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13rebecca13's reviews
498 reviews
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a fun read and I'm glad I listened to it on audio. Jacob Morgan was brilliant as Josh and really brought out the humour in Navessa Allen's words.
Lights Out was clearly written for the booktok girlies and those who are into the masked man thing. Our main character Aly is nurse, desperate to help as many people as possible in life after an accident involving her mother when she was younger.
Similarly, Josh, "The Faceless Man", whose masked, thirst trap videos that Aly is obsessed with, has his own traumatic past. I don't want to give any spoilers on how their paths come to cross because it is really fun to read and discover. Probably my favourite part of the whole book!
The story was fun, I enjoyed the humour (especially the Emily Gilmore reference) and Josh's character was just brilliant. He has these two very different personas and I loved both of them. There is a little bit of a mafia family thrown in the middle which I typically don't choose to read normally but it worked in this novel.
Lights Out was clearly written for the booktok girlies and those who are into the masked man thing. Our main character Aly is nurse, desperate to help as many people as possible in life after an accident involving her mother when she was younger.
Similarly, Josh, "The Faceless Man", whose masked, thirst trap videos that Aly is obsessed with, has his own traumatic past. I don't want to give any spoilers on how their paths come to cross because it is really fun to read and discover. Probably my favourite part of the whole book!
The story was fun, I enjoyed the humour (especially the Emily Gilmore reference) and Josh's character was just brilliant. He has these two very different personas and I loved both of them. There is a little bit of a mafia family thrown in the middle which I typically don't choose to read normally but it worked in this novel.
Playing the Game by Sasha Lace
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Playing The Game is the first book in the Playing The Field series and what I didn't realise was that it is set in London. I love a sports romance and this crosses with billionaire romance too.
Miri is a female footballer for the Swans. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend Jed and we learn that she had borrowed money from someone a bit dodgy in his family because her mother was ill and needed some adaptations. Now that they aren't together, Jed throws her under the bus and it's up to her to pay the money back.
After Gabe's father dies, he expects that he will become the manager of Calverdale football club. Due to his playboy image and negative press, his mother won't allow it until he proves himself with the Calverdale Ladies team. Whilst observing his new team, he spots Miri. She is a fantastic footballer and Gabe instantly wants her to join the team but he wants her in a not so professional way too.
I did enjoy this book and it was nice change to read a book about women in sports. Miri is a great strong character who is determined. I liked the character of Gabe too and his personality really came across on the page. I understand him and why he behaved as he did with a nice redemption arc too.
Miri is a female footballer for the Swans. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend Jed and we learn that she had borrowed money from someone a bit dodgy in his family because her mother was ill and needed some adaptations. Now that they aren't together, Jed throws her under the bus and it's up to her to pay the money back.
After Gabe's father dies, he expects that he will become the manager of Calverdale football club. Due to his playboy image and negative press, his mother won't allow it until he proves himself with the Calverdale Ladies team. Whilst observing his new team, he spots Miri. She is a fantastic footballer and Gabe instantly wants her to join the team but he wants her in a not so professional way too.
I did enjoy this book and it was nice change to read a book about women in sports. Miri is a great strong character who is determined. I liked the character of Gabe too and his personality really came across on the page. I understand him and why he behaved as he did with a nice redemption arc too.
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
As soon as I finished Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh, I instantly started Snowed In, the second in the Fitzpatrick Christmas series. This is Christian's story, Andrew's brother who we met briefly in the previous book.
Megan jilts her would-be husband Isaac on their wedding day, bumping into former schoolmate Christian outside the venue who promises to keep her abscondence secret.
Five years later, the two meet again in a pub in Dublin where they are both now living, and reconnect. Megan is going back home for the holidays for the first time since she walked out on her wedding and is nervous about being back in her hometown and potentially bumping into her ex-fiance. It doesn't help that she thinks everyone hates her for what she did to Isaac with no explanation. Christian is also not looking forward to Christmas with his family as the only single sibling and dreads the onslaught of relationship questions.
Christian proposes a fake relationship deal and Megan is absolutely not on board but eventually she is won round. What can go wrong?
I love how Catherine Walsh writes. Not only do we have a cute, Irish Christmas setting with humour and romance but serious topics such as controlling relationships and family dynamics are tackled too.
I read this in basically one sitting because I just didn't want to put it down. I now feel like I have read Catherine Walsh's entre back catalogue. Loved it!
Megan jilts her would-be husband Isaac on their wedding day, bumping into former schoolmate Christian outside the venue who promises to keep her abscondence secret.
