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amanda_reads13's reviews
447 reviews
Own Me by K.A. Tucker
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Abby is an innocent 21-year-old who finds out her fiance has been cheating on her. She accepts a job at a Wolf hotel in Alaska in an attempt to escape her situation. There she's thrown into the deep end when she becomes becomes Henry Wolf's personal assistant.
This is a review for the entire series. I liked the narrator of the first four books, but for some reason they switched the narrator in the fifth book and it completely threw me off. This series could have been a lot shorter and edited down. The plot seemed to go by the wayside during majority of the story with a huge focus on the smut angle. Yes, a big part of their relationship was seeing Abby push her boundaries and learning what she likes, but IMHO, it was too much. I actually found myself skipping some of it so I could get to the actual story.
Abby is extremely annoying for majority of the series, she spends a lot of time whining. She was raised in extremely religious household where she was expected to marry the pastor's son, Jed. Upon arriving in Alaska, we see just how naive she really is. She lacks any confidence in herself and she feels inferior to others. This leads her to make some extremely stupid decisions that put her in very precarious situations. She never stands up for herself, she just lets people steamroll her all the time including her mother and Henry. Yes, we see some growth within the book, but she never stops being kind of annoying.
Henry is extremely overbearing. He's a billionaire who's used to getting his own way and being in control all the time. He uses intimidation and his wealth to get what he wants when he wants. There's no doubt that he loves Abby, but he does use his power over her to control her in ways. In the beginning he comes across as a complete asshole. I liked the he addition of Violet because we get to see a bit of a softer side of Henry come out.
I loved her relationship with Connor and Ronan. I wanted her to end up with Ronan, he is the type of person she makes sense with. He is just as depraved as Henry is, but he is calm, empathetic, and supportive. He is honestly the only character I really cared about in this series.
Tropes opposites attract, age Gap, billionaire
This is a review for the entire series. I liked the narrator of the first four books, but for some reason they switched the narrator in the fifth book and it completely threw me off. This series could have been a lot shorter and edited down. The plot seemed to go by the wayside during majority of the story with a huge focus on the smut angle. Yes, a big part of their relationship was seeing Abby push her boundaries and learning what she likes, but IMHO, it was too much. I actually found myself skipping some of it so I could get to the actual story.
Abby is extremely annoying for majority of the series, she spends a lot of time whining. She was raised in extremely religious household where she was expected to marry the pastor's son, Jed. Upon arriving in Alaska, we see just how naive she really is. She lacks any confidence in herself and she feels inferior to others. This leads her to make some extremely stupid decisions that put her in very precarious situations. She never stands up for herself, she just lets people steamroll her all the time including her mother and Henry. Yes, we see some growth within the book, but she never stops being kind of annoying.
Henry is extremely overbearing. He's a billionaire who's used to getting his own way and being in control all the time. He uses intimidation and his wealth to get what he wants when he wants. There's no doubt that he loves Abby, but he does use his power over her to control her in ways. In the beginning he comes across as a complete asshole. I liked the he addition of Violet because we get to see a bit of a softer side of Henry come out.
I loved her relationship with Connor and Ronan. I wanted her to end up with Ronan, he is the type of person she makes sense with. He is just as depraved as Henry is, but he is calm, empathetic, and supportive. He is honestly the only character I really cared about in this series.
Tropes opposites attract, age Gap, billionaire
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Kate by Tate James
dark
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
3.5
In this finale of the series, we wrap up all loose ends with MK and the boys.
Even though this was not the best written book, I was still sucked in the entire time. Could this series have been edited down shorter? Yes. But it was a fun ride nonetheless.
We find out who has put out the hit on MK.It's her cousins husband. She is the only blood relative of her familys diamond mine and fortune, so he puts a hit on her so he can inherit it. We also find out who her stalker is. It's her mother's twin brother who actually didn't die. Extra gross because he also stalked and raped his twin sister. I found these reveals to be kind of anti-climatic..
We get the kind of HEA that would be expected from a RH story.MK stays married to Archer, but he dissolved there pre-nup so that he does not get anything from her. All 4 stay together in an RH relationship.
