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laceystairs's reviews
360 reviews
Her Big Sky Cowboy by Alissa Callen
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
A charming small town romance. I assume there were others in this series I have not yet read but I was able to follow along with the side plots & a joy this novel on its own.
The characters were interesting enough that the reads will be invested in the plot & budding romance.
The themes of forgiveness and healing was really nice to see and added an inspirational layer to the plot.
The setting spoke to me. I want to move to a Montana ranch tomorrow! And of course the relationship between the characters and the little kid was heartwarming.
The characters were interesting enough that the reads will be invested in the plot & budding romance.
The themes of forgiveness and healing was really nice to see and added an inspirational layer to the plot.
The setting spoke to me. I want to move to a Montana ranch tomorrow! And of course the relationship between the characters and the little kid was heartwarming.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
How to Help a Hungry Werewolf by Charlotte Stein
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
Cozy & spicy and, like a good chai latte, perfect for autumn.
Classic childhood friend turn I to more. With a paranormal twist that theree is the existence of witches, warewilves, fairies, vampires & more!
I love the main characters, even though they got in their own way sometimes. The friendship, forgiveness and trust they build throughout the story gives way into a passionate romance that I was very invested in!
I hope there are more books in this series to cone because I definitely loved this novel and the new universe it has introduced to me.
Classic childhood friend turn I to more. With a paranormal twist that theree is the existence of witches, warewilves, fairies, vampires & more!
I love the main characters, even though they got in their own way sometimes. The friendship, forgiveness and trust they build throughout the story gives way into a passionate romance that I was very invested in!
I hope there are more books in this series to cone because I definitely loved this novel and the new universe it has introduced to me.
Then Things Went Dark by Bea Fitzgerald
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Think of this novel as "Big Brother" meets "Murder Mystery".
The characters are a diverse cast chosen by producers to prove that they are "iconic". All with different backgrounds and skill sets, this group is competing for a single cash prize and the bragging rights that they are the most iconic influence out there.
Of course with all of the egos, strangers living together, hookups, and even a murder, the views on this live streaming reality TV show are huge and everybody is getting a lot of attention.
Right off the bat the reader is introduced to who is murdered and why he is considered "the most hated man on TV". The rest of the book is a mix between the interactions of the contestants, the online comments of the public, the confessional booths with candid talks from all the cast members, and the inside monologue of each of the characters.
This was one of those books that I loved because all the characters were so unlikeable. You were so invested and caught up in their drama and you didn't feel bad when bad things happened to them you were just excited to find out what happened next. Literally it was just like I was watching reality television, but with depth and insight into the psyches of the characters that we often don't see on television. I absolutely loved it.
The characters are a diverse cast chosen by producers to prove that they are "iconic". All with different backgrounds and skill sets, this group is competing for a single cash prize and the bragging rights that they are the most iconic influence out there.
Of course with all of the egos, strangers living together, hookups, and even a murder, the views on this live streaming reality TV show are huge and everybody is getting a lot of attention.
Right off the bat the reader is introduced to who is murdered and why he is considered "the most hated man on TV". The rest of the book is a mix between the interactions of the contestants, the online comments of the public, the confessional booths with candid talks from all the cast members, and the inside monologue of each of the characters.
This was one of those books that I loved because all the characters were so unlikeable. You were so invested and caught up in their drama and you didn't feel bad when bad things happened to them you were just excited to find out what happened next. Literally it was just like I was watching reality television, but with depth and insight into the psyches of the characters that we often don't see on television. I absolutely loved it.
Wished by Sarah Ready
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
I loved how interesting this romance was. Absolutely not what I expected. I thought this would be a Boy Meets Girl in Paris type of situation. And while it is kind of that, it is also three different Love Story plots with the same characters in one book.
There is just a splash of magic in there, in order to make these timelines work, and I really liked that the alternative plot points made you reevaluate the characters motives and lives.
Although in each of the romance plots, the same characters are interacting, each one is in a different way. From loathing, to untrusting, to Absolute un interrupted deep admiration and love for each other, these characters seem to go through everything and refined each other over and over.
The narrator was great and also the settings were gorgeous, as novels and Paris tend to be. From the Swank Parisian city streets, to picturesque markets, and sprawling estates, the characters take us on a full tour of the country while re falling in love over and over.
There is just a splash of magic in there, in order to make these timelines work, and I really liked that the alternative plot points made you reevaluate the characters motives and lives.
