ellieschaben's reviews
583 reviews

Spectacular by Stephanie Garber

adventurous mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.75

This was cute! I enjoyed the magical mystery that Tella got to take. I read the trilogy a while ago, and this was a really nice throwback to the world. 

Technically Yours by Denise Williams

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

2.75

I’ve enjoyed Denise’s other books, but this one just fell so short for me. 

Pearl needs THERAPY. She will not trust anyone outside of her family, and it bothered me. She was deserving of having someone to love and having someone love her. You should want someone that will love and cherish and spoil you, and she condemned Cord for that behavior. 

I agree that Cord wasn’t great at listening, but wow, he puts in a LOT of work for Pearl.

I hate an accidental pregnancy trope and this almost became that and I was so nervous. 

I do enjoy second chance, but this just made me stressed out the whole time. Talking about the ethical ramifications and leaving Cord AFTER they had sexy time on a board retreat while camping??? Double standard for sure and I could not deal

From Here to the Great Unknown by Lisa Marie Presley, Riley Keough

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

4.25

I know nothing much about the Presley family, but hearing Lisa and Riley’s intertwined story was so heartbreaking. Julia Roberts narrates with Riley also, and Lisa has some recordings thrown in too. 

All I could think about was that Lisa seemed to have similar problems with fame as Britney Spears? While Britney did not turn to opioids and drug usage like Lisa did, their lives took tumultuous turns and were in the spotlight at every right and wrong. 

The Sweetest Connection by Denise Williams

funny hopeful lighthearted 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? It's complicated

4.0

Okay this one is the winner! I need more novellas of every character at the airport. 

Friends to lovers, and it’s the sweetest! I loved the MCs and their banter. This is the one that had the most plot line besides romance, which was fun. I liked the little hunt for who wrote the note. 

Overall a fun little novella series!

The Missed Connection by Denise Williams

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Tell me why a loud, Marry Me by Bruno Mars, public in an airport wedding proposal had me tearing up

While I felt more connected to Ollie and Bennett as characters, Gia and Felix were adorable. I love a good academic rivals to lovers! 

Short and sweet love story! 

The Love Connection by Denise Williams

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.5

A lighthearted, quick romance for those that like a meet-cute, must love dogs, and need MMC who writes good smut! 

While I do think a pet groomer in the airport is so niche and cannot be that successful, it made for a perfect meet-cute! Bennett seems like such a gentleman, and I love his little side gig. 

Definitely a great start to this little trilogy of novellas!

It's One of Us by J.T. Ellison

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.5

This story is so surrounded by infertility, donors, miscarriages, and pregnancy that you definitely could need a trigger warning! The author’s note on this made it so meaningful though, as she wrote it to help cope with her feelings of her own infertility. 

As someone that’s going through the age of all her friends being pregnant right now, these characters could’ve been my friends down the street. It made the story that much more crazy and entertaining. 

I felt for Olivia the entire story, though she wasn’t always a likable character. I always thought Park was fishy. I wanted Perry to end up with Olivia. And I couldn’t imagine Darby’s journey from start to finish. 

This one has a ton of twists and turns, and while they could be predicted, I still wanted to tune in, which says a lot! I have a specific taste on thrillers, and this one floated my boat. 

Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana

adventurous emotional 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? No

4.5

The way I went to NetGalley to request the sequel?!

That ending was fabulous. I didn’t trust Asher the ENTIRE time. The romance felt like love-bombing. I really liked the silent romance of Finn though. It felt more real, and I enjoyed his character development and the way he distrusted Asher the whole time too. 

This did have a SLOW beginning. I wish we could’ve gotten more from Grey’s character. I’m so interested in Lore’s relationships with the other humans/her family.

Strike and Burn by Taylor Hutton

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

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

3.0

Thank you to NetGalley and Taylor Hutton for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 

This one was just okay for me. I don’t think it was set up great, but I did enjoy the concept. 

Honor had great character development, but for being dual POV, I don’t feel like we really got to know Strike. I did like the ending - Honor really came into herself and her rough hand and made it work for her.

The Crash by Freida McFadden

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

2.75

I spent most of this book being irrationally (or rationally) mad at most of the characters. Freida’s books are fast and dirty thrillers. You know you wanna keep reading and you know there’s a twist and there’s a chance you’ll guess it. 

Tegan was so dumb, but at least she had a little bit of fight in her. Polly was completely delusional. Hank was wayyy too emotionally torn in directions, but I think his character was the best. 

Not my favorite of hers, but I will say this unlocked an entirely new fear for me