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ourxstorybegins's reviews
582 reviews
Swift and Saddled by Lyla Sage
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
WES IS SO GOOD????? Loved his first interaction with Ada, loved his passion for making Baby Blue perfect, loved their romance -- this goes without saying.
But honestly my favorite thing about this book was Ada’s growth and the relationships she builds with the women at the ranch. She had a “not like other girls” phase so she’s not used to getting along with women because of her past, but she’s open to adjusting that and the women of Rebel Blue are ready to support her in that and I got kind of choked up as she found that she could have good, meaningful friendships with other women. Once again, Amy is an absolute sucker for Found Family, SHOCKER.
The Christmas Pic by Rena Sapon-White, Ella Schaefer
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 5%.
Yeahhhhh this one just wasn’t for me unfortunately.
A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Just didn’t have time with the library book. Will probably get it on audio since I have credits, to be determined
Wicked & Wildflower by Sarah A. Bailey
Also, there’s a very good mirror scene (extra impressive since he’s not even in the room for it).
Also, Taylor Swift references in a book are not usually my thing but they’re actually done SO WELL with this (I’m sorry but telling Dahlia’s daughter that SHE is the invisible string that brought them together? CUTE AS HELL) and I love it.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ONCE AGAIN, Dahlia and Darby’s family prove to be just...truly awful, from the start of this book (ok, after a chapter 1 one night stand) we are dealing with their piece of shit father -- which leads her straight into Everett’s arms and sets them off on a fake dating adventure! Which truly doesn’t last long because Everett is SOOOO down bad and is ready to prove himself however he can to Dahlia.
Also, there’s a very good mirror scene (extra impressive since he’s not even in the room for it).
Also, Taylor Swift references in a book are not usually my thing but they’re actually done SO WELL with this (I’m sorry but telling Dahlia’s daughter that SHE is the invisible string that brought them together? CUTE AS HELL) and I love it.
Double Exposure by Rien Gray
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
KU subscription ended before I finished it OOPSIE
Unholy with Eyes like Wolves by Morgan Dante
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I REALLY WANTED TO LIKE THIS but I just could not get myself into it unfortunately. The prose just isn't my vibe + some of the stuff I read in reviews suggested this would not be my thing. I may return someday? Never say never and all that cuz there wasn't anything particularly bad that made me DNF. I was just dragging my feet to read it and that is my sign that it's time to stop.
Iris Kelly Doesn't Date by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
I JUST LOVE IRIS SO MUCH???? From Delilah’s book I have been like ugh Iris is such a bitch I love her and HERE WE ARE AND I WAS CORRECT SHE IS EVERYTHING (by which I mean she is both perfect and also an ABSOLUTE MESS). From the jump I was getting genuinely angry with Iris’s family and Stevie’s friends, but hey we’ve gotta have a set up to make fake dating worthwhile I guess (I know she got her act together by the end but there is no forgiveness for Stevie’s ex for me SORRY NOT SORRY). This book was very sweet, very hot. I forget how much I love Ashley Herring Blake until I read one of her books and just UGHHH I love.
The Gentle Art of Fortune Hunting by KJ Charles
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
So this is one of those books where if it weren't a historical romance and KJ Charles hadn't been very careful about Robin & Hart and their whole dynamic then it would've ended up being a generally darker story. (Hiding behind the spoiler tag but it's not like a major spoiler) Robin ends up owing Hart money that he doesn't have, so he offers sex in return for paying off his debt. A really unhealthy and bad power dynamic in a lot of cases, but as Robin is more experienced, makes the offer, and genuinely just WANTS to sleep with Hart (not to mention Hart hates the idea and feels weird about it which leads to Robin having all of the power as far as what they do, etc etc) , it doesn't feel as bad as it would in a different story.
The dialogue/banter in this is top notch, found myself laughing quite a bit! As their relationship goes from purely sexual to them starting to understand each other, the romance part is very sweet. And Robin's loyalty to Marianne + Hart's loyalty to his niece, Alice, show such lovely relationships, especially when you learn more about the way both of these men were raised. Overall, I had a really good time and MANNN I would love to learn more about Alice and Marianne's adventures
The dialogue/banter in this is top notch, found myself laughing quite a bit! As their relationship goes from purely sexual to them starting to understand each other, the romance part is very sweet. And Robin's loyalty to Marianne + Hart's loyalty to his niece, Alice, show such lovely relationships, especially when you learn more about the way both of these men were raised. Overall, I had a really good time and MANNN I would love to learn more about Alice and Marianne's adventures
Escaping the Friendzone by Emily Antoinette
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a lot of fun! I do feel like there was more sex in this one than Behold Her, which I didn't expect (but in hindsight, maybe I should have, because minotaurs). The whole daddy dom thing got a little tiresome by the end but I also really enjoyed Ariana and Wes's overall dynamic together. She is overwhelmed but doesn't want to ask for help from others, and when he comes in to support her and gets her to accept that he truly wants/needs to be able to do things for her, it's so fun to see her start to transform and just have an overall better quality of life, not just because she's in love but because he is actively making her life better???
Also there is a LOT of internalized fatphobia, mostly inspired by how men in the past have treated Ariana. That's not usually my jam but I do think it works well here.
Also there is a LOT of internalized fatphobia, mostly inspired by how men in the past have treated Ariana. That's not usually my jam but I do think it works well here.