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onmalsshelf's reviews
1263 reviews
The Lost House by Melissa Larsen
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Any Trope But You by Victoria Lavine
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Thank you to Atria for this copy in exchange for a review.
I think I have a thing for romances that have a few different tropes in them and this one really worked for me.
Both main characters are a bit grumpy in the beginning for certifiable reasons. Margot is an author who just got hacked by a reader that ended in something being exposed that was for her eyes only. Forrest is a doctor is helping run his father’s business while also being his caretaker in Alaska.
Both Margot and Forrest are iffy on life and are quick to judge each other from the start.
I ate this up pool side in a morning on vacation.
I think I have a thing for romances that have a few different tropes in them and this one really worked for me.
Both main characters are a bit grumpy in the beginning for certifiable reasons. Margot is an author who just got hacked by a reader that ended in something being exposed that was for her eyes only. Forrest is a doctor is helping run his father’s business while also being his caretaker in Alaska.
Both Margot and Forrest are iffy on life and are quick to judge each other from the start.
I ate this up pool side in a morning on vacation.
All the Water in the World by Eiren Caffall
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Thanks to the publisher for the eGalley, but the writing is too lyrical to keep my attention.
Also I wish that there was an intro page or something, maybe a prologue to detail how the world became what it did? The early descriptions are so confusing
Also I wish that there was an intro page or something, maybe a prologue to detail how the world became what it did? The early descriptions are so confusing
Head Cases by John McMahon
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
Are you an avid Criminal Minds watcher?
Is Spencer Reid your favorite?
This one is for you.
I absolutely devoured this in less than a day and I can’t wait for this series to unfold. The perfect amount of thrill, mystery, and intrigue. I enjoyed each member of this team and I’m excited to see where it goes.
Is Spencer Reid your favorite?
This one is for you.
I absolutely devoured this in less than a day and I can’t wait for this series to unfold. The perfect amount of thrill, mystery, and intrigue. I enjoyed each member of this team and I’m excited to see where it goes.
The Den by Cara Reinard
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is my first book from Cara Reinard and I think I’ll be picking more up.
I’m quite impressed with how she was able to give the vibes of Knives Out and flesh out each sibling.
This was a great read for by the pool on vacation
I’m quite impressed with how she was able to give the vibes of Knives Out and flesh out each sibling.
This was a great read for by the pool on vacation
Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Huge thanks to Flatiron for an ARC
So excited that the new Feeney was my first read of 2024.
I loved that this one had a small cast of characters and is set in a remote setting. There was the perfect amount of eerie mood setting here to keep me hooked.
I liked the moving back and forth in the timelines so that I got to understand the story.
What I didn’t like:
- the use of the overused alcoholic, unstable main character trope
- some parts were obvious and a little too convenient
So excited that the new Feeney was my first read of 2024.
I loved that this one had a small cast of characters and is set in a remote setting. There was the perfect amount of eerie mood setting here to keep me hooked.
I liked the moving back and forth in the timelines so that I got to understand the story.
What I didn’t like:
- the use of the overused alcoholic, unstable main character trope
- some parts were obvious and a little too convenient
Christmas Is All Around by Martha Waters
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? Yes
2.5
Thanks to the publisher for this copy
Sadly this one didn’t completely work for me.
The FMC’s personality is quirky and hates Christmas due to a movie. That’s it. Nothing else.
I needed more
Sadly this one didn’t completely work for me.
The FMC’s personality is quirky and hates Christmas due to a movie. That’s it. Nothing else.
I needed more
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Lizzie Blake's Best Mistake by Mazey Eddings
lighthearted
fast-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? No
4.5
I devoured this on a flight between CLT and the Dominican Republic.
I cried on the plane.
The trope here is usually one of my least favorites, but I really loved this one. It was well done and didn’t seem too corny. Just as good as book one in the series.
I cried on the plane.
The trope here is usually one of my least favorites, but I really loved this one. It was well done and didn’t seem too corny. Just as good as book one in the series.