readwithbec_'s reviews
59 reviews

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

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emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

β€œπ•„π•’π•ͺ𝕓𝕖 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 π•šπ•€π•Ÿ'π•₯ π•€π• π•žπ•–π•₯π•™π•šπ•Ÿπ•˜ π•₯𝕙𝕒π•₯ π•”π• π•žπ•–π•€ 𝕗𝕦𝕝𝕝 π•”π•šπ•£π•”π•π•– 𝕀π•₯ 𝕛𝕦𝕀π•₯ 𝕣𝕖 π•₯𝕙𝕒π•₯ 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 π•žπ•’π•œπ•– π•žπ•– 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝕓𝕖π•₯π•₯𝕖𝕣 π•šπ•€ π•šπ•— 𝕀 π•—π•šπ•Ÿπ•’π•π•π•ͺ π•˜π• π•₯ π•šπ•₯ 𝕒𝕝𝕝 𝕠𝕦π•₯ 𝕕𝕙𝕀 π•’π•Ÿπ•• 𝕗𝕝𝕠𝕨𝕀, π•šπ•Ÿ π•’π•Ÿπ•• 𝕠𝕦π•₯, 𝕛𝕦𝕀π•₯ π•π•šπ•œπ•– π•₯𝕙𝕖 𝕑𝕖𝕠𝕑𝕝𝕖 π•šπ•Ÿ 𝕠𝕦𝕣 π•π•šπ•§π•–π•€.”

Thoughts: It Ends with Us was an enjoyable and emotional read, centred around a second-chance romance. I loved this book, although I got a bit sidetracked by other reads midway, which caused a slight delay in finishing it. I must mention that some themes in the book needed trigger warnings for sensitive readers. Atlas, in particular, left me feeling emotional. The ending was good, and it easily became my favourite part of the book. Lily's strength throughout the story, made her a remarkable character. If you enjoy an emotional romance, heartbreak and long lost love you will enjoy this book.

Synopsis: Sometimes the one who loves you is the one who hurts you the most. Lily hasn't always had it easy, but that's never stopped her from working hard for the life she wants. She's come a long way from the small town in Maine where she grew up - she graduated from college, moved to Boston, and started her own business. So when she feels a spark with a gorgeous neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid, everything in Lily's life suddenly seems almost too good to be true. Ryle is assertive, stubborn, maybe even a little arrogant. He's also sensitive, brilliant, and has a total soft spot for Lily, but Ryle's complete aversion to relationships is disturbing. As questions about her new relationship overwhelm her, so do thoughts of Atlas Corrigan - her first love and a link to the past she left behind. He was her kindred spirit, her protector.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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Baggage Claim by Juliana Smith

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

"𝕀𝕗 π•ͺ𝕠𝕦 𝕨𝕖𝕣𝕖 π•žπ•šπ•Ÿπ•–, π•ͺ𝕠𝕦'𝕕 π•Ÿπ•–π•§π•–π•£ π•¨π• π•Ÿπ••π•–π•£ 𝕙𝕠𝕨 𝕑𝕖𝕣𝕗𝕖𝕔π•₯ π•ͺ𝕠𝕦 𝕒𝕣𝕖."

Thoughts: This book is an easy, light-hearted read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The developing relationship between Finn and Olive was heartwarming and lovely. While the ending was predictable, it didn't take away from the cuteness and enjoyment of the story. Overall, it is a cute Christmas romance story that I highly recommend. If you enjoy fake dating, reverse grumpy/sunshine, guy falls first, forced proximity and one bed you may enjoy this book.

Synopsis: Olive Moore has been avoiding her hometown for three years now. But a phone call with her mom has her agreeing to spend the holidays back home with her family, she lets it slip she will be bringing a boyfriend with her. The only problem with that is she has no boyfriend. That is until she meets a handsome-albeit annoying-stranger on the plane who makes her an offer she can't refuse. Finn Beckett has always had good luck, as demonstrated by the gorgeous blonde he's seated next to on a flight to Aspen. One drink too many leads to Olive spilling her problems in his lap, and he feels compelled to help. So he makes her an offer: he'll pretend to be her boyfriend to keep her family off her back and make this the best Christmas ever. Olive and Finn spend the next two weeks going on spirit-filled Christmas dates with her family. Their ruse is working perfectly, but Finn can't help but notice Olive is holding something back. Something that could ruin everything. Their relationship may have taken off smoothly, but with all this turbulence, will they ever make it to baggage claim?

