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xandriaisreading's reviews
157 reviews
Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
4.0
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The FiancΓ© Dilemma by Elena Armas
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.75
Josie is living out her version of the Runaway Bride in her small town. This wouldn't be a problem until her estranged, rich and famous father that she recently reconnected with mentioned her in an interview and now a gossip podcast is shining the spotlight on her past.
When her dad sends a PR professional, literally named Shark, to fix things, a miscommunication leads everyone to believe that Josie is now on on her fifth engagement! Only it's an engagement of convenience with her sister's best friend but no one knows except for the two of them. They have two rules: stay friends, and don't get married.
This one is for the girlies who love yearning, tension, and slow burns! π₯ Josie can get in her head and Matthew is right there to... distract her π He's a protective one and is determined to show her she is perfect the way she is and others are dumb for not truly seeing her.
Outside of the romance you have Josie trying to find out what her new role is now that she has her father in her life and she's continuing to build her relationship with her sister. The spotlights on her past relationships and the critiques of her "daddy issues" brings up a lot for her regarding her mother's passing and feelings of abandonment that are bubbling just under the surface.
The writing was easy to read and super relatable. The characters were funny, insightful, and authentic. This book will definitely be one that I recommend!
Thank you to Atria Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
When her dad sends a PR professional, literally named Shark, to fix things, a miscommunication leads everyone to believe that Josie is now on on her fifth engagement! Only it's an engagement of convenience with her sister's best friend but no one knows except for the two of them. They have two rules: stay friends, and don't get married.
This one is for the girlies who love yearning, tension, and slow burns! π₯ Josie can get in her head and Matthew is right there to... distract her π He's a protective one and is determined to show her she is perfect the way she is and others are dumb for not truly seeing her.
Outside of the romance you have Josie trying to find out what her new role is now that she has her father in her life and she's continuing to build her relationship with her sister. The spotlights on her past relationships and the critiques of her "daddy issues" brings up a lot for her regarding her mother's passing and feelings of abandonment that are bubbling just under the surface.
The writing was easy to read and super relatable. The characters were funny, insightful, and authentic. This book will definitely be one that I recommend!
Thank you to Atria Books for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The pacing was so much better than in Iron Flame! I really enjoyed that it felt like an adventure and more story focused than listening to Violet and Xaden have the same arguments over and over again.
Getting to see the isles and beyond the continent was also so good! The cultures are so different and getting to see how they favor and live in the ways of their Gods was so cool.
Character-wise, I enjoyed getting a glimpse at the relationships the other riders have with their dragons. Ridoc, bb, getting see another side of him was super refreshing. War is starting to get to all of them...
And finally Andarna. I would kill for Andarna.
Getting to see the isles and beyond the continent was also so good! The cultures are so different and getting to see how they favor and live in the ways of their Gods was so cool.
Character-wise, I enjoyed getting a glimpse at the relationships the other riders have with their dragons. Ridoc, bb, getting see another side of him was super refreshing. War is starting to get to all of them...
And finally Andarna. I would kill for Andarna.
Four Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie Palmer
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.25
After feeling like she cheated cancer and isn't enough for ex, Alison finds herself playing the role of girlfriend at her ex's funeral. Determined to pull of the role, she finds herself volunteering to pack up her dead ex's apartment with his best friend, Adam. No problem, she can keep up the facade for a few more weeks... Right?
Ultimately this is a story about identity and guilt. Alison is attempting to be deserving of her life now that she's mitigated her cancer risk. Adam is trying to make up for a fight that will never get resolved. Both are trying their hardest but can see straight through the other. It's easy to give advice when it's not your own life.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed the complicated and non-linear journey Alison went on. I loved how her friends both had her back and weren't afraid to call her out. The romance was a slow build (I mean, he is her dead ex's best friend) and had the perfect amount of yearning. And the best part is that it balanced the emotional parts with humor very well.
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
Ultimately this is a story about identity and guilt. Alison is attempting to be deserving of her life now that she's mitigated her cancer risk. Adam is trying to make up for a fight that will never get resolved. Both are trying their hardest but can see straight through the other. It's easy to give advice when it's not your own life.
Overall I really enjoyed this book! I enjoyed the complicated and non-linear journey Alison went on. I loved how her friends both had her back and weren't afraid to call her out. The romance was a slow build (I mean, he is her dead ex's best friend) and had the perfect amount of yearning. And the best part is that it balanced the emotional parts with humor very well.
Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with an arc for an honest review.
The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster by Shauna Robinson
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Mae has always wanted to connect with her Black family in the South; but since her grandmother didn't approve of her father's marriage to her white mother that family line was almost non existent. Save for the famous family July 4th BBQ her father went back for every year.
With news of her grandmother's passing, Mae realizes she doesn't have forever to get to know the other half of her family. As she takes off to North Carolina to attend the funeral, she gets a less than chilly welcome. In hopes of turning things around, she offers to throw the final BBQ and recreate her grandma's famous Mac and cheese. But as she learns more about her family, secrets are revealed that changes the way she's everyone she loves.
I was super excited about this one, being in a similar position. Hearing her talk about microagressions, especially from those you love and the way it complicates the way you see them was such a great take to read... The first few chapters. It was repeated several times in the same manner throughout the book unnecessarily.
There are a lot of feelings at play here, from Mae's, her cousin Sierra's and the rest of the Townsend clan. So there's a lot of hot and cold communication throughout the book that feels like it's jerking you around. This gives way to a bit of an uneven pacing, but the story really picks up around the 55-60% mark.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. There were bits that could be a bit tighter but ultimately it's the miscommunication that turned me off. It's not my fave.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
With news of her grandmother's passing, Mae realizes she doesn't have forever to get to know the other half of her family. As she takes off to North Carolina to attend the funeral, she gets a less than chilly welcome. In hopes of turning things around, she offers to throw the final BBQ and recreate her grandma's famous Mac and cheese. But as she learns more about her family, secrets are revealed that changes the way she's everyone she loves.
