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josieandherkinny's reviews
440 reviews
Casket Case by Lauren Evans
1.0
Detailed thoughts left on NetGalley. For the sake of trying to keep a relatively positive review-page, this book and plot had a lot of potential. I was intrigued which is why I requested the ARC. The execution did not land and was rather problematic. I would love to read a re-write of this book.
Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli
3.0
I had high hopes for this book and am left feeling frustrated and wanting more. IT WAS SO CLOSE. Ugh I really wanted this to become my whole personality and Im just disappointed. It had all of the right tropes to feel like a true winner – magic, enemies to lovers, political strife, betrayal, secrets, love triangle. That being said, just because you have the right tropes and plot points does not mean that they are going to weave together well.
The two halves of the book felt nearly disjoint. The first half was very character driven and focused a lot on world building. That in and of itself is fine and makes sense when introducing a fantasy world. But it felt very unbalanced when compared to the second half. Additionally, for being remarkably character driven, the two MCs felt one dimensional. I would have appreciated spending more time with them and developing them as enemies before they started their fake arrangement. I wanted to like them so much but the writing didn’t characterize them a lot.
The second half of the book was great. It was fast paced, full of twists, and had a great plot. It does have my least favorite miscommunication microtrope which was difficult for me to read. Additionally, operating in the mindset that the two MCs truly loved each other, I just find the decisions that they each made at the end of the book unrealistic. I know that they both felt betrayed. But the root of the betrayal was miscommunication so it felt null to me.
I will definitely read the second book because I want to know what happens. But I have a low threshold for skimming it. If the characterization and pacing of the first half was better, this would have probably been a 5 star read for me.
Note this is not YA. There is an open door spice scene spanning 3ish chapters.
The two halves of the book felt nearly disjoint. The first half was very character driven and focused a lot on world building. That in and of itself is fine and makes sense when introducing a fantasy world. But it felt very unbalanced when compared to the second half. Additionally, for being remarkably character driven, the two MCs felt one dimensional. I would have appreciated spending more time with them and developing them as enemies before they started their fake arrangement. I wanted to like them so much but the writing didn’t characterize them a lot.
The second half of the book was great. It was fast paced, full of twists, and had a great plot. It does have my least favorite miscommunication microtrope which was difficult for me to read. Additionally, operating in the mindset that the two MCs truly loved each other, I just find the decisions that they each made at the end of the book unrealistic. I know that they both felt betrayed. But the root of the betrayal was miscommunication so it felt null to me.
I will definitely read the second book because I want to know what happens. But I have a low threshold for skimming it. If the characterization and pacing of the first half was better, this would have probably been a 5 star read for me.
Note this is not YA. There is an open door spice scene spanning 3ish chapters.
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
DNF. Couldnt look past the coincidental meeting that miraculously solved their problems
The Cinnamon Bun Book Store by Laurie Gilmore
3.0
3.75 - I appreciated the "twist" at the end as well as how the infamous trope was managed in a refreshing way. If there was more characterization/development at the beginning of the story, I would have appreciated it more. I was not invested in the characters.
The Legacies of Traitors by C.M. Leyva
5.0
This book had my full attention from the first chapter and has occupied every square inch of my mind and heart since. One of my favorite reads…everrrrrr!
Desperate, Maia finds herself at a crossroads: continue to watch a tyrannical government repeat the errors of the past, or join the rebellion. Maia is determined to stay true to herself and bring a pure determination to a centuries long battle: "righteous vs dishonorable." It is not long until she discovers that war seems to be painted in shades of gray.
Don't sleep on this dystopian, debut novel by C.M. Leyva.
- Morally gray coded
- Found family
- Moral relativism
- High stakes
- Romance subplot with a slow-burn
- Betrayal
- Secret identities
Desperate, Maia finds herself at a crossroads: continue to watch a tyrannical government repeat the errors of the past, or join the rebellion. Maia is determined to stay true to herself and bring a pure determination to a centuries long battle: "righteous vs dishonorable." It is not long until she discovers that war seems to be painted in shades of gray.
Don't sleep on this dystopian, debut novel by C.M. Leyva.
