little too 'not like other girls' she even mentions how she doesn't get along with them). The plot was okay but I feel like there was just too much crammed into this book, at times it just felt like too much. I know that the first book is a setup for the series but it's okay to slow down and let things progress as the bigger story unfolds.
Overall, an interesting start but a little too jam-packed.
I was curious about this book after reading the synopsis. Doryan seems like such an interesting character and his ability to interact with spirits and the Phoenix Project had me immediately picking this up to read. I was glad that I was correct about Doryan. He seems to be a very unique character and individual and the way he handles everything makes him feel real. The other characters were okay. I liked that the 'muscle' Adria was female (although, a little too 'not like other girls' she even mentions how she doesn't get along with them). The plot was okay but I feel like there was just too much crammed into this book, at times it just felt like too much. I know that the first book is a setup for the series but it's okay to slow down and let things progress as the bigger story unfolds.
Overall, an interesting start but a little too jam-packed.
Kosa by John Durgin
dark
medium-paced
4.0
*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
I may be dumb because when I first read the synopsis I didn't put together that this was a Rapunzel retelling, it was only as I was reading it, that it clicked in my brain. I love Horror fairy tale retellings, I was a big fan of the Grimm fairy tales as a child, and I am always seeking that spine-tingling, bone-chilling feeling I had with those fairy tales. 'Kosa' hits those marks, and more. From the beginning, Durgin hits you with dark tension that weaves and builds leaving you turning the page for more.
Kosa, the character, is so tragic. There's a lot that happens to her in this book that you can't believe she goes through, so if you are sensitive to certain things like body horror or child abuse you may want to stay away from this. Durgin does an amazing job of making you care about her, and root for her to at least make it out alive. This is a Rapunzel retelling so there is a lot of magical (and horror) stuff involving hair some of which I would have never thought about.
Overall, a great horror story and a perfect lights-off, late-night read.
An Outbreak of Witchcraft: A Graphic Novel of the Salem Witch Trials by Deborah Noyes
dark
slow-paced
4.5
*I received a copy of this book digitally for free and am leaving this review voluntarily*
Hello Fellow Readers,
An Outbreak of Witchcraft was such an interesting take on the Salem witch trials, but also horrifying when you remember halfway through that this isn't a fictional tale. The dialogue in some parts may be embellished but these were real people. This was a real event that happened in our history. Noyes must be an amazing researcher because they did an amazing job at recounting incidents. I will admit that history has never been my strong suit and I don't typically search it out but Noyes made me pay attention. Duffy also did a great job bringing life to each character. I could almost feel the hysteria and fear roll off the pages.
Overall, I can't wait to see what else these two have in store.