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crownedaimee's reviews
363 reviews
My Vampire Plus-One by Jenna Levine
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My Vampire Plus One follows Amelia who is an accountant with a meddling family who is constantly asking about her love life and after a sarcastic remark about having a boyfriend too seriously, she has no choice but to now bring a date to her cousin's wedding despite not actually being in a relationship. Enter Reginald, a vampire fugitive and after the two bump each other one night, Amelia proposes a fake dating scheme to which Reggie agrees with his own interior motive.
While I found My Roommate Is A Vampire enjoyable, this one I found is significantly a lot better. One of my main issues with the first book was that it would've worked better with a dual pov and this time the author listened and implemented it within this book. And let me tell you, it worked so much better. I loved Reginald in this first book, and this made me love even more so I was glad that we got his pov. And maybe it's because I love the faking dating trope too much but this is everything I love in a book, the humour, the slow burn, the forced proximity? Give it all to me. Amelia and Reggie balanced each other so well, I loved their relationship and I hope to see more of them and how their relationship grows in any upcoming books.
The only issue that I had was that we could've learned more about Reggie's history a bit more, like he definitely knows who caused the fire and it has to be the witch, right? But that was only really my issue with this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, like imagine a witch x vampire enemies to lovers book? I would be here for it, if there will even be another book in this series that is. So if you're needing a lighthearted romcom for the spooky season, this is the one for you.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
While I found My Roommate Is A Vampire enjoyable, this one I found is significantly a lot better. One of my main issues with the first book was that it would've worked better with a dual pov and this time the author listened and implemented it within this book. And let me tell you, it worked so much better. I loved Reginald in this first book, and this made me love even more so I was glad that we got his pov. And maybe it's because I love the faking dating trope too much but this is everything I love in a book, the humour, the slow burn, the forced proximity? Give it all to me. Amelia and Reggie balanced each other so well, I loved their relationship and I hope to see more of them and how their relationship grows in any upcoming books.
The only issue that I had was that we could've learned more about Reggie's history a bit more, like he definitely knows who caused the fire and it has to be the witch, right? But that was only really my issue with this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, like imagine a witch x vampire enemies to lovers book? I would be here for it, if there will even be another book in this series that is. So if you're needing a lighthearted romcom for the spooky season, this is the one for you.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
emotional
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Nothing Like The Movies is the sequel to Better Than The Movies, following Wes and Liz in their college years. They hadn't seen each other for two other after Wes went home after a tragedy struck in his family and not able to cope, Wes ended the relationship. Fast forward the two years and Wes is back as a freshman playing baseball and Liz is stuck covering the baseball team as part of her internship. What could possibly go wrong?
This is literally everything that I wanted. At first I was a little scared of what was in store for Wes and Liz, like them breaking up after what happened in Better Than The Movies, I didn't want to believe it. However, their characters did grow so it might've been necessary? I loved having Wes' point of view in this book, I think this was something that definitely drove this story more and made it more interesting. I need a Wes Bennett in my life, like can he actually just be real?
I absolutely loved the tension and the angst between Wes and Liz within this book, it had be squealing so many times but as much as I loved it, I wish they had gotten back together a little sooner so we could have so many cute scenes as well. I felt like the ending of them was a little rushed which let it down a little for me. I would've maybe liked to see more of Liz and Joss' friendship, like I know Liz went to college and everything but surely they could've called as they were best friends. Either way, was this sequel needed? No. But did I enjoy reading it anyways? Yes.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
This is literally everything that I wanted. At first I was a little scared of what was in store for Wes and Liz, like them breaking up after what happened in Better Than The Movies, I didn't want to believe it. However, their characters did grow so it might've been necessary? I loved having Wes' point of view in this book, I think this was something that definitely drove this story more and made it more interesting. I need a Wes Bennett in my life, like can he actually just be real?
I absolutely loved the tension and the angst between Wes and Liz within this book, it had be squealing so many times but as much as I loved it, I wish they had gotten back together a little sooner so we could have so many cute scenes as well. I felt like the ending of them was a little rushed which let it down a little for me. I would've maybe liked to see more of Liz and Joss' friendship, like I know Liz went to college and everything but surely they could've called as they were best friends. Either way, was this sequel needed? No. But did I enjoy reading it anyways? Yes.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft
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
4.0
Sapphic academic rivals with a murder mystery subplot... what's not to love? I think a lot of people will be eating this up.