Five years later, the two meet again in a pub in Dublin where they are both now living, and reconnect. Megan is going back home for the holidays for the first time since she walked out on her wedding and is nervous about being back in her hometown and potentially bumping into her ex-fiance. It doesn't help that she thinks everyone hates her for what she did to Isaac with no explanation. Christian is also not looking forward to Christmas with his family as the only single sibling and dreads the onslaught of relationship questions.
Christian proposes a fake relationship deal and Megan is absolutely not on board but eventually she is won round. What can go wrong?
I love how Catherine Walsh writes. Not only do we have a cute, Irish Christmas setting with humour and romance but serious topics such as controlling relationships and family dynamics are tackled too.
I read this in basically one sitting because I just didn't want to put it down. I now feel like I have read Catherine Walsh's entre back catalogue. Loved it!
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I have been wanting to read as many festive books as I can this Christmas and this one had been on my radar for a while. Although I'm not usually a fan of friends to lovers, I absolutely loved this.
Molly is a lawyer from Ireland working and living in Chicago. Every year she flies back home to her family for Christmas. The first year of doing this, her best friend (who she is definitely going to stop being friends with) has informed her of her decision to split up with her boyfriend, Andrew. Who is sitting next to Molly on the flight? Yep, Andrew, who is also a Irish and flying back home for Christmas.
After that first flight, Molly and Andrew have made it a tradition to fly back home together and it is now their tenth year of doing so. A storm has hit Chicago and Molly knows how much Christmas means to Andrew and his family so she will do anything to get him back to Ireland. So off they go to Paris, London then on the ferry to Ireland.
I loved how this was written. We have the story of their long winded trip back home in the present but also glimpses from the past ten years of flying together and you can really see their friendship building. After reading about all their journeys together over the years, Andrew delivers a wonderful monologue that really gripped my heart.
There is some really brilliant Irish humour in here too with fantastic characters. I am excited to read more by Catherine Walsh.
Molly is a lawyer from Ireland working and living in Chicago. Every year she flies back home to her family for Christmas. The first year of doing this, her best friend (who she is definitely going to stop being friends with) has informed her of her decision to split up with her boyfriend, Andrew. Who is sitting next to Molly on the flight? Yep, Andrew, who is also a Irish and flying back home for Christmas.
After that first flight, Molly and Andrew have made it a tradition to fly back home together and it is now their tenth year of doing so. A storm has hit Chicago and Molly knows how much Christmas means to Andrew and his family so she will do anything to get him back to Ireland. So off they go to Paris, London then on the ferry to Ireland.
I loved how this was written. We have the story of their long winded trip back home in the present but also glimpses from the past ten years of flying together and you can really see their friendship building. After reading about all their journeys together over the years, Andrew delivers a wonderful monologue that really gripped my heart.
There is some really brilliant Irish humour in here too with fantastic characters. I am excited to read more by Catherine Walsh.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I went into this thinking it was a fluffy laugh-out-loud rom-com but it ended up being one of the most beautiful books I've ever read.
Clementine works at a book publishers and has recently lost the closest person to her - her aunt Analea. The two of them would travel together every year and now she is suddenly navigating life without her. She then closes herself off to protect herself.
Clementine now lives in her aunt's apartment but one day, there is a strange man in her kitchen. Except aspiring chef Iwan Ashton lives seven years in the past. She remembers her aunt telling her stories of this magical apartment and to never fall in love inside it. Each time Clementine leaves the apartment, she is unsure whether or not Iwan will be there when she returns. Will she be transported back to seven years ago?
Until she meets Iwan again in this timeline where he is now a chef opening his own restaurant and her company is trying to sign him. Did he never try to look for her?
Grief is written extremely well and the story really pulls at your heartstrings. Clementine and Iwan are fantastic characters and I truly cannot find anything I disliked about this book. I loved the magic realism aspect and the fact that not only is this a romance but very much about finding yourself after a loss.
Trigger warning for grief and suicide.
Clementine works at a book publishers and has recently lost the closest person to her - her aunt Analea. The two of them would travel together every year and now she is suddenly navigating life without her. She then closes herself off to protect herself.
Clementine now lives in her aunt's apartment but one day, there is a strange man in her kitchen. Except aspiring chef Iwan Ashton lives seven years in the past. She remembers her aunt telling her stories of this magical apartment and to never fall in love inside it. Each time Clementine leaves the apartment, she is unsure whether or not Iwan will be there when she returns. Will she be transported back to seven years ago?
Until she meets Iwan again in this timeline where he is now a chef opening his own restaurant and her company is trying to sign him. Did he never try to look for her?
