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discoveringdee's reviews
288 reviews
The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
I highly recommend the audiobook as it helped bring the story even more to life & in my mind.
If you have middle school children or loved ones I think they’ll really enjoy this story as it’s easy to understand, fun, a bit adventurous without being too scary, and also helps to showcase how prejudice works in ways that they’ll be able to understand.
Plot wise I wish we got less filler scenes or movie changes as I like to call them as not everything was needed and didn’t really help move the story along but I’m not in middle school so maybe it’s helpful for them. I also wish that the “hero” moment was more “ah-ha” and full of climax bc it just kinda just happened but all in all I enjoyed the story. And I will say that the plot twist were a total surprise and packed more punch than the “you saved the day” moment.
But all in all I enjoyed it and would absolutely love to see Ella, Jason, and Brigit on the big screen one day.
If you have middle school children or loved ones I think they’ll really enjoy this story as it’s easy to understand, fun, a bit adventurous without being too scary, and also helps to showcase how prejudice works in ways that they’ll be able to understand.
Plot wise I wish we got less filler scenes or movie changes as I like to call them as not everything was needed and didn’t really help move the story along but I’m not in middle school so maybe it’s helpful for them. I also wish that the “hero” moment was more “ah-ha” and full of climax bc it just kinda just happened but all in all I enjoyed the story. And I will say that the plot twist were a total surprise and packed more punch than the “you saved the day” moment.
But all in all I enjoyed it and would absolutely love to see Ella, Jason, and Brigit on the big screen one day.
Release Me If You Can by Christina C. Jones
emotional
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.0
Just now finished so these are my initial thoughts:
This book NEEDS CONTENT WARNINGS:
- Mentions of sexual assault
- Gun violence
- Parental abandonment and abuse
- short mention of suicidal ideations
- Kidnapping
- mentions of physical violence
- surprise pregnancy
- Marcus is an idiot with no redeeming qualities, just a terrible MMC. I need less of his POV bc golly is he rude, arrogant, and constantly thinking without speaking - hate him
- Q & Ren are cute, enjoyed their buildup but wish we got more, seemed like whenever their relationship would progress the next chapter would have someone else’s POV
The book reads like a continuation of book 1, which all in all flows together like a movie so overall plot wise is 👌🏾 but meh on the romance.
From how these two books ended, I think this series should have just been one big book since everything just flows into one another & it’s not just following a different couple with their own thing/crime to solve. They’re all linked
This book NEEDS CONTENT WARNINGS:
- Mentions of sexual assault
- Gun violence
- Parental abandonment and abuse
- short mention of suicidal ideations
- Kidnapping
- mentions of physical violence
- surprise pregnancy
- Marcus is an idiot with no redeeming qualities, just a terrible MMC. I need less of his POV bc golly is he rude, arrogant, and constantly thinking without speaking - hate him
- Q & Ren are cute, enjoyed their buildup but wish we got more, seemed like whenever their relationship would progress the next chapter would have someone else’s POV
The book reads like a continuation of book 1, which all in all flows together like a movie so overall plot wise is 👌🏾 but meh on the romance.
From how these two books ended, I think this series should have just been one big book since everything just flows into one another & it’s not just following a different couple with their own thing/crime to solve. They’re all linked
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse
Minor: Rape and Suicidal thoughts
Devon by Dria Andersen
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
Catch Me If You Can by Christina C. Jones
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
3.0
It was okay……listening to audio really helped move things along so I recommend that if you find yourself struggling.
Overall I didn’t find a connection to the main characters, especially Marcus - he was just a very unlikeable character and I couldn’t see or understand the appeal that Naomi had for him other than physical/sexual attraction bc literally all they ever did was have sex so I wasn’t seeing it for them. Even at the end when he “apologized” it was so meh and ended again with sex bc he acknowledged that sex was their biggest connection.
Now overall plot wise, I enjoyed that - but the ending just merged into the next book with no true resolution for Naomi so it’s almost like you have to read book 2 to get a conclusion and speaking of the ending you kind of see it coming once you start piecing things together so my main question is no one did a true background check on Renata? Bc it took Q like 2seconds to figure things out and you mean to tell me that the FBI couldn’t piece that together ????
But anywhoos - hoping that book two has better characters I’ll care for who do more than just bone and a story that truly concludes.
Overall I didn’t find a connection to the main characters, especially Marcus - he was just a very unlikeable character and I couldn’t see or understand the appeal that Naomi had for him other than physical/sexual attraction bc literally all they ever did was have sex so I wasn’t seeing it for them. Even at the end when he “apologized” it was so meh and ended again with sex bc he acknowledged that sex was their biggest connection.
Now overall plot wise, I enjoyed that - but the ending just merged into the next book with no true resolution for Naomi so it’s almost like you have to read book 2 to get a conclusion and speaking of the ending you kind of see it coming once you start piecing things together so my main question is no one did a true background check on Renata? Bc it took Q like 2seconds to figure things out and you mean to tell me that the FBI couldn’t piece that together ????
But anywhoos - hoping that book two has better characters I’ll care for who do more than just bone and a story that truly concludes.
In the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi Ogundiran
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Whewww I don’t even know what to say 😭😭 who would have thought that such a short book could elicit so many emotions - really looking forward to part two bc I have so many questions - starting with why did the teacher do what he did and how could he have done what he did?
Now I will say the beginning of the book takes a while to get your footing as the reader bc you are literally just thrust in the middle of the plot but after a few pages you find your groove - granted I didn’t really feel much connection to the main character but the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged and wanting to know more, so that’s a plus.
