amanda_reads13's reviews
451 reviews

dark sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? N/A
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Olivia is a world renound singer who has been put under a conservatorship by her mother and manager. When attending a hockey game with her cousin, Walker (Disney) sees her and becomes obsessed.

I actually didn't find this one as dark as the others. But, as with the other books Walker has very dubious morals.

He messes with her birth control and pokes holes in condoms to get her pregnant.

Be aware that there are lot of issues around deception and consent of contraception use.

Olivia has been abused and used by her mother and manager all her life. Her reputation has been destroyed and she has major trust issues.

Walker is obsessed with Olivia from the moment he meets her. He will literally do anything to keep her

including getting her pregnant, blackmailing her cousin, and handcuffing her to him.

Yes, he is over the top and a psycho, but he does

manage to get revenge on her manager and mother and free her from the conservatorship. (Pancake penis iykyk)

The chats between the guys are pretty funny and I liked the budding friendship between the women.

Tropes: stalking, obsession, athlete/singer, hockey, dark

Content Warnings

Nero by S.J. Tilly

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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

1.0

Payton is a poor girl with a sad past. One evening while at home a man breaks into her apartment while escaping the cops. He becomes obsessed with her, she goes a long with it because he is hot and rich.

I am trying to wrap my head around what I just read. This book has so many good reviews and I just don't get it. It is just so bad. It so poorly written and I was cringing half of the time. There was barely a plot. It's just about a woman who was once independent becoming a man's possession.

I went in wanting a mafia plot, but it was barely there. The big "conflict" ends so quickly and is anti-climatic.

There is zero character development, actually they regress. Payton was insecure, but independent and hardworking. She allows Nero to take over her entire personality and life. Nero has zero personality and depth.

I wanted to DNF, but pushed through. Honestly wish I had DNFd.

Tropes: mafia

Content Warnings

Hawke by Jescie Hall

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dark emotional 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

3.0

Nicole "Cole" uprooted her whole life to be with her very Catholic/conservative boyfriend Patrick. Everything is going as planned until Patrick's "friend" Hawke moves into their house after being released from prison.

I HATE the cheating trope and there is no excuse for it. Ya, Patrick was a misogynistic jerk, but no one deserves to be so blatantly disrespected by their partner. If you want to be with someone else, then breakup with your bf! Ugh! It was also weird how she would just "play house" with Patrick in front of Hawke then become jealous when Hawke is around other women.

Hawke has recently been released from prison for

murder. He was convicted of driving under the influence and killing his best friend in a car accident. Only, that is not the whole story.

We get the impression that he is this bad boy who does nothing but bang random women and do drugs with his vagrant friends. But really he is a broken and sad boy who has endured so much loss, trauma, and pain.

He has never truly been loved or respected by anyone. He has always been looked down apon or cast aside.

All he really wants is for someone to love and understand him, his rough exterior is nothing but a mask.

Cole is a lost woman. She thinks that she has a good life. Sure Patrick is a bit of a misogynistic ass, but he loves and takes care of her. As her relationship with Hawke grows she realizes how truly blind she has been. Patrick sees her as an accessory to creating this picture perfect life. He never consults her on any decisions, gaslights her, and completely disrespects her.

Overall, she was very judgemental and childish. Unfortunately, there wasn't much growth to her character. She spent the whole time whining about how she was cheating on her "perfect" boyfriend with Hawke, but never did anything to change the situation....

Patrick

it turns out is a wolf in sheep's clothing. He was the one who killed Hawkes best friend. He then fled the scene and pinned it on Hawke. Hawke not only lots his best friend, but he was then forced to take the fall for his death. At least Patrick got what was coming to him.

A few things - I really wish this had been dual POV. That would have added so much to the story. The writing was ok, but the story did drag and become very repetitive (Especially with Cole reprimanding herself that the cheating is wrong and her talking about Hawkes lip ring -mentioned 1000x). I felt like we didn't really dig deep enough into the characters and they felt a bit one dimensional.

Tropes: enemies to lovers, opposites attract, cheating, taboo, roommates, force proximity

Content Warnings

Summer Sparrow by Emmerson Hoyt

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dark emotional 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

Rylee and her sister are on the run and hiding out in the Den of Vipers. Meanwhile, due to Frank's manipulation and deception, Colton has been ripped from the Vipers and doing what he can to keep those he loves safe.

