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juliesbooklandreviews's reviews
70 reviews
Know Your Newlywed by Hillary Nussbaum, Heather Taylor
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Date Started: January 1st 2024
Date Finished: January 4th 2024
Characters: Cleo & Javi
Rating: 4.5 🌟 s
Narrators:
Tyler Posey & Mary Mouser with full cast
Review:
This story was so cute. Both Tyler and Mary were so phenomenal in their roles and brought these two love interests to life. I loved the banter as well as the chemistry between them. Now on to the full cast of narrators, they added to the experience as well. Highly recommend if you love rom-coms based on game shows especially ones that put partners on the spot about how well they know one another.
Date Finished: January 4th 2024
Characters: Cleo & Javi
Rating: 4.5 🌟 s
Narrators:
Tyler Posey & Mary Mouser with full cast
Review:
This story was so cute. Both Tyler and Mary were so phenomenal in their roles and brought these two love interests to life. I loved the banter as well as the chemistry between them. Now on to the full cast of narrators, they added to the experience as well. Highly recommend if you love rom-coms based on game shows especially ones that put partners on the spot about how well they know one another.
The Backup by Mickey Miller
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Date Started: December 26th 2024
Date Finished: December 30th 2024
Characters: Sloane & Asher
Rating: 6 🌟 s
Tropes:
Secret Relationship, Sports Romance, Revenge Fling/Ex's Teammate, Golden Retriever MMC
Review:
OH MYLANTA! What a book!! I loved everything about it especially the chemistry between Solane and Asher and the way that they kept their relationship under wraps all because of Sloane not wanting to cause drama between themselves and her ex. So without giving anything away, I'll just say that this book is definitely one of my favorites of 2024.
Date Finished: December 30th 2024
Characters: Sloane & Asher
Rating: 6 🌟 s
Tropes:
Secret Relationship, Sports Romance, Revenge Fling/Ex's Teammate, Golden Retriever MMC
Review:
OH MYLANTA! What a book!! I loved everything about it especially the chemistry between Solane and Asher and the way that they kept their relationship under wraps all because of Sloane not wanting to cause drama between themselves and her ex. So without giving anything away, I'll just say that this book is definitely one of my favorites of 2024.
The September House by Carissa Orlando
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Date Started: November 16th 2024
Date Finished: November 30th 2024
Characters: Margaret, Hal & Katherine
Rating: 3.5 🌟 s
Themes:
Haunted House, Mystery Thriller, Atmospheric, Horror, Paranormal, Ghosts, Halloween, Mental Illness...
Review:
As I was reading this book I felt like I was going insane with all the reoccurrences being replayed over and over again and going from past to present which just comes to show you that you felt just like Margret as she was going through this even though she continued to say that everyone was crazy because things were real. And lastly, the ending was just okay. So if you like twisty things like this then you will love this.
Date Finished: November 30th 2024
Characters: Margaret, Hal & Katherine
Rating: 3.5 🌟 s
Themes:
Haunted House, Mystery Thriller, Atmospheric, Horror, Paranormal, Ghosts, Halloween, Mental Illness...
Review:
As I was reading this book I felt like I was going insane with all the reoccurrences being replayed over and over again and going from past to present which just comes to show you that you felt just like Margret as she was going through this even though she continued to say that everyone was crazy because things were real. And lastly, the ending was just okay. So if you like twisty things like this then you will love this.
Playing with Fire: After Frankenstein by Barbara Field
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Date Started: November 9th 2024
Date Finished: November 13th 2024
Characters: Victor Frankenstein, The Creature/Adam Elizabeth & Professor Krempe
Rating: 6 🌟 s
Themes:
Science, Death/Death Of Parent, Monster, Creating life
Review:
I read this play after JC Chasez released a musical Concept album called Playing With Fire which was also inspired by Mary Shelly's Frankenstein in which he made songs for this and now I can honestly say I trust my favorite singer's taste in what he reads and I also want to thank Jimmy Harry (the son of Barbara) for sharing his mother's work with JC's fans. Highly recommend this and their album and I hope they get to remake this for Broadway in the future.
Date Finished: November 13th 2024
Characters: Victor Frankenstein, The Creature/Adam Elizabeth & Professor Krempe
Rating: 6 🌟 s
Themes:
Science, Death/Death Of Parent, Monster, Creating life
Review:
I read this play after JC Chasez released a musical Concept album called Playing With Fire which was also inspired by Mary Shelly's Frankenstein in which he made songs for this and now I can honestly say I trust my favorite singer's taste in what he reads and I also want to thank Jimmy Harry (the son of Barbara) for sharing his mother's work with JC's fans. Highly recommend this and their album and I hope they get to remake this for Broadway in the future.
