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sara_says_'s reviews
444 reviews
It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and Annabel Monaghan for the digital ARC. All opinions are my own.
When I tell you Annabel Monaghan can write her face off…❤️❤️
This summer I picked up Summer Romance on a whim. It surprised the heck out of me and was easily a 5⭐️ read for me. When this one became available on NetGalley I clicked so quick!
Annabel has such a talent for writing simple things beautifully. I find myself highlighting the mess out of her books, slowing down to reread sentences because they just resonate so deeply. Her ability to capture complex characters and an ensemble of compelling and nuanced family members with their own unique dynamics in relation to one another and the MCs is astounding. I wanted Dan & Jane’s HEA, but I also hated to leave these characters on the page.
Immediately going back to devour the rest of her backlist. Can’t wait for the next one!
When I tell you Annabel Monaghan can write her face off…❤️❤️
This summer I picked up Summer Romance on a whim. It surprised the heck out of me and was easily a 5⭐️ read for me. When this one became available on NetGalley I clicked so quick!
Annabel has such a talent for writing simple things beautifully. I find myself highlighting the mess out of her books, slowing down to reread sentences because they just resonate so deeply. Her ability to capture complex characters and an ensemble of compelling and nuanced family members with their own unique dynamics in relation to one another and the MCs is astounding. I wanted Dan & Jane’s HEA, but I also hated to leave these characters on the page.
Immediately going back to devour the rest of her backlist. Can’t wait for the next one!
Only Santas in the Building by Alexis Daria
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
A Guide to Fake Dating Your Enemy by Nikki Bright
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Thanks to Booked With the Emilys and Nikki for the ARC of the ebook.
If you’re looking for pining, he falls first, small town, enemies to lovers, star crossed (a la Romeo & Juliet) lovers, and complicated family dynamics all packaged up in a closed door, no strong language, winter vibes package, this one might be for you!
Some kinda spoilery things: my one hang up was with how the mmc went about his plan. It had moments of feeling a little icky for me when we were in the midst of it and it felt like he didn’t see what was wrong with it and it felt like the one person who knew all the details also wasn’t trying to strongly dissuade him from it. Ultimately though, it is resolved and there is some reflection on the means by which he achieved his goal. Still felt a bit like it wasn’t as harshly criticized as I felt would have been called for. The 3rd act “break up” was over a misconception related to this, but it wasn’t over the manipulation involved, which was the main hang up for me.
All that to say, it was a warm, funny, and cute! 4⭐️ for the vibes!
If you’re looking for pining, he falls first, small town, enemies to lovers, star crossed (a la Romeo & Juliet) lovers, and complicated family dynamics all packaged up in a closed door, no strong language, winter vibes package, this one might be for you!
Some kinda spoilery things: my one hang up was with how the mmc went about his plan. It had moments of feeling a little icky for me when we were in the midst of it and it felt like he didn’t see what was wrong with it and it felt like the one person who knew all the details also wasn’t trying to strongly dissuade him from it. Ultimately though, it is resolved and there is some reflection on the means by which he achieved his goal. Still felt a bit like it wasn’t as harshly criticized as I felt would have been called for. The 3rd act “break up” was over a misconception related to this, but it wasn’t over the manipulation involved, which was the main hang up for me.
All that to say, it was a warm, funny, and cute! 4⭐️ for the vibes!
Things You Save in a Fire by Katherine Center
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Letters to Molly by Devney Perry
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Birthday List by Devney Perry
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Only in Your Dreams by Ellie K. Wilde
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
This was a perfect pallet cleanser book to get me out of my post-holiday reading slump. The chemistry was great and the pining was top notch.
I will always have a bit of an issue with a brother’s best friend where the brother is the reason their not together, and this one is no exception, especially considering how long it kept them apart and him allowing that to happen, but the payoff was worth it.
This was a perfect pallet cleanser book to get me out of my post-holiday reading slump. The chemistry was great and the pining was top notch.
I will always have a bit of an issue with a brother’s best friend where the brother is the reason their not together, and this one is no exception, especially considering how long it kept them apart and him allowing that to happen, but the payoff was worth it.
My eX-MAS Emergency by Jennifer Peel
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5