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by J.K. Rowling

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adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

β€œπ•‹π•™π•– π•₯𝕣𝕦π•₯𝕙. π”»π•¦π•žπ•“π•π•–π••π• π•£π•– π•€π•šπ•˜π•™π•–π••. '𝕀π•₯ π•šπ•€ 𝕒 𝕓𝕖𝕒𝕦π•₯π•šπ•—π•¦π• π•’π•Ÿπ•• π•₯π•–π•£π•£π•šπ•“π•π•– π•₯π•™π•šπ•Ÿπ•˜, π•’π•Ÿπ•• 𝕀𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 π•₯𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕓𝕖 π•₯𝕣𝕖𝕒π•₯𝕖𝕕 π•¨π•šπ•₯𝕙 π•˜π•£π•–π•’π•₯ 𝕔𝕒𝕦π•₯π•šπ• π•Ÿβ€.

Thoughts: Since my childhood, I have wanted to start reading the Harry Potter series. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) exceeded my expectations. The fantastic character development of Harry, Hermione, and Ron captivated me throughout reading this book. I can't wait to dive into book #2, as book #1 exceeded my expectations.

Synopsis: An orphaned boy enrols in a school of wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. On his eleventh birthday, Harry Potter discovers that he is no ordinary boy.

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Set on You by Amy Lea

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emotional funny hopeful slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

β€œπ”Όπ•§π•–π•£π•ͺπ• π•Ÿπ•– 𝕕𝕠𝕦𝕓π•₯𝕀 π•₯π•™π•–π•žπ•€π•–π•π•§π•–π•€ π•€π• π•žπ•–π•₯π•šπ•žπ•–π•€. 𝕀π•₯’𝕀 𝕑𝕒𝕣π•₯ 𝕠𝕗 π•“π•–π•šπ•Ÿπ•˜ π•™π•¦π•žπ•’π•Ÿ.”

Thoughts: Set on You is book #1 of The Influencer. From enemies to friends. This book was okay and easy to follow. Although, I found it hard to keep myself motivated to finish this book. I liked the characters in this book at most parts of the storyline. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, sports romance and forced proximity you may enjoy this book.

Synopsis: Curvy fitness influencer Crystal Chen built her career shattering gym stereotypes and mostly ignoring the trolls. After her recent breakup, she has little stamina left for men, instead finding solace in the gym - her place of power and positivity. Enter firefighter Scott Ritchie, the smug new gym patron who routinely steals her favourite squat rack. Sparks fly as these ultra-competitive foes battle for gym domination. But after a series of escalating jabs, the last thing they expect is to run into each other at their grandparents' engagement party. In the lead-up to their grandparents' wedding, Crystal discovers there's a soft heart under Scott's muscled exterior. Bonding over family, fitness, and cheesy pick-up lines, she just might have found her swolemate. But when a photo of them goes viral, savage internet trolls put their budding relationship to the ultimate test of strength.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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Flawless by Elsie Silver

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

β€œπ•Šπ•™π•– π•’π•Ÿπ•• 𝕀 𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕝𝕝π•ͺ 𝕒𝕣𝕖 π•“π•šπ•Ÿπ•’π•£π•ͺ 𝕀π•₯𝕒𝕣𝕀, 𝕀π•₯π•¦π•”π•œ π•šπ•Ÿ 𝕖𝕒𝕔𝕙 𝕠π•₯𝕙𝕖𝕣’𝕀 π• π•£π•“π•šπ•₯, π••π•£π•’π•¨π•Ÿ π•₯π• π•˜π•–π•₯𝕙𝕖𝕣 𝕓π•ͺ 𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕔𝕖𝕀 𝕨𝕖 π•”π•’π•Ÿβ€™π•₯ 𝕀𝕖𝕖 𝕠𝕣 π•¦π•Ÿπ••π•–π•£π•€π•₯π•’π•Ÿπ••β€”π•“π•¦π•₯ π•₯𝕙𝕒π•₯ 𝕨𝕖 π•”π•’π•Ÿ 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝”.

Thoughts: Flawless follows Summer and Rhett in Chestnut Springs. They did not lie when they said this was a must-read! I LOVED this book so much!!! It was a slow burn for sure, but I have now entered my Cowboy Romance Era, yeehaw! Rhett Eaton sure has a mouth on him. If you enjoy grumpy / sunshine,
workplace romance, age gap (7 Years), forced proximity, one bed, cowboy/bull rider and spice, you will love this book. I loved both Summer & Rhett’s characters and cannot wait to start Heartless, Book #2 of the Chestnut Spring Series.

