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readwatchcrochet's reviews
516 reviews
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
Part of the issue for me I think stems from, as the second book, it doesn’t have that ‘new dragon riding school’ structure like the first did. And there were times when I felt it was becoming a bit repetitive. And Xaden starts to act a bit too overprotective, like another least favourite character from Fourth Wing.
Continue to love the interactions between Violet & Tairn! And snarky Andarna is a great addition.
But I will continue to read up on every fan theory and speculate what will happen next!
Really not sure how we can come back from that ending…just expecting more secrets to he revealed in the future.
Some of my favourite quotes:
There are a few redemption arcs in this book which were a nice surprise, if not a bit confusing.
the sacrifice that Violet’s mum, makes up for her future actions, at least in part.
Also, xaden and his choice at the end…what the hell. Where do we even go from here? And Sgaeyl’s cries at the end
You cannot!” Sgaeyl shrieks. “I chose you!”
4.5
I enjoyed the ride, maybe not as much as Fourth Wing. The ending though…
“Xaden is the most powerful in the room, given their silence. “For now,” Tairn reminds me”
📚 romantasy
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
Reread 1 update (Jan 2025)
Enjoyed this more as a reread and the paced seemed to pick up a bit when compared to my initial read. Still has me worried for future books…onto Onyx Storm…
…..
Reread 1 update (Jan 2025)
Enjoyed this more as a reread and the paced seemed to pick up a bit when compared to my initial read. Still has me worried for future books…onto Onyx Storm…
…..
Initial Review
I enjoyed this, maybe not as much as Fourth Wing. But I’m invested in these characters.
I enjoyed this, maybe not as much as Fourth Wing. But I’m invested in these characters.
“It is one thing to cross the parapet your first year. But watching countless candidates lose their life to it feels a little like dying, too.
Part of the issue for me I think stems from, as the second book, it doesn’t have that ‘new dragon riding school’ structure like the first did. And there were times when I felt it was becoming a bit repetitive. And Xaden starts to act a bit too overprotective, like another least favourite character from Fourth Wing.
“You never would have pulled this bullshit last year. You never held me back, never caged me in the name of protecting me.”
Continue to love the interactions between Violet & Tairn! And snarky Andarna is a great addition.
“Not that Tairn ever waits for permission, which means— “I, too, think you need to eat something.” Tairn’s low, arrogant voice fills my head.
But I will continue to read up on every fan theory and speculate what will happen next!
Really not sure how we can come back from that ending…just expecting more secrets to he revealed in the future.
Some of my favourite quotes:
“lock my shields in place just like Xaden taught me and fantasize about shoving Dain off the tower.”
“He’s the horizon, and nothing exists beyond for me.”
“Mom and Dad are fighting, and everyone knows it
“We do not eat our allies. —TAIRN’S PERSONAL ADDENDUM TO THE BOOK OF BRENNAN AS QUOTED BY CADET VIOLET SORRENGAIL”
There are a few redemption arcs in this book which were a nice surprise, if not a bit confusing.
Also, xaden and his choice at the end…what the hell. Where do we even go from here? And Sgaeyl’s cries at the end
You cannot!” Sgaeyl shrieks. “I chose you!”
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Barbarian's Heart by Ruby Dixon
You can say what you like about these blue aliens, but they are nothing if not devoted to their females. Book boyfriend goals.
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
It’s book 9 - you know what you’re getting by this point.
📚 memory loss
📚second chance
📚 forced proximity
📚 forced proximity
📚 dual POV
📚 forehead kisses
📚 forehead kisses
🌶️🌶️
“That means I have mated with a female and forgotten it. This is terrible.”
|Thoughts|
There is still something about this series that has me hooked. Although, whilst I enjoyed this one, it isn’t my favourite. It was more focused on character development than actual plot, especially when compared to previous books in the series.
“She is mine, now. I do not care that I do not remember her. She is mine, and I am not going to give her up. I will fight with every breath in my body to make her happy.”
You can say what you like about these blue aliens, but they are nothing if not devoted to their females. Book boyfriend goals.
“You have memories of me. Mine of you are gone. If I cannot have them back, I would like to make new ones. With you.”
“I think that’s why I took your…injury hard. I lost my mate and my best friend at the same time.”
This one also is more heartbreaking as they both attempt to get back to their previous relationship.
“Her tears hurt me. They wound my heart. I want to be whole, for her. I want to remember what I have lost. I want it so badly that my fists clench at my side and my entire body strains with frustration.”
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Close Knit by Denise Stone, Kels Stone
As nice as it was that it was open about talking about mental health, there were times when it just felt a bit too on the nose/ cheesy. But inevitable, it was still an important message.
Loved the little ‘yes dates’ they’d go on and how Cameron and Daphne got so comfortable as friends. And the way they support each others progression is super sweet.
Her passion for knitting is woven into the story is some interesting ways (knitting sessions with the team and some yarn bondage…)
Love that she's a knitting influencer and he's the grumpy goalie with trust issues. Especially love how he worships her. Plus, who doesn't love a man who'll just snuggle or take you on a trip to see the northern lights? Think I'll like this interconnected series.
