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sara_says_'s reviews
449 reviews
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
This one was cute! I did find the characters a little flat and while I don’t need spice to feel like the characters have chemistry, I at least need some internal reflection that shows the MCs feelings. It felt like they just kinda fell into this relationship out of convenience, which is fine, but we need some affirmation of feelings, even if those feelings are safety and familiarity.
This Is Not a Holiday Romance by Camilla Isley
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Spoiler alert: yes it is. Also sue me, I have a love for brother’s best friends + enemies to lovers year round, but especially in my holiday romances. There’s just something about a shared history around the holidays that checks all the boxes for a quick festive read. Nina can’t wait to be home for the holidays, but when her brother brings “The Prince of Darkness” aka his best friend Tristian home with him for the holidays she dumps his suitcase out in the snow and thinks he should be glad she didn’t push him out with it. Hijinx ensue, kiss, kiss, fall in love.
Merry Little Hate Notes by Jennifer Peel
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was such a cute little treat of a book. I love a shared history in a shorter book, and this one delivers so much backstory. Just a big does of holiday spirit and feel good romance!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
A Winter in New York by Josie Silver
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
The Stone Witch of Florence by Anna Rasche
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Two Twisted Crowns by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The Official Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour Book by Taylor Swift
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Love delayed by Anna Black
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the audiobook.
I had to go back and reread the description on this one to see if I missed some key details, but nope. I maybe would have felt differently OR wouldn’t have picked this up if the description had been clearer on what the content would be like. From the blurb, this felt like a set up for a heartwarming second chance romance. What I wasn’t expecting was a third pov from a highly dislikable character and the intense plot points surrounding that character. And it’s saying a lot that that pov was so dislikable considering none of the characters in this book were particularly easy to like. If the plot of this book were laid out in an r/aita subreddit (which is about in line with how the drama here plays out) the verdict would be “everyone sucks here.” With the exception of Marcus’s mom (she’s my hero) I found all the characters annoying and not at all compelling. The pacing also left something to be desired, especially toward the end.
As far as the audiobook, I found the voices engaging, but I found Marcus’s narration a little stilted. But if I had been reading it myself, I probably would have DNFd or skipped the 3rd PoV, so at least they kept me engaged.
Spoilers and content warnings: cheating, miscarriage, rape “on page.”
I had to go back and reread the description on this one to see if I missed some key details, but nope. I maybe would have felt differently OR wouldn’t have picked this up if the description had been clearer on what the content would be like. From the blurb, this felt like a set up for a heartwarming second chance romance. What I wasn’t expecting was a third pov from a highly dislikable character and the intense plot points surrounding that character. And it’s saying a lot that that pov was so dislikable considering none of the characters in this book were particularly easy to like. If the plot of this book were laid out in an r/aita subreddit (which is about in line with how the drama here plays out) the verdict would be “everyone sucks here.” With the exception of Marcus’s mom (she’s my hero) I found all the characters annoying and not at all compelling. The pacing also left something to be desired, especially toward the end.
As far as the audiobook, I found the voices engaging, but I found Marcus’s narration a little stilted. But if I had been reading it myself, I probably would have DNFd or skipped the 3rd PoV, so at least they kept me engaged.
Spoilers and content warnings: cheating, miscarriage, rape “on page.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Rape, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Sexual violence and Violence
Minor: Trafficking and Abortion
Not in My Book by Katie Holt
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the Audiobook
Rivals to lovers/grumpy x sunshine are two of my favorite tropes. Add in a bookish focus and Taylor Swift references and I’m IN. I loved the first 60% of this one. The banter and on page chemistry was great.
My one complaint is that I so wish we would have just tied it up neatly after they got together instead of the extra spice and then subsequent 3rd act break up. I thought the book was wrapping up, but then checked and still had 2+ hours of listening left. I just didn’t feel like the drag out was worth the pay off in my opinion. It also felt like a bit of a bashing of both MCs who I had liked up until this point. Suddenly they both came across as unreasonable and manipulative/dramatic.
I really enjoyed the presentation of the audiobook, but I did get a little confused on whether they were talking as the book characters or as the characters in the book those characters are writing, but that may have been purposeful since the two works are supposed to be mirrors, but I did find it a little confusing in places. I’d get “excerpt from” and wonder how long I’d been listening to an excerpt.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and the characters, and I know other people have really enjoyed this one, so it’s possible certain aspects just weren’t for me, but it’s still worth the read/listen!
Rivals to lovers/grumpy x sunshine are two of my favorite tropes. Add in a bookish focus and Taylor Swift references and I’m IN. I loved the first 60% of this one. The banter and on page chemistry was great.
My one complaint is that I so wish we would have just tied it up neatly after they got together instead of the extra spice and then subsequent 3rd act break up. I thought the book was wrapping up, but then checked and still had 2+ hours of listening left. I just didn’t feel like the drag out was worth the pay off in my opinion. It also felt like a bit of a bashing of both MCs who I had liked up until this point. Suddenly they both came across as unreasonable and manipulative/dramatic.
I really enjoyed the presentation of the audiobook, but I did get a little confused on whether they were talking as the book characters or as the characters in the book those characters are writing, but that may have been purposeful since the two works are supposed to be mirrors, but I did find it a little confusing in places. I’d get “excerpt from” and wonder how long I’d been listening to an excerpt.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and the characters, and I know other people have really enjoyed this one, so it’s possible certain aspects just weren’t for me, but it’s still worth the read/listen!
Stuck with You by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5