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amanda_reads13's reviews
447 reviews
Saving 6 by Chloe Walsh
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Joey and Aoife have been friends for years and always harboured feelings for one another. When they finally get together, they face an incredible uphill battle.
This one was rough. Joey and Aoife's story is absolutely gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I loved Shannon and Johnny, but Joey and Aoife have a piece of my heart.
Joey is so broken and Aoife yerns to help him heal. But she doesn't understand the level of horror that goes on within his home, she doesn't understand how deep his pain goes. Call is teenage naivety or happy home privilege, but she has the best intentions of wanting to heal him with her love. Unfortunately, Joey is way past that. His trauma runs in his blood and it will take extreme interventions to help him.
Joey's life is filled with so much pain and trauma that makes him turn to addiction. He uses drugs to help him survive his life of abandonment, neglect, abuse, and responsibilites. Sometimes, dugs are the only thing that helps him get through days without ending his own life. He was suffered abuse at the hands of his father from a young age and has taken on the role of protector and caregiver for his siblings, and at times his mother. He has to endure seeing/hearing his father beat and r@pe him mother and beat his siblings.
Aoife is the one way of light in his life. She is the only person that he loves unconditionally. In a twisted wayhe believes that he has no future and that by staying with Aoife he will only lead her off the same cliff. He wants to be better for her, but until the trauma is dealt with and he is truly safe he will never be able to heal and feel "good" enough for her.
Tropes: friends to lovers, opposites attract
This one was rough. Joey and Aoife's story is absolutely gut-wrenching and heartbreaking. I loved Shannon and Johnny, but Joey and Aoife have a piece of my heart.
Joey is so broken and Aoife yerns to help him heal. But she doesn't understand the level of horror that goes on within his home, she doesn't understand how deep his pain goes. Call is teenage naivety or happy home privilege, but she has the best intentions of wanting to heal him with her love. Unfortunately, Joey is way past that. His trauma runs in his blood and it will take extreme interventions to help him.
Joey's life is filled with so much pain and trauma that makes him turn to addiction. He uses drugs to help him survive his life of abandonment, neglect, abuse, and responsibilites. Sometimes, dugs are the only thing that helps him get through days without ending his own life. He was suffered abuse at the hands of his father from a young age and has taken on the role of protector and caregiver for his siblings, and at times his mother. He has to endure seeing/hearing his father beat and r@pe him mother and beat his siblings.
Aoife is the one way of light in his life. She is the only person that he loves unconditionally. In a twisted way
Tropes: friends to lovers, opposites attract
Beautifully Broken Life by Catherine Cowles
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
Tessa is on the run from her abusive ex and has been living a quiet life in Sutter Lake for the last 2 years. Liam is a world famous musician who moves to Sutter Lake to get away from it all.
I am unsure how I want to rate this because it is essentially the same story as the first book but with a few details changed. Traumatized woman meets man who wants to save her. Woman is kidnapped. Man saves her. They live happily ever after. The only big difference is that her kidnapper is her ex and not a murderer.
Liam is incredibly sensitive, compassionate, and protective. He never pushes Tessa past her point of comfort and is sure to take things slow.
Tessa has endured so much trauma. She grew up in the foster care system after her father abandoned her and her mother passed away during birth and she lived with an incredibly abusive fiance. She is so brave and strong. She manages to escape and start over. She is understandably skittish and nervous around new comers. Though she doesn't get therapy until the end of the book, the horses act as a version of therapy for her.
Tropes: friends to lovers, heroine on the run, famous MMC, found family
I am unsure how I want to rate this because it is essentially the same story as the first book but with a few details changed. Traumatized woman meets man who wants to save her. Woman is kidnapped. Man saves her. They live happily ever after. The only big difference is that her kidnapper is her ex and not a murderer.
Liam is incredibly sensitive, compassionate, and protective. He never pushes Tessa past her point of comfort and is sure to take things slow.
Tessa has endured so much trauma. She grew up in the foster care system after her father abandoned her and her mother passed away during birth and she lived with an incredibly abusive fiance. She is so brave and strong. She manages to escape and start over. She is understandably skittish and nervous around new comers. Though she doesn't get therapy until the end of the book, the horses act as a version of therapy for her.