Thank you for giving us a dual POV! I really enjoyed Colton's chapters and getting a peek inside his mindset. His chapters give us some valuable insight and background to the Jackles club, which adds a lot to the story. Also, it gives us some understanding of his choices and actions. He loves his brothers and Rylee, but is willing to sacrifice himself if it meant keeping them safe.

There is so much heartache and pain that both Colton and Rylee endure, but it is integral to their growth. Your heart breaks for both of them as they are torn apart and aches for them to be reunited. They have so much chemistry and such a strong connection that they will always find their way back to each other.

Rylee is such a strong and resilient character. In this part of the story, she really comes into her own and goes through so much emotional growth. I really appreciate how Hoyt depicted the reality of PTSD. She did a really good job of getting us into Rylee's head so we could really experience and understand the effects of her trauma. You could feel her pain and fear everytime a wave of panic hit her. I love that her mental health was taken so seriously by those around her and that she was never made to feel ashamed of what she was experiencing.

One thing that really bugged me was how much Colton kept from his family. So much heartache could have been avoided has he just told them everything from the start. His family would have done everything to help him. I get that he was trying to keep them safe, but communication is key.

I continued to adore the found family aspect of this book. Alex, Minho, Danny, Holly, and now Mac, add so much depth and emotion to the story. They have such a beautiful dynamic with one another. Can we get a Holly/Mac book please?!

The ending

was wrapped up nicely. Rylees father behind bars and the other bad guys dead.

Tropes: second chance, vigilante/Robinhood retelling, found family, slow burn, grovelling,

Content Warnings

Wildfire by Hannah Grace

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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

Aurora and Russ hookup at a house party. The next day they find out they will be working together for 2 months at a summer camp.

This was a cute and sweet story. The summer camp setting was a fun angle.

The first half of the book had a lot of miscommunication and unnecessary drama. Instead of talking to each other like adults, both Aurora and Russ made assumptions about each other which made their situation super awkward.

Russ and Aurara come from different worlds, but are both dealing with similar trauma. Daddy issues. Aurara's dad is a rich asshole who completely ignores her until he needs a photo opp, where as Russ' dad is gambling addict who has put him down his whole life. Aurara's reaction was to act out, where as Russ' was to make himself small. Aurara is loud and pushes the limits, where as Russ' is a shy rule follower who lacks confidence.

I love how much these two grow and heal together. It takes a lot for Russ to open up and trust, he hates people knowing about his family situation. Aurora is so patient with him and pushes him to step out of his comfort zone. Russ is a definition golden retriever boyfriend (with a dirty mouth). He is incredibly kind, empathetic, and considerate. He is there for her as she struggles through her complicated relationship with her family and is there to support her at every turn. I adore these two together.

One thing I love about this series is the friend group. They add so much to the story. They aren't what your expect from the typical "hockey boys". Yes, they tease and razz each other, but also show up for each other in the best possible way.

Tropes: forced proximity, university, hockey player, opposites attract, found family

Content Warnings

September Doves by Emmerson Hoyt

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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

One night Rylee receives a call for help from her estranged sister. Upon arriving to Eden, she finds a grieving and secretive sister and Colton, an infuriating man who she is instantly drawn to.

I devoured this book. This is a story about the love of your town, for your people, for the community. There were so many twist, turns, and reveals. The ending felt rushed, but it definitely stabbed me in the heart.

I loved the found family angle of this book. All of the characters were interesting and so dynamic. They had such a strong bond that you can't help but root for them all. I am interested to learn more about their backgrounds and stories.

Rylee has had it rough. Her mother passed away and she was abandoned by her father and sister. She is a fighter and despite the odds she is incredibly persistent and driven to succeed. She is incredibly compassionate and empathetic, she drops everything to help her sister and is incredibly driven to help the town.

Upon arriving to Eden, Rylee finds a town shattered. There had been a mining accident that killed hundreds of people and the town has never really recovered. The town itself serves as its own character and adds so much to the suspense if the book. It is a grimy and broken town filled with equally broken and distrustful town folk.

