ashleyj_reads's reviews
328 reviews

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.

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

One of my favorite things about Ali Hazelwood is that every time I read something of hers, I learn a new word.

*miscommunication trope*

This is an adorable little story that takes place over the course of less than 12 hours, with flashbacks to fill in the history of the characters.

We're all waiting for a handsome, successful, adorable man to be obsessed with us. Jamie got hers :)

Content Warnings

How My Neighbor Stole Christmas by Meghan Quinn

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

My number one Christmastime romance!

Two chapters in, I was...uncomfortable...with the cheeseyness. A little while later, I felt I had predicted the tropes and the plot and seriously considered DNFing, but since this was a book club read I wanted to try a little longer. And then, I fell in love with the characters, and the plot became not-so-predictable.

I laughed, out loud and loudly, several times throughout this story. It's hard to get an outward reaction out of me through a book, so *chef's kiss.*

These characters took some lessons - the communication is BEAUTIFUL. We know how to speak our minds and hearts to the closest people around us in a romance novel!? Shooketh I was.

Then there's the breaking the fourth wall, acknowledging the tropes, or lack of, and the sassy narrator!

Content Warnings

What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Not as captivating as "What Moves the Dead," but still a decent read. I do enjoy nature as an antagonist and, in a strange manner, bringing people together.

The Betrothed by Kiera Cass

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 40%.

Narrator wasn't working for me; her voice maid the already obnoxious MC even more annoying. I'm sad about this, because I usually love Cass.

The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

𝙁𝙔𝙄 I don’t buy into cancel culture. However, I did consider current events when wanting to read this book. I did decide to source this book ethically: I borrowed the digital version via library app.

Four stars only because I want to know more about the Hempstocks. I understand why we’re not told more, but that’s not the point here. I’m very curious and one star’s worth of upset about it.

This is well-written: seamless timeline changes, and action to thought/dialogue pieces. The not magic is beautifully created and experienced by character and reader.

What a wild, fascinating, and mind boggling experience for a child!! It’s no wonder he doesn’t know where home is as an adult.

Content Warnings