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13rebecca13's reviews
500 reviews
Somewhere in the Sunset by Estelle Maskame
emotional
hopeful
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
Oh this book is beautiful. This is the authors first foray into adult fiction having previously written YA novels and it is just gorgeous. I had read a lot of heavy books recently so was looking for a light palate cleanser. I didn't expect my heart to be broken!
It's Gracie Taylor's twenty-second birthday and her boyfriend of seven years has just left her. She is understandably heartbroken. They lived together, ran a popular couples YouTube account and had amassed a huge following across their social media. It feels like she's lost everything.
Weston Reed is a twenty-three year old rookie cop and his girlfriend of four years has broken up with him. She didn't feel appreciated by him and he realises just how much he took her for granted.
Their friends take them out to a nightclub and Weston and Gracie's paths cross. Both in similar situations, they find themselves supporting each other and getting each other through this tough time in their lives. They soon realise that it might be more than just a friendship.
I don't want to give too much away with how the book ends but I absolutely devoured this in less than 24 hours. I loved the characters and I could feel the turmoil that they felt of still being in love with their exes but feeling guilty for potentially starting a new relationship so soon.
My heart aches but the ending is beautiful. Gracie's character development is just what she needed.
It's Gracie Taylor's twenty-second birthday and her boyfriend of seven years has just left her. She is understandably heartbroken. They lived together, ran a popular couples YouTube account and had amassed a huge following across their social media. It feels like she's lost everything.
Weston Reed is a twenty-three year old rookie cop and his girlfriend of four years has broken up with him. She didn't feel appreciated by him and he realises just how much he took her for granted.
Their friends take them out to a nightclub and Weston and Gracie's paths cross. Both in similar situations, they find themselves supporting each other and getting each other through this tough time in their lives. They soon realise that it might be more than just a friendship.
I don't want to give too much away with how the book ends but I absolutely devoured this in less than 24 hours. I loved the characters and I could feel the turmoil that they felt of still being in love with their exes but feeling guilty for potentially starting a new relationship so soon.
My heart aches but the ending is beautiful. Gracie's character development is just what she needed.
Hunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I read Haunting Adeline because I had a bit of FOMO and surprisingly found that I enjoyed it, rating it four stars out of five. With Haunting Adeline ending on a cliffhanger, spoiler alert, with Adeline getting kidnapped by the traffickers, I knew I had to read the second book in the Cat and Mouse duet to see what was going to happen next.
This book has a very different vibe to the first one and the beginning is heartbreaking. Adeline is held at a house with other women, ready to go up for auction and Zade urgently trying to find her. What Addie and the other girls went through was horrific and definitely, as ever, read the trigger warnings.
There is a great chase to this book with Zade and Addie teaming up to dismantle the ring. I enjoyed Sibby's character being back and Addie's growth and strength building back up following her return home. Her PTSD was done well but I couldn't help but grimace at how Zade spoke to her following this traumatic experience that she went through. I get that's the purpose of the book though and Zade definitely has a bit of a God complex.
This book has a very different vibe to the first one and the beginning is heartbreaking. Adeline is held at a house with other women, ready to go up for auction and Zade urgently trying to find her. What Addie and the other girls went through was horrific and definitely, as ever, read the trigger warnings.
There is a great chase to this book with Zade and Addie teaming up to dismantle the ring. I enjoyed Sibby's character being back and Addie's growth and strength building back up following her return home. Her PTSD was done well but I couldn't help but grimace at how Zade spoke to her following this traumatic experience that she went through. I get that's the purpose of the book though and Zade definitely has a bit of a God complex.
The House Sitter by Elizabeth Drummond
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
This was a cute little palate cleansing read.
Pippa Munroe has been with her boyfriend Alex since she was teenager. They live in a small rural town and a decade later, they run Alex's family's farm. Pippa clearly did everything for Alex when it came to the farm's finances and day to day running, as well as helping out with his ill father and taking him to appointments.
Alex tells her that they have to talk and Pippa is convinced they are finally getting engaged. Alex surprises Pippa by telling her that he has sold the farm and they are moving to Kent. Understandably, Pippa is distraught as she loves their hometown and cannot believe that Alex didn't consult her first. She opts not to go with Alex and with no job, no boyfriend and nowhere to live, she doesn't know what to do.