Carving for Cara by Melissa McSherry, Dana LeeAnn
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Date Started: November 2nd 2024
Date Finished: November 12th 2024
Characters: Cara & Rhett
Rating: 3 🌟 s
Themes:
This book contains(but not limited to) content depicting violence, gore, explicit language, knife play, consensual non-consensual sex, sexual assault, restriction, stalking, mutilation and death of a side character, praise, gagging, excessive force, choking, and explicit sex scenes .
Review:
Um what did I just read? And secondly, Why was I confused by the cliffy? I enjoyed reading this, but I don't get the hype, but I do understand why some loved it, but I will try the second one maybe in the future. I recommend this to people who like masked men and interesting sexy scenes. But just read the triggers that are mentioned above.
Date Finished: November 12th 2024
Characters: Cara & Rhett
Rating: 3 🌟 s
Themes:
This book contains(but not limited to) content depicting violence, gore, explicit language, knife play, consensual non-consensual sex, sexual assault, restriction, stalking, mutilation and death of a side character, praise, gagging, excessive force, choking, and explicit sex scenes .
Review:
Um what did I just read? And secondly, Why was I confused by the cliffy? I enjoyed reading this, but I don't get the hype, but I do understand why some loved it, but I will try the second one maybe in the future. I recommend this to people who like masked men and interesting sexy scenes. But just read the triggers that are mentioned above.
Reckless by Elsie Silver
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Date Started: August 23rd 2024
Date Finished: August 23rd 2024
Characters: Theo & Winter
Rating: 5 🌟 s
Themes:
Miscarriage & Infertility (mentioned), Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Review:
I thought that Theo and Winter's love story was different from most characters I've read. but I also love how it ends up being more than a one night stand situation and turns into something more once Winter has to tell him what transpired out of their supposed one time thing and it proceeds from there which leads to their unconventional relationship and ends with of course a happy ending. I also loved that Summer and Winter were able to patch things up with one another as well. So I cannot wait to read more from the other three remaining couples in this series.
Date Finished: August 23rd 2024
Characters: Theo & Winter
Rating: 5 🌟 s
Themes:
Miscarriage & Infertility (mentioned), Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Review:
I thought that Theo and Winter's love story was different from most characters I've read. but I also love how it ends up being more than a one night stand situation and turns into something more once Winter has to tell him what transpired out of their supposed one time thing and it proceeds from there which leads to their unconventional relationship and ends with of course a happy ending. I also loved that Summer and Winter were able to patch things up with one another as well. So I cannot wait to read more from the other three remaining couples in this series.
Powerless by Elsie Silver
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Date Started: August 12th 2024
Date Finished: August 20th 2024
Characters: Jasper & Solane
Rating: 6 🌟 s
Themes:
Runaway bride, Thoughts of suicide, Anxiety, 6 year age gap, 18 year long friendship turned lovers
Review:
This was my first book by this author and I thought Jasper and Solane's friendship to lovers story was so cute and how Jasper fought his feelings for his friend of eighteen years but then her wedding goes up in shambles when she finds out her fiance was unfaithful before their wedding and Jasper swoops in to save the day and then it goes from there and along the way these two can't fight their feelings for one another anymore. And from there things get angsty and turns into something more between them. Their chemistry is off the charts and the love scenes was spicy hot (so you've been warned). And the ending was typical for a romance book. Overall, I enjoyed the story even though it didn't have too many hockey moments but still loved it nonetheless, so I cannot wait to read the other couples stories within the Chestnut Springs series in the near future.