Grief is written extremely well and the story really pulls at your heartstrings. Clementine and Iwan are fantastic characters and I truly cannot find anything I disliked about this book. I loved the magic realism aspect and the fact that not only is this a romance but very much about finding yourself after a loss.
Trigger warning for grief and suicide.
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Agustina Bazterrica's writing is wonderful, there is no doubt about that. The Unworthy is a dystopian novel written as though the pages have been found and it is the experience of someone at the House of the Sacred Sisterhood. It's been written in whatever they can use; their blood, monk's ink, etc.
It is very Handmaid's Tale in a post-apocalypic world but there is very little background or world building. There is a really eerie feeling that you get whilst reading and I understand the religious aspects and positions of power, however I felt a huge amount of vagueness which meant I struggled to really connect. It feels really slow for the majority of the book then the last couple of chapters amp up a bit.
There are some really shocking and sad scenes and as I said, I cannot fault Bazterrica's writing style. I just wanted a little bit more I think!
It is very Handmaid's Tale in a post-apocalypic world but there is very little background or world building. There is a really eerie feeling that you get whilst reading and I understand the religious aspects and positions of power, however I felt a huge amount of vagueness which meant I struggled to really connect. It feels really slow for the majority of the book then the last couple of chapters amp up a bit.
There are some really shocking and sad scenes and as I said, I cannot fault Bazterrica's writing style. I just wanted a little bit more I think!
Fundamentals in Flirting by Lucy Chalice
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really loved The Hot Henry Effect by Lucy Chalice so I was very excited about a new novel and the fact that it followed Teddy, Henry's twin brother.
We first meet Teddy and Hannah having a moment at Teddy's 18th birthday party but Hannah sees Teddy as a little out of her league and one of those boys who is always fighting girls off, whereas she is quite nerdy.
Fast-forward into adulthood and the two bump into each other again. Hannah is now a vet and has recently moved back to her hometown to work at a veterinary practice. Teddy has also moved back and purchased The Old Rectory which is close by the practice.
After a few complaints about Hannah's prickly attitude, her boss asks her to maybe try being a bit brighter with them. Teddy however is super charming and nice and everyone seems to like him, so Hannah desperately asks for his help to teach her.
I loved loved loved this. The characterisation is fantastic and I felt like I knew Hannah and Teddy inside out. This is a slow burn romance and I felt like I could really resonate with Hannah in her self-doubt about her looks and not believing that Teddy could possibly like her.
Teddy's feelings about his place in his family was beautifully done and added so much depth to the characters. I fell in love with the supporting characters too and it just felt like a fabulously cosy read.
We first meet Teddy and Hannah having a moment at Teddy's 18th birthday party but Hannah sees Teddy as a little out of her league and one of those boys who is always fighting girls off, whereas she is quite nerdy.
Fast-forward into adulthood and the two bump into each other again. Hannah is now a vet and has recently moved back to her hometown to work at a veterinary practice. Teddy has also moved back and purchased The Old Rectory which is close by the practice.
After a few complaints about Hannah's prickly attitude, her boss asks her to maybe try being a bit brighter with them. Teddy however is super charming and nice and everyone seems to like him, so Hannah desperately asks for his help to teach her.
I loved loved loved this. The characterisation is fantastic and I felt like I knew Hannah and Teddy inside out. This is a slow burn romance and I felt like I could really resonate with Hannah in her self-doubt about her looks and not believing that Teddy could possibly like her.
Teddy's feelings about his place in his family was beautifully done and added so much depth to the characters. I fell in love with the supporting characters too and it just felt like a fabulously cosy read.
Parasocial by Wendy Dalrymple
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This had the potential to be great. I loved the sound of it and at the start, I thought it was going to be so good but slowly went downhill.
Casey is a nineteen-year-old animal lover with a job at her local pet store. She is an avid watcher of StreamVid user, Della and it feels like a full blown obsession. When Della stops posting, Casey reaches out and Della confides in her that she is ill, prompting Casey to start an online fundraiser. She needs an address for the money to go to but her obsession has her driving to Della's house.
I wish the book hadn't turned at this point because I loved that parasocial/obsessive aspect with someone who is high profile. I won't give too much away because of spoilers but it felt sort of disjointed and like two halves. I also had to go back and check if it was YA as it felt a little juvenile in it's writing with a few too many repetitive phrases. Not for me I'm afraid!
Casey is a nineteen-year-old animal lover with a job at her local pet store. She is an avid watcher of StreamVid user, Della and it feels like a full blown obsession. When Della stops posting, Casey reaches out and Della confides in her that she is ill, prompting Casey to start an online fundraiser. She needs an address for the money to go to but her obsession has her driving to Della's house.