This is book 1 in The Hastings series, a collection of interconnected standalone sports romances about the Hastings siblings, scions of sports royalty.
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Verging on 5⭐️, until the dread third act break up
📚 pro football (soccer) x knitting influenced
📚 found family
📚 mental health rep
📚 grump x sunshine
📚 friends to lovers
📚 mental health rep
📚 grump x sunshine
📚 friends to lovers
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
This really hooked me (unintentional pun). I grew up playing soccer (so I didn’t have to read football for dummies like Daphne) and I have a (very small) social media page (so connected with some of the aspects of Daphne’s social media experience.
“Daphne Quinn has painted my world in vibrant colors, and I’ll be damned if I let it fade again.”
As nice as it was that it was open about talking about mental health, there were times when it just felt a bit too on the nose/ cheesy. But inevitable, it was still an important message.
Loved the little ‘yes dates’ they’d go on and how Cameron and Daphne got so comfortable as friends. And the way they support each others progression is super sweet.
“There’s no chant for when the keeper blocks a goal?” Bea shrugs. “Never.” Well, that won’t do.
Her passion for knitting is woven into the story is some interesting ways (knitting sessions with the team and some yarn bondage…)
“I’ll never be able to look at yarn again without thinking about this moment.”
Love that she's a knitting influencer and he's the grumpy goalie with trust issues. Especially love how he worships her. Plus, who doesn't love a man who'll just snuggle or take you on a trip to see the northern lights? Think I'll like this interconnected series.
This is book 1 in The Hastings series, a collection of interconnected standalone sports romances about the Hastings siblings, scions of sports royalty.
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The Girl in the Plane by Katherine Center
It will also reiterate how much of a douch Chip (her fiancé) is.
Cute to see what role Cassie played in getting Margaret and Ian get together.
4.5
Best read after Things We Save in a Fire and How To Walk Away.
📚 short story
📚 audio narrated by author
“That’s part of the job too. Keeping patients calms and even shielding them from knowing too much too soon”
|Thoughts|
Great to see the FMC from Things We Save In A Fire in action. And the story is even more heartbreaking when you’ve already read Margaret’s book. Interesting to also see the events of the crash from Cassie/ firefighters perspective because Maragret was definitely an unreliable narrator during that section.
“She spent her entire childhood wishing for a nickname”
It will also reiterate how much of a douch Chip (her fiancé) is.
“In all my years of in working in EMS, I had never once seen a loved one have the chance to stay with a patient and not take it…One thing was clear to me. She needed him and he still didn’t go. I knew in that second he wasn’t the man she thought he was”
Cute to see what role Cassie played in getting Margaret and Ian get together.
“Meet the lovely Margaret. Crushed L1”
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How to Walk Away by Katherine Center
Although we learn more about her mum as we get into the story, still find her character to be severely lacking. And how she could stay friends with her neighbour friend, I’ll never know. Plus, the sister and the dad…no contact for each time period - not really good enough reasons.
Thought the whole family dynamic was so warped and dysfunctional, not surprise she ended up engaged to Chad or Chip, can’t remember his name.
Had to ignore the fact that their relationship starts when he is her patient and there is maybe a bit of insta love…still enjoyed her interactions.
4.25
Heartbreaking yet engaging
📚 grumpy
📚 Scottish pyshio
📚 single POV
🚫 closed door romance
🚫 closed door romance
“You’re saying I don’t know the difference between what’s fair and funfair?…Because my fiancé crashing a plane I didn’t even want to go near and paralysing me, while he walks away without even a Band-Aid. Not fair”
|Thoughts|
Was thought provoking and devastatingly entertaining. Seeing her be so positive when she was being rescued from the plane and as reality slowly revealed itself to her and the reader, was such a choice.
“You have to live the life you have. You have to find inspiration in the struggle and lull joy out of the harsh ship…counter balance the suffering with laughter”
Although we learn more about her mum as we get into the story, still find her character to be severely lacking. And how she could stay friends with her neighbour friend, I’ll never know. Plus, the sister and the dad…no contact for each time period - not really good enough reasons.
“As how you’ve come to symbolise his foolishness and weaknesss”
“You know how loyal Chip is…you wouldn’t want him to marry you out of guilt”
Thought the whole family dynamic was so warped and dysfunctional, not surprise she ended up engaged to Chad or Chip, can’t remember his name.
“I know better than to look backward…more than anything I know you just have to choose to make the best of things”
It is also baffling to see a side to the US healthcare system…if it can be called that. Only being given inpatient care for a given number of weeks and not however long it was needed.
“What happens at the end of five weeks?”
“They stop paying”
Had to ignore the fact that their relationship starts when he is her patient and there is maybe a bit of insta love…still enjoyed her interactions.
“You’re not actually in love with me, by the way.”
“So. I sank. I went through a long deep period of grief that involved bitterness, anger, mourning, judgement, rage, self putty, fear, longing and loneliness”
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The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
medium-paced
4.0
Similar vibes to Butcher and Blackbird.
