Scan barcode
13rebecca13's reviews
500 reviews
Powerless 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
4.0
I loved both Flawless and Heartless so I am well and truly making my way through the series. Usually I wouldn't be a big series reader, but I love all these characters so much that I know it will hurt to say goodbye at the end of book five.
Powerless follows the story of Jasper, a childhood friend of the Eaton boys. He is an NHL player and we learn about how he came to live with Harvey and his family following Jasper's troubles with his own parents. Sloane is a prima ballerina and is a cousin of the Eaton's so Jasper has known her since she was ten-years-old.
From what we have seen of Jasper in the previous two books, we know he is very quiet and reserved so I was excited to see a bit more of him. In Heartless, we learned that Sloane had recently gotten engaged but didn't seem happy about it so I was eager to learn more about that.
Sloane's father is a businessman and her engagement to Sterling was essentially a business transaction. She has been in love with Jasper since she first laid eyes on him at ten years of age but she was under the impression that Jasper didn't feel the same way.
I don't usually like a childhood friends to lovers trope but this was beautiful. It was so wonderful to get into Jasper's mind and for both he and Sloane to overcome things together. I thought no one could beat Cade but Jasper Gervais is up there!
Powerless follows the story of Jasper, a childhood friend of the Eaton boys. He is an NHL player and we learn about how he came to live with Harvey and his family following Jasper's troubles with his own parents. Sloane is a prima ballerina and is a cousin of the Eaton's so Jasper has known her since she was ten-years-old.
From what we have seen of Jasper in the previous two books, we know he is very quiet and reserved so I was excited to see a bit more of him. In Heartless, we learned that Sloane had recently gotten engaged but didn't seem happy about it so I was eager to learn more about that.
Sloane's father is a businessman and her engagement to Sterling was essentially a business transaction. She has been in love with Jasper since she first laid eyes on him at ten years of age but she was under the impression that Jasper didn't feel the same way.
I don't usually like a childhood friends to lovers trope but this was beautiful. It was so wonderful to get into Jasper's mind and for both he and Sloane to overcome things together. I thought no one could beat Cade but Jasper Gervais is up there!
Heartless by Elsie Silver
emotional
funny
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? N/A
5.0
As soon as I finished Flawless, I went straight into Heartless because I was so excited to read Cade's book. And oh my goodness, "Daddy Cade" Eaton is the one.
Willa, Summer's best friend, really made me laugh during her text exchanges in Flawless so I was well prepared for the humour in Heartless.
This book follows Rhett's older brother Cade who owns a ranch in Chestnut Springs. He is a single dad since his ex-wife Talia left them both when son Luke was two-years-old. With his current babysitter getting older, he is hiring a nanny. But Cade is the grumpiest man alive and hates everyone that the family interview. Summer has the best solution - her friend Willa.
Willa is hilarious right from the start and this is definitely for the age gap (Willa is 25) and grumpy x sunshine fans. It also has a trope that I hate (that I will not share because of spoilers) but I still gave this book five stars.
Willa's feelings towards Cade and his son Luke were handled beautifully, with Willa being the type of person Cade needed. Someone to help put himself first for once. Oh and the spice is top notch.
Willa, Summer's best friend, really made me laugh during her text exchanges in Flawless so I was well prepared for the humour in Heartless.
This book follows Rhett's older brother Cade who owns a ranch in Chestnut Springs. He is a single dad since his ex-wife Talia left them both when son Luke was two-years-old. With his current babysitter getting older, he is hiring a nanny. But Cade is the grumpiest man alive and hates everyone that the family interview. Summer has the best solution - her friend Willa.
Willa is hilarious right from the start and this is definitely for the age gap (Willa is 25) and grumpy x sunshine fans. It also has a trope that I hate (that I will not share because of spoilers) but I still gave this book five stars.
Willa's feelings towards Cade and his son Luke were handled beautifully, with Willa being the type of person Cade needed. Someone to help put himself first for once. Oh and the spice is top notch.
