vel629vet's reviews
1031 reviews

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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funny tense 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? It's complicated

3.25

The first half of this book was decidedly rom-com and I was so excited for it. Excellent banter, unique setting, fun characters. 
Then we reached the halfway point and I suddenly found myself in an actual fantasy novel? With like, a whole plot? Idk - I wasn’t prepared for it. And I was honestly very frustrated to reach a cliffhanger and find out the next book releases in fall 2024. I guess my fault for not doing more research. 
Overall a cute, original book. Just not what I was expecting or wanting in my current mood read! 
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

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challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I adored this. It has absolutely ruined at least the next few romances I read, because I will inevitably compare them to this. 
A When Harry Met Sally modern retelling but honestly so much more. Her characters are so intricately developed and I found myself in love with them while also thinking, man I wouldn’t be able to stand these people in real life. 
It was like the character development of an Emily Henry romance but with more nuanced and frustrating characters. Gosh I just loved it. Please read. 
Saga, Vol. 11 by Brian K. Vaughan

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adventurous fast-paced

3.0

The problem with reading this epic ‘saga’ month by month from day 1 is I just don’t remember the intricacies of how these characters are connected. I want to be involved in reading each issue as it comes out, but I think I would be enjoying the overall story more if I waited and binged. 
The Amazing Spider-Man: One Moment in Time by Paolo Rivera, Joe Quesada

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adventurous

3.5

I appreciate the quasi retcon or at least explanation of how our beloved characters believe they got to this point. And I like how MJ stood up for herself in this run. 
Amazing Spider-Man: The Gauntlet - The Complete Collection Vol. 2 by Zeb Wells, Fred Van Lente, J.M. DeMatteis

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adventurous tense fast-paced

3.75

Intense and well written. More solo stories from Black Cat please!!! 
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft

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lighthearted slow-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

3.5

If you love fantasy and you love regency romance novels, this is absolutely for you. I only love one of those things, and I thought the fantasy would say the slow slow slow slow slow burn of this book but it just didn’t. I can’t do regency books. 
A couple of dangling plot holes, but otherwise a good story. 

Thanks to the author and publishers for the ARC! 
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

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funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

Very cute rom-com with the man of literally everyone’s dreams. Officially my number 1 book crush. 
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz

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mysterious reflective tense medium-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? No

4.0

Compulsively readable. A really, really well done whodunnit inside a whodunnit! Makes me want to read Agatha Christie. Also a really fun way for an author to demonstrate their ability to use multiple writing styles and exaggerate obnoxious writing tropes by having a book editor as the POV. 
I highly recommend! 
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent

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adventurous dark tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to read more Carissa Broadbent. I’m glad I read this book first before her super popular current series because I anticipate her writing has gotten much better. That being said, there were a lot of really profound and masterful storytelling moments in this novel. Definitely for fans of SJM and TOG specifically. 
Lost 3/4 of a star because I felt the book could have been a little bit shorter. The last quarter of the book went a little long. 
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul

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challenging emotional informative reflective sad medium-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? No

2.75

I haven’t had a book infuriate me in a long time. I’m always more frustrated with books when they have the potential to be amazing and they just fall by the wayside. The writing was so readable and quick which was a good thing, but the plot was too scattered. Some characters were so detailed and then they were just dismissed from the story in 2 sentences. Any twists that arose toward the end fell completely flat and had no emotional heft. I wished so much more for this. 
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