I was super excited about this one, being in a similar position. Hearing her talk about microagressions, especially from those you love and the way it complicates the way you see them was such a great take to read... The first few chapters. It was repeated several times in the same manner throughout the book unnecessarily.
There are a lot of feelings at play here, from Mae's, her cousin Sierra's and the rest of the Townsend clan. So there's a lot of hot and cold communication throughout the book that feels like it's jerking you around. This gives way to a bit of an uneven pacing, but the story really picks up around the 55-60% mark.
Overall, I enjoyed the story. There were bits that could be a bit tighter but ultimately it's the miscommunication that turned me off. It's not my fave.
Thank you to Sourcebooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Anaconda Downstairs by Amy Award
funny
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? N/A
4.0
EVERETT. KINGMAN. Whew, this man! It was nice to get a slower burn than the other brothers. And his reluctance to love and comedic timing were the perfect toppings to this book.
I fall more in love with each brother with each book I read; but Everett is currently King π
The only issue i had with this book was that the timeline was in tandem with P*ssy Next Door, so there were a a lot of time skips and it made the story fly by. I wish it was more on it's own. I appreciatet the quick publishing, but I think the timeline can use some spacing.
I fall more in love with each brother with each book I read; but Everett is currently King π
The only issue i had with this book was that the timeline was in tandem with P*ssy Next Door, so there were a a lot of time skips and it made the story fly by. I wish it was more on it's own. I appreciatet the quick publishing, but I think the timeline can use some spacing.
Oye by Melissa Mogollon
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.25
This is an emotional one! I've never read a book told through a series of phones calls, but it served the story and characters well.
The generational trauma is compounded through four generations and finally faced and tackled by the matriarch and the youngest when the former becomes sick. Their relationship starts out strained and as the past is revealed, it grows into a beautiful and loving protectiveness that only they can understand. Their relationship was my favorite part of this book.
The generational trauma is compounded through four generations and finally faced and tackled by the matriarch and the youngest when the former becomes sick. Their relationship starts out strained and as the past is revealed, it grows into a beautiful and loving protectiveness that only they can understand. Their relationship was my favorite part of this book.
Book of the Month by Jennifer Probst
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Aspen wrote one great book. No really, it was a best seller and book of the month! The problem is it was based on her toxic relationship with her ex and she poured all of her feelings into it and her fans loved it. They loved it so much they won't read her new books and her publisher isn't happy.
So off to OBX she goes to reconnect with her sister and find her muse some inspiration. Enter town bad boy Brick Babel (yes, that's actually his name). With a reputation for leaving women so broken hearted they started a support group, Aspen is sure he's the emotional key to her next book.
But you see, Brick is not having a good time. He grandfather died and left him his failing, debt-ridden tour company complete with a nemesis hell bent on destroying him. The perfect opportunity for a little quid pro quo: Aspen can help with the tour company (spoiler alert she made bank after her first book), Brick can break Aspen's heart and give her enough material for her next book and make her publisher happy.
Now into the nitty gritty, this one was cute. The premise was new and exciting and I couldn't wait to read it. However, Aspen just can't see past her own nose. All of her troubles, there's only one answer and it's the answer that's going to make her miserable. Even though you as the reader will be able to come up with way better options. In fact, I can guarantee you will be able to come up with the end solutions suggested by the other characters early on in the book.
The characters themselves were fun! Aspen and Brick were cute when they were together and when they were apart you could see them falling for each other. Aspen's sister is the true voice of reason and thank goodness she's there. The beach shop characters are my favorite little pot heads! π Every time they popped up, it was just a fun scene or chapter. Maleficent, the tour competitor felt like she was going to have a bigger role but was just "fixed" in a few paragraphs towards the end with a, "how does that make you feel" from Aspen and the fact that she's a fan of Aspen.
Overall the book felt a bit too long but then also rushed. Especially at the end of summer.
Thank you to Blue Box Press for providing me with a copy via NetGalley for an honest review.
So off to OBX she goes to reconnect with her sister and find her muse some inspiration. Enter town bad boy Brick Babel (yes, that's actually his name). With a reputation for leaving women so broken hearted they started a support group, Aspen is sure he's the emotional key to her next book.
But you see, Brick is not having a good time. He grandfather died and left him his failing, debt-ridden tour company complete with a nemesis hell bent on destroying him. The perfect opportunity for a little quid pro quo: Aspen can help with the tour company (spoiler alert she made bank after her first book), Brick can break Aspen's heart and give her enough material for her next book and make her publisher happy.
Now into the nitty gritty, this one was cute. The premise was new and exciting and I couldn't wait to read it. However, Aspen just can't see past her own nose. All of her troubles, there's only one answer and it's the answer that's going to make her miserable. Even though you as the reader will be able to come up with way better options. In fact, I can guarantee you will be able to come up with the end solutions suggested by the other characters early on in the book.
The characters themselves were fun! Aspen and Brick were cute when they were together and when they were apart you could see them falling for each other. Aspen's sister is the true voice of reason and thank goodness she's there. The beach shop characters are my favorite little pot heads! π Every time they popped up, it was just a fun scene or chapter. Maleficent, the tour competitor felt like she was going to have a bigger role but was just "fixed" in a few paragraphs towards the end with a, "how does that make you feel" from Aspen and the fact that she's a fan of Aspen.
Overall the book felt a bit too long but then also rushed. Especially at the end of summer.
Thank you to Blue Box Press for providing me with a copy via NetGalley for an honest review.