Pippa always had a soft spot for Squires House and when Wolfie Squires has a job for a live-in house-sitter, she applies. After getting the job she realises that it is only temporary as Wolfie is planning on selling up.
I enjoyed a lot about this book. All of the supporting characters were brilliant and although at times I wanted to shake Pippa, I really liked her growth and realisation that she was so much better away from Alex. I feel like her relationship with Wolfie went from 0-100 and would have loved to feel more of that blossoming. All in all a cute read!
Pippa Munroe has been with her boyfriend Alex since she was teenager. They live in a small rural town and a decade later, they run Alex's family's farm. Pippa clearly did everything for Alex when it came to the farm's finances and day to day running, as well as helping out with his ill father and taking him to appointments.
Alex tells her that they have to talk and Pippa is convinced they are finally getting engaged. Alex surprises Pippa by telling her that he has sold the farm and they are moving to Kent. Understandably, Pippa is distraught as she loves their hometown and cannot believe that Alex didn't consult her first. She opts not to go with Alex and with no job, no boyfriend and nowhere to live, she doesn't know what to do.
Pippa always had a soft spot for Squires House and when Wolfie Squires has a job for a live-in house-sitter, she applies. After getting the job she realises that it is only temporary as Wolfie is planning on selling up.
I enjoyed a lot about this book. All of the supporting characters were brilliant and although at times I wanted to shake Pippa, I really liked her growth and realisation that she was so much better away from Alex. I feel like her relationship with Wolfie went from 0-100 and would have loved to feel more of that blossoming. All in all a cute read!
The Boy Who Sat by the Window: The Story of the Queen of Soho by David Hodge
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
This is an absolutely gorgeous memoir.
As someone from Nothern Ireland in her early thirties, I was not aware of David Hodge before reading this book but reading about his life was fascinating. I am maybe a little too young and a bit far from the London scene!
David, as a schoolboy, discovered at a young age that he enjoyed fashion and make up but whilst not relating this to sexuality, he was teased a little at school. This book follows his journey to becoming drag queen Miss Dusty O, the Queen of Soho, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, becoming friends with Boy George, the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 80s right up to getting rid of Miss Dusty O for good and finding his happiness now.
What I always want from a memoir is to feel the emotions and to experience the authors self reflection. I felt both of these things as well and sheer entertainment. Some parts were tough to read such as his relationship with his mother when he was younger and the death of his friend Dids.
David Hodge seems like such a wonderful person and I highly recommend giving this memoir a read.
As someone from Nothern Ireland in her early thirties, I was not aware of David Hodge before reading this book but reading about his life was fascinating. I am maybe a little too young and a bit far from the London scene!
David, as a schoolboy, discovered at a young age that he enjoyed fashion and make up but whilst not relating this to sexuality, he was teased a little at school. This book follows his journey to becoming drag queen Miss Dusty O, the Queen of Soho, rubbing shoulders with celebrities, becoming friends with Boy George, the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 80s right up to getting rid of Miss Dusty O for good and finding his happiness now.
What I always want from a memoir is to feel the emotions and to experience the authors self reflection. I felt both of these things as well and sheer entertainment. Some parts were tough to read such as his relationship with his mother when he was younger and the death of his friend Dids.
David Hodge seems like such a wonderful person and I highly recommend giving this memoir a read.
Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
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
4.0
I am genuinely surprised at myself that I gave this book four stars out of five because I felt like I was coasting on two for a very long time.
Adeline Reilly has just moved into her grandmother's old house. She discovers some diaries belonging to her great-grandmother where she relays the fact that she has a stalker. Adeline knows that her great-grandmother was murdered in the attic of this house so she is hoping to solve the case as no one was ever found guilty.
At the same time, Addie realises that someone is watching her. Getting closer and closer. She has her own stalker, Zade. This is a dark romance novel so I know to roll with the punches and anything goes. There is a lot of non-consensual activities that happen and I struggled to get past that. Zade's character in general confused me also. We learn that he is a hacker with his own organisation which is Is set on breaking paedophile rings and getting girls to safety. This is why I struggled to relate both sides of him together.
I absolutely loved his work aspect of this novel alongside Addie trying to solve her great-grandmother's murder but at times I found the scenes between Addie and Zade a little cringey.
All in all, I still rated it 4 stars but I am pissed it ended on a cliffhanger. Time for the next book then!