We are set up to find out who Hades is... But we are left on a cliffhanger!
Even though this was not the best written book, I was still sucked in the entire time. Could this series have been edited down shorter? Yes. But it was a fun ride nonetheless.
We find out who has put out the hit on MK.
We get the kind of HEA that would be expected from a RH story.
We are set up to find out who Hades is... But we are left on a cliffhanger!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Naked Love by Jewel E. Ann
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Avery needs to get back to LA with her sisters dog, but her car is trashed and she has no money. She ends tagging along with Jake on his annual camping trip to the west coast.
Ok, so not my favourite of her books. Yes, there were some cute and funny moments, but I actually hated both MCs for most of the book. Avery was a walking sterotype of a vapid golddigger and Jake was just a judgemental asshole.
I think the most unbelievable thing about this book is how quickly Avery's personality changed. Like a few weeks with Jake and she is basically a different person. She has no backbone and, though he did help her develop one, he is it is such a mean and rude way. He broke her down at every turn and made her believe she wasn't good enough. We don't all need to be the same people Jake, difference is a good thing.
Jake needs serious therapy. He is a walking red flag with a boat load of issues. He picks a woman who triggers all of his insecurities and then blames her for triggering him. You. Need. Therapy. He lashes out in childish ways and then is hurt when Avery is mad at him? Asshole. And what's with his inappropriate tshirts. That's not cute.
I hate thatit is an unexpected pregnancy that brings them back together. Ugh my least favourite trope. She doesn't forgive him for the right reasons.
The best character in this book was Swarley and I am mad for what happened to him. Minus stars for that.
Tropes: road trip, opposites attract, enemies to lovers,unexpected pregnancy
Ok, so not my favourite of her books. Yes, there were some cute and funny moments, but I actually hated both MCs for most of the book. Avery was a walking sterotype of a vapid golddigger and Jake was just a judgemental asshole.
I think the most unbelievable thing about this book is how quickly Avery's personality changed. Like a few weeks with Jake and she is basically a different person. She has no backbone and, though he did help her develop one, he is it is such a mean and rude way. He broke her down at every turn and made her believe she wasn't good enough. We don't all need to be the same people Jake, difference is a good thing.
Jake needs serious therapy. He is a walking red flag with a boat load of issues. He picks a woman who triggers all of his insecurities and then blames her for triggering him. You. Need. Therapy. He lashes out in childish ways and then is hurt when Avery is mad at him? Asshole. And what's with his inappropriate tshirts. That's not cute.
I hate that
The best character in this book was Swarley and I am mad for what happened to him. Minus stars for that.
Tropes: road trip, opposites attract, enemies to lovers,
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
Out On a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
After hooking up with the handsome pirate at her friends Halloween party, Win finds out that she is pregnant.
This book was so adorable, probably my favourite of this author. I loved the representation in this book: Win was born with one smaller arm and Bo lost a leg tocancer . I love how the author approaches sensitive topics head on with honesty and compassion. She doesn't shy away from discussing mental health, disabilities, illness, abortion, and complex relationships.
Win and Bo are so cute together. I giggled, cried, and smiled my way through this entire book. Their banter is hilarious and their chemistry is absolutely fire. I loved the open communication and mature approach they had to their situation and relationship.
I adore her relationship with her best friend, they are so close and supportive of one another.
Tropes: one night stand to lovers, unexpected pregnancy
This book was so adorable, probably my favourite of this author. I loved the representation in this book: Win was born with one smaller arm and Bo lost a leg to
Win and Bo are so cute together. I giggled, cried, and smiled my way through this entire book. Their banter is hilarious and their chemistry is absolutely fire. I loved the open communication and mature approach they had to their situation and relationship.
I adore her relationship with her best friend, they are so close and supportive of one another.
Tropes: one night stand to lovers, unexpected pregnancy
Fake by Tate James
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Like the second book, this one was a bit up and down. A lot of it could have been cut out and I think book two and three could have been combined. This one did at least have a bit more action than book 2, so I feel like it kept me a little more engaged and drawn in.