Tropes: friends to lovers, heroine on the run, famous MMC, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Beautifully Broken Pieces by Catherine Cowles
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
Taylor moves to Sutter Lake in hopes of finding peace. There she meets Walker, a man dealing with his own difficult past.
This was much heavier than I first anticipated. This book is heartbreaking, suspensful, funny, and emotional.
Taylor is dealing with the grief of losing her mother and her default is to isolate herself. She moves to Sutter Lake to escape it all, but finds herself being brought into the folds of the Cole family. Walker is dealing with the grief of losing his first love and has decided that he can no longer open his heart to another woman. His first girlfriend, almost fiance, was murdered when they were young. He never found out who was responsible. Together, these two help to heal one another and push one another outside of their comfort zones.
I really loved the cast of characters in this book - from his family to her friends, the relationships held so much depth and love.
I have to say that I figured out the murderer pretty quickly. something about Jensen's boyfriend and his sister didn't sit right with me. He seemed "off" while she was quietly obsessed with Walker. It made sense that him, being a psychopath who liked to hunt women, would "take care" of anyone to caught Walker's eye for her.
Tropes: romantic suspense, small town, forced proximity, found family
This was much heavier than I first anticipated. This book is heartbreaking, suspensful, funny, and emotional.
Taylor is dealing with the grief of losing her mother and her default is to isolate herself. She moves to Sutter Lake to escape it all, but finds herself being brought into the folds of the Cole family. Walker is dealing with the grief of losing his first love and has decided that he can no longer open his heart to another woman. His first girlfriend, almost fiance, was murdered when they were young. He never found out who was responsible. Together, these two help to heal one another and push one another outside of their comfort zones.
I really loved the cast of characters in this book - from his family to her friends, the relationships held so much depth and love.
I have to say that I figured out the murderer pretty quickly.
Tropes: romantic suspense, small town, forced proximity, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely
funny
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? Yes
3.5
Juliet and Monroe, co-hosts on a relationship podcast, are gifted a house by a loyal listener.
This was a cute and fun, yet predictable story. Juliet has been unlucky in love, going on bad date after bad date. Monroe is divorced and not looking to settle down. 8 years ago these two had a week long fling and have harboured feelings for each other ever since. After spending a week getting the house ready to sell, they start to figure out their feelings for each other. Forced proximity, a few fake dates, and friendly interventions help them to process and act upon their true feelings for each other.
Tropes: second chance, brother's best friend, forces proximity, friends to lovers, fake dating
This was a cute and fun, yet predictable story. Juliet has been unlucky in love, going on bad date after bad date. Monroe is divorced and not looking to settle down. 8 years ago these two had a week long fling and have harboured feelings for each other ever since. After spending a week getting the house ready to sell, they start to figure out their feelings for each other. Forced proximity, a few fake dates, and friendly interventions help them to process and act upon their true feelings for each other.
Tropes: second chance, brother's best friend, forces proximity, friends to lovers, fake dating
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Keeping 13 by Chloe Walsh
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.5
We continue to follow Johnny and Shannon as they navigate their relationship and life.
Much like the first book, this one completely broke my heart but it put it back together. This book was gut-wrenchingly sad but filled with hope and possibility.
Shannon's life is finally looking up, but her Father is on the run and that is always on the back of her mind. Her family is so broken and traumatized. The absolute unthinkable happenswhen her father returns. Shannon and the children are justifiably terrified. Her psychopathic father has douced the house is gasoline and alcohol, even soaking her baby brother in it. His plan is to kill his entire family, but thanks for Johnny's quick thinking, all the children escape safely. Unfortunately, her mom perishes in the fire along with her dad. The scene of the children and Shannon finding out about the fire and seeing Joey's reaction at the house absolutely crushed me. Absolutely devastating.
Johnny's parents are the true heros of this book, they do not hesitate for a second totake those children in to their home and hearts. I loved seeing how much all the children changed and grew under with their love and attention. We got to see their personalities start to shine through.
Johnny and Shannon are so cute together, I absolutely adore them. They are from completely opposite worlds, but just click together perfectly.
