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sophs_mood_reading's reviews
397 reviews
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 38%.
This book is so slow moving and not captivating enough. I feel like I could guess the story and if I’m wrong there isn’t enough intrigue to keep me reading to find out.
You And Me on Vacation by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Ok, ok so I’m really not a huge friends to lovers fan but this made up for it with the slow burn so it wasn’t too cringey for me.
Alex and Poppy are two best friends who spend summers together every year. That is until a disaster in Croatia (the actual circumstances not revealed until the end of the book) then they don’t speak for two years. So as a last ditch effort to save her friendship and bring back happiness to her life Poppy asks Alex for another summer break.
Look this was cute. All the good banter & fun situations without cringy “stupid girl, does stupid thing for plot” moments so thumbs up 👍. I loved the jumps back to the previous holidays and learning how their relationship unfolds.
The book did get a bit cringy at the end. Enter the third act break up and the sigh that comes with those and I did feel the book was summed up with a bow a little too quickly but all in all a good read.
Maybe I’ll give friends to lovers a go again?
Alex and Poppy are two best friends who spend summers together every year. That is until a disaster in Croatia (the actual circumstances not revealed until the end of the book) then they don’t speak for two years. So as a last ditch effort to save her friendship and bring back happiness to her life Poppy asks Alex for another summer break.
Look this was cute. All the good banter & fun situations without cringy “stupid girl, does stupid thing for plot” moments so thumbs up 👍. I loved the jumps back to the previous holidays and learning how their relationship unfolds.
The book did get a bit cringy at the end. Enter the third act break up and the sigh that comes with those and I did feel the book was summed up with a bow a little too quickly but all in all a good read.
Maybe I’ll give friends to lovers a go again?
Legendary by Stephanie Garber
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Legendary starts straight where Caraval left off. This time we are following Tella’s story as the so call friend is calling in her debt and she must compete to save her mother. But as the game moves to the city of Valenda Tella discovers a real life threat, a new villain and that this may not be a game, or is it?
The second book starts off with action straight away and you are swiftly moved into the story. Again you spend the time doubting everything you read, questioning anything you discover and coming up with theories that are likely very wrong. I was lucky to read this as a buddy read and I’m not joking when half the comments where : “Omg!” “Hang on, what!?!”
I loved the introduction of Jacks and really enjoyed having Dante more present in these books, they both made for some great banter.
I didn’t realise before but at the end of the book it’s mentioned Tella is only 16 which has throne me a bit, as I expected her to be an adult (18-19). Again we end on a cliffhanger and more questions then I started the book with so lucky I have the final book in the series sitting on my bedside table.
The second book starts off with action straight away and you are swiftly moved into the story. Again you spend the time doubting everything you read, questioning anything you discover and coming up with theories that are likely very wrong. I was lucky to read this as a buddy read and I’m not joking when half the comments where : “Omg!” “Hang on, what!?!”
I loved the introduction of Jacks and really enjoyed having Dante more present in these books, they both made for some great banter.
I didn’t realise before but at the end of the book it’s mentioned Tella is only 16 which has throne me a bit, as I expected her to be an adult (18-19). Again we end on a cliffhanger and more questions then I started the book with so lucky I have the final book in the series sitting on my bedside table.
Loathe to Love You by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Keeper of Enchanted Rooms by Charlie N. Holmberg
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
When inheriting an island and it’s property from his estranged grandmother, Merritt did not expect to also inherit a haunted/magical house that melts walls, turns staircases into slides and traps him inside. He also didn’t expect to inherit a new housekeeper Hulda who is in charge of helping to rid the house of its misbehaving ways, hire staff and well help out. But Hulda has a past that is coming back to haunt her and Merritt.
This was a fantastic book of magic, danger and love. The magic system was brilliant, 11 different magic doctrines all inherited through bloodlines which can dilute and increase depending on breeding. A purely sadistic magician wanting more and more power and a tantrum chucking, prankster house. Throw in a 1800’s love story and you have a page turning novel.
The imagery was fantastic, I could easily picture the marsh land surrounding Whimbrel house. The tension and danger of the novel also got so nail biting I had to binge the last 30% of the book.
This was a fantastic book of magic, danger and love. The magic system was brilliant, 11 different magic doctrines all inherited through bloodlines which can dilute and increase depending on breeding. A purely sadistic magician wanting more and more power and a tantrum chucking, prankster house. Throw in a 1800’s love story and you have a page turning novel.
The imagery was fantastic, I could easily picture the marsh land surrounding Whimbrel house. The tension and danger of the novel also got so nail biting I had to binge the last 30% of the book.