Although in each of the romance plots, the same characters are interacting, each one is in a different way. From loathing, to untrusting, to Absolute un interrupted deep admiration and love for each other, these characters seem to go through everything and refined each other over and over.
The narrator was great and also the settings were gorgeous, as novels and Paris tend to be. From the Swank Parisian city streets, to picturesque markets, and sprawling estates, the characters take us on a full tour of the country while re falling in love over and over.
Empire of Storms by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Fall Into You by Caroline Frank
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
A perfect romance for the upcoming chili months. Obviously with a title like this, such a romance will make you want to cuddle up with your favorite Autumn beverage in a cozy sweater and enjoy.
This Romance has tropes of forbidden Love, best friend sister, hidden relationship. The characters were lovable and although I didn't agree with all of their decisions, I did enjoy the story and was happy when it came to its resolution.
At the heart of it this story is about dealing with grief and finding one's sense of self so that you can show up the way your partner deserves in a relationship. I got through it very quickly and I enjoyed it a lot.
This Romance has tropes of forbidden Love, best friend sister, hidden relationship. The characters were lovable and although I didn't agree with all of their decisions, I did enjoy the story and was happy when it came to its resolution.
At the heart of it this story is about dealing with grief and finding one's sense of self so that you can show up the way your partner deserves in a relationship. I got through it very quickly and I enjoyed it a lot.
Plotting Summer by Jessica Heilman
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- 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
Returning back home can be hard. Facing your past can be even harder. For the character in our book a very newly famous Sunny Palmer, coming home could be the undoing of her elusive and anonymous life.
Sunny Palmer is not a real person or rather is not the real name of the person. As a teenager She Wrote a fiction about her real life town and next door neighbor crush. In a cringy and fairy teenage type decision, she used her crushes last name in her pen name. She has carried the secret for so many years now and being home her real identity, and story, is threatening to unleash itself. The consequences for her small Beachside town, her family, and that not so extinguished Crush, could be major.
I loved how awkward and yet endearing the characters were together. You could totally feel the absolute connection and also the underlying nervousness of the character and her Crush.
A fantastic summer time romance and I truly enjoyed it. One of the best romances I have listened to this year. So thankful that netgalley granted me an ARC for this novel. I am going back to look for more works by this author.
Sunny Palmer is not a real person or rather is not the real name of the person. As a teenager She Wrote a fiction about her real life town and next door neighbor crush. In a cringy and fairy teenage type decision, she used her crushes last name in her pen name. She has carried the secret for so many years now and being home her real identity, and story, is threatening to unleash itself. The consequences for her small Beachside town, her family, and that not so extinguished Crush, could be major.
I loved how awkward and yet endearing the characters were together. You could totally feel the absolute connection and also the underlying nervousness of the character and her Crush.
A fantastic summer time romance and I truly enjoyed it. One of the best romances I have listened to this year. So thankful that netgalley granted me an ARC for this novel. I am going back to look for more works by this author.
Dark Restraint by Katee Robert
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
Another steamy edition to the dark Olympus series. This book follows the minotaurs story and although I thought he would be an absolutely unredeemable character after his actions in previous books, I should know by now that this author has a way of making everybody's motives come to the surface so that readers can understand and eventually be rooting for this love story, even though it stars a villain. The city of Olympus is becoming a even more brutal playground for the rich and elite, and it will be interesting to find out if the city will still be standing by the end of the series.
Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
Normally apocalyptic novels and shows stress me out and I don't really enjoy myself however this novel was incredibly witty and well phrased. The characters were brought to life by a fantastic narrator who really got into how obnoxious hilarious and endearing the characters are. This novel shows the absolute misery and Chaos which ensues at the end of the world, and how the human nature at its core will be split into survival and selfishness versus compassion and respect for the greater good. Absolutely hilarious book with such dark and meaningful undertones. Our anti-hero and his cast of strangers turned allies and enemies, takes us on such a journey that despite the awful conditions at the resort, I didn't want it all to end.
College Girl, Missing: The True Story of How a Young Woman Disappeared in Plain Sight by Shawn Cohen
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
3.0
There is something so chilling about a Cold Case when it happens in the middle of a town and there should be Clues, but the investigators ultimately turn up with no answers. This is a college town disappearance with a look at the original incident, and the author reinterviewing people now to see if opinions had changed or new information comes to light. The author does a good job laying out all of the information and interviews so that the reader can come up with an opinion, although ultimately we are left without any closure just like this poor Girl's family.