sassypantsreading's reviews
799 reviews

Zodiac Hybrids by Leann Belle

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

3.0

I feel like I need to reserve judgement for Zodiac Hybrids until I read the next book 🤔 I really like Leann Belle’s books, but I’m not so sure about this one. I felt pretty lost for a lot of it because I didn’t feel like the monsters were explained well. I also didn’t think we were given adequate descriptions to visualize what was happening, which I found odd because the author’s fairytale retellings are super descriptive and detailed. While realizing I was reading an ARC, I also must note that the editing definitely needed to be tightened up. Again, that’s odd to me because her other books were so well done. I’m most definitely going to read the next book, especially because literally no conclusions happened. I don’t love that this series isn’t a traditional series exactly. It seems as though it’s going to be one really long book chopped up into manageable chunks, but that also means there’s no real conflict in the book or natural stopping point. At least, that’s how I feel after reading book one. Perhaps the second book will change my mind. Finally, I was missing the heat in this one. There are two open-door, semi explicit scenes, but no where near the level of heat I’ve come to expect from Ms. Belle. I’m hoping the steam is dialed up in the next book!

I received an ARC of Zodiac Hybrids from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
For Better or Hearse by Ava Hunter

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funny lighthearted slow-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

3.0

I’m solidly on the fence about For Better or Hearse. I really liked Ash and Nathaniel’s story, but it felt a bit long to me. I did like how Ash was a Type 1 diabetic; Nathaniel being a doctor seemed like a match made in heaven! Augustus was a riot, and even though I knew it was coming, his death made me a bit misty-eyed. Overall, I liked the plot! However, a big hang- up I have is when authors don’t use complete sentences, and this book is FULL of incomplete sentences. My brain likes to zero in on them and it takes away from my enjoyment of a story. I think that’s why this book took me longer than normal to read. 

I received an ARC of For Better or Hearse from Valentine PR. I am leaving my review voluntarily. 
Tempting the Tight End by Lisa Suzanne

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lighthearted 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 liked Tempting the Tight End. The chemistry between Asher and Desiree was smoking hot, almost palpable, and the steam in this book hit just right. There were a few issues with consistency (an event is supposed to be the next day, but suddenly it’s that night, etc), but nothing that took me out of the story too much. The overprotective father toed the line of being too much for me, but it’s not generally my favorite trope. The author, publisher, and promoters should also make it known that there is a controversial trope thrown in about 2/3 of the way in that causes all the third act drama. I know for a lot of readers, it’s an automatic DNF when this trope comes out to play. For a contemporary sports romance, this book didn’t have the typical team banter that I’m used to, and it’s interesting delving into that. I kind of loved that the author threw in a tiny, little, specific kink in the epilogue; I’m here for it! Overall, I thought this book was well done!

I received an ARC of Tempting the Tight End from Valentine PR. I am leaving this review voluntarily. 
Delayed Penalty by Teagan Hunter

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funny 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

5.0

I loved, loved, loved Delayed Penalty! I can’t believe I haven’t read this author before, but trust me, I’m definitely going to be checking out her back catalogue. Delayed Penalty was everything I love in a book: super steamy, so sweet, just the right amount of emotion, and funny! I adore the team group chat and can’t wait for more of those guys. I wish there could’ve been more of a middle finger to Quinn’s family, but I’m happy with the way the book ended. I can’t wait for the next book, but luckily I have the first book to check out in the meantime! Very well done!

I received an ARC of Delayed Penalty from Valentine PR. I am leaving this review voluntarily. 
Taught by the Coach: An Instalove Hockey Romance by Alyson Archer

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lighthearted fast-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

5.0

Whew! That was so hot 🥵 Taught by the Coach is a quick, insta love, age-gap novella. It was super filthy and delicious. I’m not in to the whole Daddy thing, so I was a little icked out by it, but whatever floats their boat!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Love, Camera, Action: A Novel by Noel Stark

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lighthearted 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

Love, Camera, Action was a cute book. I enjoyed Jory and Cali together, and felt that each character had a great growth arc. I was a bit worried at the beginning of the book because it seemed heavy on the woke, me-too, misogyny thing, but it didn’t dominate the book and ended up playing into a major conflict. I thought the writing was excellent; I like that the author had a robust vocabulary without making the book feel pretentious, as can often happen when an author takes prose too seriously. Overall, I thought this book was well-done! 

I received an ARC of Love, Camera, Action from NetGalley. I am leaving my review voluntarily. 
Jay's Silence by Kate Messick

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

2.0

I was so disappointed by Jay’s Silence after loving the first book so much! I felt like Jay’s Silence was so drawn out, long, and convoluted. It was hard to follow at times. Some details were tedious, but other, bigger plot lines just magically appeared without the leap from point A to point B. I loved how all of the dragons came together, but I wish we would’ve had more of that versus all the confusing mess Jay had got into. I think Tyson got his well-deserved redemption arc, even though he still has a temper. I didn’t think Jay’s inner monologues were as funny this time around. In fact, I really didn’t care for Jay at all. At some point, her running and hiding and not believing in herself went from being a redeemable character flaw to annoying. I also thought this book was quite sloppy; tons of typos, sentences that should’ve been combined with a comma instead of a period (think: Jay did this. While Tyson did this), and just general editing mistakes, like incorrect names. 

I received an ARC of Silent Jay from BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily. 
Broken by Daylight by Elizabeth Helen

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

5.0

Oh my god. This series. Just… write faster pleaseandthankyou? This book had my heart and emotions in shambles. Cas… Farron… Dayton… I need more asap!
Undeniable Love by Samantha Chase

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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

Undeniable Love was a cute, fairly low-angst book. I do wish publishers and authors would let you know if a book is fade-to-black, closed door, open door, etc. This book was faded-to-back, and while there’s nothing wrong with that, I like my books on the spicy side. The blurb interested me, but I’m not sure it would’ve been a choice for me to review if I had known that it was fade-to-black. That aside, I really liked Jax and Lucy together, and I loved Jax’s family. I’m generally a sucker for sports romance, so I loved that plot line. I’m glad Tyler wasn’t an overly overbearing big brother, because that is one of my pet peeves. He was just the right amount! Overall, a good read, I just missed the spice. 

I received an ARC of Undeniable Love from Valentine PR. I am leaving my review voluntarily. 
The Heartbreaker by Marni Mann

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
I DNF’ed this book at 37%. I did not like Ridge at all and couldn’t get past it. He was giving me major pervy, love-bombing predator who doesn’t take no for an answer vibes. He’s a good guy, he says, not like other guys, he says, as he’s perving on Addison in the strip club. He just really rubbed me the wrong way and I wasn’t enjoying the book because of it.