📚 suspense/ thriller
📚 dual timeline
📚 dual POV
🚫 closed door romance
|Thoughts|
This did have me hooked and really unsure who I was able to trust. The dual POV was an interesting decision. Because it took us into the mind of someone who you could sympathise with yet at the same time be horrified by some of their thoughts and actions.
Found it interesting that she had an initial thought about Tom being the same guy her friend was dating, yet doesn’t even look into that when she starts dating him.
“What the truth staring me. was I blinded by Tom’s good looks?…No, it’s impossible. Tom isn’t a killer. I’m even more sure of that than I am that Randy isn’t a killer”
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Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
4.25
Sweet and enjoyable read and great edition to the Rebel Blue Ranch series.
📚 enemies to lovers
📚Forced proximity
📚single dad
📚 nanny
📚 best friends brother/ sisters best friend
📚 small town
📚care when sick
📚 forehead kisses
📚 dual POV
“I didn’t even like Teddy. At all. Teddy Anderson was trouble. And loud.”
🌶️🌶️
|Thoughts|
This was a heartfelt romance between two people who do everything for those around them, yet crave some love and attention for themselves.
“Hot nerdy cowboy with a moustache was not something I thought would do it for me, but…”
This enemies to lovers worked well as we saw Gus and Theo slowly start to understand the other and they both show their softer side.
The care these two show each other, was the highlight of the book for me. Just so dang cute.
Teddy’s friendship with Gus’ daughter was super sweet. And seemed to grow organically.
“Are your dad and Tedding holding hands?”
“Yeah, they do that soemtimes”
There wasn’t really much in terms of plot, it was more character kdevelopment. But in this case, just loved reading about them, I didn’t really notice/ care.
“I don’t have much to offer. Just a quiet life with a grumpy man from a small town, but I can remiss to love you every day”
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Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan
medium-paced
4.0
Found this to be a refreshing and easy holiday read.
📚 second chance
📚best friends brother
📚 single mother
📚 single POV
🌶️ generally closed door
|Thoughts|
Whilst is does focus on the romance between Aly and Ethan, it’s is also a story about finding yourself after marriage and children. And also embracing the different forms of love you experience in your lifetime.
Did enjoy how it explored how people we love often do things to protect you or show their love. But even with the best intentions, may ultimately end up hurting you more.
Not too sure how I feel about her calling her son Cliffy, and do wish her ex had some more karma thrown his way. But had a nice satisfying HEA ending.
Really want some karma thrown her ex husbands way
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Forever, Interrupted by Taylor Jenkins Reid
As much as I felt for Elsie in her grief, she still was not a great person to those around her.
Whilst an enjoyable real, it did feel cruel to get to fall in love besides them whilst know it would only be a short love.
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
A story about life after loss
📚 found family
📚 dual timeline
📚 single POV
🚫 closed door spice
“Even though the time was brief. I loved you and you loved me”
|Thoughts|
This story, from the beginning was just devastating. It’s not your traditional romance, in that there is no traditional romance hook HEA. But the ending was still a hopeful one.
The reasoning behind Ben not telling him mum was a bit weak but did its job of adding to the conflict.
The reasoning behind Ben not telling him mum was a bit weak but did its job of adding to the conflict.
“We are strangers to each other but we share a very real loss”
Enjoyed the opportunity to see Ben & Elsie fall in love through flashbacks. However, just make the whole story more heartbreaking.
“I don’t loose him by being myself”
As much as I felt for Elsie in her grief, she still was not a great person to those around her.
Whilst an enjoyable real, it did feel cruel to get to fall in love besides them whilst know it would only be a short love.
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All the Missing Pieces by Catherine Cowles
The format worked really well, with Ridley undertaking some investigative journalising for her crime podcast. The mystery had me desperately wanting answers, yet they trickled out as the story progressed to a satisfying end.
Enjoyed the banter and tension between Ridley and Colt, especially in the first part of the story.
Loved the cute little nicknames they had for each other.
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Hooked me from the beginning - had be guessing til the end.
📚 podcaster x sherif
📚 mystery/ susepnse
📚 forced proximity
📚 enemies to friends to lovers
📚 small town
📚 found family
📚 forced proximity
📚 enemies to friends to lovers
📚 small town
📚 found family
📚 dual POV
🌶️🌶️
“No surprises. Nothing unexpected. I needed steady. Predictable. And my gut told me Ridley Bennet was anything but”
|Thoughts|
Couldn’t put this one down and the audiobook narration by Andi Arnt and Sebastian York really drew me into the story.
“Helped me find all the missing pieces. Even the ones I didn’t realise I needed”
The format worked really well, with Ridley undertaking some investigative journalising for her crime podcast. The mystery had me desperately wanting answers, yet they trickled out as the story progressed to a satisfying end.
Enjoyed the banter and tension between Ridley and Colt, especially in the first part of the story.
“Do not make me arrest you”
Loved the cute little nicknames they had for each other.
“Haven’t you figured it out yet Chaos. You’ve had me breaking all the rules since the day I met you”
An adult version of A Good Girls Guid to Murder. Whilst this is a standalone, there are some subtle Easter eggs to her other series.
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Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.