She discovers that her sisters husband was a part of the Jackles, a secretive club in town. Since we only get one POV, we are made to wait along with Rylee to find out the secret of who they really are.

This book is a Robinhood telling, so it was obvious that they were stealing from the rich to help out their town. But the motivation wasn't clear at first. We eventually find out that the "mine accident" wasn't an accident at all and that there was one company who was responsible for mining deaths all over the world, Rylee's ex's family company. Now the Jackles are out for revenge.

Colton is mysterious and closed off, but as we learn about his past and what happened to his parents, his distrust and apprehension is completely understandable. As he opens up to Rylee, we see that is such a compassionate and protective man. He will do anything for his family. The build up between him and Rylee is TENSE and electric. I ate it up. I love that he chose a nickname for her that represented how strong and fierce she is.

We also find out that

Rylee's father left because he was the head of the Vipers, an illegal mafia style gang who were once the Jackles rivals. They run all sorts of illegal activities. His involvement put their family at risk and her mother forced him to leave. We also find out that her sister, who is preggers, is also a Viper.

The end did feel rushed and because of that I feel like

Logan was not built up enough as the villain. But, it was so smart how everything was tied together. Logan sought Rylee out and kept a tracker on her in order to find her sister so that he could exact revenge for her stealing company secrets.

I cannot wait fo book 2

Tropes: contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, small-town, found family tropes, Robin Hood retelling, "secret" club, slow burn,

Content Warnings

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune

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emotional hopeful 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

4.5

Lucy hooks up with a cute guy she meets at restaurant in PEI only to discover it is her best friends brother, the off limits brother. 5 years later, when Bridget flees Toronto, Lucy has to finally face her true feelings.

This was a super cute story. Yes, it was a romance between Lucy and Felix, but I loved that Bridget and Lucy's friendship was just as important to the story. It was such a fun and heartwarming read.

The setting plays such a big role throughout the story. PEI is its own character. It add so much charm and heart to the story. The vivid descriptions make me want to get on a plane asap.

Bridget and Lucy met 7 years ago and their friendship bloomed. They are there for each other through thick and thin. I am not surprised that Bridget

was so upset about moving, but theirs is a friendship that could survive the distance. I honestly guessed that this was the big secret early on, it was pretty obvious to me. If it wasn't her relationship in trouble, there was nothing else it could have been.

I adore their relationship. I really want a Bridget in Australia book now.

Lucy and Felix are electric. There are meant to be, end game. There is a fair bit of miscommunication between them. I wish they would have talked more about their relationship and been honest with Bridget. I get that they were afraid of telling her and worried that the other didn't feel the same, but communication is key. I actually really liked the slow progression of their relationship. Yes, there was a tone of physical chemistry, but there was always an emotional element to them as well. They are drawn to one another and no matter the distance or obstacles, they always find their way back.

I am actually really glad that

they took a break from their relationship. Lucy really needed to find herself and take care of her needs/self. She had to grieve her aunt's passing and Bridget moving and figure out what she really wanted before throwing herself into a relationship.

The ending was adorable and everything I wanted for these two.

Tropes: best friends brother, forbidden-ish, friends-to-lover, secret romance

Content Warnings

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham

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emotional mysterious sad 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

4.5

Isabelle's son goes missing and she will stop at nothing until she finds him.

This one pulled me right. We follow Isabelle, an mother whose son is missing, she is grieving, suffering from PTSD, and barely sleeping. She is the definition of an unreliable narrator, yet you want to believe her. We are steeped in her grief and paranoia. You are right with her the entire time picking apart the pieces and trying to make sense of it all.

There are definitely a few red herrings along the way. Did she do something to him while sleep walking? Was it her narcissistic husband? Is Whalen the guilty one? Was it the creepy man down the street? What are the cops hiding?

We find out that when she was younger, Isabelle had a history of sleep walking. One night her sister died in the marshes behind the house.

We are lead to think that Isabelle lead her to her death and that she killed her son while sleep walking. Then we find out that it was actually her mother, suffering from severe PPD who was guilty. She has planned to kill herself and her 2 daughters, but only the one daughter died.

The whole time I thought it was the husband.