Adeline Reilly has just moved into her grandmother's old house. She discovers some diaries belonging to her great-grandmother where she relays the fact that she has a stalker. Adeline knows that her great-grandmother was murdered in the attic of this house so she is hoping to solve the case as no one was ever found guilty.
At the same time, Addie realises that someone is watching her. Getting closer and closer. She has her own stalker, Zade. This is a dark romance novel so I know to roll with the punches and anything goes. There is a lot of non-consensual activities that happen and I struggled to get past that. Zade's character in general confused me also. We learn that he is a hacker with his own organisation which is Is set on breaking paedophile rings and getting girls to safety. This is why I struggled to relate both sides of him together.
I absolutely loved his work aspect of this novel alongside Addie trying to solve her great-grandmother's murder but at times I found the scenes between Addie and Zade a little cringey.
All in all, I still rated it 4 stars but I am pissed it ended on a cliffhanger. Time for the next book then!
Blessings by Chukwuebuka Ibeh
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This novel is beautifully written and heartbreaking at the same time.
Blessings is a coming-of-age story following Obiefuna in Nigeria. He is caught in a compromising position with his father's assistant, Aboy, and he realises that he is gay. His father instantly sends him to a seminary, keeping the reason for this secret from Obiefuna's mother and brother.
The novel follows his life at the seminary and into university when he meets his partner Miebi, the criminalisation of homosexuality in Nigeria in 2014 and what that means for their relationship.
Obiefuna's relationship with his mother Uzoamaka is beautiful and the novel really focuses on his Obiefuna's loneliness, surviving a strict Christian boarding school and love. Stunning.
Blessings is a coming-of-age story following Obiefuna in Nigeria. He is caught in a compromising position with his father's assistant, Aboy, and he realises that he is gay. His father instantly sends him to a seminary, keeping the reason for this secret from Obiefuna's mother and brother.
The novel follows his life at the seminary and into university when he meets his partner Miebi, the criminalisation of homosexuality in Nigeria in 2014 and what that means for their relationship.
Obiefuna's relationship with his mother Uzoamaka is beautiful and the novel really focuses on his Obiefuna's loneliness, surviving a strict Christian boarding school and love. Stunning.
It's Complicated by Camilla Isley
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
2.0
I've read a few other books by Camilla Isley and loved them but sadly, this one wasn't for me.
Lori, Aiden and Jace have been best friends for fifteen years, all through college, med school and they now work together at the same practice. Aiden is due to get married soon and Lori is heartbroken as she's been in love with Aiden the whole time she's known him. Lori platonically spends the night at Jace's as she's upset after receiving the wedding invitation and he is aware of how she feels about Aiden.
Aiden calls to Jace's the next morning and when Lori answers the door, he jumps to the wrong conclusion. Lori likes that pang of jealousy so pretends that she and Jace are dating. She talks Jace into continuing the charade but what she doesn't know is that Jace has been in love with her for the past fifteen years, knowing that she only had eyes for Aiden.
I am a hater of the miscommunication trope and this is basically what this story is. I am also not a Taylor Swift fan and it had a few too many references for me. I also felt like it was a bit rushed.
I loved the characters, it was an easy read that I flew through but I just don't think it was for me. Of the four books I have read by this author, this is the first I haven't loved so I will definitely continue to read more. Just a personal preference thing for me!
Lori, Aiden and Jace have been best friends for fifteen years, all through college, med school and they now work together at the same practice. Aiden is due to get married soon and Lori is heartbroken as she's been in love with Aiden the whole time she's known him. Lori platonically spends the night at Jace's as she's upset after receiving the wedding invitation and he is aware of how she feels about Aiden.
Aiden calls to Jace's the next morning and when Lori answers the door, he jumps to the wrong conclusion. Lori likes that pang of jealousy so pretends that she and Jace are dating. She talks Jace into continuing the charade but what she doesn't know is that Jace has been in love with her for the past fifteen years, knowing that she only had eyes for Aiden.
I am a hater of the miscommunication trope and this is basically what this story is. I am also not a Taylor Swift fan and it had a few too many references for me. I also felt like it was a bit rushed.
I loved the characters, it was an easy read that I flew through but I just don't think it was for me. Of the four books I have read by this author, this is the first I haven't loved so I will definitely continue to read more. Just a personal preference thing for me!
