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crownedaimee's reviews
363 reviews
How to Survive a Horror Movie by Scarlett Dunmore
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
This gave all the slasher movie vibes that I needed and I think this would be perfect for anyone who enjoys those type of horror movies especially Fear Street and Scream, or the TV Series School Spirits. I couldn't put this book down.
How to Survive a Horror Movies follows Charley who is sent to an all-girls boarding school on remote island. In attempt to escape her trouble past, she focuses on keep a low profile for her final year. But when her classmates start dying one by one, as the token horror movie nerd, Charley is quick to realise that a serial killer is on the loose and the classmates aren't committing suicide like they are all made to believe. Being the only one able to communicate with her dead classmates, Charley decides to take matters into her own hands. And with no way to get off the remote island, what could possibly go wrong?
This is a fast paced book that easily draws your attention, not shying away from gore at all. And all the horror references! I love how Scarlett Dunmore navigates the reader through the dos and don'ts of surviving scenarios with all of those tips. If you haven't read or watched much within the horror genre then this is quite helpful. The aspect of having the ghosts brought such an interesting element and I loved Meghan. For a ghost, she really did have the best character development. While I did think it was cliche in places (the killer I'm looking at you), it was still quite an enjoyable read. However, I do think the suspense could've been built up more if we had more stalking from the killer.
If you're looking for a book to read for Halloween then definitely pick this up. I can't wait for the sequel next year.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
How to Survive a Horror Movies follows Charley who is sent to an all-girls boarding school on remote island. In attempt to escape her trouble past, she focuses on keep a low profile for her final year. But when her classmates start dying one by one, as the token horror movie nerd, Charley is quick to realise that a serial killer is on the loose and the classmates aren't committing suicide like they are all made to believe. Being the only one able to communicate with her dead classmates, Charley decides to take matters into her own hands. And with no way to get off the remote island, what could possibly go wrong?
This is a fast paced book that easily draws your attention, not shying away from gore at all. And all the horror references! I love how Scarlett Dunmore navigates the reader through the dos and don'ts of surviving scenarios with all of those tips. If you haven't read or watched much within the horror genre then this is quite helpful. The aspect of having the ghosts brought such an interesting element and I loved Meghan. For a ghost, she really did have the best character development. While I did think it was cliche in places (the killer I'm looking at you), it was still quite an enjoyable read. However, I do think the suspense could've been built up more if we had more stalking from the killer.
If you're looking for a book to read for Halloween then definitely pick this up. I can't wait for the sequel next year.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Vomit
When Haru Was Here by Dustin Thao
emotional
sad
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I just want to start off by saying that I love Dustin Thao's debut novel You've Reached Sam, therefore making me so excited for this book. However, it seemed that Thao was capitalising on his success and said let's copy and paste regarding the themes, only this time it just felt flat.
The characters had no development and had zero plot progression. I felt like I was reading a book full of repetition of how Eric was going out and just seeing Haru wherever he went. How could a book feel so rushed but at the same time nothing happen? There was a twist at the end that should've been obvious with the little hints of foreshadowing but I kinda feel like it was unnecessary. It just seemed like a last attempt to get the readers to feel something for these characters. I wished that the book had been more focused on this, rather than the Haru storyline.
Speaking of the characters, there was a huge disconnect with me feeling anything towards them. We know that Haru was a figment of Eric's imagination to help him cope with the grief but at least can he have some personality? Also surely it would've been better to have Daniel that he's imagining, rather than some guy he had known for two seconds? I feel like the book would've benefited from another chapter or so to actually explore Eric and Haru's relationship more, because how do we know what the real Haru is like when he's just been Eric's imagination throughout the book. Additionally, I know that Daniel was Eric's best friend but why he was so hung up on a guy that kissed him on a whim then Daniel becomes awkward with Eric and decides to just flaunted his relationships in front of him.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The characters had no development and had zero plot progression. I felt like I was reading a book full of repetition of how Eric was going out and just seeing Haru wherever he went. How could a book feel so rushed but at the same time nothing happen? There was a twist at the end that should've been obvious with the little hints of foreshadowing but I kinda feel like it was unnecessary. It just seemed like a last attempt to get the readers to feel something for these characters. I wished that the book had been more focused on this, rather than the Haru storyline.
