chaos_of_kati's reviews
124 reviews

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

This whole book gives Danny Phantom with a strong sprinkle of Izzy Stevens and Danny Duquette Jr. (specifically one scene, where Danny is trying to convince Izzy, that he is real...if you know, you know 😏)

I was real close in giving this book 5 Stars, but the ending was a bit too rushed for my liking. 
However, to me it was a  refreshing spin on games and trials in a very gothic, spooky setting. 
Ophelia is a very loyal character who is struggling with her families legacy and how to carve out her own path without loosing aforementioned legacy and magic. 

I think she was a relatable character and  was particularly fascinated by her inner shadow voice. I think Kylie Smith created a great representation of someone struggling with said shadow-voices (read it till the end, cause the author explains it).
Blackwell, is a man, clearly written by a woman, lol. In other words, he is perfect. I was fascinated by his backstory and amnesia. For some reason I did not see his plot twist, even though it was quite obvious - well, in retrospective. But that's what made the book so charming. 

The spice is definitely spicing, in a mid-century, gothic kinda way. But it was hot..

I wished the ending was a bit more structured and refined. The last chapter felt rushed, and the explanation was lacking, compared to the dedication Smith put into the begging and world building of the story. 

I am excited to see where Kylie Smith is going to take us next with Genevieve's book. 

Cash by Jessica Peterson

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

5⭐️2.5🌶️ 

I devoured this book in two settings. I stayed up till 1AM, cause it was worth it. 

 

So Cash is this grumpy cowboy and head of the family and he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. On top of it, he finds out, that he might loose the ranch he is working on and the income he and his family needs to survive. 

Enter our high-maintenance FMC, her name is Mollie, who is inheriting the said ranch. She is fierce, she is strong and she is not afraid of said grumpy cowboy. 

 

Let me tell you! Their banter, their chemistry, their back and forth was just perfection! I laughed so hard, it was immaculate. 

 

This book is different from other  small town or cowboy books, because it deals with real-life problems. The book makes you think. Because in this story there was no villain, but different perspectives of several people who were hurt and abandoned by their loved ones in life. The scars of the past are dealt with in this story. I found it very refreshing as the story of our two main characters was very relatable. 

Strikeout by Millie Perez

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

 4⭐️2🌶️ 

 

This was a real cute sports romance with (finally) a diverse cast. I think what made the book stand out to me is the cultural background and struggles that the main character had to go through. As a first generation immigrant I was able to relate to the struggles of Mateo Martinez, the MMC in the book. 

 

I first was thrown off, cause it had a bit of insta-love vibes in the beginning, with both characters being attracted to one another, even though they did not act on it. 

But it turned out to be real cute, real fast. My favorite part was him insisting on paying for Isabellas Spa day. Ot when he basically cornered her in the club when he saw someone else talking to her. This dude is a bit unhinged but in the most golden-retriever way possible. 

 

I gotta say, I am more excited to read about Luisa and Nick in the next book. 

The Throne of Broken Gods by Amber V. Nicole

adventurous dark emotional funny 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

I'd give this book 6 stars if I could! I love Dianna. She is definitely in my all time favorite female main characters. I love that we finally get a flawed female MC with a tragic backstory that fully turns her morally grey. She reigns with fire and vengeance and I gobbled it up! 
I also loved the love Samkiel has for his girl. Man this dude is just golden retriever all day and he is perfect for Dianna. 

Their banter and chemistry is top notch! I laughed and swooned at how loving and possessive Samkiel is towards Dianna. It was perfect.
The emotional development that Dianna went through was so beautifully written. Just perfectly executed. At times I thought she did a 180, from losing her bite and powers and sass, but then you learn why she is resenting that side of her and it kinda makes sense. So yeah it was just *chef's kiss*.

Can't forget about Cameron and Xavier's love story. I am so excited to see what's gonna happen in the next book with them. Cause I did not see that plot twist at all. 

Gild by Raven Kennedy

adventurous challenging dark mysterious slow-paced

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

3.0

3 ⭐️ 2.5🌶️

You can tell that this book it a set up for the series. But I also feel like the entire plot could have been summarized in a much shorter way. It is very slow paste until you reach the last 10% of the book and then it starts to get interesting.

At times I really wanted to punch the FMC in the face for being so naive and talkative! The amount of self-monologing...
She is seriously delulu about her situation, but I think that is about to change from here on out.. I hope so at least. 

I probably will read the rest of the series and then update as I go...

Falling for My Enemy by Claire Kingsley

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.0

4 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️

This was so cute! I felt both MCs were slightly on the spectrum, even though it’s not explicitly mentioned. 

But there love-hate relationship was so funny. I loved the story and the progress of the characters.

Kill Switch by Penelope Douglas

3.75⭐️3🌶️

My heart broke so many times for Damon! 

This was like a Criminal Minds episode but from the perspective of the bad guy who then listens to Reed  and becomes the good guy..Does that make sense?

Anyways I enjoyed Damon’s character a lot - which has me question my sanity…
But unlike Michael and Kai, Damon is a true villain because of his back story. The amount of abused and the dark childhood he had to endure, gives us reader a more in-depth understanding of his psyche. While non of his actions can be excused nor are they by himself, at least we can understand where he comes from. 
He is OTT protective of his family, because he never had any. He has major trust issues especially towards women, because of the abuse he endured.

Winter sometimes reminded me of Rika. I liked, that she doesn’t let her disability hold her back from living her life. In that sense she is strong. While she, to some extent, always has to rely on other people, she wants learns to fight for what is hers and stand by it. 

The only reason I couldn’t give it full 4 stars, was because I did not fully understand the quick understanding, redemption of Damion…like everybody just decided to forgive him, without him really grovel or do something to gain their trust back..so that part I did not fully understand. But it did not hurt the overall story.

Nightfall by Penelope Douglas

4.0

4⭐️4🌶️
What a perfect ending to a great series.

So first things first…
Emory is my girl. I fell in love with her. Everything about her was right, her complex character, her fears and dreams and her fight against herself. 
I saw myself in her. 
Kinda like with Damon, it was easy to understand her motives and actions. Her abuse caused her major trust issues and she did not know how to love or let anyone in, until one boy did not give up on her. 
But the best part was, she realized soon, that she did not need the boy but she needed to start loving herself and thus save herself. I gobbled her story up. 

And Will…oh I am a simp for a simp…
His love for Emory was just so sweet. And he is the one character with the most growth and change in the series. Him stepping up and becoming his true self, acknowledging his potential and opportunity was really great.

Damon will forever have a special in my heart. Cause his scenes were just funny and delicious. 

And in typical Penelope Douglas fashion, the twists and turns just kept coming. The last 20% of the book is wild..like what..and who?! 😂😂😂

I am sad this is the end of this series. Cause I want to be part of this clusterfuck of a family.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

5.0

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

4.0