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cait_beneath_the_covers's reviews
213 reviews
Heir of Stardust and Secrets by C.C. Hartley, CC Hartly
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
4.25
ARC review (thank you so much Aethon Books and CC Hartly):
This book dives right into a lush world of magic, loyalty, and forbidden emotions, centered around Nyleeria’s journey as she discovers her true power. The world-building is wonderfully detailed, making it easy to get lost in the long-brewing conflict between humans and fae. The scenes and settings are painted so vividly that it feels like you’re walking alongside Nyleeria through each twist of her journey.
Nyleeria’s growth is a real highlight. She starts as someone defined by her losses, but through the course of the story, she becomes a fierce, determined figure in the fight for peace. Her inner thoughts and struggles are explored with depth, which made it easy to understand her choices and root for her every step of the way.
The tension between her and King Thaddeus is as captivating as it is complicated. Their dynamic builds slowly, filled with conflict and growing trust, creating a powerful, slow-burn romance. Even though I’m intrigued by another potential connection for her, the developing relationship with Thaddeus was both complex and heartfelt.
If you love romantasy, elemental magic, or political intrigue in a fae world, this book is a fantastic pick. It brings classic fantasy elements we love, but with a refreshing take on familiar tropes. It’s easy to get pulled into this world, and I’m already looking forward to book two!
This book dives right into a lush world of magic, loyalty, and forbidden emotions, centered around Nyleeria’s journey as she discovers her true power. The world-building is wonderfully detailed, making it easy to get lost in the long-brewing conflict between humans and fae. The scenes and settings are painted so vividly that it feels like you’re walking alongside Nyleeria through each twist of her journey.
Nyleeria’s growth is a real highlight. She starts as someone defined by her losses, but through the course of the story, she becomes a fierce, determined figure in the fight for peace. Her inner thoughts and struggles are explored with depth, which made it easy to understand her choices and root for her every step of the way.
The tension between her and King Thaddeus is as captivating as it is complicated. Their dynamic builds slowly, filled with conflict and growing trust, creating a powerful, slow-burn romance. Even though I’m intrigued by another potential connection for her, the developing relationship with Thaddeus was both complex and heartfelt.
If you love romantasy, elemental magic, or political intrigue in a fae world, this book is a fantastic pick. It brings classic fantasy elements we love, but with a refreshing take on familiar tropes. It’s easy to get pulled into this world, and I’m already looking forward to book two!
Into The Fire by Stefanie Medrek
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.5
ARC review (thank you so much The Nerd Fam and Stefanie Medrek):
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This debut novel is a GREAT find. I completely devoured it. It grabbed me with its exciting plot, emotional moments, and a romance that really makes your heart race. If you're looking for a story that mixes the thrills of Divergent and The Hunger Games, this is the one.
Melanie Snow is a strong main character who is determined to find out what happened to her parents. She’s relatable and tough, showing both vulnerability and strength. As she gets involved in the dangerous world of the Resistance, her journey is about discovering herself as well as seeking revenge. I admired her determination; she faces every challenge head-on.
Then there’s Tommy Williams, who is struggling with his own guilt. His connection with Mel adds more depth to the story. The dual perspectives let us see how their relationship grows, and their chemistry is real. Their shared struggles make every moment between them feel important.
The pacing is fantastic. It's fast and full of surprises that kept me engaged. Just when I thought I had things figured out, new twists kept coming. The action scenes are thrilling, making it hard to put the book down. I found myself racing through the pages, eager to see how it all turned out.
The found family aspect is another highlight. The friendships among the characters are well done, especially Mel’s bond with her fellow rebels. Sam, her best friend, brings some humor and warmth. Watching them support each other through tough times is moving, and I enjoyed their growth together.
The writing is engaging and paints a vivid picture that pulls you into the story. Stefanie has created a world that feels alive, full of suspense and a slow-burning romance. Themes of resilience and fighting against oppression give it more depth, making this more than just an action-packed read.
Overall, Into the Fire is a captivating mix of adventure and emotional depth. I'm hooked and can’t wait for the next book. If you want a story that’ll keep you up all night (like it did me), this is definitely one to check out. Highly HIGHLY recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This debut novel is a GREAT find. I completely devoured it. It grabbed me with its exciting plot, emotional moments, and a romance that really makes your heart race. If you're looking for a story that mixes the thrills of Divergent and The Hunger Games, this is the one.
Melanie Snow is a strong main character who is determined to find out what happened to her parents. She’s relatable and tough, showing both vulnerability and strength. As she gets involved in the dangerous world of the Resistance, her journey is about discovering herself as well as seeking revenge. I admired her determination; she faces every challenge head-on.
Then there’s Tommy Williams, who is struggling with his own guilt. His connection with Mel adds more depth to the story. The dual perspectives let us see how their relationship grows, and their chemistry is real. Their shared struggles make every moment between them feel important.
