Scan barcode
pagepixie's reviews
166 reviews
The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
3.75
This first half of this book was two dimensional. I didn’t feel very connected to the main character or her story or her narration. She was dry and only half present.
However, once we got “the reveal” (no spoilers) this book changed for me. Everything clicked, I realized why this story was worth telling. I felt like Daphne’s narration shifted too and she slowly came to life before my eyes.
I really liked the way this book played with the ideas of fate and free will. And I liked the outcome of that theme as well.
My only wish is that is was longer. I wanted more out of the characters at the end.
However, once we got “the reveal” (no spoilers) this book changed for me. Everything clicked, I realized why this story was worth telling. I felt like Daphne’s narration shifted too and she slowly came to life before my eyes.
I really liked the way this book played with the ideas of fate and free will. And I liked the outcome of that theme as well.
My only wish is that is was longer. I wanted more out of the characters at the end.
Ledge by Stacey McEwan
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
This book took me on a dark, cold, and crazy ride!
There is something about the author’s writing that is almost visceral. It’s dark and almost physical on the page. At first I wasn’t sure if I liked it, but I think it worked well for the world and characters she was building so by the end I was enjoying myself.
We follow our fmc, a young woman who was raised in a Flavian society trapped the literal ledge of a mountain. As you can imagine being raised in such a small, starving, and strenuous world has crafted Dawsyn into a woman who should not be truffled with. When we meet her she is just as cold and unforgiving as the world around her.
Of course, it isn’t long after we meet her that she is removed from the Ledge. Her people are literally like pigs to slaughter for the winged Glacians who harvest them once a season. It’s with the Glacians that she meets a half Glacian, Ryan who helps her truly escape.
One of my favorite parts of this book is the themes of inherited grief and need for justice. Ryon and Dawsyn connect over their shared loneliness, rage, and thirst for a better life for their people.
The romance was good. It was slow burn and I enjoyed it, but I was most interested in the politics of this world and how these characters were going to go about achieving their goals.
By the end I was HOOKED. I realized I DO want to read the next book and I look forward to it! I think it will be even more brutal than the last.
MILO by E. L. Lewis
dark
emotional
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
I would like to thank the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a dark romance, however while I does deal with themes such as a death of parents and family of page, violence, etc, there is very little that explicitly happens on the page. I’m not very well versed in fake romance, but I found this to be a romance with dark themes rather than the romance itself being dark.
I loved the romance between Milo and Kiara. There was a lot of tension, buildup, and banter as they both fought their attraction to each other. I definitely think that Milo fell first and harder. He practically worshiped Kiara.
Another one of my favorite aspects of this book is the Kiara is a highly intelligent character. She speaks multiple languages, is able to learn skills quickly, is knowledgeable about human behavior and literature, etc. Because of this, the author works a lot of facts, phrases and history into the book which I loved.
My only two qualms with this book were that the war with the Russians took place mostly off page, including the finale. I would have loved to get into this plot line a bit more. Secondly, I found Kiara to have a sharp pivot towards the end where she not only accepted the violence and death of the mafia life, but was suddenly physically involving herself in the violence. I found this to be rather jarring.
Overall though, this was a sexy romance with dark themes. I flew through it and thoroughly enjoyed!
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
emotional
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
4.5
This book was so adorable and purse nostalgia.
Not only did the author take me back to high school when things like prom and college and arguments with friends felt like the end of the world, but it also felt like captured my personal childhood.
My mother also raised me on rom-coms like Liz. To this day I associate movies like The Wedding Date, Kate and Leopold, You’ve Got Mail, etc. with the young formative years of my life. I’ve also been accused of overly romantic notions. Although I think my reading also impacts that now! Even though I don’t usually like books with pop culture references, I loved them in this book. They were tied to the plot well, but also were so well placed.
I loved the lighthearted feel to this book. While it does have some heavy themes, like the loss of a parent, I thought it handled it beautifully. Overall, I thought there was a great balance between genuine laugh out loud moments and tear jerkers.
Sure, at some points I felt frustrated with Liz for being so blind but I loved watching her come to her own conclusions. She had a lot to work through!
And of course, my review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention Wes. He is the perfect ya romcom book boyfriend! He was smirky, and charming, and protective and funny. I giggled a lot and he reminded me of the boys I used to love in books when I was younger.
