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lafillesversion's reviews
113 reviews
Without the Moon: Act One by Larissa C. Moyer, Larissa C. Moyer
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
5.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: N/A
Where do I even begin with this book? I’m truly blown away with this direction that Larissa is taking with this new novel. Having the privilege of being on her ARC team and also getting to talk to her, I know this novel was such an absolute labor of love and tears for her.
This is 100% a bridge into dark romance for her, and while that gave me pause as I’m typically not into dark romance, the concept of this being a bridge is accurate.
I always like to bring it back to the heart of the novel - Paige and Linc are the absolute center here. Their love story is both filled with the innocence of first love and the most devastating heartbreak all at once. I’ve been quietly obsessed with Paige since briefly meeting her in “finding more” - my absolute favorite in Larissa’s Roberts Brothers duo. She’s a fabulous FMC to follow on this journey, and I’m so glad I will get more of her in Act Two.
The last section of this book is an incredibly tough read I will give as warning, but there is an alternate version proved for those that need it on Larissa’s website. As much I recommend this book, I will always advocate for protecting yourself first and foremost. That goes with my decision to not truly provide a “spice” ranking for this book. It does not feel appropriate to apply chili peppers to this for a multitude of reasons. (Yes, there are descriptive scenes if that is a factor for you, but I would not qualify them as spice because to me that is a fun bonus ranking.)
I’m anxiously awaiting Act Two after finishing up the epilogue. Till the end indeed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, and Kidnapping
Chapter 46 and beyond go into detail about a SA. Author has offered an alternate chapter description on her website for those that need it. Please use caution and discretion for yourself.
Sprinkle All the Way by Kayla Martin
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rookie Mistake by Maren Moore
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Trouble and Loverboy? Well, when Maren promised a hot and quick novella set in the Orleans U universe… did I have any doubt that she would deliver?
She did that and THEN some. This is totally her hottest read in the series and the perfect YSL Le Rouge (IYKYK) colored cherry on top of my favorite baseball boys.
I can’t sing the praises of the Orleans U series enough. Like seriously? Have you not all read it yet? How many times must I tell you???
Okay, fine! I’ll tell you again! Read this series and now you have the perfect short and sweet ending to all of it. Now…will someone deliver Davis to my doorstep please?
A Song of Sin and Salvation by L.H. Blake
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Fire Away by Lainey Lawson
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Is it really just last year that the Bunkhouse Series was born? Have these boys just always been in my life? There’s so many questions I have, and we’re only on Book 2!
As usual, I have to lay all my praise on how much I love Savannah. Her social anxiety and want to just have a loving family is so relatable. Even how she just puts up a shell instead of having to deal with her feelings. She is me. I am her.
Warren is the perfect one to follow for this go around the Bunkhouse. I loved getting little glimpses of how he really felt about Gage and Blythe from the first book. He didn’t care that his best friend and little sister got together! (As most people should.) He also just longs for that type of love.
And the sparks between our two MCs just jump off the page. It’s not too long before their whole fake dating arrangement falls apart… and we love to see it.
Tractors may also never be the same. (Trust me even though I would consider this a 2 on my personal spice scale… it’s still hot!)
You also know that Lainey is going to throw in a bonkers twist at the end, and she doesn’t disappoint this time either. Am I so incredibly excited to get to know Mesa next? HELL YEAH! Bunkhouse forever!
Much thanks to Sunny Babe PR for my ARC copy.
Walkoff Wedding by Maren Moore
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
5.0
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I think there is so much I could say about this book, but I first need to mourn the loss of my beloved Orleans U series. With this book, it is officially all wrapped up! Every book filled me with so much joy, and it’s safe to say I’m sad to see it go. Maren, can’t you just write a jillion more books in this universe? For me?
With that out of the way, Walkoff Wedding was the perfect send off to this trilogy of books, but because Grant and Addie are an absolute fairytale!
I love how this book started off with so many of their previous online exchanges. We were just dropped right into the beginning of their love story and got to know each one of them perfectly.
And once they met? Kicking my feet and giggling doesn’t even began to cover it. Maren has said this one is for A Cinderella Story lovers… and that’s 100% my vibe. I can safely say that nothing in this book is like waiting for rain in a drought.
Addie has my heart in this book. Reading as she grew out of her shy shell and into an amazing woman that could stand on her own… perfection! And Grant is a top tier Wife Guy. I’ll never get over a good use of “my wife” ever.
Pick this up for the perfect summer romance on these hot days.
Much thanks to Maren and her team for my ARC copy.
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Accidental Dating Experiment by Lauren Blakely
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0