emilyreadthatbook's reviews
743 reviews

Once Upon a Christmas Tree by Lulu Moore

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

Chasm by Stacey McEwan

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.5

As with most middle books of a trilogy, this book was a journey. Book one is the intro and book three should be the finale. In this book, we experience Dawsyn’s evolution from being a solely human, sometimes victim, to being her own flawed hero. 

Not only does this book take place in different locations, Dawsyn is also forced to face certain truths. Was she really betrayed, and if so, by who (there are many options in many different parts of this book)? What are her true feelings about these others who have tied their futures to her? Where does she go from here? Who can she trust? Many of these and other questions are answered in the course of this story, queueing it up perfectly for the grand finale of book three. 

I’ve read other reviews that describe this book as a slower pace compared to book one. I beg to differ. I often find the world-building part of the story to drag on a bit, whereas the character growth that takes place in a sequel is necessary, even when lacking in ever present action. Don’t be discouraged, I felt this book did have a significant amount of action. Now that I am more familiar and attached to the characters, I also found the battle scenes to be more dramatic while I hoped my favorites would survive. With the story presented in this book, I felt the pacing was right on target as the stakes continue to get higher. 

The One I Didn't See Coming by Piper Rayne

hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Forced proximity. Dislike to love. I really enjoyed Emmitt in this book. In previous books it felt like he was immature and uncaring but we got that other side here about how he is misunderstood. Briar was a little hard to understand the character. She was so closed off and secretive at the beginning, I wasn’t sure what to make of her. Like a fungus, she grew on me. 

Ledge by Stacey McEwan

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Wow this book was slow to make its way to the meat of the story. It was at least 100 pages in before I felt fully engaged with where we were going but once the path became clear, what an interesting accumulation of characters we find. 

What I liked:
- Dawsyn is a surprise at every turn. You expect she is helpless and she proves you wrong. You expect she is heartless and you find out otherwise.
- Ryon is an excellent planner. 
- The descriptions of the different climates and lands are so vivid, I had to bundle up to read about the Ledge.

What I didn’t like:
- The pacing of the first part of this book was snail slow. Even the second part was a slow stroll.
- Some of the world building felt a little lacking. I want to know more about the Glacians overall.

The One I Stood Beside by Piper Rayne

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.0

Very cute friends to lovers, marriage of convenience story. The characters are engaging and likable. Their affection and friendship shines through even with the misunderstandings and miscommunications. 

The One I Left Behind by Piper Rayne

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.75

Super quick and sweet. Not a lot of drama. A little depth but there could have been more.

The Game Changer by Lana Ferguson

funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

This book took a whole lotta tropes and just threw them against the page to see what stuck. We have brother’s best friend, fake dating, childhood crush, and on and on it goes. Though this story was cute, I didn’t get some of the drama. It seemed like there were almost too many details but some different exactly connect. Like the scandalous pictures that caused such backlash for Ian he was forced to transfer to another hockey team for 6 years. They sounded pretty tame considering some of the jokes and spice through the book. Also, why had Ian not interacted with players on other teams for those 6 years even though they were all actively playing? 

Overall, the romance was sweet. The spice was spicin’. But the drama was hole-y. 

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Well, the books in this series keep getting better and better (and I really liked the first one so that is saying something). There is something about returning to familiar characters that draws you right into a book. This book does that. We know all the players from the previous books, but this time we are getting their stories and histories and all the fun thought processes that make these characters feel real.

I wasn’t sure how Lyla Sage was going to get Teddy and Gus from hating each other to love but it turned out, it wasn’t that big of a jump. The bit of shared history they have made it all the more interesting. I loved getting to see a different side of both of them but let’s be honest, Riley stole the show. Finishing this book made me want to go back to the first one  and read them all over again. Those are the best types of books. 

Forever Wild by Rebecca Jenshak

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I am heartbroken that the Wildcat Hockey series has ended. It is my absolute favorite emotional support hockey romance series. Everly and Jack are the perfect couple to end this on. I was hesitant at first due to the age gap, but rereading the series, I was reminded of their chemistry. The development of this relationship felt really organic and Rebecca Jenshak made it not weird. Everly figuring out what she really wanted in life and a career was a powerful storyline. While Jack being injured and vulnerable, broke down walls that allowed their relationship to really flourish.

The one downside of this book is the rest of the crew were all gone during the summer. I missed them, though I understand it would have been a completely different story and relationship if everyone was hovering around as they normally did. I’m still hoping for a bonus chapter that shows a little peek into the future of everyone. I hope these characters continue to pop up in other books by this author.

In Your Wildest Dreams by Rebecca Jenshak

hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I love how Bridget and Ash first meet. Him on the ice asking if she wants a puck. Her turning him down and still ending up with the puck. Super cute. Super cheesy. Full of warm and fuzzies. Exactly like this book.

Bridget and Ash’s relationship isn’t like some of the others we’ve read about in this series due an abusive ex Bridget is trying to avoid. In previous books, Ash had a non-exclusive girlfriend but once he meets Bridget, he really seems to have a one track mind. It felt like he saw what his friends had and no longer was interested in screwing around. When they come together they really seem to be good fit.
I love the scene when Bridget is driving Ash’s car and he calls to give her grief about driving too slow. 
I cannot wait to see how Rebecca Jenshak closes out this series with Jack’s book.