cantstopwontstopreading's reviews
69 reviews

Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey

adventurous emotional funny 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

Spicy. Compelling. And a totally believable romance! The inevitable third act relationship drama wasn’t completely ridiculous per the usual with romance novels. Minus a star because it does lightly rely on a miscommunication trope which I can’t stand… but somehow this author made it palatable. You also have to get through the whole thing of the FMC being annoyed that her family “treats her like a clown”…. She is a legitimate professional clown. Other that that turn of phrase really making me chuckle I had a good time. 

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

I just read the whole book in one sitting. I literally couldn’t put it down. The narrative flowed so smoothly and that ending!!!!!

One hundred words by Michael E. Smidts

adventurous challenging dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow wow wow! To put it shortly, this book is brilliant. 

Smidts debut piece proves his mastery of language and storytelling. Each 100 word story draws you in and pulls you into its world. I felt every story existed well outside the bounds of 100 words and yet was somehow perfectly contained within those scant 100 words. The stories breathed, they had pulses, they lived. I cannot describe Smidts imagery as anything but truly alive. I am in awe. 

My only complaint is that there isn’t more. Each “chapter” could easily be expanded to full novels should Smidt decide… oh how I’d love to read them! But in leaving you wanting more, Smidt allows the reader to imagine their own beginnings and ends to the stories. 

The stories can be enjoyed at the surface layer or analyzed together or as individual pieces for greater meaning.

I see this book enjoyable for many. The quick nature and rapid stoping points lend it to slow readers, fast readers, people who have time for only a few pages a month, people who wish to devour a book in a setting, and for people falling in love with reading again or for the first time. 

Scorned Prince by Brady Hunsaker

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious reflective 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

4.75

Why am I just now hearing about this series? 

I’ll admit when I heard people say this book really was for anyone, I was skeptical. However, this is one of the rare instances that the masses aren’t lying to you. 

There are a mix of characters that make it pretty easy to identify with one or another. I could see the story itself being appealing for 13 year olds through 30+. The stories central themes exploring xenophobia, racism, and prejudice are universal and written on so many layers that every level reader can find themselves exploring without it feeling like a lesson targeted for kids or to far above their head.

There are strong and complex characters. The characters actions are believable and it never feels like an action is done to drive the plot forward. You see the main characters grow and change as the story unfolds. The world building is beautiful without being bogged down by details. 

My highest praise is for the author’s ability to transition our protagonists from enemies to….well something else (no spoilers for you!) in an effortless and natural way. 

I can’t wait to see what happens in book 2. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Xenophobia

Heart of Silk and Shadows by Lisette Marshall

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.0

This book was PERFECT, absolutely perfect until page 146. The writing was beautiful, the world building was fantastic, the story just pulled me in and it flowed. Great flirting, a wonderful romance progression with believable and compelling chemistry and a healthy dose of spice. The fantasy storyline meshed perfectly with the romance one. This was well on track for 5 stars. I was moments from pre ordering hard cover editions of the whole series. Unfortunately,  

Spoiler

the surprise unplanned pregnancy

trope struck again and ruined the whole experience for me.

The Rules of Matchmaking by Rebecca Connolly

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? No

4.5

If Bridgeton and pride and prejudice had a baby it would be this book. I had so much fun reading it. The romance was believable and you supported it fully. Great twist ending. 

Castle of Dusk and Shadows by Rachel L. Schade

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.25

Lots of romantasy books seem to struggle to walk the line between fantasy and romance- swaying wildly between romance and fantasy to the detriment of the pace and plot of the story. This is not one of those books. I was hooked by the mystery and world building, and loved the slow burn romance. 

The Final Season by Andrew Gillsmith

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

3.5

Funny at times, and enjoyable. I’m not sure how I feel about the narrator.  They were quippy and amusing but sometimes a bit distracting from the central story. Sci fi is not my usual go to genre but I had a lot of fun.

Formula for Redemption by Amelia Simone

funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

3.0

Bound by Dragons by Alisha Klapheke

adventurous funny lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.25

Fun easy beach read with dragons! What’s not to like! Very light spice.