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megthecatlady's reviews
163 reviews
A Touch of Ruin by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
Wow, wow, wow! If I could rate this book higher I definitely would! The amount of character development alone in this book is enough to make me happy; there is so much relationship development here as well for so many characters! I love that even the side characters are developing in their own ways and in their own relationships. This was such a fantastic read. At times I felt like I was on an emotional roller coaster. The ups and downs of Persephone's emotions throughout this book made me feel so many different things. There were times I laughed and experienced joy with her and others I experienced heartbreak. Of course there were times that I rolled my eyes, but the reactions totally made sense to who she is. She had amazing development in this book and I can't wait to see more from her in A Touch of Malice. This is easily becoming one of the best series I've ever read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual harassment
Minor: Suicide, Kidnapping, and Car accident
Additional Content Warning for attempted sexual assault.
The Game Plan by Allie Lasky
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
This was my first book by this author. The Game Plan is overall very sugary sweet, which is what I was looking for between all of my dark romance reads. There is nothing super dark in here and the only trigger I can think of is bullying and fatphobia from one specific character. The characters were great, and I enjoyed the diversity, which I know is important to the author. I liked that the characters didn't have stereotypical athletic bodies, that was refreshing. The relationship between these two characters was, like I said, sweet. The spicy scenes were well written.
I did feel like this book was pretty repetitive at times, Sam and Miles are often repeating the same thoughts over and over throughout the chapters. The conflict in this book seemed out of the blue and out of character for Sam and Miles. It didn't really make sense to me and seemed like "this is going to be the conflict because there has to be a conflict." I didn't really appreciate that. After that happened I really struggled to finish this book, I didn't really want to go back to it but also felt that I was so far in that I needed to see it through. The ending was sweet, I like that we get introduced more to Mackenzie. I may have to read her story just because I want to know what happens with her.
This book may be best suited for a younger (still 18+) audience.
I did feel like this book was pretty repetitive at times, Sam and Miles are often repeating the same thoughts over and over throughout the chapters. The conflict in this book seemed out of the blue and out of character for Sam and Miles. It didn't really make sense to me and seemed like "this is going to be the conflict because there has to be a conflict." I didn't really appreciate that. After that happened I really struggled to finish this book, I didn't really want to go back to it but also felt that I was so far in that I needed to see it through. The ending was sweet, I like that we get introduced more to Mackenzie. I may have to read her story just because I want to know what happens with her.
This book may be best suited for a younger (still 18+) audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Hans by S.J. Tilly
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm always going to gush over anything SJ Tilly writes and this book is no exception. I think Hans and Nero are tied for my favorites out of this series, I just love them both so much. As for Cassie, she's a total badass. She made every decision I've ever hoped the FMCs would make when I read books like this. She is amazing in all her own ways, and I loved her relationship with Hans. The epilogues turned me into a pile of mush.
I think what I loved most about this book is that there was no miscommunication trope. There wasn't even the "Blah I'm an awful man so I'm not going to tell her the things." trope and I think that's what I loved the most about this book. The characters were 100% in it together, no holds barred. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the Alliance pop up in this book, it was kind of unexpected how that played out, but I'm so happy for the way it went.
I would definitely recommend this series to fans of mafia romances.
I think what I loved most about this book is that there was no miscommunication trope. There wasn't even the "Blah I'm an awful man so I'm not going to tell her the things." trope and I think that's what I loved the most about this book. The characters were 100% in it together, no holds barred. I also enjoyed seeing the characters from the Alliance pop up in this book, it was kind of unexpected how that played out, but I'm so happy for the way it went.
I would definitely recommend this series to fans of mafia romances.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Grief and Stalking
Minor: Trafficking, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Fire/Fire injury
Vicious Seduction by Jill Ramsower
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was so excited for this book I had to move it to the top of my tbr. I loved that Lina was not a damsel in distress, Jill Ramsower does amazing at writing badass female main characters. I love that the men in her stories always support and treat their women like queens, Oran was no different. I enjoyed seeing this side of him because he seemed so unfeeling the last time we saw him. Though who could blame him after everything that happened with Caitlin. I'm so happy these characters got their happily ever after. This is definitely one of the best mafia series I've read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Slavery, and Trafficking
A Game of Fate by Scarlett St. Clair
adventurous
medium-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
It has been a while since I've read A Touch of Darkness but I may have loved this book more. I loved seeing the story from Hades' POV and I'm so glad Scarlett St Clair decided to give him his own books. I remember thinking he was cold and uncaring in Persephone's book. I was shocked at how much emotion the god of the underworld had. The spice is spicy but it doesn't overpower the plot, which is amazing. This book is plot heavy, but has healthy doses of spice sprinkled in. I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a good mythology retelling/fantasy romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Treble by Rilzy Adams
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was a sweet, spicy, quick, and at times one-handed read. This book was a lovely representation of polyamory and functional polyam relatio ships which we don't often get to see. I enjoyed seeing all the characters' love for each other develop.
I noticed that Novah's name is spelled as Nova in a few different places in this book.
I noticed that Novah's name is spelled as Nova in a few different places in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Twisted by Emily McIntire
dark
medium-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
This is a slooooow burn romance which is apparently a thing I'm becoming increasingly more okay with reading. The plot of this book had suspense vibes which I enjoyed. I also really loved that there were places in this book for the miscommunication trope to happen and it simply didn't because the characters were able to rationally think through situations before diving head-first into their initial shock/anger. However, the ending of this book and how everything was tied up neatly really sold it for me, but I'm a sucker for happy endings for all deserving characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Sexual content, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
5.0
This book helped me to feel less guilty about resting. It made me make plans and execute some of those plans to be more intentional with my rest. I found the tie ins with racism and capitalism informative and it reframed some of the ways I think about rest.
Cupids Peak by Lee Jacquot
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
Lee has done it again! If you're looking for a quick, spicy, second-chance, hockey player romance, this book is for you!
It's a short read so obviously there wasn't a *ton* of character development, but we do see the main female character step out of her comfort zone. This was a very low angst holiday read.
It's a short read so obviously there wasn't a *ton* of character development, but we do see the main female character step out of her comfort zone. This was a very low angst holiday read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Dom by S.J. Tilly
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.0
I don't think I will ever not love anything S.J. Tilly writes. Her stories, the spice, the characters are all amazing. I will say this was probably my least favorite book in the series so far, but it was still pretty dang good!!! There were just a few nonconsensual things (nothing sexual) that happen in this book that really bothered me. Nero was unhinged, but Dom just does whatever the hell he wants. That is totally fine for his character and something I would expect from a mafia kingpin. This book wasn't rated 4-stars because I found him unlovable. I actually found both main characters to have depth and I went back and forth on my feelings for Dom throughout the book, which is exactly what Val did too. S.J. did an amazing job writing his character and making me share feelings with the FMC throughout the book. There were times in this book that I almost cried with Val because I was so hurt or frustrated for/with her. I definitely recommend the entire Alliance Series thus far to those who enjoy mafia romances. You won't be disappointed!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Fatphobia and Pregnancy
Additional CWs/potential spoilers birth control tampering and drugging of the FMC