The friendships and side characters of this continued to be the star of the show. I am so excited to read Gibsie and Claire's book. I can't wait to see what will come of their relationship.
I am also really excited to read Joey's books. He is so broken after having raise and protect his siblings, and mother really, from his abusive father. I was so happy to get that little glimpse of himat Tommen at the end of the book.
Tropes: sports romance, found family, opposites attract
Much like the first book, this one completely broke my heart but it put it back together. This book was gut-wrenchingly sad but filled with hope and possibility.
Shannon's life is finally looking up, but her Father is on the run and that is always on the back of her mind. Her family is so broken and traumatized. The absolute unthinkable happens
Johnny's parents are the true heros of this book, they do not hesitate for a second to
Johnny and Shannon are so cute together, I absolutely adore them. They are from completely opposite worlds, but just click together perfectly.
The friendships and side characters of this continued to be the star of the show. I am so excited to read Gibsie and Claire's book. I can't wait to see what will come of their relationship.
I am also really excited to read Joey's books. He is so broken after having raise and protect his siblings, and mother really, from his abusive father. I was so happy to get that little glimpse of him
Tropes: sports romance, found family, opposites attract
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.5
TW domestic and child abuse
After experiencing horrific bulling, Shannon transfers to a private school where she meets Johnny, the rugby captain.
This book was not at all what I was expecting. I went in blind thinking it was a cute sports romance, it was not. It was such a rollercoaster, I experienced a whole gamut of emotions reading this book. It completely tore my heart out and I am hoping that part 2 puts it back together. It sucked me in, I devoured it this book in 2 days. I will be starting book 2 immediately!
Shannon has been tormented by her peers since kindergarten and it has only gotten worse as she grew up. She has no safe space in her life because when she goes home she receives the exact same treatment from her physically abusive alcoholic father who always targets her. Her transfer to Tommen has changed her life for the better. Finally, school is her safe space, a place where she feels like she finally belongs. She owes much of this to Johnny.
Johnny is the rugby Captain who has put so much pressure on his own shoulders. His goal in life is to play professional rugby and he will stop nothing to get there, he is a machine. He suffered an injury that is he never let heal so he's constantly in pain and it puts his career in jeopardy. After meeting Shannon, he feels instantly drawn to her, these feelings confuse him and he doesn't know what to do about it. He wants Shannon, but keeps her at arms length.
I love these two together. They both have experienced their own forms of trauma and quickly bond to one another. In a way they're each other's safe havens, Johnny will stop at nothing to protect Shannon and Shannon wants to take care of Johnny. I love that their friendship is built up through this book, it is made for an incredibly strong emotional connection between the two of them.
I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters in this book and I'm looking forward to reading their stories as well.
I did find that the book was a little too long and a bit repetitive, I think it could have been edited back a bit.
Tropes: opposites attract, athlete/shy girl, high School , friends to lovers, slow burn, sports romance (rugby)
After experiencing horrific bulling, Shannon transfers to a private school where she meets Johnny, the rugby captain.
This book was not at all what I was expecting. I went in blind thinking it was a cute sports romance, it was not. It was such a rollercoaster, I experienced a whole gamut of emotions reading this book. It completely tore my heart out and I am hoping that part 2 puts it back together. It sucked me in, I devoured it this book in 2 days. I will be starting book 2 immediately!
Shannon has been tormented by her peers since kindergarten and it has only gotten worse as she grew up.
Johnny is the rugby Captain who has put so much pressure on his own shoulders. His goal in life is to play professional rugby and he will stop nothing to get there, he is a machine. He suffered an injury that is he never let heal so he's constantly in pain and it puts his career in jeopardy. After meeting Shannon, he feels instantly drawn to her, these feelings confuse him and he doesn't know what to do about it. He wants Shannon, but keeps her at arms length.
I love these two together. They both have experienced their own forms of trauma and quickly bond to one another. In a way they're each other's safe havens, Johnny will stop at nothing to protect Shannon and Shannon wants to take care of Johnny. I love that their friendship is built up through this book, it is made for an incredibly strong emotional connection between the two of them.
I really enjoyed the whole cast of characters in this book and I'm looking forward to reading their stories as well.
