myntop's reviews
1675 reviews
Faking with the Enemy by Piper James
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
5.0
I just fell in love with these characters and this town when I read book one. I was so excited to get started on this book, because I just knew that Nate's story was going to get me too.
I'm actually a big fan of enemies to lovers trope, and also a mistaken slight story. This gave me a taste of both, with a twist of not admitting their feelings. It was just all the things in a good romance for me.
One of the things I really loved about this story though, was the friendship that has formed between the females of the story. I feel like Ivy's character needed that friendship growth in addition to the romance story that was unravelling. I felt like Jessa needed it as well. The other thing I really enjoyed, was Nate's personal growth as the story wore on. He admitted things to himself and realized the parts of his personality that needed work. And I loved how Rafe came to help him with that.
This book definitely leaves some openings for other possible stories in this world, and after reading the first two books in this series, I simply can't wait to see what Ms. James comes up with next!
I'm actually a big fan of enemies to lovers trope, and also a mistaken slight story. This gave me a taste of both, with a twist of not admitting their feelings. It was just all the things in a good romance for me.
One of the things I really loved about this story though, was the friendship that has formed between the females of the story. I feel like Ivy's character needed that friendship growth in addition to the romance story that was unravelling. I felt like Jessa needed it as well. The other thing I really enjoyed, was Nate's personal growth as the story wore on. He admitted things to himself and realized the parts of his personality that needed work. And I loved how Rafe came to help him with that.
This book definitely leaves some openings for other possible stories in this world, and after reading the first two books in this series, I simply can't wait to see what Ms. James comes up with next!
Zero Repeat Forever by G.S. Prendergast
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Wow! I have to thank BookTok for introducing me to this book, and even a specific booktoker for sending it to me after I won her contest. But however I came across this book, I'm so grateful to have read it! This book is amazing and the writing is outstanding. I wasn't even sure what this book was about before I received it in the mail, I just knew that a lot of people said they couldn't put it down and that's the kind of book I wanted to read.
This story is dystopian in nature and has a definite sci-fi feel to it. There's a take over in place and, of course, a group of people who are set on rebelling and taking back their world. What I found to be a bit different in this story than what I've read before, was first of all the relationship that emerges between Raven and Eighth. I found the growth between these two characters and the growth the two characters had in and of themselves to be intriguing and fascinating. The other part of the story that sticks out to me for being so different is the shock at the end. I won't spoil you, but I will say that I has suspicions throughout the story that I kept dismissing and then picking back up. Only to have been proven partially correct, though not in the way I anticipated.
Warnings... there are deaths in this book. Not everyone will make it. There is some violence and and actions that might trigger some people. There is also a cliff hanger. You WILL want book two as soon as possible. Lucky for you (and me) the 2nd book is already published. Happy Reading!
This story is dystopian in nature and has a definite sci-fi feel to it. There's a take over in place and, of course, a group of people who are set on rebelling and taking back their world. What I found to be a bit different in this story than what I've read before, was first of all the relationship that emerges between Raven and Eighth. I found the growth between these two characters and the growth the two characters had in and of themselves to be intriguing and fascinating. The other part of the story that sticks out to me for being so different is the shock at the end. I won't spoil you, but I will say that I has suspicions throughout the story that I kept dismissing and then picking back up. Only to have been proven partially correct, though not in the way I anticipated.
Warnings... there are deaths in this book. Not everyone will make it. There is some violence and and actions that might trigger some people. There is also a cliff hanger. You WILL want book two as soon as possible. Lucky for you (and me) the 2nd book is already published. Happy Reading!
Lucky Break by Chloe Neill
mysterious
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? No
4.25
This was a short addition to the Chicagoland Vampires series. When Merit and Ethan go on a little vacation, it seems they just can't stay away from trouble.
I like that we got introduced to new characters outside of Chicago in this book. It gave a view into the larger scale of this world that Neill has created. I also liked the overall theme of the book. To me, it was a lot about acceptance of those who are different, and also about acceptance of mixed type relationships. I think the message can transverse this fictional world into our own real one.
I also always love when we get more of Gabriel. I feel like I could read an entire series just about him and his pack.
I like that we got introduced to new characters outside of Chicago in this book. It gave a view into the larger scale of this world that Neill has created. I also liked the overall theme of the book. To me, it was a lot about acceptance of those who are different, and also about acceptance of mixed type relationships. I think the message can transverse this fictional world into our own real one.
I also always love when we get more of Gabriel. I feel like I could read an entire series just about him and his pack.
Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm a big fan of retellings or fairy tale spin offs, or anything of that nature really. So it's no surprise that I truly loved this book. Not only is it about Sleeping Beauty's daughter (named Aurora, but they never call Sleeping Beauty by that name, so I assume that's a difference from the Disney version at least,) but there is a whole Swan Princess feel to the Prince's story line as well.
I love how, in this story, the Princess has to save the world, the Prince just has to help her. I think there's something to having the female of the story be the one to control her life and destiny. I like that it helps us to raise our daughters to be stronger and more self-reliant, but still ask for help when it's needed. There's a balance there.