Date Finished: August 20th 2024
Characters: Jasper & Solane
Rating: 6 🌟 s
Themes:
Runaway bride, Thoughts of suicide, Anxiety, 6 year age gap, 18 year long friendship turned lovers
Review:
This was my first book by this author and I thought Jasper and Solane's friendship to lovers story was so cute and how Jasper fought his feelings for his friend of eighteen years but then her wedding goes up in shambles when she finds out her fiance was unfaithful before their wedding and Jasper swoops in to save the day and then it goes from there and along the way these two can't fight their feelings for one another anymore. And from there things get angsty and turns into something more between them. Their chemistry is off the charts and the love scenes was spicy hot (so you've been warned). And the ending was typical for a romance book. Overall, I enjoyed the story even though it didn't have too many hockey moments but still loved it nonetheless, so I cannot wait to read the other couples stories within the Chestnut Springs series in the near future.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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? Yes
5.0
Date Started: August 10th 2024
Date Finished: August 11th 2024
Characters: Rue & Eli
Rating: 5 🌟 s
Themes:
Read author's note before starting
Review:
This is the 2nd book that I've read by this author and I wanna say that I loved reading Eli and Rue's story from start to end. I loved how sweet and easygoing those two were even though Rue kept fighting her feelings for Eli even though he was smitten with her ever since he laid eyes on her that first night that they met up for a one time casual hookup. But she couldn't quit thinking of him so they kept at it and of course Eli and his company came to help save Kline (even though it wasn't for that reason) amongst other things which you will have to read about on your own. And lastly, the ending was something I kept waiting for and I definitely got it. What I'm trying to say is that every romance reader needs to give this book a chance because I found it enjoyable and fast flowing to me so please pick it up and give it a try, I'm begging you.
Date Finished: August 11th 2024
Characters: Rue & Eli
Rating: 5 🌟 s
Themes:
Read author's note before starting
Review:
This is the 2nd book that I've read by this author and I wanna say that I loved reading Eli and Rue's story from start to end. I loved how sweet and easygoing those two were even though Rue kept fighting her feelings for Eli even though he was smitten with her ever since he laid eyes on her that first night that they met up for a one time casual hookup. But she couldn't quit thinking of him so they kept at it and of course Eli and his company came to help save Kline (even though it wasn't for that reason) amongst other things which you will have to read about on your own. And lastly, the ending was something I kept waiting for and I definitely got it. What I'm trying to say is that every romance reader needs to give this book a chance because I found it enjoyable and fast flowing to me so please pick it up and give it a try, I'm begging you.
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Date Started: July 23rd 2024
Date Finished: July 29th 2024
Characters: Cast of characters
Rating: 3 🌟 s
Themes:
Revenge, Gaslighting, Whodonnit, Off Kilter Character
Review:
This was a second attempt with this author and this one delivered more than The Guest List (I dnfed TGL after 120 pages a few years back) and I gotta say this one had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it so I enjoyed reading and figuring out the pieces (which I got right by the way) and I cannot read some more from this author in the near future.
Date Finished: July 29th 2024
Characters: Cast of characters
Rating: 3 🌟 s
Themes:
Revenge, Gaslighting, Whodonnit, Off Kilter Character
Review:
This was a second attempt with this author and this one delivered more than The Guest List (I dnfed TGL after 120 pages a few years back) and I gotta say this one had me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it so I enjoyed reading and figuring out the pieces (which I got right by the way) and I cannot read some more from this author in the near future.
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Date Started: October 20th 2023
Date Finished: July 11th 2024
Characters: Emma
Rating: 5 🌟 s
Themes:
Revenge Plot, Who Donnit, Summer Camp, Death
Review:
I started this back in October of last year and put it down because I truly got sidetracked with other books so I decided that I wanted to really finish this because I was truly loving the premise like I do with other Riley Sager books and it felt more like a summer type book than a fall type book if you know what I mean.
Okay so back to the review at hand. I was trying to figure out what happened to the girls fifteen years ago along with the main character then something else happens that make you back track and now all of a sudden Emma is the prime suspect. So without giving anything away, this book had so many twists and turns as you went along that you didn't know who to trust.
But you're probably wondering if I guessed right? and I will say this without giving anything away on my end but I did figure it out in the end and now it's you turn to take a stab at this story and tell me what you think.
Date Finished: July 11th 2024
Characters: Emma
Rating: 5 🌟 s
Themes:
Revenge Plot, Who Donnit, Summer Camp, Death
Review:
I started this back in October of last year and put it down because I truly got sidetracked with other books so I decided that I wanted to really finish this because I was truly loving the premise like I do with other Riley Sager books and it felt more like a summer type book than a fall type book if you know what I mean.
Okay so back to the review at hand. I was trying to figure out what happened to the girls fifteen years ago along with the main character then something else happens that make you back track and now all of a sudden Emma is the prime suspect. So without giving anything away, this book had so many twists and turns as you went along that you didn't know who to trust.
But you're probably wondering if I guessed right? and I will say this without giving anything away on my end but I did figure it out in the end and now it's you turn to take a stab at this story and tell me what you think.