- Morally gray coded
- Found family
- Moral relativism
- High stakes
- Romance subplot with a slow-burn
- Betrayal
- Secret identities
Fear the Flames by Olivia Rose Darling
4.0
An idyllic fairytale storybook about a lost princess, her dragons, a love story...but for adults. Fear the Flames has a similar atmosphere of Assistant to the Villain but less un-serious. Elowen is born a princess of her kingdom. Upon her birth, a rarity occurs and five dragons hatch, bonding to her. This should be a gift, a miracle, a beacon of light and honor for her and the kingdom. A few years later, Elowen is locked away by her father in the castle dungeons, separated from her dragons. Queue the revenge tour.
I enjoyed this book! The story highlights all the reasons we love to read: romantasy, politics, strong FMC with a dark past, a classic MMC, found family, dragons, etc. I was invested in the story and the characters. The writing was very atmospheric and vivid. I LOVED the banter. I will definitely be reading the next book.
The story does feel very “trope-y” but it didn’t bother me. I agree with many readers that the pacing was off at times. However, I also believe that the pacing was realistic since the first half of the book is focused on politics. There were a few times where the inner monologue of the FMC became monotonous regarding her childhood. All of that said, I overall enjoyed it!!!
______________
<3 “Happiness is my favorite thing he’s even worn.”
<3 “I didn’t know I had a soul until you stole it from me…”
<3 “It’s you and me until the end – whatever end that may be. If you’re to die with a blade in your hand, then I’m to die by your side with a sword in mine.”
<3 “You have to keep going. Never let the flames that make you who you are burn out.”
<3 “I’ll happily be the villain for you if it ensures your safety. I’ll watch this kingdom burn to the ground if it means you live.”
<3 “I’m yours. All of me, every darkened part. Until the moon crashes into the sea and all the stars blink out of existence.”
I enjoyed this book! The story highlights all the reasons we love to read: romantasy, politics, strong FMC with a dark past, a classic MMC, found family, dragons, etc. I was invested in the story and the characters. The writing was very atmospheric and vivid. I LOVED the banter. I will definitely be reading the next book.
The story does feel very “trope-y” but it didn’t bother me. I agree with many readers that the pacing was off at times. However, I also believe that the pacing was realistic since the first half of the book is focused on politics. There were a few times where the inner monologue of the FMC became monotonous regarding her childhood. All of that said, I overall enjoyed it!!!
______________
<3 “Happiness is my favorite thing he’s even worn.”
<3 “I didn’t know I had a soul until you stole it from me…”
<3 “It’s you and me until the end – whatever end that may be. If you’re to die with a blade in your hand, then I’m to die by your side with a sword in mine.”
<3 “You have to keep going. Never let the flames that make you who you are burn out.”
<3 “I’ll happily be the villain for you if it ensures your safety. I’ll watch this kingdom burn to the ground if it means you live.”
<3 “I’m yours. All of me, every darkened part. Until the moon crashes into the sea and all the stars blink out of existence.”
Wing and a Miss by B. Perkins
5.0
Kindle, KU | I was saving this one for my recovery day from a long stretch of 13 days at work, hoping this would be my favorite of the Cove Couples and I was right! With Ryker being a dragon, dark and broody, a loner, I was so happy to read about him falling for Selene. And since she worked in the ER, she will hold a special place in my heart :) This is one I will need in paper copy as I love this story and this corner of the world!
Merged review:
Kindle, KU | I was saving this one for my recovery day from a long stretch of 13 days at work, hoping this would be my favorite of the Cove Couples and I was right! With Ryker being a dragon, dark and broody, a loner, I was so happy to read about him falling for Selene. And since she worked in the ER, she will hold a special place in my heart :) This is one I will need in paper copy as I love this story and this corner of the world!
Merged review:
Kindle, KU | I was saving this one for my recovery day from a long stretch of 13 days at work, hoping this would be my favorite of the Cove Couples and I was right! With Ryker being a dragon, dark and broody, a loner, I was so happy to read about him falling for Selene. And since she worked in the ER, she will hold a special place in my heart :) This is one I will need in paper copy as I love this story and this corner of the world!