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smakinde's reviews
336 reviews
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
5.0
I looooooved this book and I plan on re reading it this year. I love the take on Vampires and the world building was top notch.
Twisted by Emily McIntire
4.0
Okay okay okay let's talk about it.
I really enjoyed this book. Is it a 5 star? No, but this is the highest rating I have ever given a dark romance book. I really liked Yasmin. She was such a people pleaser and as someone who is a people pleaser herself(recovering, but you know) I could relate to that part of her. I know how hard the struggle is and she really was struggling, on such a bigger scale too. She was naive, she let others control her her entire life, so I really enjoyed seeing her come out of that.
I was VERY concerned when I saw that there was an "age gap" trope, but I think it was done well. Especially because the MMC didn't like her at all(to the point of wanting her dead) and didn't pay her any attention when she was a teenager. If it had been any different I would have DNF the book.
I liked Julian too. The author did a good job of really letting us see his story as a child and that helped paint the picture as to why he is so messed up. If you want a villain you will get it with him and his snake... Isabella. Which, btw, that was a very interesting aspect for how he "gets rid of the bodies."
Is it spicy? Yep. All of Emily McIntires books are, but I LOVE A SLOOOOOOWWWWW BURNNNNN. It was well done for a shorter book and the smutty scenes were what you would expect. The build up was the best part.
Ultimately, the thing that really connected me to this book was the relationship and more specifically the sickness Yas's dad, Ali, had. I have lost several people to cancer an the way the author described it was something that I have experienced first hand in my life. Her dad wasn't the best guy and he had some misogynistic ways about him, but his love for his daughter and his dead wife made me so sad.
This and Scarred is the best of the series so far for me.
I really enjoyed this book. Is it a 5 star? No, but this is the highest rating I have ever given a dark romance book. I really liked Yasmin. She was such a people pleaser and as someone who is a people pleaser herself(recovering, but you know) I could relate to that part of her. I know how hard the struggle is and she really was struggling, on such a bigger scale too. She was naive, she let others control her her entire life, so I really enjoyed seeing her come out of that.
I was VERY concerned when I saw that there was an "age gap" trope, but I think it was done well. Especially because the MMC didn't like her at all(to the point of wanting her dead) and didn't pay her any attention when she was a teenager. If it had been any different I would have DNF the book.
I liked Julian too. The author did a good job of really letting us see his story as a child and that helped paint the picture as to why he is so messed up. If you want a villain you will get it with him and his snake... Isabella. Which, btw, that was a very interesting aspect for how he "gets rid of the bodies."
Is it spicy? Yep. All of Emily McIntires books are, but I LOVE A SLOOOOOOWWWWW BURNNNNN. It was well done for a shorter book and the smutty scenes were what you would expect. The build up was the best part.
Ultimately, the thing that really connected me to this book was the relationship and more specifically the sickness Yas's dad, Ali, had. I have lost several people to cancer an the way the author described it was something that I have experienced first hand in my life. Her dad wasn't the best guy and he had some misogynistic ways about him, but his love for his daughter and his dead wife made me so sad.
This and Scarred is the best of the series so far for me.
The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King by Carissa Broadbent
5.0
I fell in love with the first book and I fell in love with this one too. It is the way Carissa Broadbent writes that will reel you in and make you a part of this world.
In the Care of Magic by Robin Jo Margaret
3.0
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this novella! Only because I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy the cottage core vibes, but it was well done.
It’s about a witch who is overworked in the human town she lives in and needs a break. She goes to the cottage she owns in a forest for some much R&R. Soon she finds out that she wants to get her sex life going again but isn’t sure where to start. She had found a very erotic book during the day that she had been putting off, but finally decided to look into it again. Before you know it she is calling on a sex demon. The demon is agender and is down to please her however she wants.
It’s a solid 3.5 ⭐️⭐️ for me. My only issue is that the third person was getting a little excessive and it kept taking me out of the story.
They build a really cute friendship w/a whole bunch of smut in between. The ending was cute and overall it was a fun, spicy read!
