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ashley_mrose530's reviews
434 reviews
Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
emotional
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
4.5
This was really such an emotional book with great character arcs. I can't wait to see where the next one takes us!
Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I really liked this one. I thought the plot was interesting and the magic system is different and intricate. The world building is fantastic and I was intrigued throughout the whole book. I enjoyed the characters and their struggles and I hope that they get pushed a little farther in the next one.
Time Out by Sean Hayes, Carlyn Greenwald, Todd Milliner
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The beginning of this book was good. It had me engaged and wanting to read. The ending was decent, if predictable. But everything else in the middle was incredibly boring.
I'll start by saying I really thought this was going to be a rom-com-esque novel and I think they tried to make it that way with all the references to the iconic rom-com movies of the 80s and 90s, but it did not work. First of all, I feel like we barely got any actual scenes of just Barclay and Christopher interacting and of the ones we did get, I didn't see any chemistry between them.
This might be because I pretty much hated Barclay's character though. He was way to nieve and selfish and narcissistic to be even kind of likable. I couldn't tell what any of his friends saw in him to want to be friends with him. First of all, who in their right mind would think the a small town in Georgia would be completely welcoming of a gay basketball player?? Even if he was the star player, it's obvious that homophobia would be the main reaction and the fact that he didn't expect it shows just how nieve he really is. I understand that he's a teenager and so his feeling like everyone was against him even though it was really only a few people on the team, makes sense but it was still childish and self-centered to quit the team because of it.
Also, his younger sister being more aware of the family's financial struggles than him was just ridiculous. I couldn't exactly tell how old she was but I kept picturing her as like middle school age and that made it even worse. He didn't give a shit about his family or his friends ever. I liked seeing him apologize to them at the end but I still feel like he didn't actually grow as much as he should have.
Anyway, everything this book was trying to do, didn't really work for me and I think most of that was because of how much I didn't like the main character. I definitely should have DNF'd this one.
I'll start by saying I really thought this was going to be a rom-com-esque novel and I think they tried to make it that way with all the references to the iconic rom-com movies of the 80s and 90s, but it did not work. First of all, I feel like we barely got any actual scenes of just Barclay and Christopher interacting and of the ones we did get, I didn't see any chemistry between them.
This might be because I pretty much hated Barclay's character though. He was way to nieve and selfish and narcissistic to be even kind of likable. I couldn't tell what any of his friends saw in him to want to be friends with him. First of all, who in their right mind would think the a small town in Georgia would be completely welcoming of a gay basketball player?? Even if he was the star player, it's obvious that homophobia would be the main reaction and the fact that he didn't expect it shows just how nieve he really is. I understand that he's a teenager and so his feeling like everyone was against him even though it was really only a few people on the team, makes sense but it was still childish and self-centered to quit the team because of it.
Also, his younger sister being more aware of the family's financial struggles than him was just ridiculous. I couldn't exactly tell how old she was but I kept picturing her as like middle school age and that made it even worse. He didn't give a shit about his family or his friends ever. I liked seeing him apologize to them at the end but I still feel like he didn't actually grow as much as he should have.
Anyway, everything this book was trying to do, didn't really work for me and I think most of that was because of how much I didn't like the main character. I definitely should have DNF'd this one.
The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was a good book. I really liked the plot of it the most. The trials were really fascinating and I'm really excited for the "hero's journey" we're going to get in the next one.
I also really liked the world that this is set in with the many different gods. The world building was a little messy though. They call each god's domain a city but they're all like right next to each other, so much so that you can see the next one from the rooftops of the one you're in? At first they made it seem like they were pretty far away from each other but then towards the end it didn't really seem that way with that one scene. It confused me a lot actually. And the gods' hierarchy wasn't really explained well either. Like what makes one god a gold over another god?
Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this and I enjoyed the main characters and their interactions together. It was a little hard for me to keep the names straight because I was listening to it rather than reading it, but that's alright. I'm excited to read the next one whenever my Libby hold comes through.
I also really liked the world that this is set in with the many different gods. The world building was a little messy though. They call each god's domain a city but they're all like right next to each other, so much so that you can see the next one from the rooftops of the one you're in? At first they made it seem like they were pretty far away from each other but then towards the end it didn't really seem that way with that one scene. It confused me a lot actually. And the gods' hierarchy wasn't really explained well either. Like what makes one god a gold over another god?
