higglebee's reviews
207 reviews

The Bride Goes Rogue by Joanna Shupe

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

4.0

A jilted betrothed bride takes matters into her own hands to get revenge on her father's adversary. Katherine holds all the cards in this scandalous addition to the 5th avenue rebels. We get to see our favorite characters from the previous 2 books, which is always welcome. This book is hot and full of heart. I thoroughly enjoyed their love story and highly recommend this book!

The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

5.0

Olive and Ethan were inevitable. This is the funniest, most drama filled romance I think I've ever read. I physically cringed at some parts and laughed uproariously at others. This is a perfect rom-com. The banter is probably the best I've ever read and THE moment was chef's kiss perfect. I absolutely binge listened to this book. I can find nothing wrong with this book in the slightest. Honestly, I had such a good time with it.

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad 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? No

4.5

Charlie has always felt little self worth. Especially since she lost her father, she feels like she doesn't have a place in the world. She has a best friend, but that relationship is fraught with feelings of doubt. Charlie has never been kissed and romanticizes the idea ad nauseam in her writing. She is obsessed with romance tropes, but she doesn't think they could ever happen to her. She has a complicated relationship with her mother and her body. Her mother is a piece of work. Brian is a quiet artist type who is the sweetest. This is the story of how Charlie finds herself after a long a heartbreaking journey. This book healed parts of awkward adolescent me. This book should be required reading for high school girls! 

Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted tense medium-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? No

4.0

New York City nouveaux riches meets English aristocracy in this historical romance set during the onset of the industrial revolution. A group of unlikely friends in a last-ditch effort, hatch a scheme to find themselves husbands. Annabelle has no dowry and has been unable to find a match. As the season comes to a close the Wallflowers manage an invitation so they can enact the plan. Simon Hunt is the richest among the guests, but has no title. He's a ruthless businessman raised by a middle class butcher. Annabelle loathes the sight of him, but we all know how that goes. This story was full of entertaining adventures and steamy moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one!

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

emotional funny lighthearted reflective sad tense fast-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

4.0

Strong badass FMC meets nerdy romantic journalist in a blinding blizzard. She is a rancher and he is a carpenter by trade, but also a lawyer and journalist? She carries a gun everywhere and he has a journal. This is a slow burn romance set in the wild West. Themes of bigotry and racism are present throughout the story. The cast of characters are a delight. I was very pleased with the ending. Overall it was a great historical romance. 

The Lady Gets Lucky by Joanna Shupe

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad medium-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? No

4.0

This was a fun time. Tortured Rake meets innocent wallflower. Deliciousness ensues, and not just the metaphorical kind! 
The Lady Gets Lucky is a fantastic historical romance featuring 2 unlikely lovers. So many fun tropes, sick bed, not literal student/teacher (that goes both ways!), a smidge of forced proximity. These characters were so likable from go! Highly recommend!

An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.75

I knocked off a quarter star because I hate ambiguous endings!

This was an extremely uncomfortable read.  I'm reminded of every dystopian novel that heavily relies on classism and racism. The added queerness and neurodivergemt discrimination active throughout the classes makes the book all the more sad. The study of gender/gender norms of these characters was fascinating. This was high caliber storytelling. Themes ranging from motherhood to autonomy to love and sex were so beautifully woven throughout this book. I'm a little more than heartbroken for all of the characters save one. 

Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake by Alexis Hall

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective 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

This was exactly what I was looking for! I knew I loved Alexis Hall's writing, and going in blind I was thrilled that this turned out to be, essentially, The Great British Baking Show, a romance novel. I was so pleasantly surprised at how genuinely funny this book is.  The characters were so charming and delightful! The bait and switch was a welcome surprise, even if it made me mad. I absolutely loved this story. The main theme being don't judge a book by its cover was so well done that I was 70 percent in before I figured that out! Audiobook was outstanding! 

Life's Too Short by Abby Jimenez

emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad 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

THIS is the Abby Jimenez story that I was looking for, especially after the happy ever after playlist. These 2 MCs stole my heart from the beginning. I practically ovulated when she described the scene after her shower in the beginning. Good Lord! These 2 had so much work to do on themselves and the author did a fantastic job of weaving their story. Love stories like this seem so true to life and I just love them! 

Two Can Play by Ali Hazelwood

funny hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

3.75

Fantasy book nerds and game developers all check into a winter retreat and shenanigans ensue. This fast fun novella romance was such a good time. An old miscommunication has our 2 MC's at odds and stuck together with about a dozen colleagues. Tension was delicious and the spice was top tier. Such a good time.