A Dark and Drowning Tide follows folklorist, Lorelei who is tasked to go on a expedition to find the Ursprung, which is said to give powers to those deemed worthy, with her mentor and some peers but to make matters worse, one of the peers is her her rival Sylvia. However nothing goes smooth sailing when Lorelei found her professor murdered one night and now she is on a mission to find the killer whilst trying to locate the Ursprung. And the only one that knows that Lorelei is innocent, is Sylvia.
I absolutely loved Saft's writing, it's so lyrical and descriptive that you immediately get sucked in. While this book is described as a "sapphic fantasy romance" don't let it fool you, there's no actually that much romance in this book. However, the amount that we got delivered! It was literally everything, had me kicking and screaming. I couldn't get enough of these two like their constant bickering but yet Lorelei couldn't stop thinking about Sylvia, chefs kiss. Their grumpy and sunshine vibes fit together so well.
I do wish that maybe we could've gotten a dual pov or perhaps a multi pov because I would've loved to know what Sylvia was thinking during some moments and I think it would've given us a better insight on some character's motives. I would've loved to have seen the murder mystery aspect a little more as well.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
A Dark and Drowning Tide follows folklorist, Lorelei who is tasked to go on a expedition to find the Ursprung, which is said to give powers to those deemed worthy, with her mentor and some peers but to make matters worse, one of the peers is her her rival Sylvia. However nothing goes smooth sailing when Lorelei found her professor murdered one night and now she is on a mission to find the killer whilst trying to locate the Ursprung. And the only one that knows that Lorelei is innocent, is Sylvia.
I absolutely loved Saft's writing, it's so lyrical and descriptive that you immediately get sucked in. While this book is described as a "sapphic fantasy romance" don't let it fool you, there's no actually that much romance in this book. However, the amount that we got delivered! It was literally everything, had me kicking and screaming. I couldn't get enough of these two like their constant bickering but yet Lorelei couldn't stop thinking about Sylvia, chefs kiss. Their grumpy and sunshine vibes fit together so well.
I do wish that maybe we could've gotten a dual pov or perhaps a multi pov because I would've loved to know what Sylvia was thinking during some moments and I think it would've given us a better insight on some character's motives. I would've loved to have seen the murder mystery aspect a little more as well.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
I really wanted to love this book because let's be honest, sapphic vampires? Sign me the hell up! And while I thought that I was going to enjoy it based off my initial reaction, the more I read, the more I was struggling to actually get through it. So I admitted defeat. The flow of the pace was all over the place and the three narratives made it hard to follow, I think it would've been much easier and better to only have the one narrative. Maybe I'll try again sometime in the near feature but with my reading slump, I don't think I'll be reaching for this anytime soon.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Vilest Things by Chloe Gong
slow-paced
3.5
Vilest Things takes places right after the events of Immortal Longings, sending readers back into the world of San-Eir where our main characters Calla, Anton and August all battle for power. Probably will be an unpopular opinion, but I actually preferred the first book over the sequel, despite rating them both 3.5 stars. In saying this, I am intrigued to see how the third book plays out.
Don't get me wrong, I love the characters which is something that Chloe Gong never fails on. Calla is by far my favourite character in this trilogy but I do wish that the characters had a little more of a character development. Additionally, I loved the tension between Calla and Anton in Immortal Longings but felt none of it in this book, instead feeling a little forced? I'm hoping in the next book they get their spark back.
However, I felt like the story dragged a little, which could be due to the pacing and lack of action. It focuses more on politics which I think didn't help with how slow it made the book feel. There are some new powers involved but I didn't take all of it because it wasn't explained that well. The last 30% saved this book for me, where we finally got some action and the plot actually began to take off.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Don't get me wrong, I love the characters which is something that Chloe Gong never fails on. Calla is by far my favourite character in this trilogy but I do wish that the characters had a little more of a character development. Additionally, I loved the tension between Calla and Anton in Immortal Longings but felt none of it in this book, instead feeling a little forced? I'm hoping in the next book they get their spark back.