Anyway, I had a lot of fun with this and I enjoyed the main characters and their interactions together. It was a little hard for me to keep the names straight because I was listening to it rather than reading it, but that's alright. I'm excited to read the next one whenever my Libby hold comes through.
Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.75
This was a really solid romance book. The spice was great, the chemistry even better, the PR nightmare of their relationship being the main plot was really good and them learning who is taking advantage of them and who is being genuine in their advice was so back and forth.
I really liked that they supported each other and were encouraging each other to realize their actual desires and where they wanted to go in their careers. And they worked together to get themselves out the toxic work relationships they both had. It was really great to see that Gwen wasn't the only one being taken advantage of. I liked that they both had that same problem but slightly different and for different reasons.
Their chemistry was really so good and the spice was fantastic. I would definitely recommend this romance to anyone who likes the genre.
I really liked that they supported each other and were encouraging each other to realize their actual desires and where they wanted to go in their careers. And they worked together to get themselves out the toxic work relationships they both had. It was really great to see that Gwen wasn't the only one being taken advantage of. I liked that they both had that same problem but slightly different and for different reasons.
Their chemistry was really so good and the spice was fantastic. I would definitely recommend this romance to anyone who likes the genre.
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
So I didn't really like this one as much as the Bright Falls series.
I think I don't really vibe with the second-chance romance books because I feel like all the romance and actually falling in love happens in the past and even if you have flash backs, some of the emotion is lost for some reason. So because of that, I didn't really feel their love and chemistry as much as I wanted to.
That being said, this was still a super cute sapphic romance book and really fit the Christmas holiday vibes even though I read it way before the season. It's super cozy and the music aspect of it is really cute.
So if you enjoy second-chance romances with cozy Christmas vibes, you'll probably really enjoy this one.
I think I don't really vibe with the second-chance romance books because I feel like all the romance and actually falling in love happens in the past and even if you have flash backs, some of the emotion is lost for some reason. So because of that, I didn't really feel their love and chemistry as much as I wanted to.
That being said, this was still a super cute sapphic romance book and really fit the Christmas holiday vibes even though I read it way before the season. It's super cozy and the music aspect of it is really cute.
So if you enjoy second-chance romances with cozy Christmas vibes, you'll probably really enjoy this one.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-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
4.5
This book was so funny and yet so heavy at times and I loved that contrast so much.
There were so many moments where I was fighting for my life not to laugh out loud at work. The two main characters interactions and banter as well as the funny situations just made this book a great rom-com.
But I also loved the heavier material as well. There was a lot of talk about different kinds of abuse throughout the book.There was domestic violence both physical and emotional as well as parental emotional abuse and I was so glad that our main character and author actually acknowledged that her father was abusive. I feel like talking about parental abuse, particularly emotional abuse, is still so taboo. I've read some books where the parents were clearly emotionally abusive, but it was never outright acknowledged, so I was really happy to see that it was treated so well here.
I also really liked the two main characters together. I thought they balanced each other well and had great chemistry. I enjoyed that their chemistry wasn't based almost exclusively on sex and there was actually very little spice in this book. It was a nice change and I think it worked better with the material that the book was dealing with as well.
I will say that I didn't really enjoy Alexis's character at first. She was almost childish and so privileged it was actually insane, like not knowing what a broom was and never having peeled a potato insane. But I really liked that she grew and changed and that Daniel helped her rather than belittle her. He was so patient with her and she was willing to change. It was good to see.
Overall this was a really great book and I look forward to trying out more books from Jimenez.
There were so many moments where I was fighting for my life not to laugh out loud at work. The two main characters interactions and banter as well as the funny situations just made this book a great rom-com.
But I also loved the heavier material as well. There was a lot of talk about different kinds of abuse throughout the book.
I also really liked the two main characters together. I thought they balanced each other well and had great chemistry. I enjoyed that their chemistry wasn't based almost exclusively on sex and there was actually very little spice in this book. It was a nice change and I think it worked better with the material that the book was dealing with as well.
I will say that I didn't really enjoy Alexis's character at first. She was almost childish and so privileged it was actually insane, like not knowing what a broom was and never having peeled a potato insane. But I really liked that she grew and changed and that Daniel helped her rather than belittle her. He was so patient with her and she was willing to change. It was good to see.