Speaking of the characters, there was a huge disconnect with me feeling anything towards them. We know that Haru was a figment of Eric's imagination to help him cope with the grief but at least can he have some personality? Also surely it would've been better to have Daniel that he's imagining, rather than some guy he had known for two seconds? I feel like the book would've benefited from another chapter or so to actually explore Eric and Haru's relationship more, because how do we know what the real Haru is like when he's just been Eric's imagination throughout the book. Additionally, I know that Daniel was Eric's best friend but why he was so hung up on a guy that kissed him on a whim then Daniel becomes awkward with Eric and decides to just flaunted his relationships in front of him.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Grief, and Car accident
Business Casual by B.K. Borison
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Business Casual is the fourth book in the ‘Lovelight Farms’ series, following Beckett’s younger sister, Nova and Stella’s half brother, Charlie. Nova is a tattoo artist who is excited to be opening her own tattoo parlour whereas Charlie works in New York, who often makes regular trips down to the charming small town of Inglewild. In a place where love is in the air, Nova and Charlie simply are looking for a good time and nothing more. With Luka and Stella away on their honeymoon, Charlie takes over in helping with the farm and is only in town for a month. They decided that a one time thing should be enough. But is it?
I think this was the perfect end to this series, I loved seeing Nova and Charlie’s characters develop throughout this book, especially the moments where they could be themselves around each other, showing off their insecurities and vulnerabilities. They really balanced each other out so well. The scene where Charlie was looking after Nova when she had a migraine had me squealing. I loved to see the ADHD and migraine representation in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think this was the perfect end to this series, I loved seeing Nova and Charlie’s characters develop throughout this book, especially the moments where they could be themselves around each other, showing off their insecurities and vulnerabilities. They really balanced each other out so well. The scene where Charlie was looking after Nova when she had a migraine had me squealing. I loved to see the ADHD and migraine representation in this book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Lost and Lassoed follows Gus and Teddy who have hated each other for as long as they can remember. Gus is the eldest son of the Ryder family who is having to navigate life as a single dad as Riley plans to stay with him during the summer while Cam is interning at a major law firm in the city. Between his job, other commitments and having Riley full time, he's struggling to keep up with everything, and after forgetting to pick his daughter up after soccer practice, his family decided he needed help. Enter Teddy. Teddy has also been struggling, feeling like she has no direction in her life after recently being laid off at work. So when her best friend, Emmy, suggests working with Gus to look after his daughter, Gus has no other choice but to accept.
I fell in love with Gus and Teddy since their endless banter and tension in Done and Dusted. I knew that I would be eating this book up and for the most part I did but I felt like as soon as they started getting more involved, they lost their spark. Like where was the tension, the banter that we had in the previous books? Don't get me wrong, I still loved these two but maybe I set my expectations a little too high. But this was enemies to lovers and forced proximity at it's finest.
I can't wait to get my hands on Wild & Wrangled, Dusty and Cam better give me all the tension. Like how do you expect me to wait until 2025? It's literally impossible at this point.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I fell in love with Gus and Teddy since their endless banter and tension in Done and Dusted. I knew that I would be eating this book up and for the most part I did but I felt like as soon as they started getting more involved, they lost their spark. Like where was the tension, the banter that we had in the previous books? Don't get me wrong, I still loved these two but maybe I set my expectations a little too high. But this was enemies to lovers and forced proximity at it's finest.
I can't wait to get my hands on Wild & Wrangled, Dusty and Cam better give me all the tension. Like how do you expect me to wait until 2025? It's literally impossible at this point.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
2.75
so this was one of my most anticipated books of the year and I was disappointed 🫣
I know I know I love Ali Hazelwood’s books but this one just didn’t hit the same for me. I didn’t care for any of the characters and I couldn’t even begin to tell you what was happening throughout the book other than Eli lusting over Rue for the entirely this book. Like where was the chemistry? It was non existent.
And the love confessions? You’re telling me that after you having lusted after this one person, you’re going to throw in a one second love confession and expect us to believe it?
Maybe it was just not the right time for me to read it and I may give it another go sometime in the future but for now, it’s my least favourite Ali Hazelwood book.
I know I know I love Ali Hazelwood’s books but this one just didn’t hit the same for me. I didn’t care for any of the characters and I couldn’t even begin to tell you what was happening throughout the book other than Eli lusting over Rue for the entirely this book. Like where was the chemistry? It was non existent.
And the love confessions? You’re telling me that after you having lusted after this one person, you’re going to throw in a one second love confession and expect us to believe it?
Maybe it was just not the right time for me to read it and I may give it another go sometime in the future but for now, it’s my least favourite Ali Hazelwood book.
Dragon Rider by Taran Matharu
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
Dragon Rider is Taran Matharu's debut adult fantasy novel, following Jai who lives as royal hostage alongside his elder brothers in the Sabine Court as children who have to serve the empire that is responsible for the death of their father. But as the empire continues to grow, a betrothal between the emperor and Princess Erica of the Dansk Kingdom is set to take place. But with the princess, comes her dragons that only her people can bond with. However the betrothal doesn't go as planned and Jai escapes with the Princess's handmaiden and one dragon egg.
