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hardcover_hazel's reviews
172 reviews
Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This short story was incredible 🥹❤️ so happy I saved this one for last! This one flows so well and feels so good and wholesome!
Ali Hazelwood is a genius writer, a snowstorm trapping two long family friends who’ve been in love with each other for forever?? Yes PLEASE. Give us more, Ali.
Ali Hazelwood is a genius writer, a snowstorm trapping two long family friends who’ve been in love with each other for forever?? Yes PLEASE. Give us more, Ali.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
How to Lose a Guy Before Christmas by A.J. Pine
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a cute, spicy, festive read!
We follow a couple who’d met at Thanksgiving for a one night stand… who end up on a ride share stranded together. Talk about awkward… until they realise they both want more.
The town they end up stranded in is called Tinsel and it is cheesy and cute! Lots of festive bits included, had me giggling a little 💖
We follow a couple who’d met at Thanksgiving for a one night stand… who end up on a ride share stranded together. Talk about awkward… until they realise they both want more.
The town they end up stranded in is called Tinsel and it is cheesy and cute! Lots of festive bits included, had me giggling a little 💖
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This series is my Roman Empire.
I related literally everything I could to it, turning my personal reality into its universe. The heat wave Joburg experienced? We had dragons breathing down our necks, or they were trying to break us in land nav 😂
The lightning storms we had were perfect timing for this series 😍 especially for the last battle - reading it during a storm was everything ⚡️
This book goes into politics, truths, and rebellions a bit more. Still made me cry. Violet is even more badass. I really loved that she didn’t become someone who couldn’t handle her trauma.
Read if you love:
-dragons
-shadow daddy’s
-magic
-banter with friends
-dropping all your money on merch
I related literally everything I could to it, turning my personal reality into its universe. The heat wave Joburg experienced? We had dragons breathing down our necks, or they were trying to break us in land nav 😂
The lightning storms we had were perfect timing for this series 😍 especially for the last battle - reading it during a storm was everything ⚡️
This book goes into politics, truths, and rebellions a bit more. Still made me cry. Violet is even more badass. I really loved that she didn’t become someone who couldn’t handle her trauma.
Read if you love:
-dragons
-shadow daddy’s
-magic
-banter with friends
-dropping all your money on merch
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Torture, and Fire/Fire injury
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
This was such a cosy read 🥹❤️ I gave it 5 stars, maybe because I could relate to the nerdiness of the characters? But their crush for each other felt a lot more natural and wholesome.
Also a love interest who loves to clean? Now books are talking 😂😂
Also a love interest who loves to clean? Now books are talking 😂😂
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death
Merriment and Mayhem by Alexandria Bellefleur
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was actually a cute one! While more pacing would have been nicer, I understand it’s a short story so it almost feels a bit like insta-love but this was super cute!
The first chapters start out with a 911 call with Christmas elements and I thought that was so cute! There’s other Christmas touches, plus firemen, plus small town!!
Just what I was looking for in this collection ✨
The first chapters start out with a 911 call with Christmas elements and I thought that was so cute! There’s other Christmas touches, plus firemen, plus small town!!
Just what I was looking for in this collection ✨
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
All by My Elf by Olivia Dade
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
If the meaty van is a-rocking don’t come a-knocking 🤣
This was wild - I loved the forced proximity and “only one van and it’s cold and we have to preserve body heat” but what a strange Christmas story.
This was wild - I loved the forced proximity and “only one van and it’s cold and we have to preserve body heat” but what a strange Christmas story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Merry Ever After by Tessa Bailey
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This book feels like it was written by a man 😂
Insta-lust with a gigantic man where this was basically smut with slight Christmas mentions.
“They don’t make pants that fit me. They don’t make woman that fit me either”
Too-big and degradation can be written so much better.
But fun hints towards Gilmore Girls:
- romantic interest is named Luke
- main character is a single mom who is running a thrift shop
- MC moved to a small town after stopping at a DINER and saw an ant hill on/near a HARDWARE store. Basically same sentence mention
Insta-lust with a gigantic man where this was basically smut with slight Christmas mentions.
