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xandra_lyn's reviews
543 reviews
The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
I liked this book a lot! I really thought we'd get to the end without a third act break-up
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
It was explicit, but not long.
Dragons and Marshmallows by Asia Citro
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Super cute book! I like how the author seamlessly wove science into the story
The Midnight Blizzard: A Cinderella Retelling by Mary Mecham
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is hands down the best Cinderella adaptation I've EVER read!!!! It combined elements of the original stories in such amazing ways that I didn't see coming. And the reveal near the end!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯 I literally screamed and had to walk away because I was so (delightfully) shocked!!!!
I loved how Noelle was a bit mischievous and flirtatious from the beginning. None of this "she was never usually like that" nonsense that a lot of female MCs do. And I also like that she was always standing up for herself. The story of Cinderella is hard for me because of the injustice, cruelty, and abuse she endures. I liked that this one was different.
This was part of a Christmas Chronicles series, but it really was a winter tale. I read it in January so it was perfect for that. Other than a few mentions of mistletoe, holly, and peppermint, it didn't have anything to do with Christmas. Again, to me this was a plus because I love winter books, but if you're looking for Christmas then save this until January.
I loved how Noelle was a bit mischievous and flirtatious from the beginning. None of this "she was never usually like that" nonsense that a lot of female MCs do. And I also like that she was always standing up for herself. The story of Cinderella is hard for me because of the injustice, cruelty, and abuse she endures. I liked that this one was different.
This was part of a Christmas Chronicles series, but it really was a winter tale. I read it in January so it was perfect for that. Other than a few mentions of mistletoe, holly, and peppermint, it didn't have anything to do with Christmas. Again, to me this was a plus because I love winter books, but if you're looking for Christmas then save this until January.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Death of parent
Noelle's dog is seriously injured at the beginning (don't worry, he gets better!!)
MultiVersus: Collision Detected #6 by Bryan Q. Miller
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A Timeless Christmas: An Enchanting Time Travel Romance by Alexis Stanton
informative
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
3.0
This was just ok. I liked the movie better lol. It was incredibly slow, and I felt Charles' view of women (that they are just as capable as men, etc.) unrealistic coming from a guy from 1902. I also didn't appreciate how him going back was built up as this super emotional thing and then he just .....decides not to. It was super anticlimactic.
Journey to the Manger: Exploring the Birth of Jesus by Paula Gooder
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
This was such an amazing book!! It was thought provoking and illuminating. I've grown up into the American evangelical inerrancy tradition, and I've grown up with the nativity story all my life. This has fresh, biblically and historically accurate information that combined faith with the reality of scholarship. She doesn't delve too deeply into the discrepancies of the narratives but focuses on the beauty of the overall theme: that God loves us so much that he'd do something as surprising as come down as a baby.
It was refreshing and wonderful and I highly recommend it!!
It was refreshing and wonderful and I highly recommend it!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Child death
Child death: death of the innocents
Adult/minor relationship: she makes a big deal about Mary being only 12. Most bump it to 14 (which is still not great, when you think of it), and it did leave me feeling rather ill at ease (to be fair, the author is not saying child marriage is a good thing, only it is the reality according to many historians)
Confessions of a Chalet Girl by Lorraine Wilson
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
It opened with her being hazed by having to take off her bra in front of a ton of drunk guys. It's disgusting that that's sort of sexual harassment /bullying is basically "ok-ed" by the author. The character in question is clearly uncomfortable and it's just so disgusting. No one should ever feel like they need to do something like this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Mrs. Claus and the Nightmare Before New Year's by Liz Ireland
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-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
Such a great addition to the series!!
I read it for new years, but it wasn't white Christmas or new years. It would have been a great book for those days in between, but it was pretty good after too!
I read it for new years, but it wasn't white Christmas or new years. It would have been a great book for those days in between, but it was pretty good after too!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Murder
The Duke's Bride by Erica Ridley
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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? No
5.0
I really loved Jack and the Skeffington family. I loved Desiree too, although I felt her character was a little all over the place - the author wanted to make her independent and into things like mechanics and physics, but it just felt like those things were shoe-horned in rather than being naturally part of the story.
Also, neither good nor bad, there was a small spicy scene in this one after two books without them. They seem to be throw away events and I'm not sure why the author has them in since her heart is in the characters and not the spice.
Also, neither good nor bad, there was a small spicy scene in this one after two books without them. They seem to be throw away events and I'm not sure why the author has them in since her heart is in the characters and not the spice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #6 by Jay Kristoff
adventurous
dark
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
Such a great ending!! I felt it wrapped up a little too quickly, but it was still amazing!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence