bookishspy's reviews
240 reviews

The Awakening (Dramatized Adaptation) by Caroline Peckham, Susanne Valenti

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Firstly, I can't say I'd recommend the graphic audio on this one. It left out so much context that I switched to the physical book halfway through

Secondly, I hated this for like the first half of the book. Everyone is horrible, and there seems to be absolutely no sense in any of these early interactions.  but it started to actually intrigue me towards the end

Orion seems interesting, and I really want to know more about whatever happened to the tarot dude. 

Overall, I can't say I loved it, but it was decent enough that I will continue the series, though I won't exactly be rushing to do so

➛ 𝟑 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Devourer of Men by Nikki St. Crowe

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense 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? Yes

5.0

Absolutely DEVOURED this, pun fully intended 

I don't know why I avoided this originally. I got worried that heading away from Neverland would be something I'd hate, but gosh, it made me fall in love with Roc and Hook!

Roc was cheeky and somehow scary at the same time. In other words, everything I want an MMC to be

Hook was glorious, and now I'm curious about his potential with the revelations in this story

Wendy, I don't feel we had enough time to really make a proper judgement, but I have to say I didn't hate her. Just wish we could've had more interactions between her and the MMCs 

The end, though. I honestly didn't see that coming. I won't say much for fear of spoiling anything, but I am beyond excited!!! 

Overall, this was a solid read that had me gripped from the start, and I'm absolutely dying for the next book now

➛ 𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Her Greatest Mistake by Hannah Cowan

tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

I feel like I'm having the worst luck. I hated this so much. 

Firstly, curly fry is not the cute nickname you think it is

Secondly, the whole "plot" of this book just isn't accurate like.. can't you only be drafted once? I'm so confused

Thirdly, there was no fake dating. This was all real insta-love dating with a very weak reason for some intense "hate" *if you could even call it that 🙄

And lastly, I was so bored for a good 98% of this book. So so bored. 

Overall, I wouldn't recommend this at all... 

➛ 𝟏 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

adventurous dark funny lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

First half was AMAZING.
The rest was meh. 

It was like they messed up a good plot and exchanged it for a lame plot

Honestly, I was super excited about Josh being secretive about his identity. But when the FMC spent all of two seconds looking into it before she just decided it was Josh with absolutely zero basis for that, it annoyed me. 

Then it changed into a Mafia thing? I dunno man. If you asked me to explain the plot to someone, I couldn't. 

Should've just stuck with the original and gone from there. The games were hilarious, and the modulator in the audiobook was PERFECT

Josh was everything I'd want a stalker to be 🥹 we all need a Josh 

Side note, the spice was almost good but the words milked, moist and folds were used in said context, which gave me the ick

Overall, it had potential that I felt was wasted, so I can't rate this as highly as I'd originally wanted, but it was still fine

➛ 𝟑 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Echoes by Steph Macca

challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Okay, how dare you leave me with that cliffhanger until September 2025! 😭

I *need* more right now omg

I am not beyond begging, I swear

Also, in case you can't tell yet, I love this series and everything about it. Also, the spice got like a million times better in this book, wow

Honestly, if this series had like 8 books that were all out right now, you'd better believe I would've binge read every single one of them and still be hoping for another

Side note, I need more Christopher. I've had a feeling about him from the start, and I wanted more sessions with him and Avery so badly 

For this book, I have no notes 

➛ 𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Unhinged by Steph Macca

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I am in love

Thoroughly devoured this book and will be buying the next paperback tomorrow. Likely after I finish devouring it on KU tonight 😂

You know when you love a book so much but don't have much to say about it because it was just so good? That's this one. 

For me the only downside was the spice was just not spicy enough for me personally. The scenes were quite quick and felt a bit anticlimactic.

But otherwise I loved it!! I'm so curious about all these men! Even the psych man has me intrigued

Bring on the next book!

➛ 𝟒.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Locked by K.L. Steele

dark 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? No

1.0

No way will I be reading any more of this series

This honestly was just not it. It was some of the most shallow, confusing writing I've ever read. They just jump all over the place and you're expected to follow? Like what?

The FMC is insufferable and clearly has some sort of mental issue with how little she actually used her brain. She was just devoid of anything relateable at all and was all  🤪 omg such a tough quirky brat 🤪

The MMCs were probably supposed to be scary sexy men but did nothing actually frightening throughout the whole book other than leave a dead animal outside her door lmao it was kind of hilarious if I'm honest

The spice was some of the worst I've ever read too, and that's coming from someone who has read a basilisk romance that was hotter than this 😂 Like this woman would barely get touched and then suddenly "her release" would coat someone or something 🤢 also going from virgin to instant DP?? Yeah... right... OK, sure.

Like I love dark romance, I love all the tropes and triggers that were described to be in this book, I love a good why-choose fated mates spicy book, but this just wasn't it

I regret reading this book and I really could not ever recommend it

➛ 𝟏 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫

Her Rabid Beasts by E.P. Bali

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I still absolutely love this series

But I have to agree with a lot of the other reviews. This series really only works when you don't think too hard on it

And the lack of talking to each other really just bugs me to no end. Like it'd all be fine if everyone just learned to communicate without interrupting each other or walking away lmao 

Ignoring all that, this book honestly was such a rollercoaster ride. Lots of highs and lots of lows. I found myself also in love with Savage in this book, he was kind of adorable actually 

The end had me all sorts of twisted up though. Fix it 😭 

I'm going to read something else for a little but I will definitely be reading the rest of the books in this series

➛ 𝟒.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Her Feral Beasts by E.P. Bali

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I am in awe!

Absolutely head over heels in love with this series so far. It's exactly what I was craving, and I am addicted

This book has serious Bonds That Tie vibes, and I have been looking for that in a story for a while now!

This is the slowest of slow burn, though, which is a little hard to get through at times. Like, just give in already 🥺

Also, can I please have an assistance nimpin? They're so adorable, and I'm in love, thanks

I am curious about how the next book will go, especially after the reveal at the end, though I must say that was predictable

Satisfying, but predictable, lol 

Overall, I love this series so far and how creative it is, but I really wanted a gasp moment, and so far, that hasn't happened for me

➛ 𝟒.𝟓 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

Her Vicious Beasts: The Beginning by E.P. Bali

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-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

4.0

That was actually a solid prequel, and I'd like to note that I actually generally am not a fan of prequels at all

This didn't have much plot to it, more just a setup for the first book, but it was fun and introduced the characters well

I also loved the addition of young murderous lion-dumbledore at the end 😂 

I will likely be binge reading this series in the near future

➛ 𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