stephjayne4_reads's reviews
145 reviews

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

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dark funny tense fast-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? Yes

3.0

This audio narration was sooo good and really funny! Just not my cup of tea with all the explicit content, but enjoyed it all the same!
Trial of Bronze and Blood by M.K. Deoradhán

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

A fantasy unlike any I’ve read. A lot of times fantasies blur together for me because they are very similar, but this was a breath of fresh air. Gladiators, Italian coastal setting, political unrest, a dash of romance, AND trials? Honestly, say less 😂

Marcus is the right hand to the king of Anziano and Dru is brought to the island to help train the king for the upcoming trials. Anziano is one of the few republics that have evaded colonization from the Imperium, but their involvement in the trials could change all that.

The twists at the end and the cliffhanger have me anxiously awaiting book 2! We also get a taste for the magic system, which I’m excited to learn more about.

Highly recommend!
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Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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funny lighthearted fast-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

5.0

One of the best romances I’ve read in a LONG time. Absolutely obsessed 
The Favorites by Layne Fargo

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emotional inspiring reflective tense fast-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

4.5

Wow… what a great story. Worth all the hype, even though I wanted to throw the book across the room multiple times while reading!
The Crash by Freida McFadden

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

3.0

Way too similar to one of Stephen King’s famous stories, in my opinion. Freida did include some of her signature twists, and this was addictive as always, but not super original.
Spring Awakening by J.S. Jasper

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funny hopeful lighthearted slow-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? Yes

3.5

This book is like a warm hug. 

Enemies > friends > best friends >  lovers, this is the definition of a slow burn. Zach is a rugby player and Mila just joined the team as their PR rep. This book is long, which gives their relationship time to evolve really organically as they get to know each other (although the attraction is there from the start), which is sometimes rare in a sports romance. 

This story has cute banter, bi representation, British slang, complicated family dynamics, men going to therapy (!!!), and a really happy ending.

Available now on Kindle Unlimited!

Thanks Love Notes PR and JS Jasper for my very first ARC. 💖
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson

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

3.75

Solid sequel - this is a great series on audio!
The Measure by Nikki Erlick

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emotional mysterious medium-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

5.0

Wow, I am blown away by this book.  At first I though following 8 different POVs would be way too many, but the author masterfully wove tho get her the different stories and made you fall in love with the characters (well, most of them). 

Such a timely and thought provoking story
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous dark emotional tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

This one took me so long to get through and kept making me fall asleep 🫣 I love this world but this book just did not do it for me. And the ending is confusing… to the internet I go to figure out what happened!
From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley

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emotional funny sad fast-paced

5.0

Wow. Such a great story and way to honor her mom.