“They don’t make pants that fit me. They don’t make woman that fit me either”
Too-big and degradation can be written so much better.
But fun hints towards Gilmore Girls:
- romantic interest is named Luke
- main character is a single mom who is running a thrift shop
- MC moved to a small town after stopping at a DINER and saw an ant hill on/near a HARDWARE store. Basically same sentence mention
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
The Boyfriend by Freida McFadden
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 ✨
Freida McFadden does it again! I listened to this audiobook while working out and let me tell you sometimes I didn’t even notice that I was working out (life hack) 😂
The audiobook for this was crisp, delicious! It’s a dual POV where everything links up in the end and the plot twist!!! Freida is the queen of them. I was guessing so many things throughout this book 😂 but you’re just never sure until it happens and you sometimes have to just pretend there’s a hidden camera for you to gasp at
So, so, so good!
Also a little tip - Audible has 3 months for $0.99 a month until 31 Dec so go sign up and then listen to this 😌✨
Freida McFadden does it again! I listened to this audiobook while working out and let me tell you sometimes I didn’t even notice that I was working out (life hack) 😂
The audiobook for this was crisp, delicious! It’s a dual POV where everything links up in the end and the plot twist!!! Freida is the queen of them. I was guessing so many things throughout this book 😂 but you’re just never sure until it happens and you sometimes have to just pretend there’s a hidden camera for you to gasp at
So, so, so good!
Also a little tip - Audible has 3 months for $0.99 a month until 31 Dec so go sign up and then listen to this 😌✨
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Blood, Stalking, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Costanza by Rachel Blackmore
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
4 star read but the reasons why this author wrote this book pushed it to a 5 star 🤩
We follow Costanza and her story - growing up in near poverty, she marries and is living a modest but good life. Until the famous sculptor has his eye set on her and her fire.
This tale will show you how fire can engulf, consume, reignite.
The author wrote this book to give Costanza her voice. She’s been referred to as Benini’s mistress for so long and here is her story (obviously it’s historical fiction, there’s some embellishments to the story, etc). The author took a stand at giving victims their voice back. Her reason of writing brought me to tears.
The way it’s written is also captivating, even though there’s not much happening in certain parts, it draws you in and makes you want more.
Beautiful
We follow Costanza and her story - growing up in near poverty, she marries and is living a modest but good life. Until the famous sculptor has his eye set on her and her fire.
This tale will show you how fire can engulf, consume, reignite.
The author wrote this book to give Costanza her voice. She’s been referred to as Benini’s mistress for so long and here is her story (obviously it’s historical fiction, there’s some embellishments to the story, etc). The author took a stand at giving victims their voice back. Her reason of writing brought me to tears.
The way it’s written is also captivating, even though there’s not much happening in certain parts, it draws you in and makes you want more.
Beautiful
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Pregnancy, and Injury/Injury detail
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
5 🌟!
I procrastinated reading this for so long because I was so worried that it might not live up to the insane hype or that I might not like the book everyone was giving 5 stars to (it’s happened before).
But wow 🤩 this book was incredible! It’s now in my top faves ✨
Dragons, magic, survival, war, enemies to lovers, an anxious MC, funny banter, a shadow daddy - this book has it all 🤭
I feel stronger after reading it, almost like us as the reader actually tackled the parapet, hand to hand combat, and all those challenges together.
So excited to dive into the Iron Flame readalong 💖
I procrastinated reading this for so long because I was so worried that it might not live up to the insane hype or that I might not like the book everyone was giving 5 stars to (it’s happened before).
But wow 🤩 this book was incredible! It’s now in my top faves ✨
Dragons, magic, survival, war, enemies to lovers, an anxious MC, funny banter, a shadow daddy - this book has it all 🤭
I feel stronger after reading it, almost like us as the reader actually tackled the parapet, hand to hand combat, and all those challenges together.
So excited to dive into the Iron Flame readalong 💖
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail