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emilyreadwhat's reviews
73 reviews
The Coven by Harper L. Woods
challenging
dark
tense
4.0
4⭐️/3🌶️
I devoured this book, but I hated the conclusion. The writing was great and kept me hooked, and I loved her writing style and the development of the characters, but the demons and Lucifer and the entire conclusion just felt too icky for me. I would have loved for it to have less straight up demonic references and been a little lighter, because I don’t see myself reading the second book now, unfortunately. Her writing was strong and the twists were reflective of that, so I gave it 4⭐️ because of that, but I’m disappointed that it went so dark. :(
I devoured this book, but I hated the conclusion. The writing was great and kept me hooked, and I loved her writing style and the development of the characters, but the demons and Lucifer and the entire conclusion just felt too icky for me. I would have loved for it to have less straight up demonic references and been a little lighter, because I don’t see myself reading the second book now, unfortunately. Her writing was strong and the twists were reflective of that, so I gave it 4⭐️ because of that, but I’m disappointed that it went so dark. :(
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
4.0
4⭐️/3🌶️
A great sequel to Fangirl Down! Loved the banter between Burgess and Tallulah, and the angst in the third act 🥹♥️ I also loved all of the inclusion of Josephine and Wells and the Barnes and noble bonus chapter was amazing 😂 but mostly, I am obsessed with Sig and Chloe. I NEED the third book asap.
A great sequel to Fangirl Down! Loved the banter between Burgess and Tallulah, and the angst in the third act 🥹♥️ I also loved all of the inclusion of Josephine and Wells and the Barnes and noble bonus chapter was amazing 😂 but mostly, I am obsessed with Sig and Chloe. I NEED the third book asap.
Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
5⭐️/2🌶️
I didn’t know if HBY could write anything as heartwarming and beautiful as Out on a Limb, but dammit she did it again. 🥹 My husband and I got together when I was 14 and married when I was 19. I followed him around the country while he was in the military, and I was slapped in the face by how much I related to Sarah and Caleb (whom I also adored in Out on a Limb but didn’t relate to nearly as deeply until Out of the Woods). The internal dialogue of Sarah was complex because of her anger and sadness and guilt and overwhelming love for her husband which left her feeling confused and reading that on paper was incredibly validating. Enough about me and my connection to the book though, the writing was GREAT. It was emotional and tense and you could feel everything they felt from the desperation and turmoil over their marriage to the joy and admiration they have for one another. It was beautiful to read. I already wish I could read it for the first time again. I could go on and on but long story short, this book is another 5⭐️ from HBY and I highly recommend it.
I didn’t know if HBY could write anything as heartwarming and beautiful as Out on a Limb, but dammit she did it again. 🥹 My husband and I got together when I was 14 and married when I was 19. I followed him around the country while he was in the military, and I was slapped in the face by how much I related to Sarah and Caleb (whom I also adored in Out on a Limb but didn’t relate to nearly as deeply until Out of the Woods). The internal dialogue of Sarah was complex because of her anger and sadness and guilt and overwhelming love for her husband which left her feeling confused and reading that on paper was incredibly validating. Enough about me and my connection to the book though, the writing was GREAT. It was emotional and tense and you could feel everything they felt from the desperation and turmoil over their marriage to the joy and admiration they have for one another. It was beautiful to read. I already wish I could read it for the first time again. I could go on and on but long story short, this book is another 5⭐️ from HBY and I highly recommend it.
Hallowed Games by C.N. Crawford
5.0
5⭐️/3🌶️
Perfect amount of spice imo, the story is interesting and Hunger Games for witches vibes, and SURPRISING twists toward the end. I was feeling like it was a bit predictable in the middle and was hoping for some twists, but also felt like there was a lack of backstory for the FMC, but all of that came together and left me desperate for book 2 by the end of the book. SPOILERS AHEAD……
I was getting some major Tamlin v. Rhysand vibes about halfway through and felt like it might not come to fruition the way I wanted it to, and it didn’t really come to a conclusion, but it definitely left the door open for some Rhysand vibes in book 2 from Sion and I am READY FOR IT. 🤭
Perfect amount of spice imo, the story is interesting and Hunger Games for witches vibes, and SURPRISING twists toward the end. I was feeling like it was a bit predictable in the middle and was hoping for some twists, but also felt like there was a lack of backstory for the FMC, but all of that came together and left me desperate for book 2 by the end of the book. SPOILERS AHEAD……
I was getting some major Tamlin v. Rhysand vibes about halfway through and felt like it might not come to fruition the way I wanted it to, and it didn’t really come to a conclusion, but it definitely left the door open for some Rhysand vibes in book 2 from Sion and I am READY FOR IT. 🤭
Slaying the Shifter Prince by Clare Sager
4.0
4⭐️/5🌶️
An ENEMIES to lovers book with really interesting world building! I liked the magic system and the FMC backstory, I loved her rage and how she held a grudge. There were twists that I saw coming but one I definitely did not, and that was fun to read! My only complaints would be that it felt slightly insta-lovey for me, where the deeper conversations weren’t happening as much with the MMC and FMC, and the spice was spicing a little too much for me (too much tail, iykyk), so personally that knocked a star off for me, but might be the perfect 5⭐️ for someone else!
An ENEMIES to lovers book with really interesting world building! I liked the magic system and the FMC backstory, I loved her rage and how she held a grudge. There were twists that I saw coming but one I definitely did not, and that was fun to read! My only complaints would be that it felt slightly insta-lovey for me, where the deeper conversations weren’t happening as much with the MMC and FMC, and the spice was spicing a little too much for me (too much tail, iykyk), so personally that knocked a star off for me, but might be the perfect 5⭐️ for someone else!
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
4.5⭐️/1.5 🌶️
A great read! The magic system was EXTREMELY interesting and was the primary reason I scored it so high because it was a complex magic system without being overwhelming or boring. I found the main character super interesting and loved her morally grey perspective and inner conflict, and Ravyn was perfection from the start 🤤 My only complaints would be that I guessed the main reveal with the Nightmare before it happened, and I love to be extra surprised but it happens somewhat rarely, and I could have used more spice! These are personal preferences though, the writing was strong and the entire plot was incredible and had me immediately diving into book 2!
A great read! The magic system was EXTREMELY interesting and was the primary reason I scored it so high because it was a complex magic system without being overwhelming or boring. I found the main character super interesting and loved her morally grey perspective and inner conflict, and Ravyn was perfection from the start 🤤 My only complaints would be that I guessed the main reveal with the Nightmare before it happened, and I love to be extra surprised but it happens somewhat rarely, and I could have used more spice! These are personal preferences though, the writing was strong and the entire plot was incredible and had me immediately diving into book 2!
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.5
4.5 ⭐️/ 3.5 🌶️
What a beautiful book! Really interesting world building, a morally grey FMC with attitude, a STEAMY MMC with a filthy mouth 🥵 I devoured this book in a day. Highly recommend! My ONLY complaint is that it felt like some of the conclusions were rushed at the end, and problems were wrapped up within a paragraph instead of playing out longer like I would have liked. But there’s a book 2 coming that I’m very much excited for!
What a beautiful book! Really interesting world building, a morally grey FMC with attitude, a STEAMY MMC with a filthy mouth 🥵 I devoured this book in a day. Highly recommend! My ONLY complaint is that it felt like some of the conclusions were rushed at the end, and problems were wrapped up within a paragraph instead of playing out longer like I would have liked. But there’s a book 2 coming that I’m very much excited for!
Play Along by Liz Tomforde
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
4 ⭐️/ 3 🌶️
Another sweet read by Liz Tomforde! Isaiah and Kennedy were a great match and the angst from Isaiah was top tier. I didn’t love this story AS much as the earlier books, but I loved the inclusion of all of the characters and the strong character development of both Isaiah and Kennedy compared to how they seem in earlier books, you get to really understand and empathize for them both. I’m looking forward to the next book, but Liz, PLEASE, WE NEED A MONTY/REESE BOOK WE ARE BEGGING!!! 😫😫😫
Another sweet read by Liz Tomforde! Isaiah and Kennedy were a great match and the angst from Isaiah was top tier. I didn’t love this story AS much as the earlier books, but I loved the inclusion of all of the characters and the strong character development of both Isaiah and Kennedy compared to how they seem in earlier books, you get to really understand and empathize for them both. I’m looking forward to the next book, but Liz, PLEASE, WE NEED A MONTY/REESE BOOK WE ARE BEGGING!!! 😫😫😫
The Blood That Binds Us by Erin Mainord
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
4⭐️/4🌶️
What a great surprise! It started off fast paced and intense, and quickly the world building begins with the political set up etc. I felt like it was going to be very predictable, but then the things I felt were predictable kind of happened and resolved more quickly than anticipated, leaving me with a major twist at the end that I did NOT see coming, which was a pleasant surprise! I think without the strong ending I would have rated it lower, but she sealed it as a 4⭐️ for me in the last 50 pages for sure! The spice was spicing, not in quantity, but in the type of risqué spice that’s a little more than I’m used to - so I gave it 4🌶️ imo!
What a great surprise! It started off fast paced and intense, and quickly the world building begins with the political set up etc. I felt like it was going to be very predictable, but then the things I felt were predictable kind of happened and resolved more quickly than anticipated, leaving me with a major twist at the end that I did NOT see coming, which was a pleasant surprise! I think without the strong ending I would have rated it lower, but she sealed it as a 4⭐️ for me in the last 50 pages for sure! The spice was spicing, not in quantity, but in the type of risqué spice that’s a little more than I’m used to - so I gave it 4🌶️ imo!
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I just didn’t care for the banter, I felt like they were a little bit childish in the banter on the dock and it wasn’t doing it for me. I’ve heard rave reviews from other readers though so it’s obviously a hit for a lot of people!