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ashleyj_reads's reviews
327 reviews
A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This is a fascinating what-if imagining of Romeo and Juliet. Although I caught myself not paying attention for some of book around 70% (I listened to the audio), I still found it very likeable.
The characters are well written, keeping their quirks and passions from the original play while also showing growth over the years unseen.
Rosie is a rockstar and independent AF! Romeo and Juliet are just as annoying in their late 30s as they are in their teens (eww). And the antagonist of it all - I didn't see it coming! I was simultaneously surprised and pleased! The ending is fantastically satisfying for girl power.
The characters are well written, keeping their quirks and passions from the original play while also showing growth over the years unseen.
Rosie is a rockstar and independent AF! Romeo and Juliet are just as annoying in their late 30s as they are in their teens (eww). And the antagonist of it all - I didn't see it coming! I was simultaneously surprised and pleased! The ending is fantastically satisfying for girl power.
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Murder
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A huge thanks to Book of the Month for the early release access to this novel (December 2024)!
No details in this review because I'm afraid it will spoil the good parts.
There wasn't a single moment in this story when I thought I knew what was happening and ended up being right. Every page is an unexpected twist written in a beautifully captivating way. I absolutely LOVE that the switch in POVs occurred on the page through font switch; this is the first time I've seen it done and it should be common practice. Feeney is a master at weaving every piece together. I will think about this book for a while.
Book 1 of 2025, and it's going to be hard to top!
No details in this review because I'm afraid it will spoil the good parts.
There wasn't a single moment in this story when I thought I knew what was happening and ended up being right. Every page is an unexpected twist written in a beautifully captivating way. I absolutely LOVE that the switch in POVs occurred on the page through font switch; this is the first time I've seen it done and it should be common practice. Feeney is a master at weaving every piece together. I will think about this book for a while.
Book 1 of 2025, and it's going to be hard to top!
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing, Death, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Meh. A few good scenes that really had my attention and made me feel some intense reactions, otherwise not captivating. Interesting concepts.
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
Did this live up to the BookTok hype? Nope. Was it as dark as I believed it would be because of the hype? Not at all.
Review TLDR: the characters and plot are excellently written, but the too-close-to-home type of stalking made me too uncomfortable to love the story holistically.
Dark, yes for sure. And I was exceptionally uncomfortable with the very realistic and absolutely possible IRL type of stalking Josh was doing. This alone made the story hard to get through at times and made me feel ick about their relationship as a whole.
Otherwise, the character building, including the kinks, was excellent. Their relationships throughout - not just the main romance couple - were well designed and had the growth expected in a well written story. Side quests and characters were essential to the main characters' plot and relationship; bonus points to the author for making them work so well!
Review TLDR: the characters and plot are excellently written, but the too-close-to-home type of stalking made me too uncomfortable to love the story holistically.
Dark, yes for sure. And I was exceptionally uncomfortable with the very realistic and absolutely possible IRL type of stalking Josh was doing. This alone made the story hard to get through at times and made me feel ick about their relationship as a whole.
Otherwise, the character building, including the kinks, was excellent. Their relationships throughout - not just the main romance couple - were well designed and had the growth expected in a well written story. Side quests and characters were essential to the main characters' plot and relationship; bonus points to the author for making them work so well!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Violence and Murder
Pay attention to the content warnings in the book. There are more, and more specific ones, than available here.
Fated Throne by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
AHHH. I needed the next book IMMEDIATELY. Yet another epic climax and cliffhanger at the end of an installment of the storyline. I have predictions for Darcy and questions about Tory. And I need to talk about the Guild with someone, please.
21 months and 21 days. Or 662 days. Why did it take me this long to read this damn book? We don't know.
I love this series, and in my last stretch of reading before finishing, I truly couldn't figure out why I had made such slow progress. To answer a question that's already been asked: yes, it did make the plot hard to follow because I forgot so many things - not just from this book but from the previous five as well...do not recommend slow reading like this!
21 months and 21 days. Or 662 days. Why did it take me this long to read this damn book? We don't know.
I love this series, and in my last stretch of reading before finishing, I truly couldn't figure out why I had made such slow progress. To answer a question that's already been asked: yes, it did make the plot hard to follow because I forgot so many things - not just from this book but from the previous five as well...do not recommend slow reading like this!
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I found this one to be weird and I’m definitely not the target audience. I don’t think the vehicle needed as much attention and back story as it received. Good for the HEA couple, though!
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Cute couple, HEA. Good writing and details for plot and relationship building.
I didn’t love the speed of the relationship, but I know it’s the nature of the novella.
I didn’t love the speed of the relationship, but I know it’s the nature of the novella.