Synopsis: The rules were simple. Keep my hands off his daughter and stay out of trouble. But now I’m stuck with her. There’s only one bed. And well, rules are made to be broken. I’m the face of professional bull ridingβ€”the golden boy. Or at least I was until it all blew up in my face. Now my agent says I have to clean up my image, so I’m stuck with his ball-busting daughter for the rest of the season as my β€œfull-time supervision.” But I don’t need a goddamn babysitter, especially one with skin-tight jeans, a sexy smirk, and a mouth she can’t stop running. A mouth I can’t stop thinking about. Because Summer isn’t just another conquest. She sees the man behind the mask, and she doesn’t runβ€”she pulls me closer, even when she shouldn’t. She says this means nothing. I say this means everything. She says there are boundaries we shouldn’t cross. That my reputation can’t take any more hitsβ€”and neither can her damaged heart. I say I’m going to steal it anyway.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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November 9 by Colleen Hoover

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

β€œπ•€π•₯ π•₯π• π• π•œ 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕣 π•ͺ𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕀 𝕗𝕠𝕣 π•žπ•– π•₯𝕠 𝕗𝕒𝕝𝕝 π•šπ•Ÿ 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖 π•¨π•šπ•₯𝕙 π•™π•šπ•ž. 𝕀π•₯ π• π•Ÿπ•π•ͺ π•₯π• π• π•œ 𝕗𝕠𝕦𝕣 π•‘π•’π•˜π•–π•€ π•₯𝕠 𝕀π•₯𝕠𝕑”

Thoughts: I enjoyed November 9 and appreciated how unique the storyline was. I went in completely blind and avoided reading reviews beforehand. I liked how this book kept me on my toes with a plot twist that I was not expecting at all. I also enjoyed the character development throughout the book. If you enjoy forbidden love/romance, secrets and lies and love at first sight you may enjoy this book.

Synopsis: Fallon meets Ben, an aspiring novelist, the day before her scheduled cross-country move. Their untimely attraction leads them to spend Fallon’s last day in L.A. together, and her eventful life becomes the creative inspiration Ben has always sought for his novel. Over time and amidst the various relationships and tribulations of their own separate lives, they continue to meet on the same date every year. Until one day Fallon becomes unsure if Ben has been telling her the truth or fabricating a perfect reality for the sake of the ultimate plot twist. Can Ben’s relationship with Fallon-and simultaneously his novelβ€”be considered a love story if it ends in heartbreak?

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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The Girl from London by Olivia Spooner

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

PR PRODUCT: Thank you Tandem Collective, Olivia Spooner & Moa Press for the opportunity to be a part of this read-along.

Thoughts: I enjoyed this book and being a part of this read-along with Tandem Collective. The story follows a heart-wrenching narrative filled with a lot of love and loss which has been well written. I enjoyed the dual timeline of this book. It was my first time reading adult historical fiction, and it has sparked an interest in reading more from this genre!

Synopsis: London, 1940. Ruth, a young schoolteacher, volunteers as an escort helping to evacuate children from war-torn England to Australia and New Zealand. Her three-month voyage is fraught - their passage is perilous, and the children anxious and homesick. Nine-year-old Fergus is more troubled than most and Ruth forms an unexpected bond with the boy.It's not just Fergus who captures Ruth's attention. Bobby, a fellow volunteer who initially infuriates Ruth with his laidback charm, somehow gets under her skin and throws her ordered life into chaos.Tragedy strikes on their return voyage, when the Rangitane is attacked by German raiders. As the ship goes down, the surviving passengers are taken as prisoners of war aboard the German vessel. To the rest of the world, they are missing, presumed dead.New Zealand 2005. Hazel boards a plane to London, eager to explore Europe. Sitting next to her is a man named Joe. On her lap is a treasured book from her grandfather, Fergus. A book that will finally reveal Ruth's story.A captivating, heart-wrenching story of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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Christmas at the Cat CafΓ© by Jessica Redland

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challenging emotional hopeful 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? No

3.0

Thank you @on_shais_shelf & @bookedbyamy for letting me be a part of your December buddy read! #shamybuddyread πŸ©·πŸ“š

β€œπ•€π•— π•€π• π•žπ•–π• π•Ÿπ•– π•ͺ𝕠𝕦 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕕 𝕨𝕒𝕀 π•šπ•Ÿ π•‘π•’π•šπ•Ÿ, π•ͺ𝕠𝕦’𝕕 π•₯𝕖𝕝𝕝 π•₯π•™π•–π•ž π•₯𝕠 𝕀𝕝𝕠𝕨 π••π• π•¨π•Ÿ, π•₯𝕠 𝕣𝕖𝕝𝕒𝕩, π•₯𝕠 π•₯𝕣𝕖𝕒π•₯ π•₯π•™π•–π•šπ•£ 𝕓𝕠𝕕π•ͺ π•¨π•šπ•₯𝕙 𝕣𝕖𝕀𝕑𝕖𝕔π•₯ π•’π•Ÿπ•• π•”π• π•žπ•‘π•’π•€π•€π•šπ• π•Ÿ, 𝕀𝕠 π•˜π•šπ•§π•– π•ͺ𝕠𝕦𝕣𝕀𝕖𝕝𝕗 π•₯𝕙𝕒π•₯ π•’π••π•§π•šπ•”π•– π•’π•Ÿπ•• 𝕙𝕖𝕖𝕕 π•šπ•₯.”

