karareadwhat's reviews
136 reviews

Eyes on Me by Sara Cate

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

Good lawd. Stupidly sexy. Amazingly salacious, as promised in said title. Cate really has a way of entrapping the reader in the best way possible. The scenes, world building, and character developments are done so effortlessly, it’s truly as if we’re watching a film. I love this series not only for the (obviously) stupidly steamy bits, but the realism of the characters, and the harsh questions and situations of real life. These are “real” people, with real issues and relatable situations to deal with. I love Cate’s ability to wrap you in an intellectually sound hug (following me still?), and remind you what a beautiful fucking thing it is to fall completely into the pages with no regard to your current surroundings. Brava, Sara. 

Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas

adventurous emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

This was a great read. I loved the whimsical, yet realistic aspects of not only the age gap relationship, but the blunt thoughts of both characters coming to terms with their feelings. I felt the initial climb into bed should have been less verbal. If it was really that intense, it should have felt more primal. Overall a happy steamy read. Loved!

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective sad tense slow-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? Yes

5.0

Brilliant. 

If you would have asked me how I felt in the first half of this book, I’d have said blatantly: “Incredibly depressing with a sad and seemingly singular storyline. Man, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to get through it.”

Ask me now that I’ve finished it? Brilliant. So, horrifically sad, depressing, and causing an empty feeling. But brilliant. That’s the point, isn’t it? This is why we readers do what we love most and read. To feel. To experience the feelings of others, fictionally or no. 

This story offers such a rare peek into a vital time of our histories past (functionally so, but wonderfully done). A history that entirely shapes the whole of America today. Refusing to work for wages in which we will starve and eventually die. Incredible thought, no? Something we don’t take a second glance at today, for most of us. Hannah does a superb job of thrusting the harsh realities of the times into our sphere, while allowing us the backseat reading of connecting with each character. Brava. 

“Mom’s know everything, kid” 
Killed me😥

The Stopover by T.L. Swan

adventurous emotional funny sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This was such a fun sizzling read. Very sweet. Broken boy meets headstrong woman. I found myself surprisingly wrapped up in the story. Happy ending that doesn’t feel unrealistic or cheesy. 

The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

3.0

Overall this was a decent book. Certainly will be one that I do not intend to reread. It will also not be one that I remember for very long. It was well written, and the characters were well played out, it just felt dull and a little anti-climactic.

Praise by Sara Cate

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

*Fans self* Good. Holy. Lawd. 

This is by far my favorite steamy book. Beautifully written. Immediately you become immersed in the characters’ lives, emotions, and desires.  You feel for them, which is key. Listen, ladies…. The dedication is all you need to read to know if this is the book for you. 


.

The praise kink part is incredibly written, but what really sold me was Emerson’s constant and unyielding love for Charlotte. He fulfilled everything she desired in every way, yes, but he also cared about her on a borderline overbearing Edward - Bella manner.

Chefs kiss.

Twisted Love by Ana Huang

2.0

Jumpy plot. Inconsistent character timelines. Typos. Only two good steamy scenes; the rest being entirely choppy plot with leaps in the story that leaves the reader confused.

Canary by Tijan

slow-paced

2.0

This sadly was not a great read. It simply did not provide any time whatsoever to invest into the characters, plot, or even timeline of events. The relationship with Raize happened so suddenly. One moment they are boss and employee, and in the same breath he can't live without her? There needed to be far more time spent on building the characters, centering more events that grew their trust and relationship, and a deeper background for both. One that will not stick with me.

The Golden Couple by Greer Hendricks, Sarah Pekkanen

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This was such a fun escape! Different from my normal reads and I’m so glad I took the plunge. It was just what I needed to zap my mini reading slump. Fun, twisty, and multiple POV’s make this one an intriguing getaway full of suspense and mystery. Loved it! 

A History of Wild Places by Shea Ernshaw

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

Being from the same state as the author, I realize, Is pretty freaking neat. You feel entirely immersed in the forest scenes within the book, and there’s just no way she pulled that from anything but Oregon’s lush forests and landscapes.  Like the author, I also hope to someday live in a small mountain town. I also find peace in the woods, with a good book, and working on my novel. I felt very connected to this book simply due to the beautiful writing that described the scenery so perfectly. I also found a great pleasure in learning the point of view of someone who is blind. That was something that was very powerful and made me very thankful for my sense of sight.