I really wanted to love this book but I was struggling, the more I read the more I wanted to dnf but I pushed through it in hopes that it would get better and it didn't. The world building was lacking, the plot was lacking and I felt no connection to the characters in any way. None of it made me invested enough to hold my attention for long and often found myself skimming through the chapters. Why did it feel like something even happened despite it being nearly 500 pages long?
The pacing was so inconsistent, it took until 30% of the way through for something to finally happening but then it went back being dull once again. And when it finally picked up again towards the end, it felt so rushed. At this point, I'm still on the fence of continuing with the series because I know I would want to know what happens next but I won't be in any rush to read it if that's what I decide to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to love this book but I was struggling, the more I read the more I wanted to dnf but I pushed through it in hopes that it would get better and it didn't. The world building was lacking, the plot was lacking and I felt no connection to the characters in any way. None of it made me invested enough to hold my attention for long and often found myself skimming through the chapters. Why did it feel like something even happened despite it being nearly 500 pages long?
The pacing was so inconsistent, it took until 30% of the way through for something to finally happening but then it went back being dull once again. And when it finally picked up again towards the end, it felt so rushed. At this point, I'm still on the fence of continuing with the series because I know I would want to know what happens next but I won't be in any rush to read it if that's what I decide to do.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Dixon Rule by Elle Kennedy
I need all of the hockey romances by Elle Kennedy that I can get because I will eat it every time.
The Dixon Rule is the second book in the Campus Diaries series and follow Diana and Shane. The two have never really gotten along after Shane has worked his through some of her cheer squad, leaving their hearts broken despite him making his feelings known towards them that he was not looking for a relationship as he was still hung up over his ex. So when Shane moves into the apartment across hers, Diana is quick to establish some rules. But when Shane's ex shows up at his house and Diana starts getting harassed. by her ex boyfriend, they rely on each other's and agree to a fake date thinking it would solve their problems.
I literally devoured this book, I mean what's not to love? You have the enemies to lovers and the fake dating, two of my favourite tropes, I honestly couldn't get enough. Diana and Shane's relationship was so well developed, their chemistry off the charts. It's also a bonus that I loved both of the characters separately as well. I was laughing so much when Diana kept removing Shane from the chats. Don't mind me as I send Shane a FWB application (IYKYK).
All the side characters provided some great comedic moments and see how they interacted with Shane and Diana is so funny. I also love how Elle Kennedy keeps having her characters from the Off Campus and Briar U series appear throughout the Campus Diaries series, reading more about them makes me happy.
The only things that didn't make me rate The Dixon Rule a five stars was it did feel slow in places here and there, as well as I felt like the whole situation with Percy was wrapped up a little too quickly for my likely.
I can't wait to read to see what's in store for the characters in the rest of the series, hoping that we get a Will & Beckett book soon, because you just know that book will be spicy as hell and I'm here for it, and them. While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading book one, The Graham Effect, to avoid any spoilers that you might across in this book. And be sure to check out any potential trigger warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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
4.5
The Dixon Rule is the second book in the Campus Diaries series and follow Diana and Shane. The two have never really gotten along after Shane has worked his through some of her cheer squad, leaving their hearts broken despite him making his feelings known towards them that he was not looking for a relationship as he was still hung up over his ex. So when Shane moves into the apartment across hers, Diana is quick to establish some rules. But when Shane's ex shows up at his house and Diana starts getting harassed. by her ex boyfriend, they rely on each other's and agree to a fake date thinking it would solve their problems.
I literally devoured this book, I mean what's not to love? You have the enemies to lovers and the fake dating, two of my favourite tropes, I honestly couldn't get enough. Diana and Shane's relationship was so well developed, their chemistry off the charts. It's also a bonus that I loved both of the characters separately as well. I was laughing so much when Diana kept removing Shane from the chats. Don't mind me as I send Shane a FWB application (IYKYK).
All the side characters provided some great comedic moments and see how they interacted with Shane and Diana is so funny. I also love how Elle Kennedy keeps having her characters from the Off Campus and Briar U series appear throughout the Campus Diaries series, reading more about them makes me happy.
The only things that didn't make me rate The Dixon Rule a five stars was it did feel slow in places here and there, as well as I felt like the whole situation with Percy was wrapped up a little too quickly for my likely.
I can't wait to read to see what's in store for the characters in the rest of the series, hoping that we get a Will & Beckett book soon, because you just know that book will be spicy as hell and I'm here for it, and them. While this book can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading book one, The Graham Effect, to avoid any spoilers that you might across in this book. And be sure to check out any potential trigger warnings.
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Stalking