Thoughts: The storyline of the book was cute. I loved the small-town and small-business setting. Fifteen catsβ€”wow! I liked how the book delved into Tabby’s medical condition (Fibromyalgia). However, I feel the cover was somewhat misleading, as the romance in the book was secondary, and it didn't convey the Christmas vibe as much as the cover suggested. If you enjoy friends to lovers, workplace romance you may enjoy this book. 

Synopsis: It had always been Tabby's dream to work with cats and an inheritance from her beloved nanna has finally made that a reality. Idyllic Castle Street in Whitsborough Bay couldn’t be a better place for pastry chef Tabby to open a cat cafΓ© with her boyfriend, Leon. But when Leon leaves her in the lurch, the pressure mounts for Tabby. With Christmas fast approaching, she has to open the cafΓ© on her own – a daunting prospect, especially when she's been hiding her health issues from the ones she loves. Faced with local resistance to the cafΓ© – and somebody seemingly determined that she won’t succeed – Tabby will need her friends, family and cats more than ever to recover her broken Christmas spirit and pull together for a Christmas miracle. Will the cat cafΓ© bring the festive joy to Castle Street as Tabby had hoped or will it be a cat-astrophe? And can the magic of Christmas on Castle Street mend Tabby's broken heart as well as her business?

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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Evidence of the Affair by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

β€œπ•€π•₯ π•šπ•€ π•—π•¦π•Ÿπ•Ÿπ•ͺ π•₯𝕙𝕖 𝕔𝕣𝕒𝕫π•ͺ π•₯π•™π•šπ•Ÿπ•˜π•€ 𝕠𝕦𝕣 π•“π•£π•’π•šπ•Ÿπ•€ π•žπ•’π•œπ•– 𝕦𝕑 π•₯𝕠 𝕀𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕦𝕀 π•—π•£π• π•ž π•₯𝕙𝕖 π•₯𝕣𝕦π•₯𝕙.”

Thoughts: Evidence of the Affair" follows an illicit affair through epistolary form. Honestly, I really enjoyed reading this short story. It has been sitting in my Kindle library for the longest time. Being only 88 pages, and with the interesting synopsis, I was intrigued!

Synopsis: The repercussions of an illicit affair unfold in this short story by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid. Dear stranger. A desperate young woman in Southern California sits down to write a letter to a man she’s never metβ€”a choice that will forever change both their lives. My heart goes out to you, David. Even though I do not know you… The correspondence between Carrie Allsop and David Mayer reveals, piece by piece, the painful details of a devastating affair between their spouses. With each commiserating scratch of the pen, they confess their fears and bare their souls. They share the bewilderment over how things went so wrong and come to wonder where to go from here. Told entirely through the letters of two comforting strangers and those of two illicit lovers, Evidence of the Affair explores the complex nature of the heart. And ultimately, for one woman, how liberating it can be when it’s broken.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.

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Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

β€œπ•Žπ•™π•–π•Ÿ π•šπ•₯ π•”π•’π•žπ•– π•₯𝕠 π”Όπ•žπ•žπ•ͺ, 𝕀 𝕨𝕒𝕀 𝕑𝕝𝕒π•ͺπ•šπ•Ÿπ•˜ π•¨π•šπ•₯𝕙 π•—π•šπ•£π•–, 𝕓𝕦π•₯ 𝕀 𝕨𝕠𝕦𝕝𝕕 π•™π•’π•‘π•‘π•šπ•π•ͺ π•¨π•’π•π•œ π•šπ•Ÿπ•₯𝕠 π•₯𝕙𝕖 π•—π•π•’π•žπ•–π•€ 𝕗𝕠𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕣. π”Έπ•Ÿπ•• 𝕀’𝕕 𝕙𝕒𝕧𝕖 𝕒 π•€π•žπ•šπ•π•– π• π•Ÿ π•žπ•ͺ 𝕗𝕒𝕔𝕖 π•₯𝕙𝕖 𝕨𝕙𝕠𝕝𝕖 π••π•’π•žπ•Ÿ π•₯π•šπ•žπ•–.”

Thoughts: Done and Dusted follows Emmy and her brother’s best friend, Luke, in Book #1 of Rebel Blue Ranch. The brother’s best friend trope? Sign me up! So glad I read this book to continue my Cowboy Romance Era. This book was great and had a cute storyline. If you enjoy brother's best friend, he falls first & he falls hard, forbidden love and reformed bad boy, you will enjoy this book. I cannot wait to start my ARC copy of Swift and Saddled (Rebel Blue Ranch #2).

Synopsis: As Emmy’s older brother’s best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It’s been years since he’s seen her, but when she walks into his bar and back into his life, he can’t take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her.

Please check trigger warnings before reading this book.


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