Tell Me How This Ends by Jo Leevers
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Firstly we have Henrietta a neurodivergent, self proclaimed failed librarian who is trying her luck at a new job, transcribing the life stories of terminally ill cancer patients at the local drop in centre. Next we have Annie who has very little time left and a story to tell. Combine the two and add a mysterious death of Annie’s sister in the 1970’s and Henrietta’s need to know more and you have a Rosie project meets girl on the train contemporary mystery.
This book was great. Henrietta is portrayed as the most beautiful logical and honest person who’s aim is to do her job thoroughly and if that means we must discover who killed Annie’s sister in order for Annie’s book to be complete then that’s what we need to do!
Annie is more of a troubled character having lived such a painful life and now only finding her own freedom and slowly discovering how cathartic it can be talking about it all with Henrietta.
I loved how the story unfolds with duel point of views slowly giving us more snippets of the past and making you try and guess who did what and when. I thought I had figured it all out multiple time’s throughout the book, I was wrong.
My only real gripe was the introduction of a new character and point of view at the end of the book. I somewhat understand why but feel this story could have been told through Henrietta rather then a new character who I just didn’t feel we had time to gel with. There was also a lot of repetition at the start of the book as if the author didn’t trust the reader to remember previously mentioned storyline.
This book was great. Henrietta is portrayed as the most beautiful logical and honest person who’s aim is to do her job thoroughly and if that means we must discover who killed Annie’s sister in order for Annie’s book to be complete then that’s what we need to do!
Annie is more of a troubled character having lived such a painful life and now only finding her own freedom and slowly discovering how cathartic it can be talking about it all with Henrietta.
I loved how the story unfolds with duel point of views slowly giving us more snippets of the past and making you try and guess who did what and when. I thought I had figured it all out multiple time’s throughout the book, I was wrong.
My only real gripe was the introduction of a new character and point of view at the end of the book. I somewhat understand why but feel this story could have been told through Henrietta rather then a new character who I just didn’t feel we had time to gel with. There was also a lot of repetition at the start of the book as if the author didn’t trust the reader to remember previously mentioned storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Infertility and Sexual assault
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
New Yorker Nora a workaholic literary agent has been dragged to a small town by her free spirited, heavily pregnant sister, to relax and complete a we aren’t dying “bucket list”. But of course she runs into her nemesis editor Charlie and his snarky “I’m too good” vibe and well now she can’t get away from him.
So now she’s stuck in a tiny town, with a ridiculous to do list, her sister is acting weird and she’s having to converse with the man who was at first annoying and now is annoyingly becoming more and more enjoyable to be around (god damn it!)
This is my first Emily Henry read and I really enjoyed it.
Number 1. we have an FMC that doesn’t make stupid life choices or act like and idiot with weird obsessions in order to create plot.
Number 2. The Nora and Charlie banter is “chefs kiss” and their interactions seem to develop naturally and realistically.
Number 3. The town sounds like a hilarious almost Gilmore Girls-esque set up with quirky residents to boot.
And finally our 3rd act drama is a realistic life choice that I’m completely and utterly here for!
Oh and how could I forget… Bigfoot erotica 🤣🤣
So now she’s stuck in a tiny town, with a ridiculous to do list, her sister is acting weird and she’s having to converse with the man who was at first annoying and now is annoyingly becoming more and more enjoyable to be around (god damn it!)
This is my first Emily Henry read and I really enjoyed it.
Number 1. we have an FMC that doesn’t make stupid life choices or act like and idiot with weird obsessions in order to create plot.
Number 2. The Nora and Charlie banter is “chefs kiss” and their interactions seem to develop naturally and realistically.
Number 3. The town sounds like a hilarious almost Gilmore Girls-esque set up with quirky residents to boot.
And finally our 3rd act drama is a realistic life choice that I’m completely and utterly here for!
Oh and how could I forget… Bigfoot erotica 🤣🤣
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
The Witch Collector by Charissa Weaks
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
Raina Bloodgood has a fatal score to settle with the witch collector and frost king and is hell bent on cashing in her revenge this collection day. However when another threat comes and destroys her world she must put aside her vengeance plans and now work with her enemies (including Alexis, who she can’t stop lusting over)to save, well, the entire kingdom/world it seems.
Welcome to a multiple point of view, fantasy, magical, ancient god, enemies to lovers, not so slow burn, romance, adventure.
The story doesn’t take the traditional route of a fantasy adventure with the whole book occurring “on the way to the castle” which made for a nice change as it wasn’t a typical adventure pattern. We had some interesting characters (not a lot of diversity) and elemental magic which made for a easy to understand magical system.
This book had a lot of promise but I found I got lost in some of the world building and trying to get my head around all the different gods and their stories. I found some aspects predictable and wish we had some more information such as Raina’s sisters story for the past 8 years.
I did find the inclusion of Raina’s use of sign language to communicate and cast spells was interesting. Although would have liked more explanation on why or how or if it had anything to do with her powers.
