ourxstorybegins's reviews
582 reviews

Overall, I really enjoyed this! Katee Robert did a great job with touching on religious trauma that unfortunately many people go through.

One thing that is focused on during this series is the fact that part of the deal the women of the series make is that they might end up having a baby -- and that the baby would stay in that realm if the woman chose to return to her home realm. It's really emphasized that the leaders of these different realms would want to have a baby with a human woman because that baby would be more powerful for whatever reason. This was a HUGE focus of this book, to the point that it was a little exhausting. I loved Belladonna and felt for her, but would have loved to have seen more moments that weren't about her deciding whether or not she would agree to have a baby, whether or not her decision was based in past trauma, etc. etc. There was a lot of skipping past her experiences that weren't focused on those things, and I think it would've been really nice to get more of her outside of that pain.

Again, very much enjoyed it and I think Robert handled that experience really well. I just think the book could have really benefited from pulling back and giving us other experiences for Belladonna. (As always though, love the spice lmao)

Content Warnings

House of Crimson Hearts by Ruby Roe

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 41%.

simply not the vibe

In Which Matilda Halifax Learns the Value of Restraint by Alexandra Vasti

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emotional hopeful 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? Yes

4.0

OKAYYYY this is great as far as giving more context to book one. I'm a little surprised that this one didn't come first, but I guess since it covers more time it makes enough sense. Christian is 13 years older than Matilda -- the main thing that prevents him from being open to a relationship with her at first. But when she goes to live with him and his sister, Bea, to act as Bea's art tutor, he simply cannot ignore the attraction between them. Their chemistry is fantastic. This is really more of a personal preference, but again I just really would have loved to see a little more time after they get together.

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In Which Margo Halifax Earns Her Shocking Reputation by Alexandra Vasti

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funny inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was really fun! Henry's had feelings for Margo since meeting her seven years ago. When Margo shows up at his door to ask for his help, the man is absolutely HELPLESS to refuse her which we love. And we end up with a brothers-best-friend roadtrip romance! They're super cute -- though I do wish there was like, one more chapter (maybe an epilogue?) after they finally get together.

Content Warnings

Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Honestly the fact that I gave this 4 stars is a testament to Hoyt’s writing because I do not normally vibe with a book where the MMC is simply a villain, and you cannot deny that that’s exactly what Mickey O’Connor is for the majority of the story. I don’t even like how he treated Silence (FMC) and Mary (baby) for a few chapters there! But I love Silence and watching him soften to her was very very good. Also, Hoyt managed to make an even MORE awful villain than Mickey which definitely helped his case in SO many ways. Also, he is unfortunately charming as hell.

The Duke Who Didn't by Courtney Milan

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This book was such a delight! I don’t have a lot to say about it other than the fact that it was just fun. This is a second chance romance and I would’ve loved to have some flashbacks or something, but they’ve known each other since they were children. He hasn’t told anyone in this village that he’s a duke and he’s finally at the point where he has to come clean because he can’t win her over without her knowing his true identity! Meanwhile Chloe and her dad are working on developing and selling a sauce so that he could get revenge on the men who stole his recipe. This whole story just felt so cozy and I loved it. (And as always, Mary Jane Wells makes it even better.)

Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt

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adventurous dark tense slow-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

3.0

For the first like 40% of this book, I hated it. Caire (MMC) is not likable in the least (he’s just a complete and total jerk for a good chunk of the book unfortunately), and Temperance (FMC) just kind of annoyed me? They were making it really hard to root for them, though they got far more tolerable by the second half of the book. THAT SAID, the cast of side characters and storylines are absolutely what saved this book for me -- which is why I’m going to keep reading the series because of course I want to see how everyone else’s stories wrap up!

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ourxstorybegins's reviews 582 reviews

ourxstorybegins's reviews
582 reviews