niftyreads's reviews
160 reviews

Draw Down the Moon by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast

3.0

Thanks, Wednesday Books, for the arc! 

 

I’m an OG fan of Kristin Cast and P.C. Cast from the HOUSE OF NIGHT days. It was nice reading about a magickal school again from them in DRAW DOWN THE MOON. Did it have the same effect on me as HoN? No, I’m not head over heels obsessed, but I enjoyed the adventure that DDTM took me on. I liked the characters and the magickal powers that exist in this world. I’m also intrigued to see how everything plays out in the final book of the duology. I’m just sad I didn’t get the same feels that HOUSE OF NIGHT gave me.

Veronica Ruiz Breaks the Bank by Elle Cosimano

3.0

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the book! 

 

Was this book necessary? No. Was it cute? Yes. Would I reread it? Probably not. 

 

I’ve already read the first FINLAY book a few times, but this novella is a one and done, even if I were to reread the series from start to finish. It’s nice to know a little more about Vero, but I enjoy being in Finlay’s head more. 

Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

5.0

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the book! 

 

FINLAY DONOVAN JUMPS THE GUN is my favorite of the series so far. I love how, in each book, Finlay and Vero’s friendship grows, and their banter gets even more amazing! But this book had more side character appearances, and I enjoyed that aspect. Plus, the police academy was so entertaining!! I’m not sure how Elle Cosimano can top that!

Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead by Elle Cosimano

5.0

Thanks, Minotaur Books, for the book!

I’m so happy the sequel lived up to the first one. Finlay and Vero have the best friendship. I laughed so much. These books bring me joy. Elle Cosimano does an excellent job of wrapping up the story of this book and leaving us with a fantastic cliffhanger that is so surprising for the following book!

A Tribute of Fire by Sariah Wilson

5.0

Thanks, Montlake, for the book! 

 

I have a thing for books that put characters in peril, and they must survive intense situations or end up in their doom. So, when A TRIBUTE OF FIRE’s book blurb stated that Lia was in training for a life-or-death race plaguing Lorcrian women, say no more, I wanted to read it. It was the right decision. And now I desperately want book two. 

 

Lia has many types of adventures, meets interesting characters, and solves some intriguing puzzles. Then there is the whoa moment cliffhanger, and I’m still not okay. Again, I desperately want book two. 

 

Lia was very much filled with female rage. She would definitely be a fan of TTPD, and I would like to be her friend. If she weren’t in the book, she would be buddy-reading it with me and demanding book two. 

Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Brendan O’Hea, Judi Dench

5.0

Thanks, St. Martin’s Press, for the arc! 

 

Judi Dench is a national treasure. I would love to go on vacation with her and spend the time having tea and listening to her stories. This book was such a joy to read because it felt like that, especially if you love Shakespeare as much as Dame Dench does. Also, if you love older women who don’t give a flying fuck and are just themselves. 

 

The book actually had to be edited because she cursed so much, which is funny and sad because I would like an unedited version, but don’t worry, there is still a lot of cursing in it. 

 

I think this book can make you appreciate Shakespeare if you don’t or fall more in love with it if you do. It’s a must-read.

Falling for Alaska by Belle Calhoune
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.

Thanks, Forever, for the arc! 

 

I was sad that I didn’t click with this book and ended up dnfing it. I loved a previous book by Belle Calhoun that I read, and this premise sounded like one I would enjoy. I adored the meet-cute, but then it was so much info-dumping that I felt like I lost the momentum of the meet-cute and lost my interest, too. 

Time and Tide by J.M. Frey
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.

Thanks, Wattpad Books, for the arc!

I was excited about this book, but the beginning had a lot of ups and downs for me. It definitely should have had trigger warnings! By halfway, I just became bored, and I had no desire to keep reading. I was at page 194 and would pick it up and put it down without any care to know what happened to the characters. I didn't even want to read the end! I think it was the unnerving beginning. I didn't connect with it; it wasn't the story I expected. 

Trigger Warnings (up until where I read): physical abuse, plane crash, injury and injury detail, sexual assault, PTSD, misogyny

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail

Power Play by Chelsea Curto

5.0

It's not fair that we live in a world where Liam Sullivan is a fictional book boyfriend. 

Rule of the Aurora King by Nisha J. Tuli

5.0