Also we end on a cliffhanger where the book is more the start of a journey of clearly a series of books and there isn’t really any resolution which is a pet peeve of mine but I need to get over that I suppose.
Welcome to a multiple point of view, fantasy, magical, ancient god, enemies to lovers, not so slow burn, romance, adventure.
The story doesn’t take the traditional route of a fantasy adventure with the whole book occurring “on the way to the castle” which made for a nice change as it wasn’t a typical adventure pattern. We had some interesting characters (not a lot of diversity) and elemental magic which made for a easy to understand magical system.
This book had a lot of promise but I found I got lost in some of the world building and trying to get my head around all the different gods and their stories. I found some aspects predictable and wish we had some more information such as Raina’s sisters story for the past 8 years.
I did find the inclusion of Raina’s use of sign language to communicate and cast spells was interesting. Although would have liked more explanation on why or how or if it had anything to do with her powers.
Also we end on a cliffhanger where the book is more the start of a journey of clearly a series of books and there isn’t really any resolution which is a pet peeve of mine but I need to get over that I suppose.
After the Forest by Kell Woods
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
We all know and love a fairytale retelling but what about a “what happens next”.
After the forest takes the story of Hansel and Gretel and explores the story beyond the children’s escape. We meet the children two decades after the escape the clutches of the witch in the forest. But this isn’t the happily ever after we all expected. Hans has gambled away the siblings money and Greta is avoided by many villagers for her strange ways “what child kills and old woman!”
Greta finds herself turning to the book she stole from the old woman’s gingerbread house to try and save the family from ruin. But with suspicion already surrounding the siblings, a new stranger in town and people mysteriously being killed. Greta finds herself under more and more scrutiny as she uses more and more magic to try and save those around her.
This was a fantastic reimagining of such a classic tale, I loved how the author wove new magic and characters into the original story, making it her own.
Some parts of the story needed a bit more or seemed like a quick add on such as the Mira/Rob relationship but overall a beautifully well thought out book with mystery, magic and some big surprises that I did not guess at all.
After the forest takes the story of Hansel and Gretel and explores the story beyond the children’s escape. We meet the children two decades after the escape the clutches of the witch in the forest. But this isn’t the happily ever after we all expected. Hans has gambled away the siblings money and Greta is avoided by many villagers for her strange ways “what child kills and old woman!”
Greta finds herself turning to the book she stole from the old woman’s gingerbread house to try and save the family from ruin. But with suspicion already surrounding the siblings, a new stranger in town and people mysteriously being killed. Greta finds herself under more and more scrutiny as she uses more and more magic to try and save those around her.
This was a fantastic reimagining of such a classic tale, I loved how the author wove new magic and characters into the original story, making it her own.
Some parts of the story needed a bit more or seemed like a quick add on such as the Mira/Rob relationship but overall a beautifully well thought out book with mystery, magic and some big surprises that I did not guess at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Self harm
Minor: Sexual content
Mr. Wrong Number by Lynn Painter
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Here we have your classic hidden identity, duel POV; brothers best friend romcom.
Olivia is down on her luck after she burnt down her apartment building following being dumped by her boyfriend. So she moves in with her brother and his oh so handsome, irritating roommate. But she’s ok as she’s made a new text friend who she bares her soul to (and sexual fantasies) after a wrong number text msg turns into a flirty text relationship.
But as life starts too look up things start to unravel for Liv but is me wrong number actually Mr right?
Ok so of course like many a chick lit there are no real surprises and you can figure out what’s going to happen. The thing that really annoyed me in this book is the stupid things Olivia did such as pretending to have kids to take on the job of a parenting columnist or burning down an apartment due to being scared by a possum. It’s moments like these that turn the funny FMC into a bimbo when they really aren’t meant to be stupid and well it’s unrealistic and annoying.
Ok rant over. Cute for a rom com but I found myself sighing too much with Olivia’s silly antics.
Olivia is down on her luck after she burnt down her apartment building following being dumped by her boyfriend. So she moves in with her brother and his oh so handsome, irritating roommate. But she’s ok as she’s made a new text friend who she bares her soul to (and sexual fantasies) after a wrong number text msg turns into a flirty text relationship.
But as life starts too look up things start to unravel for Liv but is me wrong number actually Mr right?
Ok so of course like many a chick lit there are no real surprises and you can figure out what’s going to happen. The thing that really annoyed me in this book is the stupid things Olivia did such as pretending to have kids to take on the job of a parenting columnist or burning down an apartment due to being scared by a possum. It’s moments like these that turn the funny FMC into a bimbo when they really aren’t meant to be stupid and well it’s unrealistic and annoying.
Ok rant over. Cute for a rom com but I found myself sighing too much with Olivia’s silly antics.