It’s about a witch who is overworked in the human town she lives in and needs a break. She goes to the cottage she owns in a forest for some much R&R. Soon she finds out that she wants to get her sex life going again but isn’t sure where to start. She had found a very erotic book during the day that she had been putting off, but finally decided to look into it again. Before you know it she is calling on a sex demon. The demon is agender and is down to please her however she wants.
It’s a solid 3.5 ⭐️⭐️ for me. My only issue is that the third person was getting a little excessive and it kept taking me out of the story.
They build a really cute friendship w/a whole bunch of smut in between. The ending was cute and overall it was a fun, spicy read!
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
4.0
This is such a great first book! I am always hesitant to give a first book in a series a 5 stars and there were some things that could have been better IMO, but I will say that by the end of the booked I was HOOKED.
Glow of the Everflame by Penn Cole
5.0
SOOOOO GOOOOOD.
You want enemies to lovers? You're getting it. You want found family? You are getting it here. You want some amazing world building?? YOU ARE GETTING IT HERE. And wait... slow burn and a cliff hanger?? Hi. It's me. You wrote this series for me is how I feel when I read these books. SO GOOD.
You want enemies to lovers? You're getting it. You want found family? You are getting it here. You want some amazing world building?? YOU ARE GETTING IT HERE. And wait... slow burn and a cliff hanger?? Hi. It's me. You wrote this series for me is how I feel when I read these books. SO GOOD.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
5.0
Dammit. I didn't want this to live up to the hype..but it has and I love it. I love it all. I love the pacing of this book. I love the humor. I love the little moments that don't seem big, but they are. I love the characters. I love the heartbreak. As a parent, the end of the book had me in tears. The cover will literally fool you into thinking this book does not hold so much depth, but it does. I can't wait to re read this book again and again.
Heat of the Everflame by Penn Cole
4.0
FRIENDSSSSS.
I still cannot believe that I read this 1000 page freaking book.
Can I say though... While there is action on every literal corner of this bloody book... I was ready for there to NOT be any action for a minute. I felt like I was sprinting through this entire book. It could have been shorter(700 pages would have been perfect IMO) and it would have made it more enjoyable.... Now I say all of this and I realize that all of the scenes are important to the story. So can you trust my judgement?? Maybe not, but it was still a damn good book.
Book 4 I cannot wait for you to be released!!
I still cannot believe that I read this 1000 page freaking book.
Can I say though... While there is action on every literal corner of this bloody book... I was ready for there to NOT be any action for a minute. I felt like I was sprinting through this entire book. It could have been shorter(700 pages would have been perfect IMO) and it would have made it more enjoyable.... Now I say all of this and I realize that all of the scenes are important to the story. So can you trust my judgement?? Maybe not, but it was still a damn good book.
Book 4 I cannot wait for you to be released!!
The Fabric of Our Souls by K.M. Moronova
3.0
3.5 ⭐️⭐️
Is this a bad book? Not at all.. but I do feel like it was severely lacking. Mainly in the back story of our characters. We got the most back story to Liam, but that didn’t come until the end. Tiny details about Langston and Wynn.
I loved the book for what it represents and the pain that is held within it.
Is this a bad book? Not at all.. but I do feel like it was severely lacking. Mainly in the back story of our characters. We got the most back story to Liam, but that didn’t come until the end. Tiny details about Langston and Wynn.
I loved the book for what it represents and the pain that is held within it.
King of Pride by Ana Huang
4.0
This book was right up my alley, just like I knew it would be. I feel like this series is the perfect in between book(especially if you’re a fantasy reader like me). Isabella has the best personality. She is so smart, fun, witty, and I relate to her insecurities about “success.” Kai is the sexy introverted billionaire who can unwind w/Isa, but he also has to learn the lesson on not always “winning.” Hence the name of the book. They both struggle with their pride, but I love how w/each other they were able to accomplish so much. I’ll be dreaming of these cuties for a minute.