itslorei's reviews
945 reviews

Whispers of Deception: Marriage of Convenience Dark Romance by K.T. Maddan

3.0

“𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐰𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.”


▪︎


The start of this dark romance is pretty good. It was quite strong and left me a good impression. I was really looking forward to it.

I think the first 50% was engaging and interesting for me, but after that, I felt like the consistency and the writing went a little bit flat for my liking. 

I was really looking forward to Ethan and Lila's romance, but it did kind of feel a little bit anticlimactic for their developments. I would love for it to have that tension and pinning going it, but there was none, so that left me dissatisfied.

I'm actually quite more interested in Aria and Matt. I'll definitely check if they already have a story or have an upcoming solely for theirs.

Anyway, the revenge thing was a little bit anticlimactic for me as well. There's also quite not that strong factor of dark romance elements that has been done in a way I liked. It felt quite light for me after the 50%.

Overall, the idea and concept were there. I wasn't just that satisfied with how it's executed. 50% was quite good. The last 50%— I think it could have been better. 

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity 🫶

▪︎

Date Released: September 17, 2024
Date Read: September 12- September 17, 2024
Ratings: 3⭐️

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

dark

2.0

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐯𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐈’𝐦 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠. 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞. 𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐡 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧’𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐍𝐨, 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐠𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐞.


▪︎

It pains to say and do this to another novel that arc I manifested so bad. Not to also mention, the very first novel from the author I read.

The idea and concept are there. I have to acknowledge that a supposed to be gothic, dark, seductive, sapphic vampire story that features these elements alongside Dracula is something that die-hard vampire readers like me really want to read.

The first few chapters left me intrigued after that strong prologue, so of course, I had my expectations. However, the execution is just something that didn't work on this, nor the writing. 

Not to mention the characters that I would say were so boring. There's nothing seductive about them nor the writing at all. It doesn't even feel like a vampire novel, nor anything Dracula like inspired story at all.

It honestly just feels like it's written just to be written, and the content here isn't something that's been thought well.

Long story short, I was disappointed. I wanted to DNF this many times, but I relented because who knows, it might even be a little decent past 60-ish?

Thank you, Del Rey, for publishing for the e-arc opportunity.

–-----

Date Released: September 10, 2024
Date Read: September 5- September 15, 2024
Ratings: 2⭐️ 

The Long Game by Elena Armas

2.0

The Spanish Love Deception and The American Roomate Experiment was a lovely read to me. But this one, I had to make sure if this was written by the same author.

Long story short, this was a disappointment. I don't know what happened, but this feels like absolute bland. Reading this while I was in the hospital was another painful event that I had to impulsively pick up a random manga on my phone (which turned out to be a godsend manga).

The writing and execution felt so boring and inconsistent. The romance was frustrating as well. I don't know what happened.  I know deep down that this could have been so much more.

Will I read The Fiancée Dilemma? I think I still would. Hopefully, that one would be a good read 🙃

Therapy Game Restart, Vol. 2 by Meguru Hinohara

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Another sweet volume. So love the story so far. I hope this one stays light and a green flag type of a Yaoi Manga 🫶

Therapy Game Restart, Vol. 1 by Meguru Hinohara

hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Been wanting to read this for a while now, and  I guess I should thank author Elena Arma's The Long Game (not liking the romance novel so far) for my speed pick up for this manga.

I also just realised that this is basically the 3rd book of the serialisation of the series 🙈 

Anyway, I love the story of this Yaoi Manga so far. It's quite sweet and a green flag type of a yaoi manga. Characters are enjoyable, the romance 🫶 and the smut 👌.

Highly recommended for those who want a light and quick reads ✨️

This Fatal Kiss by Alicia Jasinska

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐊𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐤 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭. 𝐋𝐞ś𝐧𝐚 𝐖𝐨𝐝𝐚’𝐬 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐱𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐭. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦?



-—--


First things first. I really liked the cover. It really gives off this fairy tale type of visual. I'd also like to include the Slavic myth premise, which was really intriguing and interesting. I've been wanting to read novels that feature Slavic Myth for a while now.

In the story, I would say it has so much potential, especially the slavic myth of a concept. It was something I really liked and was greatly anticipating. However, I felt that it wasn't captivating enough for me. I wasn't really that hooked on its storytelling. I also thought that it was way too dragging for my taste.

The characters may be fun, but I really didn't feel the connection between them in a romantic way? It was more of like budding friendship. No romantic chemistry. I did prefer the going on warming to each other in a friendship way?

The ending felt like there could have been more, so I'm thinking the author might give a sequel. 

Overall, this was a pretty intriguing read, still. I think this could have been better. 