The only true con that I have to note is that the cursing was a bit awkward and misplaced, like they speak so old century so to speak but then randomly say “sh!t” loll so like what year are we in bc the backgrounds and decorations are not matching the ef bombs here and there, so that sometimes took me out the setting but all in all a very enjoyable read and I’m really looking forward to how things pan out in book 2 because they’re so many unanswered questions.
Now I will say the beginning of the book takes a while to get your footing as the reader bc you are literally just thrust in the middle of the plot but after a few pages you find your groove - granted I didn’t really feel much connection to the main character but the story was interesting enough to keep me engaged and wanting to know more, so that’s a plus.
The only true con that I have to note is that the cursing was a bit awkward and misplaced, like they speak so old century so to speak but then randomly say “sh!t” loll so like what year are we in bc the backgrounds and decorations are not matching the ef bombs here and there, so that sometimes took me out the setting but all in all a very enjoyable read and I’m really looking forward to how things pan out in book 2 because they’re so many unanswered questions.
E&J by Shon
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
It was overall alright - but I wish we got more of their relationship outside of the sexual chemistry, bc it seems like that’s all they did once they realized they were both attracted to one another on the beach.
Wish we got more of the deleted scene because that helped to show how down bad they were for one another.
All in all it was okay, not my favorite but not bad either.
Wish we got more of the deleted scene because that helped to show how down bad they were for one another.
All in all it was okay, not my favorite but not bad either.
Clarity by Christina C. Jones
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
It felt rushed. There just wasn’t enough time spent with either characters to feel connected or to make this relationship feel believable- bc how did we go from I can’t stand you, to this is great sexual chemistry, then to I’m running away from you, to oh okay I’ll do this to save my family, and then all this lovely dovey feelings……like was it because of the binding or was it because they’re fated or is it because they actually do like one another? Or all of the above? Idk but as mentioned before not enough time was spent with the characters to know much - felt like the surface was barely scratched with them
Sugar-Coated Kisses by Lady Marie
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Why would you leave me on a cliffhanger like that 😩😭😭😭 I have no words other than I need more and talk about a plot twist 🤭 I truly loved every bit of this
Out of Office by A.H. Cunningham
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
I’m sad to say that I finished this book feeling really underwhelmed - the joy, spark and chemistry from their vacation just kind of sizzled out when they got to the real world and it was hard for me to stay connected to their story and “love”, it just wasn’t as believable.
Also be forewarned, the audio narrator for Adrian doesn’t really sound like what you might expect him to sound like especially when you look at the cover….so that was a bit disappointing in itself and had me just wanting to just read the physical book instead.
but if you like 90-day fiancé then you’ll enjoy the overall vibes of this book bc that’s what it gives, especially with them moving so fast and in all honesty I know that they claimed to be in love but like again I just can’t believe it or pull from anything in the book to convince me that this love is real …….like I know the chemistry is there due to the beginning of the book but deep love? Eh not so much
Lastly, I personally felt like the issue with her mom being overbearing and unsupportive of Gen as an individual was just too simply glossed over - not saying I expected her mom to grovel but like she was a real jerk in more ways than one and never really acknowledged how she put so much pressure on Gen after her father left, her “apology” felt so meh after reading how Gen felt about their relationship and how her mama treated Adrian - and the apology from her mom really felt fake when Gen had a conversation with her boss and her boss informed her that the mom said that the wedding was just a formality, nothing special……like HUH?! That’s the lady you want me to believe had a true change of heart? Like be sooo forreal right now…….but that’s just my feeling on the matter.
It was just alright I guess, but you just telling me that y’all are in love doesn’t make it believable if I don’t see/read it myself ……..
Also be forewarned, the audio narrator for Adrian doesn’t really sound like what you might expect him to sound like especially when you look at the cover….so that was a bit disappointing in itself and had me just wanting to just read the physical book instead.
but if you like 90-day fiancé then you’ll enjoy the overall vibes of this book bc that’s what it gives, especially with them moving so fast and in all honesty I know that they claimed to be in love but like again I just can’t believe it or pull from anything in the book to convince me that this love is real …….like I know the chemistry is there due to the beginning of the book but deep love? Eh not so much
Lastly, I personally felt like the issue with her mom being overbearing and unsupportive of Gen as an individual was just too simply glossed over - not saying I expected her mom to grovel but like she was a real jerk in more ways than one and never really acknowledged how she put so much pressure on Gen after her father left, her “apology” felt so meh after reading how Gen felt about their relationship and how her mama treated Adrian - and the apology from her mom really felt fake when Gen had a conversation with her boss and her boss informed her that the mom said that the wedding was just a formality, nothing special……like HUH?! That’s the lady you want me to believe had a true change of heart? Like be sooo forreal right now…….but that’s just my feeling on the matter.
It was just alright I guess, but you just telling me that y’all are in love doesn’t make it believable if I don’t see/read it myself ……..
Say the Word by Aubreé Pynn
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
I get that this was a shirt but it was just eh, like I’m really supposed to believe this wild chemistry y’all had after 4+ years of not being with one another. And girllll you were so desperate to be loved that you would settle so terribly with Walt? Like huh …….and then to talk of standards, I chuckled - sounded like Koa needed therapy more than she needed to be with a man, she really should have worked on herself in that manner (but that’s a personal preference) I guess I just couldn’t believe this love - which honestly read more lustily than lovely - overall I just wish there was a better tie in, a flashback, something to make me see it for them.