rebeccas_in_book_love's reviews
180 reviews

A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I loved this!  It was a fantastic finale that also left room open for more stories.  I'm excited to move onto Fragile Threads of Power and continue in this world. What a great series! V.E. Schwab's writing and characters are so well developed with imperfections but also qualities that have you rooting for them.  

A Gathering of Shadows by V.E. Schwab

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

Once again - amazing! I love Lila as a MC.  The writing, characters, pacing, and overall story were perfect!! The new characters and expanded world only added to the enjoyment! Loves, loved, loved! 

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

2.5

 Bride is a paranormal romance about Misery, a vampyre, and Lowe, a werewolf and their unlikely pairing as part of a show of peace between the two species. An enemies to lovers but not really tale that is witty, funny, and a fun time. It’s not too heavy and makes fun of itself with its banter. I wouldn’t reread this and I’m not sure I’m a fan of knotting….but it was a unique and enjoyable read. 

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

2.5

Starling House by Alix E. Harrow follows Opal - a young woman who’s been the caretaker of her younger brother since their mother’s untimely death many years prior. Her younger brother Jasper is the sole reason for Opal’s striving and her goal is to save enough money to help him escape the small town they currently reside.  Centered in this small town is Starling House, a house steeped in mystery, death, and stories. Nobody wants to go near it but Opal finds herself drawn to it and ultimately gets a job as a housekeeper. This is a story about stories, about choosing our family, about learning to love, trust and be loved. The writing was beautiful, atmospheric, and transportive. I felt ‘in’ the story with the characters and it made for a great autumnal read. 

The cons - the pacing felt off. Towards the middle and latter half of the story, I felt pulled out and bored. Then in the last part of the book, everything felt like it happened really fast and maybe too fast or too easy? I also feel like I’m not sure I entirely understood the ‘how’ and that the explanation for everything felt a bit weak or too contrived. I also don’t enjoy main characters who try to be touch and exhibit that through a strong armor of ‘I will never ask for help and will do everything on my own’. I can understand why Opal wouldn’t trust certain people, but for the ones in her life who have proven to her that they care, she still didn’t accept or reach out for their help. 

Overall, I DID enjoy this book. It’s not a five-star read and it wasn’t without its faults; however, I’d absolutely read more from this author. I also loved the theme of storytelling through time and how one person’s tale, just because of who they are, is the one that gets accepted as ‘truth’. It’s a powerful message to remember and I loved how that tied into Opal’s journey and was threaded throughout this story. 

Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport

informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

A Photo Finish by Elsie Silver

challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

Once again, another five star read for me! This was a delightful slow-burn second chance romance book that had me from the first page. I’d read the Chestnut Springs series before this, so I’d heard of the elusive Eaton sister Violet and was excited to finally get her and Cole’s story! Loved every page! I can’t wait to continue on with this series!!!

Off to the Races: Gold Rush Ranch #1 by Elsie Silver

emotional funny hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

This was amazing! I read the Chestnut Springs series earlier this year and adore Elsie’s writing! The pacing, the chemistry, the BANTER was well done and on point. I loved Billie’s character - she’s strong, resilient, resourceful, funny, and also has a lot of past hurts that she’s worked very hard to get through and past. Her and Vaughn together - 💜. It was also so much fun to see Violet - from the CS series - so I’m excited to see her story!! A fun & engaging read! 5 stars!!⭐️

The Wisp and the Wolf by Jeanne Renee

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad 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? Yes

5.0

This was a fantastic read! I cannot wait to read more in this series and by this author. Having read Outlander, I found common threads between that book and this one. However, while it seemed influenced by Outlander it was also its own unique story and I LOVE storytelling around time travel so I was here for it! Our main character Meg is traveling to North Wales from the States after the death of her mother to make amends with her twin sister Meredith. They’ve always shared a clairvoyant bond and were close until recently. Meg’s mom’s dying wish were for her girls to be close and work out their differences. While traveling in North Wales circumstances occur that prevent her from getting to her sister and causing her to travel back in time to the 15th century. There are themes of sisterly bonds, grief and trauma. I will say our MC is a clumsy girl who’s in need of a lot of saving but then I had to remind myself that I probably wouldn’t have faired too well either. There were some funny moments too along with heart wrenching ones. There are some trigger warnings that the author mentions at the beginning of the book so definitely check those out. A five star read for me! It’s also not a super long book so it’s easy to get through with great pacing!

The Witch's Heart by Genevieve Gornichec

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

This was a wonderful read!  Wow! Five stars and definitely worth them all! 

A Feather So Black by Lyra Selene
Did not finish book. Stopped at 21%.

I did not finish but read close to the first 100 pages.   I just didn’t find Fia someone I was caring that much about.  I recognize the abandonment issues that she was dealing with and she certainly had a strength about her in addition to also being somebody who felt very unlovable and needed to work through that as well. I felt the love triangle was set up so on the nose and in our faces that it felt annoying.  Rogan was not for me and just conveniently appeared in the beginning to save her….I just couldn’t and I opted to not finish. I really wanted to love this one but sadly didn’t.