Overall, and adorable book and I will probably read the sequel!
Not only did the author take me back to high school when things like prom and college and arguments with friends felt like the end of the world, but it also felt like captured my personal childhood.
My mother also raised me on rom-coms like Liz. To this day I associate movies like The Wedding Date, Kate and Leopold, You’ve Got Mail, etc. with the young formative years of my life. I’ve also been accused of overly romantic notions. Although I think my reading also impacts that now! Even though I don’t usually like books with pop culture references, I loved them in this book. They were tied to the plot well, but also were so well placed.
I loved the lighthearted feel to this book. While it does have some heavy themes, like the loss of a parent, I thought it handled it beautifully. Overall, I thought there was a great balance between genuine laugh out loud moments and tear jerkers.
Sure, at some points I felt frustrated with Liz for being so blind but I loved watching her come to her own conclusions. She had a lot to work through!
And of course, my review wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t mention Wes. He is the perfect ya romcom book boyfriend! He was smirky, and charming, and protective and funny. I giggled a lot and he reminded me of the boys I used to love in books when I was younger.
Overall, and adorable book and I will probably read the sequel!
The Swindler and The Swan by J.A. Good
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
I’m dnfing this for now. While the premise of the story is right up my ally I’m just not clicking with the author’s writing style.
Maybe I’d give it a chance again in the future, but I’m not really feeling it right now.
Maybe I’d give it a chance again in the future, but I’m not really feeling it right now.
Between Fae and Flames by Trinity Matthews
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
I saw the author make a video on Instagram about a scene in this book so I thought I’d give it a go.
I think I got to the point that scene was supposed to take place but the dialogue was not the same as the video said.
I got 16% into this one and honestly, it just felt familiar and not as good as other books like it. I think I’m just gonna leave it here.
I think I got to the point that scene was supposed to take place but the dialogue was not the same as the video said.
I got 16% into this one and honestly, it just felt familiar and not as good as other books like it. I think I’m just gonna leave it here.
Lola & the Millionaires: Part Two by Kathryn Moon
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved this book so much!
The connection Lola had with all her bondmates grew so steadily and were very well paced. The only one that ever felt slight out of it was Cyrus, I wish we got more of him.
Everything was wrapped up so well. I loved seeing Lola work through her trauma, insecurity, and falling in love with herself and the others.
The ending was so so beautiful! I wish we had more of these characters!
The connection Lola had with all her bondmates grew so steadily and were very well paced. The only one that ever felt slight out of it was Cyrus, I wish we got more of him.
Everything was wrapped up so well. I loved seeing Lola work through her trauma, insecurity, and falling in love with herself and the others.
The ending was so so beautiful! I wish we had more of these characters!
Lola & the Millionaires: Part One by Kathryn Moon
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Following Lola through her journey of recovery and learning to love herself is by far the best part of this story. I really love the complexities of her emotions and feelings about everything thing that happened.
At first I thought the magazine aspect would turn me off but it was a light hearted additive to the heavy themes.
Lola’s relationship with the pack is complicated. It seems like they already had a pretty complicated relationship with out her. I’m excited to see how her relationships with Caleb, Wes, and Cyrus continue and how this all falls into place in book two.
Finally hopefully in the next book we get some more action! I want this Indy to act so the pack can tear him apart!
At first I thought the magazine aspect would turn me off but it was a light hearted additive to the heavy themes.
Lola’s relationship with the pack is complicated. It seems like they already had a pretty complicated relationship with out her. I’m excited to see how her relationships with Caleb, Wes, and Cyrus continue and how this all falls into place in book two.
Finally hopefully in the next book we get some more action! I want this Indy to act so the pack can tear him apart!
Pack Choice by Hannah Haze
emotional
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
3.75
I think was my favorite of the three books I’ve read by Hannah Haze. I just loved the way the dynamic developed between all the characters.
I think I liked this one better because of the relationships that formed between Ford, Colt and River as well. It was so sweet to see them all admit they wanted each other too.
The spice was crazy as well LOL
I think I liked this one better because of the relationships that formed between Ford, Colt and River as well. It was so sweet to see them all admit they wanted each other too.
The spice was crazy as well LOL