I have read books by this author before and have yet to be disappointed. Well done Ms. Jay.
I love how, in this story, the Princess has to save the world, the Prince just has to help her. I think there's something to having the female of the story be the one to control her life and destiny. I like that it helps us to raise our daughters to be stronger and more self-reliant, but still ask for help when it's needed. There's a balance there.
I have read books by this author before and have yet to be disappointed. Well done Ms. Jay.
Condemned to Love by Siobhan Davis
dark
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Davis has done it again! This is another completely new romance trope to me, and once again, this author was able to make it one I will enjoy reading in the future. Siobhan Davis has a way to make the reader fall slowly (or sometimes immediately) in love with her characters and become fully immersed in the story from the very first page.
As I said, this is the first time I've read the Mafia Romance trope and I was pretty sure I would at least mildly enjoy it, due to the author (I've yet to read something she's written that I haven't liked,) but I wasn't prepared for how much I would love it. The Mafia world can be scary and I admit there were parts that were quite vivid in my mental images, but the emotions in the characters...the passion and heat, as well as the wrath and rage... practically leapt off of the page. When a written character's emotions are so incredibly tangible that you can feel them in the air around you as you read, that is one of the best feelings as a reader.
Another thing I truly love about Siobhan's work, is that the side stories and characters become characters that you yearn for more of. In this book, I loved the relationship between Sierra and Ben, of course, but I also was so curious about some other characters and want to read more about them. I love when a book can suck you into the world so well that you're dying to get your hands on more of the stories within it. Lucky for me, it looks like we will get some of those other stories I was wanting.
If you enjoy a hot and steamy romance, especially if you enjoy or want to try out a mafia type romance, I urge you to pick up this book. You will not be disappointed!
*I was blessed with an advanced copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.*
As I said, this is the first time I've read the Mafia Romance trope and I was pretty sure I would at least mildly enjoy it, due to the author (I've yet to read something she's written that I haven't liked,) but I wasn't prepared for how much I would love it. The Mafia world can be scary and I admit there were parts that were quite vivid in my mental images, but the emotions in the characters...the passion and heat, as well as the wrath and rage... practically leapt off of the page. When a written character's emotions are so incredibly tangible that you can feel them in the air around you as you read, that is one of the best feelings as a reader.
Another thing I truly love about Siobhan's work, is that the side stories and characters become characters that you yearn for more of. In this book, I loved the relationship between Sierra and Ben, of course, but I also was so curious about some other characters and want to read more about them. I love when a book can suck you into the world so well that you're dying to get your hands on more of the stories within it. Lucky for me, it looks like we will get some of those other stories I was wanting.
If you enjoy a hot and steamy romance, especially if you enjoy or want to try out a mafia type romance, I urge you to pick up this book. You will not be disappointed!
*I was blessed with an advanced copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.*
Blood Games by Chloe Neill
adventurous
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Some series go on for so many books that they seem to get stale, or it feels like maybe the author is trying too hard. I don't get that with these books. Each new book sucks me in like the first and I can't wait to see where the adventure will lead us this time.
In this volume, I wasn't expecting another "frenemy?" to come out of the woodwork for Ethan. And I'm still not sure what I think about her, but I will say this, Merit only rises in my eyes with each and every book. She seems to grow and learn as a character, but also remains her sassy and confident self. This book probably showed more vulnerability than most of the others so far though, and I really liked seeing that side of her too.
I'm very eager to see what will happen with the GP next after the events in the end of this book. If you are a fan of the series, I'm sure you'll continue reading, but if you haven't started yet, go back to book one, these books are quite good!
In this volume, I wasn't expecting another "frenemy?" to come out of the woodwork for Ethan. And I'm still not sure what I think about her, but I will say this, Merit only rises in my eyes with each and every book. She seems to grow and learn as a character, but also remains her sassy and confident self. This book probably showed more vulnerability than most of the others so far though, and I really liked seeing that side of her too.
I'm very eager to see what will happen with the GP next after the events in the end of this book. If you are a fan of the series, I'm sure you'll continue reading, but if you haven't started yet, go back to book one, these books are quite good!
Definitions of Indefinable Things by Whitney Taylor
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was excellent. I have not read a book that so perfectly describes what depression can feel like, and that is so open and honest about how it is different for everyone. That's very important for people who suffer to know. Putting something that deep into a book like this is ingenious.
The main characters are real and flawed, but they are so relatable and the reader just gets sucked into their world. I also love the author's use of the therapy sessions to tell a bit of the backstory and help us understand Reggie a bit better.
Representation in this book is pretty good too. I love that each main character has such a different family dynamic, from Reggie to Snake and even Carla. It helps to illustrate the point that we all have differences in our backgrounds and environments, but that doesn't make us weird or unlovable.
The main characters are real and flawed, but they are so relatable and the reader just gets sucked into their world. I also love the author's use of the therapy sessions to tell a bit of the backstory and help us understand Reggie a bit better.
Representation in this book is pretty good too. I love that each main character has such a different family dynamic, from Reggie to Snake and even Carla. It helps to illustrate the point that we all have differences in our backgrounds and environments, but that doesn't make us weird or unlovable.