Flawless 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? N/A
4.0
I bought the entire Chestnut Springs series because of the hype then proceeded not to start it for months... because of the hype. I am kicking myself because I already can't wait to fly through the rest.
Rhett Eaton is a bull rider in his early thirties. It's all he's ever known and could never imagine giving it up. After a PR disaster, Rhett's agent Kip Hamilton has his work cut out for him when it comes to cleaning up his reputation.
Kip's daughter, twenty-five-year-old Summer has recently graduated law school and is working with her father. Kip decides to assign Summer essentially as Rhett's babysitter to ensure he stays out of trouble and to coach him for interviews.
Of course, a romance develops and I absolutely love how it was paced. It felt so real and unrushed. Both of these characters had their own issues but stayed true to themselves throughout. I would never really class myself as a cowboy romance girl but I was really interested in those aspects too.
It is a little spicy in parts and I adored the entire Eaton family and Rhett's protégé Theo Silva. I can't wait to get started on the rest of the series!
Rhett Eaton is a bull rider in his early thirties. It's all he's ever known and could never imagine giving it up. After a PR disaster, Rhett's agent Kip Hamilton has his work cut out for him when it comes to cleaning up his reputation.
Kip's daughter, twenty-five-year-old Summer has recently graduated law school and is working with her father. Kip decides to assign Summer essentially as Rhett's babysitter to ensure he stays out of trouble and to coach him for interviews.
Of course, a romance develops and I absolutely love how it was paced. It felt so real and unrushed. Both of these characters had their own issues but stayed true to themselves throughout. I would never really class myself as a cowboy romance girl but I was really interested in those aspects too.
It is a little spicy in parts and I adored the entire Eaton family and Rhett's protégé Theo Silva. I can't wait to get started on the rest of the series!
The Accidental Housemate by Sal Thomas
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
Cath Beckinsale is a thirty-nine-year old mum of two teenagers, one off at uni, and a toddler. She is doing it all on her own since the death of her partner Gaz three years before.
Following an unfair sacking from her job as a science technician at the local school, and being in need of money, she takes in a student lodger from America. Expecting them to be late teens, she is surprised to see Dan who is in his mid-thirties.
This is not a typical romance and is more focused on self-realisation and moving on following grief. Of course there is a little touch of romance and the progression felt very real.
Cath explores who she is for the first time. She decides to help out and tutor some of the children from the school who have some issues, coaching them towards passing their exams and in doing so, accidentally finds herself becoming somewhat of an educational influencer. She gets swept away in that life but when a serious matter occurs, she realises what is truly important.
I really related to Cath and there were some really funny moments.
Following an unfair sacking from her job as a science technician at the local school, and being in need of money, she takes in a student lodger from America. Expecting them to be late teens, she is surprised to see Dan who is in his mid-thirties.
This is not a typical romance and is more focused on self-realisation and moving on following grief. Of course there is a little touch of romance and the progression felt very real.
Cath explores who she is for the first time. She decides to help out and tutor some of the children from the school who have some issues, coaching them towards passing their exams and in doing so, accidentally finds herself becoming somewhat of an educational influencer. She gets swept away in that life but when a serious matter occurs, she realises what is truly important.
I really related to Cath and there were some really funny moments.
The Fury by Alex Michaelides
mysterious
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? Yes
2.0
I really enjoyed The Silent Patient so I was very excited for The Fury, especially due to the synopsis but unfortunately it fell a bit short for me.
Our unreliable narrator, Elliott, recounts the story of actress Lana Farrar's death on a Greek island. There were only seven people there, who is the murderer; Lana's best friend Kate? Her son Leo? Husband Jason? Her staff, Agathi or Nikos? Or was it Elliott himself?
It is told in a very theatrical way, as though Elliott is speaking directly to us and it is split into "acts" like in a play. I did not personally gel with this writing style.