Like the other two books, this one ends on a major cliffhanger. We know that we're looking for two different people, a stalker and someone who called a hit on MK. we think we know who MK's stalker is after they find evidence in Scott's home. But at the end it's revealed that they got the wrong guy right before Steele is shot. I thought him being the stalker was too easy of an answer.
I think I liked this one a little bit more because we get a little more depth with the guys. Archer finally stops being an asshole long enough to be sort of likeable. The banter between Steele, Cody, and MK is seriously hot. I liked that we got more relationship development within this book.
Like the other two books, this one ends on a major cliffhanger. We know that we're looking for two different people, a stalker and someone who called a hit on MK.
I think I liked this one a little bit more because we get a little more depth with the guys. Archer finally stops being an asshole long enough to be sort of likeable. The banter between Steele, Cody, and MK is seriously hot. I liked that we got more relationship development within this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Liar by Tate James
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
So the bombshell ending was totally worth getting through the repetitive plot that was this entire book. This book is a cycle of MK hating the guys, forgiving two and hooking up with them, trying to hook up with Archer, than getting mad at them again and repeating the cycle.
This could have been a novella, it was just so repetitive. All the important stuff happens within the last couple chapters anyways. Kody's ex Drew had a plan to drug MK, but MK ended up drinking Drew's drink which was spiked with fentanyl. She ends up having a fentanyl overdose. It turns out that her stalker had found out Drew's plan and stepped in. He gave MK narcan, which saved her life, and he killed Drew. We then find out that the boys are keeping a bombshell of a secret from MK. Kane reveals that MK was actually sold by her dad to Archer and she is actually Archer's wife. WTF!
Tropes: enemies to lovers
This could have been a novella, it was just so repetitive. All the important stuff happens within the last couple chapters anyways. Kody's ex Drew had a plan to drug MK, but MK ended up drinking Drew's drink which was spiked with fentanyl. She ends up having a fentanyl overdose. It turns out that her stalker had found out Drew's plan and stepped in. He gave MK narcan, which saved her life, and he killed Drew. We then find out that the boys are keeping a bombshell of a secret from MK. Kane reveals that MK was actually sold by her dad to Archer and she is actually Archer's wife. WTF!
Tropes: enemies to lovers
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Hate by Tate James
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Madison Kate comes home a year after being charged with crimes she didn't commit. She moves back into her fathers house and is surprised to find that her new roommates are the three men who set her up for the crimes.
Is this a well written book? No. But it is entertaining as hell and sucked me right in. The fast pace, funny banter, and suspense helped to hold my attention. The cliff hanger... I need to know what happened!
MK is a very annoying FMC. She is bratty, spoiled, entitled, and weak. She is hell bent on getting revenge, but majority of her attempts are juvenile pranks. She gives into the guys so easily because she endured "a year of celibacy"... But really it's that she has no self-control.
Archer is an Asshole with a capital A. He is constantly hiding information and trying to control MK. There is obviously a backstory there that we haven't learned about yet, but as of now, there is nothing that makes him likable.
Steele and Kody have so much potential and there are periods where I start to like them as MMCs, then I am reminded that they just follow along with whatever Archer says.
So needless to say, I don't actually like any of the characters right now, but the plot has sucked me in. Who is the stalker? What was her father's true intentions? Who actually killed her mother? What secrets are the guys hiding?
Tropes: enemies to lovers, reverse harem, revenge, bully
Is this a well written book? No. But it is entertaining as hell and sucked me right in. The fast pace, funny banter, and suspense helped to hold my attention. The cliff hanger... I need to know what happened!
MK is a very annoying FMC. She is bratty, spoiled, entitled, and weak. She is hell bent on getting revenge, but majority of her attempts are juvenile pranks. She gives into the guys so easily because she endured "a year of celibacy"... But really it's that she has no self-control.
Archer is an Asshole with a capital A. He is constantly hiding information and trying to control MK. There is obviously a backstory there that we haven't learned about yet, but as of now, there is nothing that makes him likable.
Steele and Kody have so much potential and there are periods where I start to like them as MMCs, then I am reminded that they just follow along with whatever Archer says.
