Scan barcode
alxisrae's reviews
95 reviews
Lights Out by Navessa Allen
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Stalking, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
Minor: Blood, Vomit, Cannibalism, and Murder
The Night Runs Red by Amber Palmer
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Blood, and Car accident
A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
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? No
3.75
From Blood and Ash (2 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
relaxing
tense
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? No
5.0
From Blood and Ash (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
When Hearts Surrender by Victoria Lum
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
This next standalone romance is now focusing on the older brother Maxwell Anderson who is the definition of brooding and angsty. This story starts off with a bang with the opening scene and PLEASEβ¦.read the trigger warnings. Itβs heavy. But that moment on I was hooked to this story. I could tell it was gonna be moody, it was gonna be angsty, and it was gonna bring on the pain!
I really enjoyed Annabelle, a LOT, and thought she was so witty and so strong and funny but was still vulnerable at the same time. When she was going through it and was in pain - as a reader I really felt that. I like how Victoria was able to write these characters together. It was this constant tug and pull between the two of them. Though it is a marriage of convenience the chemistry between Annabelle and Maxwell is HAWT π₯
And the hot chemistry made the smutty scenes even hotter. Holy fuck these two had me setting the book down and taking a break a couple of times. Essentiallyβ¦porn with a plot. Also Maxwell with his bre*ding kinkβ¦sir sit down and calm down please.
Outside of that I think Victoria did the topic of mental health beautifully here. The portrait of Maxwell and his anxiety was very, very relatable. You canβt help but connect with these characters and feel for them. And anxiety being at the forefront how it is with Maxwell was tone so good.
I really enjoyed Annabelle, a LOT, and thought she was so witty and so strong and funny but was still vulnerable at the same time. When she was going through it and was in pain - as a reader I really felt that. I like how Victoria was able to write these characters together. It was this constant tug and pull between the two of them. Though it is a marriage of convenience the chemistry between Annabelle and Maxwell is HAWT π₯
And the hot chemistry made the smutty scenes even hotter. Holy fuck these two had me setting the book down and taking a break a couple of times. Essentiallyβ¦porn with a plot. Also Maxwell with his bre*ding kinkβ¦sir sit down and calm down please.
Outside of that I think Victoria did the topic of mental health beautifully here. The portrait of Maxwell and his anxiety was very, very relatable. You canβt help but connect with these characters and feel for them. And anxiety being at the forefront how it is with Maxwell was tone so good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Death of parent
Minor: Miscarriage and Car accident
If I Stopped Haunting You by Colby Wilkens
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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? No
4.0
I am so happy I signed up for this on NetGalley! This book was truly a treat. The first thing that caught my attention about this book was it
A. Was a romance with Native representation
B. Super spooky haunted castle in the middle of Scotland?!? Sign me the fuck up ππ½ππ½ππ½
C. Enemies to Lovers - Author Rivals
Colby really gave me everything I loved with this one. Not only do we get the enemies to lovers romance but there is also the mystery that comes with the castle they go on a retreat from.
I really related to Pen. Off more than also being Native - the time we meet her and Neil at the authors panel I could feel and relate to her so hard. Like homegirl we have all made rash decisions we later regret. But that perfectly sets up the tension with her and Nick. I even related to Nick which I wasnβt expecting but I adored his character. Also how OBSESSED and damn near feral this man becomes for Penβ¦*chefs kiss*.
But the part that really hit me was how Pen talked about not feeling like she fit in due to being mixed and I have struggled with that too. Like youβre not βNative enoughβ cause of XYZ. And how Neil validated her in that moment really hit me in a good way.
βπππβππ π΅πππππ, πππ ππ ππππ ππ πππ ππππ, ππππβπ ππππππβ -Neil Storm (like fuck π₯Ή)
When it came to the romance I liked how the two MCs were forced to talk it out and come together despite the βhateβ and rivalry going on. And how it didnβt take long from that to crumble with the forced proximity. Cause deep down they donβt hate each other - just misunderstood. Even the secondary romance was a joy and I loved learning the truth at the end. So sad but still so good!
A. Was a romance with Native representation
B. Super spooky haunted castle in the middle of Scotland?!? Sign me the fuck up ππ½ππ½ππ½
C. Enemies to Lovers - Author Rivals
Colby really gave me everything I loved with this one. Not only do we get the enemies to lovers romance but there is also the mystery that comes with the castle they go on a retreat from.
I really related to Pen. Off more than also being Native - the time we meet her and Neil at the authors panel I could feel and relate to her so hard. Like homegirl we have all made rash decisions we later regret. But that perfectly sets up the tension with her and Nick. I even related to Nick which I wasnβt expecting but I adored his character. Also how OBSESSED and damn near feral this man becomes for Penβ¦*chefs kiss*.
But the part that really hit me was how Pen talked about not feeling like she fit in due to being mixed and I have struggled with that too. Like youβre not βNative enoughβ cause of XYZ. And how Neil validated her in that moment really hit me in a good way.
βπππβππ π΅πππππ, πππ ππ ππππ ππ πππ ππππ, ππππβπ ππππππβ -Neil Storm (like fuck π₯Ή)
When it came to the romance I liked how the two MCs were forced to talk it out and come together despite the βhateβ and rivalry going on. And how it didnβt take long from that to crumble with the forced proximity. Cause deep down they donβt hate each other - just misunderstood. Even the secondary romance was a joy and I loved learning the truth at the end. So sad but still so good!
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
This was an odd one for me. Because this felt like a lot was happening and at the same time nothing at all. It was just a story with an open ended ending. No answers. Just repetition about getting husbands from an attic
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Deck of Scarlets: The Scarlet Quill Series by Amanda Sinatra
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
I really really enjoyed this and the only reason it took me a moment to get done was cause of school. But oh my god this reached and scratched a niche that I love so much. Dark Romantasy with horrific monster, tension and angst! Yes give it all to me. This reminded me a lot of Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare but BETTER.
This story gives us Remi Watson, a young woman from New York that is about to start college at Columbia. Something requested to her by her deceased grandmother. And quickly Remi is thrown into a world of demons and demon slayers/secret society. And on top of that her best friendβs boyfriend is her guardian.
Forbidden love βοΈ
Deception βοΈ
Enemies βοΈ
There is a little spice, one open door scene, and I love that we only really got one. It adds to the tension and the βforbidden loveβ into it. I was NOT expecting that ending and I appreciate we get a little piece Joshβs POV. I canβt wait for more of this series. It was like an action packed movie in my head as I read.
This story gives us Remi Watson, a young woman from New York that is about to start college at Columbia. Something requested to her by her deceased grandmother. And quickly Remi is thrown into a world of demons and demon slayers/secret society. And on top of that her best friendβs boyfriend is her guardian.
Forbidden love βοΈ
Deception βοΈ
Enemies βοΈ
There is a little spice, one open door scene, and I love that we only really got one. It adds to the tension and the βforbidden loveβ into it. I was NOT expecting that ending and I appreciate we get a little piece Joshβs POV. I canβt wait for more of this series. It was like an action packed movie in my head as I read.