I don't mind an unreliable narrator but there was way too much going on and in all honesty, it gave me "...and it was all a dream!" vibes. It personally didn't work for me. It was a bit too choppy and I found it a bit too unbelievable with too many twists. I did however love the setting of the Greek island.
Our unreliable narrator, Elliott, recounts the story of actress Lana Farrar's death on a Greek island. There were only seven people there, who is the murderer; Lana's best friend Kate? Her son Leo? Husband Jason? Her staff, Agathi or Nikos? Or was it Elliott himself?
It is told in a very theatrical way, as though Elliott is speaking directly to us and it is split into "acts" like in a play. I did not personally gel with this writing style.
I don't mind an unreliable narrator but there was way too much going on and in all honesty, it gave me "...and it was all a dream!" vibes. It personally didn't work for me. It was a bit too choppy and I found it a bit too unbelievable with too many twists. I did however love the setting of the Greek island.
Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paige Toon
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
This is such an emotional and throught provoking novel.
Wren, an architect from Bury St Edmunds has recently split from her fiancé Scott when he realised that he had fallen in love with a co-worker. Following advice from her mother, she decides to visit her dad, step-mum and half sister in America for the summer.
Whilst there, she meets brothers Jonas and Anders. Jonas runs the farm next to her father and she instantly takes a liking to Anders, the younger of the two. However, she doesn't feel like she is ready to get into a relationship yet and Anders lost his wife in an accident a few years prior which he is still not over.
There is so much depth to this novel from the familial turmoil that Wren goes through to the attraction between Wren and Anders which seems impossible. The slow bonding with Wren's sister is beautiful and the whole family relationship was lovely to read.
When the full truth was revealed about Anders's wife accident, I instantly thought "oh no, I don't like this" and I thought it had ruined the book. My final star rating has come from how the rest of it played out. There still are bits that I didn't like but the ending definitely made up for it. It is one of those novels that poses a tough predicament and makes us think about what we would do in that same situation.
Wren, an architect from Bury St Edmunds has recently split from her fiancé Scott when he realised that he had fallen in love with a co-worker. Following advice from her mother, she decides to visit her dad, step-mum and half sister in America for the summer.
Whilst there, she meets brothers Jonas and Anders. Jonas runs the farm next to her father and she instantly takes a liking to Anders, the younger of the two. However, she doesn't feel like she is ready to get into a relationship yet and Anders lost his wife in an accident a few years prior which he is still not over.
There is so much depth to this novel from the familial turmoil that Wren goes through to the attraction between Wren and Anders which seems impossible. The slow bonding with Wren's sister is beautiful and the whole family relationship was lovely to read.
When the full truth was revealed about Anders's wife accident, I instantly thought "oh no, I don't like this" and I thought it had ruined the book. My final star rating has come from how the rest of it played out. There still are bits that I didn't like but the ending definitely made up for it. It is one of those novels that poses a tough predicament and makes us think about what we would do in that same situation.
Mayluna: A Novel by Kelley McNeil
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
At the time of writing this review, I have just finished the book, my eyes are full of tears and my heart is beating hard against my chest. This book is beautiful and heartbreaking.
Mayluna, a British alt-rock band are telling their story to a journalist on the way to their next gig in Rio. When questioned about a particular photo with a girl known simply as "mystery girl in studio", frontman Carter Wills finally shares who Cameron Leigh was.
Through alternating chapters, Evie Waters' husband Steve has just died and their adult children Lucas and Lainey are reminiscing through boxes in their childhood home. They discover a lot of magazines featuring Mayluna and upon landing on the same photo, they realise "mystery girl in studio" reminds them a lot of Lainey.
Evie finally recounts the story of her life before children to them and it feels like a completely different person in comparison to the mother they knew. How she went by a pen name and was trying to make a name for herself in the world of journalism. How she fell in a deep love with Mayluna's Carter Wills and the story right up until present day. It is sort of a "one that got away" tale but the love was never gone.
Kelley McNeil writes in the most beautiful way, I have highlighted so many stunning lines. I absolutely fell in love with these characters and although some tough decisions were made, the exploration of them were handled very well.
