book_lover_irl's reviews
434 reviews

Dominic by Marie James

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dark tense 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

Lots of trigger warnings. Make sure you carefully review them prior to starting this book. 

Super dark and twisted kinky. Unlike the other 4 Cerberus MC books I’ve read so far. Not sure how to rate it given how conflicted I am with the topics it touches on. 
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Snatch by Marie James

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emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I've been waiting for Snatch's story since the Cerberus MC series began. I knew he would have a heart of gold under all his sarcastic brashness. I adored this story soooo much! Just read this one if you like any MM storylines.

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV: Dual
HEA: 
Cliffhanger: No
Tropes: MC, MM

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I really liked this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️ I liked this book
⭐️⭐️ Meh…  bored or annoyed
⭐️ Seriously? Not worth it

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ INFERNO. P@nty melting
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Blazing hot
🌶️🌶️🌶️ Now we’re talking
🌶️🌶️ Meh… uninspired missionary
🌶️ Does weak foreplay count?

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A Double Life by Flynn Berry

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2.0

Started out strong. I like the blurb about the plot / storyline but it quickly lost its sense of urgency. Wasn’t a fan of the way the story was choppy from past and present POVs. Maybe if you like slow burn novels, this will be your jam but in general, I wouldn’t recommend. Had to force myself to finish it after making it halfway through.
November 9 by Colleen Hoover

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • 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

Friends Like These by Jennifer Lynn Alvarez

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3.0

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

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After hearing a lot of good things about this book, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read it. I feared the plot summary wasn’t my cup of tea and I hate getting my hopes up on hyped books. 

I’m still trying to decide how I feel about the ending. I enjoyed the story, setting and characters growth and progression. But something about the ending... I can’t tell if I am unsettled by how events were led t or if I wanted additional wrap up before the book ended?

Overall I’d recommend the book. I liked the exploration of what it means to be a “good” mom; the hidden lives of teenagers (parents not knowing all that goes on with their kids); and the intricate and complex feelings associated with class, race, adoption and parenting. 

The issues raised in the book were semi-nuanced. I appreciate that the author did not provide “easy”, clear cut judgements about how the reader “should” interpret things as right or wrong. The  complicated, emotional dilemmas were not solved by clear black and white answers.
Spare by Prince Harry

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced

3.25

Conflicted. This was an interesting read. Surprisingly raw and honest, yet very pointed in only sharing Prince Harry’s perspective (but what else do you expect from a memoir, right?). I loved the beginning third and last third. I felt like it dragged in the middle while sharing his military service and lost wandering during his 20’s as he sought to “find his true self”. The details were probably useful to show how Prince Harry evolved… but I was bored. 😀 Overall I’d definitely recommend the book if one was interested in the royals. It was my first read about the royals. I doubt I’ll seek out additional books about them.
When You Find Me by P.J. Vernon

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challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-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

3.5

That twist at the end... WHOA! 👀
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The Lost Orphan by Stacey Halls

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dark emotional mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

I wanted to love this book. It started out so good but by the middle of the book…. I just wanted to know the ending without actually having to put the effort into reading it. I did finish it but it was extremely disappointing. I feel like the ending was entirely unfulfilling and “too tidy”.  I wouldn’t recommend this book.
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Say Her Name by Dreda Say Mitchell, Ryan Carter

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Interesting and thoughtful. Slightly predictable. I look forward to trying other books by this author to see if I enjoy them more.
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