He is obviously a narcissist, possibly sociopath who is manipulative, controlling, and gaslights everyone. He is always on the hunt for a younger version of his wife. His first wife died of suicide while pregnant and then his son with his second wife goes missing while he is in the throws of an affair with a younger model. Convenient or guilty? Well he is certainly guilty of something, but not of killing his son.

I was shocked when

it was revealed that it was the girlfriend who kidnapped her son! I was not expecting that at all. She was jealous and wanted Isabelle out of the picture, so she took the child and gave him to a woman to raise.

Content Warnings

Hook Shot by Kennedy Ryan

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emotional funny sad 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

4.0

It was love a frist sight for Kenan, but Lotus's past has her shying away from any long term commitments.

As usual, this book is so beautifully written. This story is so heartbreaking and emotional, yet has so many heartwarming moments. The characters are so vibrant and well developed.

Their chemistry was palpable. The tension and banter was perfection. I loved the slow burn in this book. They took their time to slowly transition from friends to lovers. The slow pace of their relationship makes so much sense considering Lotus's past trauma and Kenan's challenges with his ex-wife. Their relationship isn't perfect, but they choose each other and have open communication.

Kenan has been through a horrible and public divorce after his wife cheated on him with a teammate. His ex-wife was so emotionally abusive and was a master at manipulation. He is such a empathetic, compassion, protective, and complicated man. He didn't let many people in, but he felt an instant connection to Lotus. He was so patient with her and his letters were so endearing.

Lotus was a strong and mighty woman. She is struggling with PTSD and has massive trust issues. She was a survivor.

As a child, she was raped by her mother's boyfriend and then her mother rejected her for him.

Her circle is small, but close, it takes a lot for her to trust. She was bold and loud, yet vulnerable and struggling. It takes a lot for her to let Kenan in, but once he is in, he is her world.

The addition of Voodoo was interesting. Lotus was raised by her grandmother and was taught about her "power".

Lotus predicts death around Kenan. They end up discovering that his daughter has ODed and then she almost dies. Lotus assumes this was the feeling she gets, but later in the book Kenan is in a car accident and is declared dead. Lotus and Iris somehow save him with their "energy". To me it seemed like a bit of a gimmick in the book. I would have liked to have seen it explored more.

Tropes: friends to lovers, found family, slow burn, single dad

Content Warnings

Just For the Summer by Abby Jimenez

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

5.0

Justin and Emma are both inflicted by the same curse. Everyone they date goes on to find their soulmate. They decide to date for the summer to break the curse.

I love this book so much. It is absolutely hilarious, I must have looked insane laughing out loud to the audio while walking my dog. Though it is a really funny book, it also addresses some pretty heavy topics such as child abandonment, PTSD, and mental health.

I think that Emma's PTSD was approached in a sensitive and informed manner. Emma has an incredibly rough childhood. Her mother dealt with a lot of mental health issues and would often abandon her for long stretches. Emma has trust and abandonment issues, her mother would pop in and out of her life always offering her a sliver of hope and then ripping it away. She can never get attached to anyone out of fear of them leaving. That is until Maddie.

As a child she eventually ended up in foster care, where she was placed in Maddie's family. Maddie becomes her "docking station", her safe person. Maddie is the most incredible friend. She sacrifices setting down roots to ensure her best friend is cared for and loved. She is there for her through the thick and thin. I want a Maddie book!

Even though it was

a difficult decision and really hard on Justin, I am glad that Emma took the time to work on herself and to heal before jumping back into the relationship. It would have ended in disaster had she not taken the time to work on herself first.

Justin has endured a few crappy years, his father has recently passed away and now his mother is going to jail, leaving him to raise his 3 siblings. Justin is so compassionate, understanding, and selfless. He is lite ally the definition of a golden retriever BF.

Him crossing the lake on the floaties! My heart!

The surprise, was honestly not a suprise to me.

As soon as she mentioned her mom was Amber and that Emma was going a DNA test, I put it together. Daniel (book 1) was Emma's half brother and Amber never told her about him, never told her about any of her family. I did really appreciate how all the worlds came together in this book. I even appreciated the Neil redemption-ish story. It is easy to see Amber as a horrible person, but she obviously has severe mental health issues and needs help.

Tropes: fake-ish dating, slow burn, found family

Content Warnings

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amanda_reads13's reviews 451 reviews

amanda_reads13's reviews
451 reviews