I wish the book hadn't turned at this point because I loved that parasocial/obsessive aspect with someone who is high profile. I won't give too much away because of spoilers but it felt sort of disjointed and like two halves. I also had to go back and check if it was YA as it felt a little juvenile in it's writing with a few too many repetitive phrases. Not for me I'm afraid!
What the Nanny Saw by Kaira Rouda
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I didn't realise before I started reading this that it was the third book in a series and I wish I had read those first! I don't feel like I needed to but I always think it's adds more background to the story.
Cecelia is a wealthy woman who has a five month old baby with her partner Evan. She throws him out after having enough of his laziness when it comes to looking after their daughter Peyton and finding out that he is having an affair with someone at work.
Cecelia was previously married to Paul, who is currently imprisoned, and he has now reached out to her via letter. I believe the previous two novels focus more on him so I will definitely be going back and reading those!
Meanwhile, Lizzie is the nanny for the Johnsons who live next door to Cecelia. Their children are teens and preteens and Lizzie is fed up with their spoiled attitudes and how the Johnson parents treat her. She has been watching Cecelia, eager for a nanny job with her and is delighted when Cecelia finally contacts her offering her the role of Peyton's nanny.
I remember reading Favourite Daughter by Kaira Rouda back in 2019 and I loved it. I felt the same reading What The Nanny Saw. Rouda is fantastic at popcorn thrillers, I flew through the pages, gripped from the beginning. I love unreliable narrators and dark female characters, add the amount of tension and you have a great thriller. I would definitely recommend!
Cecelia is a wealthy woman who has a five month old baby with her partner Evan. She throws him out after having enough of his laziness when it comes to looking after their daughter Peyton and finding out that he is having an affair with someone at work.
Cecelia was previously married to Paul, who is currently imprisoned, and he has now reached out to her via letter. I believe the previous two novels focus more on him so I will definitely be going back and reading those!
Meanwhile, Lizzie is the nanny for the Johnsons who live next door to Cecelia. Their children are teens and preteens and Lizzie is fed up with their spoiled attitudes and how the Johnson parents treat her. She has been watching Cecelia, eager for a nanny job with her and is delighted when Cecelia finally contacts her offering her the role of Peyton's nanny.
I remember reading Favourite Daughter by Kaira Rouda back in 2019 and I loved it. I felt the same reading What The Nanny Saw. Rouda is fantastic at popcorn thrillers, I flew through the pages, gripped from the beginning. I love unreliable narrators and dark female characters, add the amount of tension and you have a great thriller. I would definitely recommend!
The Fortunes Of Olivia Richmond by Louise Davidson
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love when I read a book completely out of my comfort zone, it's a genre I wouldn't normally pick up and end up absolutely loving it.
The Fortunes Of Olivia Richmond is a gothic historical fiction novel which follows Julia Pearlie who takes a job at Mistcoate coaching a young lady, the titular Olivia Richmond, for a move to London. Upon Julia's arrival she discovers that the townspeople are quite afraid of Olivia, referring to her as The Witch of Mistcoate. She also has the ability to read tarot cards and has psychic abilities, holding séances and the like.
Julia Pearlie also has something that she has been hiding that happened in her previous employment that Olivia can see. Olivia is a wonderful character and I felt for her due to the behaviours of her father towards her and his "experiments" as he believed she was suffering from hysteria.
I know nothing about tarot cards and each chapter is titled after one so the glossary at the end was very helpful.
I really love the chilling and spooky aspect combined with the historical setting. It really made the whole book feel so atmospheric. This is one that will keep you gripped from the beginning!
The Fortunes Of Olivia Richmond is a gothic historical fiction novel which follows Julia Pearlie who takes a job at Mistcoate coaching a young lady, the titular Olivia Richmond, for a move to London. Upon Julia's arrival she discovers that the townspeople are quite afraid of Olivia, referring to her as The Witch of Mistcoate. She also has the ability to read tarot cards and has psychic abilities, holding séances and the like.
Julia Pearlie also has something that she has been hiding that happened in her previous employment that Olivia can see. Olivia is a wonderful character and I felt for her due to the behaviours of her father towards her and his "experiments" as he believed she was suffering from hysteria.
I know nothing about tarot cards and each chapter is titled after one so the glossary at the end was very helpful.
I really love the chilling and spooky aspect combined with the historical setting. It really made the whole book feel so atmospheric. This is one that will keep you gripped from the beginning!