Overall this was a really great book and I look forward to trying out more books from Jimenez.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, and Toxic relationship
Blade Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This one kept my attention a lot better than the first one did but I was still so confused on the world building. This might be a series that I have to read physically in order to fully understand the world and everything about it. Which is fine, it happens sometimes. Also I realized my Libby cards don't have the last one in the series, so that's cool. Anyway, I like the characters and I would like to finish the series, but it looks like I will have to pick it up in a different format for that to happen.
Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Morally gray and true hate-to-love characters are back!!!
Oh this book was so fucking good. I was engrossed in every single second of the listening experience. The characters are not good people but you can actually understand why they made the decisions that they did and I loved watching them grow and even find their own lines they wouldn't cross. I could identify with their desires to not be alone and to not feel like they're terrible people.
I also loved the slow burn hate-to-love romance. It was so wonderfully done. These two people loathed each other and did terrible things to each other but the slow change of their feelings was perfect. And I liked that it wasn't linear either. Kidan, at least, went back and forth with her hate for a majority of the last half of the book and even at the end it's unclear if she's back to hating him or not. I've truly been searching for this for so long.
I even enjoyed the plot. Kidan is just trying to find her sister and she'll do anything to accomplish that. It's fascinating to see the lengths she'll go to and then we got to that ending and sherefused to see her because she realized that her sister left her behind on purpose. That's growth. She finally did something for herself and I was cheering her on while she did it.
Honestly I see no downsides to this book and I can't wait until the next one is out.
Oh this book was so fucking good. I was engrossed in every single second of the listening experience. The characters are not good people but you can actually understand why they made the decisions that they did and I loved watching them grow and even find their own lines they wouldn't cross. I could identify with their desires to not be alone and to not feel like they're terrible people.
I also loved the slow burn hate-to-love romance. It was so wonderfully done. These two people loathed each other and did terrible things to each other but the slow change of their feelings was perfect. And I liked that it wasn't linear either. Kidan, at least, went back and forth with her hate for a majority of the last half of the book and even at the end it's unclear if she's back to hating him or not. I've truly been searching for this for so long.
I even enjoyed the plot. Kidan is just trying to find her sister and she'll do anything to accomplish that. It's fascinating to see the lengths she'll go to and then we got to that ending and she
Honestly I see no downsides to this book and I can't wait until the next one is out.
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book was so good! I really wish I hadn't read it as an audiobook at work because I kept getting distracted and I think if I hadn't, this probably would have been a five star read or at least a 4.75.
So I was distracted for most of the first half of this book so the world building is what I mostly missed out on, but I was still able to understand it for the most part which is a plus.
I really enjoyed the main plot here which was kind of a murder mystery and romance with a side of fantasy. It was definitely a mix of a few genres and I think it was evenly distributed between them all honestly. It was so interesting and I liked seeing the different kinds of creatures that were brought into the story.
My favorite part was the sapphic romance though. I loved the banter between Lorelei and Silvia and that made their chemistry even better. The grumpy/sunshine troupe was decent here and I felt like it fit their characters well.
I guess the only thing that I didn't really like was the reveal of who the murder was. I felt kind of cheated honestly.The whole time the foreshadowing was pointing to Ludwig being the murder. The had the coat that she thought was familiar to the button, he was found with the paper from the mentor's journals and there were a couple of other things that pointed to him as well. But then Adelaide ended up being the killer and I was so confused. Where was her foreshadowing? I know I was distracted for a good portion of the book but there had to be at least a little bit and I just couldn't think of anything. So yeah that made me feel like the author had cheated or duped us into thinking one thing without putting in effort to foreshadow the actual reveal and I hope that wasn't the case and I just missed the actual foreshadowing, but this is the reason why I couldn't rate it higher currently.
Either way, this was still a really good and enjoyable book. I've read two books by Saft now and I think she might be on her way to being one of my favorite authors.
So I was distracted for most of the first half of this book so the world building is what I mostly missed out on, but I was still able to understand it for the most part which is a plus.
I really enjoyed the main plot here which was kind of a murder mystery and romance with a side of fantasy. It was definitely a mix of a few genres and I think it was evenly distributed between them all honestly. It was so interesting and I liked seeing the different kinds of creatures that were brought into the story.
My favorite part was the sapphic romance though. I loved the banter between Lorelei and Silvia and that made their chemistry even better. The grumpy/sunshine troupe was decent here and I felt like it fit their characters well.
I guess the only thing that I didn't really like was the reveal of who the murder was. I felt kind of cheated honestly.
Either way, this was still a really good and enjoyable book. I've read two books by Saft now and I think she might be on her way to being one of my favorite authors.