Hate Mail by Donna Marchetti
hopeful
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
This book is super cute and I just couldn't put it down.
At the news station where weathergirl Naomi Light works, she receives a piece of "fan mail" which is slightly on the mean side. Assistant and best friend Anne is shocked but Naomi knows exactly who this is from; her pen pal Luca Pichler who she hasn't heard from in two years.
Naomi and Luca had begun writing letters to each other for a school project back in fifth grade but whilst their classmates letters declined as time went on, Naomi and Luca continued to write their mean letters to each other.
Naomi meets handsome new neighbour Jake at her apartment block and she agrees to go on a date with him but she is distracted by the fact that Luca is now back in touch with her. She is determined to track him down.
This was super entertaining and although the miscommunication trope is usually one that I hate, I really enjoyed this! It has dual POV and Luca is just a fantastic character. I loved his personal growth. Such a cute read!
At the news station where weathergirl Naomi Light works, she receives a piece of "fan mail" which is slightly on the mean side. Assistant and best friend Anne is shocked but Naomi knows exactly who this is from; her pen pal Luca Pichler who she hasn't heard from in two years.
Naomi and Luca had begun writing letters to each other for a school project back in fifth grade but whilst their classmates letters declined as time went on, Naomi and Luca continued to write their mean letters to each other.
Naomi meets handsome new neighbour Jake at her apartment block and she agrees to go on a date with him but she is distracted by the fact that Luca is now back in touch with her. She is determined to track him down.
This was super entertaining and although the miscommunication trope is usually one that I hate, I really enjoyed this! It has dual POV and Luca is just a fantastic character. I loved his personal growth. Such a cute read!
Hopeless by Elsie Silver
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
I am devastated to be finished this series but what a way to end. I was always intrigued by Beau Eaton when we got glimpses of him in the other books but wow, was his book fantastic. We already knew that he was in the military and was MIA before being found injured but the exploration of how that affected him was heartbreaking.
We also learn more about bartender Bailey at Chestnut Springs' most popular bar, 'The Railspur', who is the youngest Jansen sibling, and rivals of the Eaton's. The male Jansens are petty criminals and Bailey has tried so hard to distance herself from them and make it on her own but the fact that she is a Jansen has always prevented that.
She and Beau strike up a deal where he will essentially make her look better and she will get his family off his back. It is a fake dating/age gap novel but it is so beautifully done.
We also learn more about bartender Bailey at Chestnut Springs' most popular bar, 'The Railspur', who is the youngest Jansen sibling, and rivals of the Eaton's. The male Jansens are petty criminals and Bailey has tried so hard to distance herself from them and make it on her own but the fact that she is a Jansen has always prevented that.
She and Beau strike up a deal where he will essentially make her look better and she will get his family off his back. It is a fake dating/age gap novel but it is so beautifully done.
Reckless by Elsie Silver
emotional
hopeful
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
One thing I love about the Chestnut Springs series is Elsie Silver's characters. We hear a lot about all of the characters throughout the entire series, with couples being focused on in each one. The exploration of them and their backstories is fantastic. Silver has a way of making their strengths and flaws work together.
In Reckless, we get to know more about Summer's sister Winter. In Summer's book, Flawless, I really did not like Winter at all but my mind has completely changed. Following her divorce, Winter has a one night stand with bull rider and Rhett Eaton's protégé, Theo Silva, and falls pregnant.
The depth of Winter's character is wonderful to read, especially after becoming a mother. Theo and Winter trying to navigate having a baby together was just perfect. Every time I think these men can't get any better, the next book comes along! Theo is such a refreshing male main character.
Accidental pregnancy is my least favourite trope and Elsie Silver has made me give TWO books that feature this five stars so, bravo.
In Reckless, we get to know more about Summer's sister Winter. In Summer's book, Flawless, I really did not like Winter at all but my mind has completely changed. Following her divorce, Winter has a one night stand with bull rider and Rhett Eaton's protégé, Theo Silva, and falls pregnant.
The depth of Winter's character is wonderful to read, especially after becoming a mother. Theo and Winter trying to navigate having a baby together was just perfect. Every time I think these men can't get any better, the next book comes along! Theo is such a refreshing male main character.
Accidental pregnancy is my least favourite trope and Elsie Silver has made me give TWO books that feature this five stars so, bravo.