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megan_bbender's reviews
91 reviews
Blossom by Helen Hardt
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
For the most part, this series has been super easy to read and it’s remained enjoyable throughout. I really enjoyed the first and second book so I had super high hopes for the third one however I feel like this one fell really flat. Unfortunately, it wasn’t anywhere near as exciting as the other books were.
While I can understand that not everyone reads these books for the plot in between, I personally enjoy the smaller details and plot development. When I was reading, I often found myself saying “when am I gonna get to the good part” and unfortunately, it never really came. I unfortunately found myself getting bored throughout this book versus the other two had my full undivided attention throughout.
Not only did this book seem very similar to the second one in terms of storyline but there’s about 50 pages of the two main characters just eating an eight course meal together and then about another hundred pages of them just touring New Orleans, in my opinion, not really doing anything interesting as if I wanted to know everything about New Orleans history, then I would’ve picked up a different book.
I also feel like there’s not the same chemistry between these two as there was in the previous books I still did like their relationship, but it was different and I think I prefer the other tropes more.
In all honesty, save your money and skip the third book. There’s no continuation of the story from the first two books, so I truly don’t think it’s important to read the third one. With that being said, this was my first Helen Hardt series and I did enjoy it, so I will be looking for her books in the future.
The more that I think about, the more I realize that this third book is just all recycled ideas, it's as if all the ideas in the first two books were combined to create this third one. For example, the two characters are scared to fall in love because of their past, the man gets hurt and ends up in the hospital, the one character has a family member die in a car crash, the falling in love in a short period of time, the very abrupt ending of them getting engaged during a scene, and more. It seems like not a lot of effort or originality was put into this book.
While I can understand that not everyone reads these books for the plot in between, I personally enjoy the smaller details and plot development. When I was reading, I often found myself saying “when am I gonna get to the good part” and unfortunately, it never really came. I unfortunately found myself getting bored throughout this book versus the other two had my full undivided attention throughout.
Not only did this book seem very similar to the second one in terms of storyline but there’s about 50 pages of the two main characters just eating an eight course meal together and then about another hundred pages of them just touring New Orleans, in my opinion, not really doing anything interesting as if I wanted to know everything about New Orleans history, then I would’ve picked up a different book.
I also feel like there’s not the same chemistry between these two as there was in the previous books I still did like their relationship, but it was different and I think I prefer the other tropes more.
In all honesty, save your money and skip the third book. There’s no continuation of the story from the first two books, so I truly don’t think it’s important to read the third one. With that being said, this was my first Helen Hardt series and I did enjoy it, so I will be looking for her books in the future.
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Death, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent
Bloom by Helen Hardt
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.75
I loved the first book and couldn’t wait to get my hands on the second one. Now, after finishing this second book I cannot wait to read the third one.
I did actually enjoy this one a little bit more than the first one, but I have been loving the story as a whole. With that being said, I wasn’t the biggest fan at how abruptly this one ended.
Either way, I absolutely love this series. I love the romance side that comes in throughout the book.
I did actually enjoy this one a little bit more than the first one, but I have been loving the story as a whole. With that being said, I wasn’t the biggest fan at how abruptly this one ended.
Either way, I absolutely love this series. I love the romance side that comes in throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Car accident
Blush by Helen Hardt
tense
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
4.5
How to Choose a Guy in 10 Days by Lila Monroe
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
I really enjoyed reading this book, it started off a little bit slow but once it picked up, I really got invested. I finished reading this book in one go once it started taking off.
To be honest, it was quite predictable, I knew what was going to happen from the very beginning, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. It's a great, lighthearted and easy read that leaves you feeling good.
However, I wish we got a little bit more from the ending, as it seemed to end abruptly. The plot was tense and it fell a bit flat as the ending seemed a bit rushed.
To be honest, it was quite predictable, I knew what was going to happen from the very beginning, but that didn't stop me from enjoying it. It's a great, lighthearted and easy read that leaves you feeling good.
However, I wish we got a little bit more from the ending, as it seemed to end abruptly. The plot was tense and it fell a bit flat as the ending seemed a bit rushed.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Alcohol
Die Noon by Elise Sax
dark
funny
mysterious
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
3.5
I can't say that I have ever read a book quite like this before, but I enjoyed it.
Once I figured out that it was supposed to be sarcastic and non-serious, I thought it was really fun to read and it was really entertaining. You could call the plot "stupid" but it was nice to have a change of pace with something really lighthearted and goofy.
I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series!
Once I figured out that it was supposed to be sarcastic and non-serious, I thought it was really fun to read and it was really entertaining. You could call the plot "stupid" but it was nice to have a change of pace with something really lighthearted and goofy.
I will definitely be checking out the other books in this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child death
The Cuck by Aron Beauregard
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I’m kind of unsure of my rating on this book, while I didn’t necessarily not like it, it was over so quickly. I feel like because of how short this book is, there isn’t many details and there’s no room for me to come up with a true rating for it.
Playground was the first book I read from Aron Beaugard, so while I can appreciate that this book was much, much more mellow in comparison, it didn’t leave me with much.
With that being said, this book is super short. I was really wanting to read some horror to break up the other genres I’ve been reading recently and this book did that perfectly, I read it in one go and now I can quickly get back to my other books.
Playground was the first book I read from Aron Beaugard, so while I can appreciate that this book was much, much more mellow in comparison, it didn’t leave me with much.
With that being said, this book is super short. I was really wanting to read some horror to break up the other genres I’ve been reading recently and this book did that perfectly, I read it in one go and now I can quickly get back to my other books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Stalking, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Self harm, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Grief
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
I loved the thrill and mystery that came along with this book, I couldn’t stop reading, especially towards the end when everything was unwinding.
This book was super fun to read and I absolutely love Sirius Black! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
This book was super fun to read and I absolutely love Sirius Black! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, and Death of parent
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book! I thought it was so adventurous and it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, I never wanted to stop reading because I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I can't wait to start reading the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone does an amazing job at transporting you into another world and it was so great to dig into the fantasy genre.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
I never read the Harry Potter books as a kid but I was a fan of the movies, starting to read the series now has been very nostalgic and I can't wait to read the rest of the books.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone does an amazing job at transporting you into another world and it was so great to dig into the fantasy genre.
"to have been loved so deeply, even though the person who loved us is gone, will give us some protection forever. It is in your very skin."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Animal death
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
emotional
funny
tense
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
Honestly, I ate this book up. It’s seriously one of the best books that I’ve read in a while.
I simply enjoyed it a lot, I loved the connection between the characters and I thought the plot was interesting.
This was the first dark romance book I’ve ever read, it only took me a few hours to finish since I just couldn’t put it down.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more Brynne Weaver books and hopefully I can see Butcher and Blackbird sometime in the future!
I simply enjoyed it a lot, I loved the connection between the characters and I thought the plot was interesting.
This was the first dark romance book I’ve ever read, it only took me a few hours to finish since I just couldn’t put it down.
I’ll definitely be on the lookout for more Brynne Weaver books and hopefully I can see Butcher and Blackbird sometime in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content and Medical trauma