So needless to say, I don't actually like any of the characters right now, but the plot has sucked me in. Who is the stalker? What was her father's true intentions? Who actually killed her mother? What secrets are the guys hiding?
Tropes: enemies to lovers, reverse harem, revenge, bully
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Pucking Wrong Man by C.R. Jane
3.0
After seeing Anastasia perform, Camden becomes obsessed with her.
This was definitely very close to the plot of Lincoln and Monroe's book. Anastasia has a similar backstory to Monroe and Camden is almost as unhinged as Lincoln, almost. The problem is that I didn't find these characters as interesting or that their chemistry was as strong.
Anastasia grew up in an abusive home where her father beat her so bad that he broke her leg, threatening her only joy in life, ballet. After her father was a she was place into a home where their son tortured her on a regular basis and continued to stalk and blackmail her after she moved out. Anastasia was just trying to make it on her own. She was barely getting by, having to sleep in the women's shelter and use the community kitchen.
I actually wish that more of the plot would have been about the Micheal storyline. That was the most interesting part of the book. He was a true psychopath. He would torture Ana without any remorse and wanted to keep her as his "pet". I think leaning into this storyline would have been a more interesting angle for the book.
Why did they have to involve dogs so much? Nope, didn't like that at all.
Camden is morally grey, red flags waving everywhere. Was he unhinged? Of course he was. Camden had a saviour complex, this was definitely the basis of his relationship with Ana. He felt like she needed saving, so he would be her saviour. This, coupled with the age gap lead us to the cringy DDLG relationship formed between them.
The whole elderly neighbour and her interactions with the guys was meant to be funny but was VERY cringy.
As usual, the banter between the guys if really entertaining. Their obsessive and crazy energy continues to shine throughout the book.
Tropes: morally grey, age gap, hockey player/ballerina, opposites attract, rich/poor, obsessive
This was definitely very close to the plot of Lincoln and Monroe's book. Anastasia has a similar backstory to Monroe and Camden is almost as unhinged as Lincoln, almost. The problem is that I didn't find these characters as interesting or that their chemistry was as strong.
Anastasia grew up in an abusive home where her father beat her so bad that he broke her leg, threatening her only joy in life, ballet. After her father was a she was place into a home where their son tortured her on a regular basis and continued to stalk and blackmail her after she moved out. Anastasia was just trying to make it on her own. She was barely getting by, having to sleep in the women's shelter and use the community kitchen.
I actually wish that more of the plot would have been about the Micheal storyline. That was the most interesting part of the book. He was a true psychopath. He would torture Ana without any remorse and wanted to keep her as his "pet". I think leaning into this storyline would have been a more interesting angle for the book.
Why did they have to involve dogs so much? Nope, didn't like that at all.
Camden is morally grey, red flags waving everywhere. Was he unhinged? Of course he was. Camden had a saviour complex, this was definitely the basis of his relationship with Ana. He felt like she needed saving, so he would be her saviour. This, coupled with the age gap lead us to the cringy DDLG relationship formed between them.
The whole elderly neighbour and her interactions with the guys was meant to be funny but was VERY cringy.
As usual, the banter between the guys if really entertaining. Their obsessive and crazy energy continues to shine throughout the book.
Tropes: morally grey, age gap, hockey player/ballerina, opposites attract, rich/poor, obsessive
Only If You're Lucky by Stacy Willingham
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Margot is reeling from the loss of her best friend, Eliza, who passed away in an accident right before they were to leave for college. Second year, Lucy invites her to be one of her roommates in an office campus house owned by a fraternity.
Lucy is the complete opposite of Margot, but oddly just like Eliza. She is bold, outgoing, mysterious, and has an edge of danger. While Margot is a quite girl who shys away from attention.... Or is she?
After moving in with Lucy and her two friends Sloan and Nicole, Margot is pulled out of her comfort zone. Her sophomore year is filled with new friendships, parties, hookups, and secrets, lots of secrets. After frat boy is found murdered at a party and Lucy goes missing, Margot becomes more and more suspicious. The more she digs, the more is revealed. Someone is lying...