I did find that the book was a little too long and a bit repetitive, I think it could have been edited back a bit.
Tropes: opposites attract, athlete/shy girl, high School , friends to lovers, slow burn, sports romance (rugby)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
The Stand-In by Lily Chu
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
Gracie is hired to be the stand-in for Fangli, a famous movie star.
This story is cute and funny, but the author manages to include some heavier topics such as mental health, Azheimer's, sexual harassment, and some politics. I think that the author approached these subjects with care and empathy.
Gracie has just been fired, but is desperately trying to get her mother moved to a better home. Luckily for her, she looks a lot like world famous movie star Fangli. So when she is offered a job to play the role of Fangli's stand-in, she can't turn it down. Gracie is a people pleaser, but throughout the book she learns to stand up for herself and go after what she wants - to create her own app and to be with Sam.
Fangli has had a lot of pressure put on her to be "perfect", after all she is a reflection of her family and her country. But she has been suffering from depression in secret. I love that this is not just shoved under the rug, but we are shown the reality of what depression looks like. We find out that there is reason thatthe women look so alike. Turns out they are sisters! Their mother left China and Fangli with her father when she found out she was pregnant with her second child. She stayed in Canada and went on to meet and marry Gracie's dad.
Sam and Gracie start off at each other's throats, but the chemistry is completely undeniable and their banter is so good. He is such a compassionate, supportive, and kind man. He does everything he can to protect his best friend while facing his own battles. I hate that it is miscommunication thattears them apart temporarily. Ugh I hate the miscommunication trope.
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake "dating"
This story is cute and funny, but the author manages to include some heavier topics such as mental health, Azheimer's, sexual harassment, and some politics. I think that the author approached these subjects with care and empathy.
Gracie has just been fired, but is desperately trying to get her mother moved to a better home. Luckily for her, she looks a lot like world famous movie star Fangli. So when she is offered a job to play the role of Fangli's stand-in, she can't turn it down. Gracie is a people pleaser, but throughout the book she learns to stand up for herself and go after what she wants - to create her own app and to be with Sam.
Fangli has had a lot of pressure put on her to be "perfect", after all she is a reflection of her family and her country. But she has been suffering from depression in secret. I love that this is not just shoved under the rug, but we are shown the reality of what depression looks like. We find out that there is reason that
Sam and Gracie start off at each other's throats, but the chemistry is completely undeniable and their banter is so good. He is such a compassionate, supportive, and kind man. He does everything he can to protect his best friend while facing his own battles. I hate that it is miscommunication that
Tropes: enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fake "dating"
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Miscarriage and Pregnancy
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Ophelia is a necromancer who has to enter a deadly competition and survive the nine levels of hell to find her sister. There, she makes a deal with Blackwell, a phantom, to help her survive the competition.
The narrator of this book was phenomenal. I want her to narrate every single book I read. All of her voices and accents were convincing and so well done. This book wasn't necessarily the best book I've ever read, but it was such a good time. I blew through this audiobook so fast. I didn't love that it was in 3rd person.
Ophelia is a necromancer with OCD. I appreciate the way that the author talked about the reality of OCD and the different ways it can effect a person. It is very complex and can present itself in so many different ways. For Ophelia it presents as a "voice" in her head that is constantly belittling and threatening her.
I really liked the banter between Ophelia and Blackwell, they had so much chemistry.
I really enjoyed the story up until the last 1/5 or so. I found the ending very confusing. When we went back in time to see how Blackwell ended up at phantasma, I felt like it wasn't explained very well and I didn't really understand what was going on. I had to jump on tiktok to have somebody explain to me what was going on. We find out the Blackwell is actually Salem, the Prince of Hell. He was banished to phantasma because he fell in love with a mortal. His lover was killed but her soul was reincarnated in Ophelia. The line of women in her family was entrusted with a locket, a heart with a key inside, this locket is what what will free Blackwell from phantasma..
We are left with a bunch of unanswered questions in the end, but hopefully they will all be answered in her sister's book.
