sassypantsreading's reviews
799 reviews

Taste of Fate by Sophie Ash

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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

4.0

I really enjoyed Taste of Fate, and I don’t know why, but I wasn’t expecting to. I liked that it took place in modern times and the vampires seemed like regular people. So often the vampires in books are snooty, aristocratic types. These guys rode motorcycles! I really liked Tavia and Cyan together. The MMC treating the FMC like garbage just because he has feelings for her isn’t my favorite, but fortunately this book was short enough that it didn’t last long. One thing that seemed very odd was that the community of Sapien seemed super isolated, with only around 100 citizens, and no form of outside communication, yet Tavia knew about Mexican food and other modern human amenities. That didn’t really add up to me. I’m looking for to reading Amy’s book next.

I received an ARC of Taste of Fate from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Tempting by Bella Matthews

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

4.0

I’m sort of on the fence with Tempting. I didn’t realize this was a spin-off series. Even though it’s the first book in the series, I do think you should read the other series first. I was so confused about who everyone was and belonged to and how they were related. The author dove in assuming the reader knows everyone, which I don’t think should be the case for a first-in-series book. I think the author should assume the reader is new to the world. Aside from being thoroughly bewildered for most of the book, I thought the whole friend group was a bit incestuous. Especially how they discuss their sex lives with each other, even though they’re married or in relationships with others’ siblings. It was kind of weird and gross. 

I did really love Mackenzie and Nixon together. The dirty talk was amazing. And one of my favorite things, possibly ever, happened in this book: the MMC, a “possessive” brother himself, called the FMC’s big brother out on his crap. I DETEST the overbearing big brother trope, especially once they start throwing out the “baby sister” garbage. It’s infantilizing and takes away the FMC’s agency and is a little vomity. But in THIS book, Nixon puts Easton in his place, and even tells him it’s sick to think that another man is taking away his sister because she doesn’t belong to her brother. I wanted to bow down to this queen, Ms. Matthews, for that. Seriously, bravo 👏 Usually, it has to be the sister or the brother’s wife putting poor big brother’s feelings at ease. I adore that the author had the MMC do it in this book. Honestly, I gave the book an extra star because of that. 

I enjoyed this book, and I would read the next in the series, but I think I need to go back and read the other series first. 

I received an ARC of Tempting from Valentine PR. I am leaving this review voluntarily. 
The Romance Library by Olivia Spring

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lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Romance Library was a perfectly executed, middle of the road book for me. I loved the concept of the Romance Library and the town of Sunshine Bay. Jess and Theo were a great couple with great chemistry. I just didn’t get overly excited about this book. There was nothing wrong, it was very well-written, the characters were great, but it also felt a bit boring at times.

I received an ARC of The Romance Library from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Pinky Promise by Lana Kingsley

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slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really, really enjoyed Pinky Promise, but everyone was so horrible to Colby! I know he wasn’t exactly a standup guy, but he seemed like he was doing what he was told to keep his job, whereas everyone else was horrible to him just because they were being jerks. I was team Colby the whole book. I don’t know if I was just PMS-y or what, but it almost made me cry, how awful everyone treated him. Especially Cass. I didn’t read the first book in the series, her book, and I’m not sure I want to. She seemed like an awful friend and a worse person. Blake was kind of mean at the beginning of the book, and I wasn’t a fan of the pseudo love triangle, but she definitely grew on me. I think she showed a lot of growth as a character once she got together with Colby. Colby as well. I did feel like some things were left unresolved with Colby and his stepfather. Other than them being jerks, I kind of adored the friend group Blake had. They were hilarious, as were inner monologues. I definitely laughed out loud a few times. I would happily read the next book in this series.