However, I felt like the story dragged a little, which could be due to the pacing and lack of action. It focuses more on politics which I think didn't help with how slow it made the book feel. There are some new powers involved but I didn't take all of it because it wasn't explained that well. The last 30% saved this book for me, where we finally got some action and the plot actually began to take off.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
I just wanted to start of saying that I never read Macbeth or seen a stage production so I was going into this book partly blind. Nonetheless, I was looking forward to reading this but I was struggling to get through it. It had so much potential but kinda just felt a little flat. I often found myself skimming this just to get through it which is such a shame. I couldn't even really tell you anything that happened because my mind as just blanked this book out.
Don't get me wrong the actual writing itself is beautifully written but everything else I just couldn't connect with. The pacing was off and it didn't feel like much was happening in order to keep me entertained or wanting for me to continuing reading. I forgot that was considered a fantasy because there wasn't much fantasy elements within in the book, save from the witches towards the end of the book which was it's saving grace for me. Lady Macbeth has magical powers yet barely uses them? Seriously?
The characters were completely one dimensional and lacked any character growth whatsoever. Lady Macbeth is described to be clever, ruthless, ambitious and manipulative but yet we got none of this, she was just a highly unlikeable character. The only characters that were mildly interesting was the witches and they were barely in it. The romance was so out of place as well, I just didn't care for it at all. And on top of all of this, this version of Lady Macbeth is xenophobic where Scottish people are constantly viewed as violet brutes. Was the really necessary? No it wasn't. I don't get why any of it was added in the part.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Don't get me wrong the actual writing itself is beautifully written but everything else I just couldn't connect with. The pacing was off and it didn't feel like much was happening in order to keep me entertained or wanting for me to continuing reading. I forgot that was considered a fantasy because there wasn't much fantasy elements within in the book, save from the witches towards the end of the book which was it's saving grace for me. Lady Macbeth has magical powers yet barely uses them? Seriously?
The characters were completely one dimensional and lacked any character growth whatsoever. Lady Macbeth is described to be clever, ruthless, ambitious and manipulative but yet we got none of this, she was just a highly unlikeable character. The only characters that were mildly interesting was the witches and they were barely in it. The romance was so out of place as well, I just didn't care for it at all. And on top of all of this, this version of Lady Macbeth is xenophobic where Scottish people are constantly viewed as violet brutes. Was the really necessary? No it wasn't. I don't get why any of it was added in the part.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Xenophobia
Moderate: Gore and Sexual assault
Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
I absolutely loved the first book and couldn't wait for the sequel so when I received the ARC I screamed. This book did not disappoint, I was hooked from the start and didn't want to put it down. I need the next book in my hands right now! especially with that ending and while the conclusion did feel a little rushed, I still loved it.
I loved the banter between Evie and The Villain. They are absolutely adorable and the tension between them! They had me laughing on so many occasions. Their slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance is to die for. While I don't remember much of what happened in the first book, it is easy enough to pick up and follow. The characters were amazing, I am looking forward to reading more about Blade and Becky, as well Kingsley! Evie really steps into her own within this book, always speaking her up and actually standing up to The Villain. Don't even get me started on The Villain, every time we had his pov and he was voicing that he liked Evie, just had me squealing and kicking my feet.
I did however feel myself getting a little lost with the events that was happening because there was information with it and I think that we could've gotten a little more world building and learnt more regarding the curse, but they were my only issues with the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the banter between Evie and The Villain. They are absolutely adorable and the tension between them! They had me laughing on so many occasions. Their slow burn, grumpy/sunshine romance is to die for. While I don't remember much of what happened in the first book, it is easy enough to pick up and follow. The characters were amazing, I am looking forward to reading more about Blade and Becky, as well Kingsley! Evie really steps into her own within this book, always speaking her up and actually standing up to The Villain. Don't even get me started on The Villain, every time we had his pov and he was voicing that he liked Evie, just had me squealing and kicking my feet.
I did however feel myself getting a little lost with the events that was happening because there was information with it and I think that we could've gotten a little more world building and learnt more regarding the curse, but they were my only issues with the book.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.