I was fully immersed in this world and felt every emotion. I got 92% into the book before my heart plummeted into my chest and I realised how it was going to end. The very last two chapters were absolutely perfect. Kelley McNeil, you have shattered my heart into a million pieces.
Mayluna, a British alt-rock band are telling their story to a journalist on the way to their next gig in Rio. When questioned about a particular photo with a girl known simply as "mystery girl in studio", frontman Carter Wills finally shares who Cameron Leigh was.
Through alternating chapters, Evie Waters' husband Steve has just died and their adult children Lucas and Lainey are reminiscing through boxes in their childhood home. They discover a lot of magazines featuring Mayluna and upon landing on the same photo, they realise "mystery girl in studio" reminds them a lot of Lainey.
Evie finally recounts the story of her life before children to them and it feels like a completely different person in comparison to the mother they knew. How she went by a pen name and was trying to make a name for herself in the world of journalism. How she fell in a deep love with Mayluna's Carter Wills and the story right up until present day. It is sort of a "one that got away" tale but the love was never gone.
Kelley McNeil writes in the most beautiful way, I have highlighted so many stunning lines. I absolutely fell in love with these characters and although some tough decisions were made, the exploration of them were handled very well.
I was fully immersed in this world and felt every emotion. I got 92% into the book before my heart plummeted into my chest and I realised how it was going to end. The very last two chapters were absolutely perfect. Kelley McNeil, you have shattered my heart into a million pieces.
Stargazer by Laurie Petrou
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Diana Martin didn't have the family life her neighbours, The Taylors had. She would often look into the huge Taylor family home and wish she could be a part of it. Her own parents paid her little attention but Aurelle Taylor, daughter of fashion designer Marianne Taylor had everything.
Following Diana's brother tragic death, Marianne invites Diana to their home and, following the admission of a secret, thus begins Aurelle and Diana's friendship.
Set in the 1990s, Petrou does an amazing job of setting the scene. We can feel their friendship develop slowly then upon moving to Rocky Battens University, it becomes obvious that this is a very intense and toxic relationship.
I felt so immersed in the novel from the parties, drugs and even the art room scenes. This is a short novel but every word has meaning. A great read.
Following Diana's brother tragic death, Marianne invites Diana to their home and, following the admission of a secret, thus begins Aurelle and Diana's friendship.
Set in the 1990s, Petrou does an amazing job of setting the scene. We can feel their friendship develop slowly then upon moving to Rocky Battens University, it becomes obvious that this is a very intense and toxic relationship.
I felt so immersed in the novel from the parties, drugs and even the art room scenes. This is a short novel but every word has meaning. A great read.
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
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
2.0
I loved The Housemaid so I went straight into The Housemaid's Secret and unfortunately, I was left disappointed.
Millie Calloway has recently been hired by Douglas Garrick to be his housemaid but tells her not to disturb his wife Wendy who stays in the guestroom of their penthouse apartment. She has been unwell recently. Millie instantly gets a bad vibe and thinks that Douglas must be abusing Wendy.
I find that in all McFadden's books, the main characters are just stupid. The format didn't feel fresh, especially when you get to Part 2 and it goes back to the Step 1/Step 2/Step 3 etc format that The Housemaid had. For me, there were too many twists which made it too unbelievable and I felt myself constantly rolling my eyes.
Millie Calloway has recently been hired by Douglas Garrick to be his housemaid but tells her not to disturb his wife Wendy who stays in the guestroom of their penthouse apartment. She has been unwell recently. Millie instantly gets a bad vibe and thinks that Douglas must be abusing Wendy.
I find that in all McFadden's books, the main characters are just stupid. The format didn't feel fresh, especially when you get to Part 2 and it goes back to the Step 1/Step 2/Step 3 etc format that The Housemaid had. For me, there were too many twists which made it too unbelievable and I felt myself constantly rolling my eyes.