I received an ARC of Pinky Promise from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Don't Remind Me by Lacey Burke

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

4.0

I really enjoyed Don’t Remind Me, with the exception of the hot-button abortion parts. The author provides a disclaimer at the beginning that the book contains “discussion of abortion policy and mention of online and written harassment.” In reality, the author villainizes pro-life supporters; they were either willing to “learn” or they were hateful terrorists, no in-between. Regardless of whether one is pro-life or pro-choice, the focus of Dani’s work simply added no value to the plot of this book. She just as easily could have been planning a symposium for saving rainforests, or funding libraries for under served populations, or providing bicycles to every person in Timbuktu - literally any charitable or social cause imaginable - and it still wouldn’t have changed the overall gist of the story. I want my romance books to be an escapism, not a political statement, and I prefer to be adequately warned in advance otherwise. Vague content warnings of “policy discussions” didn’t feel sufficient here.

That being said, I truly liked this story overall. The author handled mental health issues brilliantly, both with Dani’s anxiety and Jase’s black sheep struggles. The ex’s brother thing was less problematic than I thought it would be. I loved the restaurant setting. I’m actually looking forward to Aubrey and Gabe’s story!

I received an ARC of Don’t Remind Me from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Bound to My Demon Mate by Nina Siren

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fast-paced

2.0

This book could have been so much better as a full-length novel. Novellas are fine, if they follow logical storylines and timelines. This book jumped from point a to point b without any logical path. It was rushed and not particularly well done. 

I received a copy of Bound to My Demon Mate from BookSprout. I am leaving my review voluntarily. 
Arrogant Professor by Audrey Bell

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fast-paced

5.0

Hot, sexy, and sweet. Arrogant Professor made me want to go back to college and find a hot older professor! This was well-written, had just enough tension in the form of Elle’s family, and perfectly smutty. 

I received an ARC of Arrogant Professor from the author, Audrey Bell. I am leaving my review voluntarily. 
Of Monsters and Mazes by Leann Belle

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Of Monsters and Mazes was absolutely The Labyrinth retelling I didn’t know I needed in my life! I am a Labyrinth movie junkie from way back when it was first released. In college, it was one of my “drunk movies” that I would turn on at 3am because I just loved it so much. All that not say, I really, really love the movie and this book did it PERFECT justice. I adored the twists on all the familiar scenes and characters. I loved how the author put her own spin on it all by combining mythology with movie elements. This book was definitely dark and twisted, but not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I did have a conversation with the author prior to reading because I don’t like to be scared (I’m such a baby!) and she reassured me if I can get through chapters 5 and 7, I’d be ok for the rest of the book. I would add chapter 41 as well. However, as big of a baby as I am, I did just fine. They didn’t scare me, just made me squeamish.

I thought this book was so much more than just a retelling; it really delved into Sela’s psyche. The whole Labyrinth seemed like it was designed to show Sela what could be, versus a silly game for Jericho. I wouldn’t have been surprised if, at the end, the whole thing was a crazy fever dream to help Sela learn how to balance her professional and personal lives. I both loved and hated each of the men. I suppose I like even my darker MMCs to have a bit of a soft spot for their girl. These men all had the soft spot, but it didn’t come out until the end. And, I can’t believe I’m saying this, I was kind of hoping for a bit more heat in the form of group “activities.” There was plenty of steamy moments, but I was waiting for more group play.

Overall, I’m so, so happy I read this book. I’m going back to read the other books in this series.

I received an ARC of Of Monsters and Mazes from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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One Touch by Sophia Bloom

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lighthearted 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? No

4.0

I really enjoyed One Touch! I thought it was funny, charming, and hot. I’m not a huge fan of miscommunication tropes, and there were so many crossed signals between Lily and Ethan. It seems like Ethan was more willing to cross over into relationship ship territory than Lily was, but all of the sudden, the script was flipped. I felt slightly confused by that. I did just really love their relationship, though, and Bluehaven Beach. Ava was cute, but I don’t know any 8 year old children who are so witty and quick with the one-liners. And I work in a school. That seemed a bit far-fetched. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

I received an ARC of One Touch from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The Art of Lying by Caster Lee

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I did not like The Art of Lying very much. I realize it was a novella, but even with a novella, you need to set up the story to make sense. There was absolutely no backstory to Sophia and Preston’s relationship. I thought they barely knew each other at the beginning, but Sophia was acting like a jealous child. Her emotions made no sense. It just wasn’t very well-developed. 

I received an ARC of The Art of Lying from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.