Tropes: forbidden, deadly trials, forced proximity
The narrator of this book was phenomenal. I want her to narrate every single book I read. All of her voices and accents were convincing and so well done. This book wasn't necessarily the best book I've ever read, but it was such a good time. I blew through this audiobook so fast. I didn't love that it was in 3rd person.
Ophelia is a necromancer with OCD. I appreciate the way that the author talked about the reality of OCD and the different ways it can effect a person. It is very complex and can present itself in so many different ways. For Ophelia it presents as a "voice" in her head that is constantly belittling and threatening her.
I really liked the banter between Ophelia and Blackwell, they had so much chemistry.
I really enjoyed the story up until the last 1/5 or so. I found the ending very confusing. When we went back in time to see how Blackwell ended up at phantasma, I felt like it wasn't explained very well and I didn't really understand what was going on. I had to jump on tiktok to have somebody explain to me what was going on.
We are left with a bunch of unanswered questions in the end, but hopefully they will all be answered in her sister's book.
Tropes: forbidden, deadly trials, forced proximity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
Maybe This Time by Cara Bastone
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
After a solar flare and being sucked through a wormhole, June finds herself 85 years in the future. Out of nowhere her phone starts working and connects to one number - her coworker Mikey.
Yes this is far fetched, but it was so cute. I loved the cast of narrators, it was so immersive and engaging. I enjoyed seeing Mikey and June's relationship(s) develop throughout the book. I liked seeing the two sides of June and how much she changes as she learns to trust others and begins to develop her self confidence. Mikey is such a considerate, compassionate, and empathetic man who was willing to sacrifice himself so that June wouldn't be alone.
Tropes: coworkers, friends to lovers
Yes this is far fetched, but it was so cute. I loved the cast of narrators, it was so immersive and engaging. I enjoyed seeing Mikey and June's relationship(s) develop throughout the book. I liked seeing the two sides of June and how much she changes as she learns to trust others and begins to develop her self confidence. Mikey is such a considerate, compassionate, and empathetic man who was willing to sacrifice himself so that June wouldn't be alone.
Tropes: coworkers, friends to lovers
The Ex-Mas Holidays by Zoe Allison
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
After a breakup and losing her job, Maya is set to return home. A chance encounter throws her ex Sam back into her life.
This is a very sweet and funny romance about getting a second chance with your first love. Sam and Maya were super cute together. I liked how even when they "hated" each other, they were still supporting each other.
When they were younger, Sam and Maya were almost an item. After an argument, Maya sees Sam kissing her friend Cat, effectively ending any chance they had. Years later they find out that it was actually Cat's lies and manipulation that tore them apart.
Sam has spent years in an abusive relationship with Cat. After years of being with a narcissist, Sam is struggling to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. I appreciate that they talk about Sam wanting to get counselling and he and Maya getting couples counselling. Too often this is just ignored on books.
Maya's father has high expectations for her and will often compare her to her high achieving sister. Maya hates accounting and wants to be a ski instructor, something her father looks down on. She struggles with self confidence, people pleasing, and conflict avoidance, so she always tries to make her dad happy. Throughout the book, we see her gain the confidence to go for and take what she wants no matter anyone else's opinion.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book and am looking forward to reading Livs book!
Tropes: second chance.
This is a very sweet and funny romance about getting a second chance with your first love. Sam and Maya were super cute together. I liked how even when they "hated" each other, they were still supporting each other.
When they were younger, Sam and Maya were almost an item. After an argument, Maya sees Sam kissing her friend Cat, effectively ending any chance they had. Years later they find out that it was actually Cat's lies and manipulation that tore them apart.
Sam has spent years in an abusive relationship with Cat. After years of being with a narcissist, Sam is struggling to understand what a healthy relationship looks like. I appreciate that they talk about Sam wanting to get counselling and he and Maya getting couples counselling. Too often this is just ignored on books.
Maya's father has high expectations for her and will often compare her to her high achieving sister. Maya hates accounting and wants to be a ski instructor, something her father looks down on. She struggles with self confidence, people pleasing, and conflict avoidance, so she always tries to make her dad happy. Throughout the book, we see her gain the confidence to go for and take what she wants no matter anyone else's opinion.
I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book and am looking forward to reading Livs book!
Tropes: second chance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment