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melsshelves's reviews
494 reviews
A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
*sigh*
It’s a DNF @ 44%
This book has an audience, I’m sure, but I’m not it. Gay, greenhouse gothic story about fungus and ethics. Neither male character felt like they were meant to be likable which I don’t mind but paired with a SLOW plotted story I just couldn’t.
This was my local horror bookclub pick so even though I was ready to DNF at 11%, I pushed through as much as I could before it put me in a slump. Curious how it’ll be received at the meeting!
It’s a DNF @ 44%
This book has an audience, I’m sure, but I’m not it. Gay, greenhouse gothic story about fungus and ethics. Neither male character felt like they were meant to be likable which I don’t mind but paired with a SLOW plotted story I just couldn’t.
This was my local horror bookclub pick so even though I was ready to DNF at 11%, I pushed through as much as I could before it put me in a slump. Curious how it’ll be received at the meeting!
Bonesmith by Nicki Pau Preto
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
I got this in my Fairyloot subscription and was enamored with the design elements of Wren. She looked so fearless and badass and she totally is.
While the world the author created is immersive and full of fascinating magic, the writing is extremely YA - no flowery prose here and that’s alright! This started off slow from the history dumps and predictable nature but the second half picked up and the story really started rolling.
There was no romance and suddenly too much of it. While I liked the romance bits we got, they felt out of place and not built up to. Lots of enemies, okay reluctant allies, and then 💥 in your face kissing. Didn’t feel natural. Oh and if you hadn’t caught on yet, no this is NOT a fantasy romance and thank goodness. I wanted badass death warrior and that’s what I got.
Also HUGE shoutout to the author for the last paragraph or so being a recap of the major plot points to breeze over when the next book comes out. Looking forward to continuing on!
Read the majority on audiobook and narrator was great!
While the world the author created is immersive and full of fascinating magic, the writing is extremely YA - no flowery prose here and that’s alright! This started off slow from the history dumps and predictable nature but the second half picked up and the story really started rolling.
There was no romance and suddenly too much of it. While I liked the romance bits we got, they felt out of place and not built up to. Lots of enemies, okay reluctant allies, and then 💥 in your face kissing. Didn’t feel natural. Oh and if you hadn’t caught on yet, no this is NOT a fantasy romance and thank goodness. I wanted badass death warrior and that’s what I got.
Also HUGE shoutout to the author for the last paragraph or so being a recap of the major plot points to breeze over when the next book comes out. Looking forward to continuing on!
Read the majority on audiobook and narrator was great!
Grimstone by Sophie Lark
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Ch. 4
It’s all very instalust so far. Hate being in Dane’s POV and overall don’t care enough about anof it to move forward.
Typically Sophie Lark’s books pull me right in and the fact that I’m pushing myself to pick this book up means it’s not for me.
It’s all very instalust so far. Hate being in Dane’s POV and overall don’t care enough about anof it to move forward.
Typically Sophie Lark’s books pull me right in and the fact that I’m pushing myself to pick this book up means it’s not for me.
Minx by Sophie Lark
fast-paced
4.0
A little too much spice for me, ironically enough, but within reason for the storyline and every interaction was unique which I appreciated.
The connection felt authentic and the billionaire was billionaire-ing. In fact, having them BOTH be financially well off was a dynamic I didn’t see coming and made for a more intriguing story than a normal girl x billionaire man.
And I just loveddddSadie and Briggs storyline!! It doesn’t seem like we’ll get a full novel for them but there was a short story provided at the back of the book you could go read which I appreciated.
And the kinks…well let’s just say I won’t be looking at cats the same way again.
Cannot wait for my next Sophie Lark adventure!
The connection felt authentic and the billionaire was billionaire-ing. In fact, having them BOTH be financially well off was a dynamic I didn’t see coming and made for a more intriguing story than a normal girl x billionaire man.
And I just lovedddd
And the kinks…well let’s just say I won’t be looking at cats the same way again.
Cannot wait for my next Sophie Lark adventure!
Wild Love by Elsie Silver
4.0
Ooooh at last another Elsie Silver!!
As someone who does NOT like children or when they’re used in stories, I LOVED CORA. She was whip smart and moody as hell and so much like Ford. Isn’t it funny how incredible authors can make you love something you thought you’d never enjoy?? I loved that the story didn’t play out the “need a DNA test” and skepticism of lying. There was no messy ex. Just so well done over all and Ford is a HELL OF A GUY!
These two are Soulmatessss, you can feel it coming off the pages. such a comeback from Bailey and Beau. The journal entries?!? AHHHHHH I was dying in love!
While he’s technically he’s a billionaire, there is basically NO billionaire behavior. He’s just a nice, smart guy that has money. He’s not dark romance/Ana Huang/Dreamland billionaire flaunting and overtly grand acts of service which for me was disappointing.
Unfortunately that third act break up (from the gala until the forgiveness) was absolutely unnecessary and the story should have gone without it…sadly making less than a 5 star for me. I finished 80% in a sitting but dreaded picking it up and kept putting it down when that part happened. A safe aside: this gala scene is just about the ONLY time he was doing billionaire trope behavior. We’ll see how this marinates but currently feeling like a 4 star.
As someone who does NOT like children or when they’re used in stories, I LOVED CORA. She was whip smart and moody as hell and so much like Ford. Isn’t it funny how incredible authors can make you love something you thought you’d never enjoy?? I loved that the story didn’t play out the “need a DNA test” and skepticism of lying. There was no messy ex. Just so well done over all and Ford is a HELL OF A GUY!
These two are Soulmatessss, you can feel it coming off the pages. such a comeback from Bailey and Beau. The journal entries?!? AHHHHHH I was dying in love!
While he’s technically he’s a billionaire, there is basically NO billionaire behavior. He’s just a nice, smart guy that has money. He’s not dark romance/Ana Huang/Dreamland billionaire flaunting and overtly grand acts of service which for me was disappointing.
Unfortunately that third act break up (from the gala until the forgiveness) was absolutely unnecessary and the story should have gone without it…sadly making less than a 5 star for me. I finished 80% in a sitting but dreaded picking it up and kept putting it down when that part happened. A safe aside: this gala scene is just about the ONLY time he was doing billionaire trope behavior. We’ll see how this marinates but currently feeling like a 4 star.
Final Offer by Lauren Asher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
10%
Do not care to read about a MC with addiction and have had no interest in Cal throughout the series. Reading it and dreading picking it up so I’m just going to hard DNF.
Do not care to read about a MC with addiction and have had no interest in Cal throughout the series. Reading it and dreading picking it up so I’m just going to hard DNF.
Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is without a doubt going to be the best book I read all year and it’s only April.
I cried, I laughed, I laughed so hard that I cried 🦝 This was the PERFECT book in every way. And yes the audio was just as great and added to the story.
I cried, I laughed, I laughed so hard that I cried 🦝 This was the PERFECT book in every way. And yes the audio was just as great and added to the story.
Terms and Conditions by Lauren Asher
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Another BANGER.
Fuck Declan and his mouth.
And fuck Declan’s mouth.
Where’s my billionaire?
Hated the audio for this, especially the way Declan sounded from Iris’s pov.
Fuck Declan and his mouth.
And fuck Declan’s mouth.
Where’s my billionaire?
Hated the audio for this, especially the way Declan sounded from Iris’s pov.