The pacing is fantastic. It's fast and full of surprises that kept me engaged. Just when I thought I had things figured out, new twists kept coming. The action scenes are thrilling, making it hard to put the book down. I found myself racing through the pages, eager to see how it all turned out.
The found family aspect is another highlight. The friendships among the characters are well done, especially Mel’s bond with her fellow rebels. Sam, her best friend, brings some humor and warmth. Watching them support each other through tough times is moving, and I enjoyed their growth together.
The writing is engaging and paints a vivid picture that pulls you into the story. Stefanie has created a world that feels alive, full of suspense and a slow-burning romance. Themes of resilience and fighting against oppression give it more depth, making this more than just an action-packed read.
Overall, Into the Fire is a captivating mix of adventure and emotional depth. I'm hooked and can’t wait for the next book. If you want a story that’ll keep you up all night (like it did me), this is definitely one to check out. Highly HIGHLY recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Variation by Rebecca Yarros
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
ARC Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow, Rebecca has really outdone herself with this one. Honestly, I’m always hooked by whatever she writes, and this contemporary romance is no exception. It has everything I adore: a captivating storyline, relatable characters, and a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me turning the pages.
Allie Rousseau, one of the world's top ballerinas, knows all about pressure, especially with her mother always watching. After an injury threatens everything she’s worked for, she heads back to her summer home to heal. But instead of finding peace, she’s faced with family secrets that bring back memories she’d rather forget. I felt for her as she navigated that emotional turmoil.
Then there’s Hudson Ellis, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s always been there when it mattered—until he left for training and regrettably walked away from Allie. Their reunion becomes even more complicated when his niece shows up at Allie’s door, eager to learn about her birth mother. The way their past intertwines with the present adds so much depth to the story, and I loved every twist that kept me guessing.
What I loved most about Hudson is his unwavering devotion to Allie. Not only do I adore a second chance romance, but there’s something so powerful about a man who desperately needs a woman and refuses to move on, even if it means spending his life alone. He knows in his heart that she’s the one for him, and that kind of love is just beautifully poignant.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Rebecca threw in a twist that completely took me by surprise. I found myself seeing things from an entirely new perspective and realized I had been looking at the situation through the lens she crafted for us, rather than the full picture of what was really happening. It was honestly so clever that I was just impressed.
Prepare to binge this book because I could not put it down. I was literally reading so late into the night, straining to keep my eyes open, that they started to swell from exhaustion. You know it’s a good book when you can't bear to go to sleep without finishing it.
The chemistry between Allie and Hudson is electric, and the love story is beautifully written, blending heartfelt moments with just the right amount of spice. And we all know no one writes spice like Rebeccas Yarros.
This tale is a heartfelt journey—both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with swoon-worthy moments. If you’re looking for a story that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s an easy 5 stars from me!
Wow, Rebecca has really outdone herself with this one. Honestly, I’m always hooked by whatever she writes, and this contemporary romance is no exception. It has everything I adore: a captivating storyline, relatable characters, and a rollercoaster of emotions that kept me turning the pages.
Allie Rousseau, one of the world's top ballerinas, knows all about pressure, especially with her mother always watching. After an injury threatens everything she’s worked for, she heads back to her summer home to heal. But instead of finding peace, she’s faced with family secrets that bring back memories she’d rather forget. I felt for her as she navigated that emotional turmoil.
Then there’s Hudson Ellis, the Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s always been there when it mattered—until he left for training and regrettably walked away from Allie. Their reunion becomes even more complicated when his niece shows up at Allie’s door, eager to learn about her birth mother. The way their past intertwines with the present adds so much depth to the story, and I loved every twist that kept me guessing.
What I loved most about Hudson is his unwavering devotion to Allie. Not only do I adore a second chance romance, but there’s something so powerful about a man who desperately needs a woman and refuses to move on, even if it means spending his life alone. He knows in his heart that she’s the one for him, and that kind of love is just beautifully poignant.
Just when I thought I knew where the story was headed, Rebecca threw in a twist that completely took me by surprise. I found myself seeing things from an entirely new perspective and realized I had been looking at the situation through the lens she crafted for us, rather than the full picture of what was really happening. It was honestly so clever that I was just impressed.
Prepare to binge this book because I could not put it down. I was literally reading so late into the night, straining to keep my eyes open, that they started to swell from exhaustion. You know it’s a good book when you can't bear to go to sleep without finishing it.
The chemistry between Allie and Hudson is electric, and the love story is beautifully written, blending heartfelt moments with just the right amount of spice. And we all know no one writes spice like Rebeccas Yarros.
This tale is a heartfelt journey—both heartbreaking and uplifting, filled with swoon-worthy moments. If you’re looking for a story that lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page, you won’t want to miss this one. It’s an easy 5 stars from me!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death