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity via Netgalley. 
-—–------

Date Released: September 10, 2024
Date Read: September 4- September 12, 2024
Ratings: 3⭐️

Catching Feelings by Maren Moore

lighthearted sad

3.5

“𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮, 𝐕𝐢𝐯. 𝐈 𝐚𝐦 𝐬𝐨 𝐠𝐨𝐝𝐝𝐚𝐦𝐧 𝐥𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝.”


–---

Again, I wish I had read this romance series earlier than waiting for some time. 

3 things I enjoyed most in this novel:

The writing, which definitely was more enjoyable than Homerun Proposal. It was much more engaging and a page turner for me. Probably because of the hate/ annoyance to lovers going on trope, the roommates tropes as well.

Viv and Reese were also fun characters. They have endeared to me. There was such a fun walk through. I'd also like to mention Viv's character, which was really heartbreaking for me. I'm glad that nothing is more bad happened  and that Hallie and Reese were all there for her.

 I'm also not forgetting the bed scenes here that were such a 👌. Author Maren Moore really knows how to write sexy moments.

There might be some lagged moments along the way, especially the parts on 40%-ish and after 50%, but overall, it was fun read. It's definitely something I need after a stressful uni moment. 3.5⭐️

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

adventurous dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

“𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥. 𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐬? 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐝𝐨𝐠?”


–---

If it's a literal enemies to lovers, you want— literally trying to kill each other every now and then, then yes. You must read this.

The Cruel Prince but vampires? Read this.

As expected, I love everything vampire, especially if it's done in a captivating and immersive flow. Put an interesting myth/ lore along with it that would make it even more compelling. There, you have it. 

Also, the writing for Immortal Dark– it was one of the page turner writing I ever read.

I also enjoyed the boarding school type of a setting or the academic setting of the plot. That part was also interesting for me. Getting to know the other families was a ride, if I'm being honest. Additionally, the mystery solving going on here was another thing I enjoyed. 

Taj, Inoki, Sen, The Dean— side characters that I was really intrigued and liked having around, and the other characters at the end that I shall be not naming that I am 50/50 about. I'm looking forward to them in the next book.

Kidan, and Yos. Their dynamic is really fun. As a reader, or as I get on the story– specifically, you can't help but feel frustrated, rooting, and like meditating for them. That's what I felt honestly. They really give off the vibes of Jude and Cardan, but more intriguing for Yos, for me (I think at some point I did hate Cardan once upon a time on the early chapters but I could be wrong). I believe I regard Kidan the way I regard Jude (frustrated and rooting for my girl). 

Anyway, their tandem was really fun, I also did enjoy their relationship growth. It was just perfect for their dynamic. 

Overall, this was a good read for me. I'm really looking forward to how the story goes. Also, the world-building here to be more fleshed out since I noticed that it wasn't really that visible here and more of character focused plot built.


Thank you, publisher, for the e-arc opportunity via Netgalley 🫶

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Released Date: September 5, 2024
Date Read: August 28- September 5, 2024
Ratings: 4⭐️

A Wildfire in the Grove by Esmeray Sultan

3.0

Idea and concept wise— interesting and has a lot of potential. I think that's the strength of this novel overall.

As much as I want to give this one a higher rating, I just couldn't. Again, this novel is interesting, that much I admit. 

My main issue and the reason why I can't give this a higher rating is because of the writing and execution overall. I wasn't really that convinced with the world-building and the plot flow. It feels like it wasn't that fleshed out for me, and it took me a while to really picture it out. 

Other than that, there's also some semi-direct nod to HOTD names that had me raising my brow.

Furthermore, the dialogues or some of the phrases felt awkward at times. You can also feel the inconsistency of it.

Another thing is the FMC. For a 26 years old FMC, she's quite immature and, at the same time, weak for me. Her character wasn't really that captivating for me. I really wish that she was much more likeable. 

MMC, quite intriguing, I hope to see more developments of him in the 2nd novel.

Although the romance could quite need developments and tweaking, I could say the spice were decent. 

Plus, points are also for the interesting characters here. I hope to see more of them in the 2nd novel.

Overall, it could have been better. Potential is there, I wish the execution delivered. Might be anticlimactic as well.I hope the 2nd one will be better.

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity.

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Release Date: September 5, 2024
Date Read: August 29- September 4, 2024
Ratings: 3⭐️

Rum Sips and Salty Lips by Rebecca V. Archer

2.0

The start of Rum Sips and Salty Lips was promising. I was really expecting it to continue like that and more developments on the pairing, characters, and the writing.

Unfortunately, as the story goes, it becomes quite boring for my liking. 

The romance wasn't really that captivating for me and felt stagnant, or should I say bland. It didn’t really give that kind of spark.

I could say the same towards the general writing for this novel. I feel like the first few chapters were the only interesting ones.

Thank you, author, for the e-arc opportunity.

—---

Released Date: September 20, 2024
Date Read: August 29- September 2, 2024
Ratings: 2⭐️