stinasara's reviews
518 reviews

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

🌶️🌶️🌶️(not a lot) 

 

The book was a bit slow to get into at the start. Some of the chapters are just way too long. The plot was good but the execution felt a bit weak but the book had a lot of potential. 

 

I love Sully and Sawyer. Their friendship was so wholesome to follow. They’re romantics at heart. I like Fallon but she won’t be the memorable character of this book. Jaz was a complex character. There were parts where she was okay but most of the time I found her mean and annoying. 

 

The banter in this was really funny and fantastic to read though. Probably my favorite part along with Sully and Sawyer’s friendship, 

 

Tropes 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

🌶️(kissing) 

 

They are so cute, my Quinn and my Logan. It was definitely young, but intentional. I grew to love their characters. This book had the power to transport me back in time and I felt giddy like a teenager again. 

 

I didn’t care a whole lot about their campaign. However, it was a nice change of pace from the romance, even if I preferred the romance. Personal preference? I would have wanted more of the romance, but it was still a nice change from other books. 

 

I didn’t understand the ”no dating” rule, it felt like a thing to put in to drag things out. It didn’t ruin the book, but it felt like a non-issue blown way too big. It is the kind of stupid rule teenagers would do though. 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🌶️(kissing) 

This book was such a delightful! I was swept up in the story and the characters. Riley and Nathan were both  earnest and endearing. Their innocence and naivety felt authentic, perfect for their age.

What stood out the most was how their time working together at the store shaped their connection. Watching the way they learned to communicate with one another felt incredibly rewarding—it was just as meaningful as the romantic elements.

As for the romance, it was adorable. Sweet doesn’t even begin to cover it! I found myself grinning and swooning right along with Riley. Her growing feelings for Nathan were relatable, and Nathan himself was a charming and thoughtful.

recommend: YES! 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

🌶️(kissing) 

 

I really liked this book. Like a lot! The changes with the characters were subtle but great. The book gave me a cozy and warmth feeling. I surprisingly cried more than I thought (I thought nothing). 

 

The friendship between shy and awkward Elijah and confident Wade was so sweet. It was lovely to watch them grow throughout the story and learn how to be their true selves. I was surprised that it sort of turned into

a love triangle

, but I liked how it was done. 

 

I like the references to She’s All That, but without the stupid bet. 

 

A great first read of the year! 

 

<b>Tropes</b> 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(a fair amount of description) 

 

This was such a cute romance, I loved it. Happy I ended the year with a good book! 

 

Molly was funny and relatable. Andrew was the sweetest and matched her energy perfectly. The fact that he was sunshine and she was a bit of a grump really got me. 

 

I loved both family dynamics so much and I adored going on their entire chaotic trip. There were many swoon worthy moments. It really had Christmas vibes. The banter was spot on. I literally laughed out loud multiple times. The book was genuinely funny. 

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(a fair amount of description) 

 

This book was a cute read, but it left me with mixed feelings. I loved how Octavia took the time to research Melody, genuinely loving her for who she is. 

 

That said, I went into this book expecting strong Christmassy vibes, but that sadly didn’t come through. While the storyline was intriguing and made for a generally okay romance novel, it didn’t deliver on the festive atmosphere. 

 

There were moments that had me laughing out loud and others where I cringed so hard it hurt. Speaking of cringing—Beat’s name! I couldn’t take it seriously, and every time I read it, it pulled me out of the story. 

Overall, it was enjoyable in parts, but not quite the festive gem I’d hoped for. 

 

Tropes 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️(a reasonable amount) 

 

I love how Liv is embracing Selena! 

 

 

Liv and Dean are seriously the sweetest. Liv was the sunshine to his cloud. I absolutely loved how their relationship started out as a business arrangement, and then transitioned to a true friendship with trust being built, and then turning romantic. However, it did feel quick because we weren’t shown all of their conversations but just enough to make it believable. 

 

They both did a great job of reading the other and providing what they needed in that moment. Clara was the cutest and sassiest little girl and her connection with both Liv and Dean was heartwarming. I can’t forget to mention how I absolutely loved that Liv embraced Selena. 

 

 

⭐️⭐️.5 

🌶️🌶️🌶️(reasonable) 

 

I didn’t like either of the characters. They were both judgemental and belittling to each other. They through half-assed apologies to each other left and right and were shocked that the other didn’t know their true feelings. 

 

Their building was up for sale but there were no actual feelings of doom. The answer was given to us from the start but it was dragged until the end of the book because Chelsea couldn’t take her head of out her own ass. 

 

The only good things in this book were their dogs. 

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

 

I really liked the concept of the tri-level semidioses (Gold, Jade, and Obsidian). The Mexican-mythology-inspired elements were fantastic. While I’m not entirely sure how much of the mythology is rooted in Mexican traditions vs. being invented, it was excellent and the fantastical elements were well incorporated. 

 

The representation in this book was amazing! I appreciated the exploration of dysphoria— both gender and body. Teo’s struggles with his wings, which are both a natural extension of his body and a core part of his personality, were so well-written. 

 

I haven’t decided yet if I’ll pick up the second book, but I’m intrigued! 

 

Tropes

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

🌶️🌶️🌶️(sufficient description) 

 

Such a cute holiday romance! I loved that the  main characters both work at a bookstore and share a love for reading. It had just the right balance of fluff and tension. I enjoyed the competitive aspect of the story. While there were a few cringey moments, overall, I had a great time reading it. 

 

This was a slow burn, but it was delightful. The winter vibes were there. The story features a grumpy hunk and a sunshiney, overly holiday-spirited coworker working together in a bookstore to save it from closing. Meanwhile, they’re both undeniably attracted to each other, creating some delicious sexual tension and angst. The dialogue made me laugh out loud several times, which added to the charm.