Everyone is lying would be a good title for this book. This book reminds me of Pretty Little Liars, literally noone can be trusted and everyone is trying to hide something. There are some pretty crazy twists that are thrown at us near the end of the book. We find out that Lucy is actually Eliza's sister and has been stalking her. She isn't actually a student at the school, but a 23 year old who is trying to replicate Eliza's life. We also learn that all three of the remaining girls are responsible for someone's death: Margot let Eliza fall, Nicole killed the frat boy thinking it was her rapist boyfriend, and Sloan killed Lucy to protect Nicole.
The remaining three girls will always be tied to each other by their their lies and secrets. After Sloan kills Lucy, they hide her body in the crawl space under the house knowing that no one will find her. Then they set up an elaborate plan to make it look like Lucy is guilty of the frat boys murder and she has run away.
Though the book starts off pretty slow, the ending goes out with a bang!
Lucy is the complete opposite of Margot, but oddly just like Eliza. She is bold, outgoing, mysterious, and has an edge of danger. While Margot is a quite girl who shys away from attention.... Or is she?
After moving in with Lucy and her two friends Sloan and Nicole, Margot is pulled out of her comfort zone. Her sophomore year is filled with new friendships, parties, hookups, and secrets, lots of secrets. After frat boy is found murdered at a party and Lucy goes missing, Margot becomes more and more suspicious. The more she digs, the more is revealed. Someone is lying...
Everyone is lying would be a good title for this book. This book reminds me of Pretty Little Liars, literally noone can be trusted and everyone is trying to hide something. There are some pretty crazy twists that are thrown at us near the end of the book.
The remaining three girls will always be tied to each other by their their lies and secrets.
Though the book starts off pretty slow, the ending goes out with a bang!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Rape
Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage
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
4.0
Emmy has returned home after an accident left her too shaken to get back on her horse. The last person she'd ever find herself turning to is Luke, her brother's best friend.
This was a really cute cowboy romance. Emmy and Luke were absolutely adorable. They're banter and chemistry was so hot... That whiskey scene... Iykyk. I loved the dual POV.
Emmy returns home after being thrown off a horse. Her fear and panic attacks prevent her from getting back on and continuing on the barrel racing circuit. She's returning home to figure out her next steps.
As a product of his mother's affair, Luke has never been accepted by his family. The Rider family took him under their wings when he was a teenager. Though he had a rough upbringing, he's managed to get his life in order. He's working at the ranch, running his bar, and teaching riding lessons.
I loved how they always had each other's backs and propped each other up. Luke is there to help Emmy regain her confidence so that she can get back on the horse, literally. He is so patient and compassionate when he's with her. Emmy helps Luke understand that he's enough just the way he is.
As much as I adored their relationship, I think I may have loved the family and friendship dynamics even more. I cannot wait for Teddy's book, I think her and Gus's tension is going to make for a very spicy read.
Tropes: cowboy, brother's best friend, he falls first, secret relationship, slow burn, forbidden romance, ADHD rep, found family
This was a really cute cowboy romance. Emmy and Luke were absolutely adorable. They're banter and chemistry was so hot... That whiskey scene... Iykyk. I loved the dual POV.
Emmy returns home after being thrown off a horse. Her fear and panic attacks prevent her from getting back on and continuing on the barrel racing circuit. She's returning home to figure out her next steps.
As a product of his mother's affair, Luke has never been accepted by his family. The Rider family took him under their wings when he was a teenager. Though he had a rough upbringing, he's managed to get his life in order. He's working at the ranch, running his bar, and teaching riding lessons.
I loved how they always had each other's backs and propped each other up. Luke is there to help Emmy regain her confidence so that she can get back on the horse, literally. He is so patient and compassionate when he's with her. Emmy helps Luke understand that he's enough just the way he is.
As much as I adored their relationship, I think I may have loved the family and friendship dynamics even more. I cannot wait for Teddy's book, I think her and Gus's tension is going to make for a very spicy read.
Tropes: cowboy, brother's best friend, he falls first, secret relationship, slow burn, forbidden romance, ADHD rep, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Abandonment, and Alcohol