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stephstbr's reviews
253 reviews
Now a Major Motion Picture by Cori McCarthy
5.0
I loved this book! It has such a great premise filled with strong, interesting characters. I was drawn in by the Ireland setting and film aspect, but I stayed for the story of self-discovery.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
4.0
Crazy Rich Asians was such a great read. Kevin Kwan's incredibly descriptive writing style allows readers to completely immerse themselves in the lavish settings and feel like they're right beside the characters as the drama unfolds.
I loved how Kevin Kwan took the time and care to give each character their own paragraphs or chapters so readers could see what the characters were really thinking and feeling at particularly tense moments. I was not expecting to get to dive into the minds of secondary characters, but it really helped me gain a better understanding of the culture and lifestyle Kevin Kwan was depicting.
I'm excited to see the movie adaption and can't wait to read the next two books.
I loved how Kevin Kwan took the time and care to give each character their own paragraphs or chapters so readers could see what the characters were really thinking and feeling at particularly tense moments. I was not expecting to get to dive into the minds of secondary characters, but it really helped me gain a better understanding of the culture and lifestyle Kevin Kwan was depicting.
I'm excited to see the movie adaption and can't wait to read the next two books.
Hot Mess by Emily Belden
3.0
Hot Mess is an engaging read. While I didn't always like what Allie was doing, I found myself unable to stop reading. Emily Belden does a great job of introducing readers to the fascinating culinary world.
I Heart New York by Lindsey Kelk
1.0
I really liked the idea for this book - who wouldn't want to run away to New York to escape a cheating ex - but I just couldn't get into it.
I found it hard to believe Angela and Jenny would instantly become best friends, let alone roommates. I didn't like how Jenny flipped from being a strong, self-assured and supportive friend to an insecure, borderline hateful woman hung up on her ex. I also couldn't understand how Angela's mother and best friend in England couldn't be supportive for her / how they kept defending her ex.
I do not recommend this book, nor do I plan on reading the other two in the series. I don't even know how this was spun into a series.
I found it hard to believe Angela and Jenny would instantly become best friends, let alone roommates. I didn't like how Jenny flipped from being a strong, self-assured and supportive friend to an insecure, borderline hateful woman hung up on her ex. I also couldn't understand how Angela's mother and best friend in England couldn't be supportive for her / how they kept defending her ex.
I do not recommend this book, nor do I plan on reading the other two in the series. I don't even know how this was spun into a series.
China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan
4.0
This was a really solid sequel! I loved getting to meet Rachel's family and getting to explore Hong Kong and Paris through the characters' eyes.
My only complaint about this book is that some of the descriptions were almost too in-depth (ex. Corinna's guidelines for Kitty ran on for 6 or 8 pages, which kind of slowed down the momentum even though some were funny.).
My only complaint about this book is that some of the descriptions were almost too in-depth (ex. Corinna's guidelines for Kitty ran on for 6 or 8 pages, which kind of slowed down the momentum even though some were funny.).
Hellbent by Gregg Hurwitz
4.0
This is my favourite Oprhan X novel out of the three published so far. Gregg Hurwitz does an excellent job of showing a new, dare I say more nurturing, side to Evan Smoak and I loved it. It was wonderful to delve deeper into the relationships within Evan's life and I hope Gregg continues doing that with the next book.
As always, the action scenes were thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. I definitely recommend reading the Orphan X series.
Favourite Quote: " 'Got broken,' " [Mia] said. "That's what we call a strategically passive sentence construction."
As always, the action scenes were thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat. I definitely recommend reading the Orphan X series.
Favourite Quote: " 'Got broken,' " [Mia] said. "That's what we call a strategically passive sentence construction."
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan
4.0
This was a great way to end the series. Kevin Kwan did his characters justice by giving them perfectly fitting endings.
I highly recommend reading the entire Crazy Rich Asians series.
I highly recommend reading the entire Crazy Rich Asians series.
How to Keep a Secret by Sarah Morgan
5.0
Sarah Morgan makes an incredible transition from my favourite delicious romance novels to a more serious women's fiction novel with How to Keep a Secret. I was hooked on this book from the moment I started reading. She crafted beautifully real characters within a heartfelt story about family, love, betrayal, forgiveness, and of course, secrets.
I highly recommend reading Sarah Morgan's How to Keep a Secret. It's the perfect summer read.
I highly recommend reading Sarah Morgan's How to Keep a Secret. It's the perfect summer read.
Cooper's Charm by Lori Foster
4.0
This was my first Lori Foster book and it won't be my last!
Cooper's Charm was a really great summer read filled with endearing characters and sweet HEAs. I loved the focus on the two sisters, Phoenix and Ridley, because they had such a wonderful bond. It made me wish I had a sister.
I hope the next Love at the Resort book focuses on Darren and Maris. I'm rooting for those two!
Cooper's Charm was a really great summer read filled with endearing characters and sweet HEAs. I loved the focus on the two sisters, Phoenix and Ridley, because they had such a wonderful bond. It made me wish I had a sister.
I hope the next Love at the Resort book focuses on Darren and Maris. I'm rooting for those two!
The Royal Treatment by Melanie Summers
4.0
Having loved The Princess Diaries series by Meg Cabot, I was excited to dive into another fake royals series and the first Crown Jewels Romance did not disappoint!
The Royal Treatment was a really fun read with some laugh out loud moments. Tessa and Arthur were both very endearing and their enemies-to-lovers romance was quite sweet.
My one complaint is that Tessa's family is kind of awful. Her parents seem sweet, but letting her brothers consistently put her down is unacceptable. Hopefully, this is something that gets fixed in the second book because Arthur shouldn't be the only one defending Tessa.
I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in this series.
The Royal Treatment was a really fun read with some laugh out loud moments. Tessa and Arthur were both very endearing and their enemies-to-lovers romance was quite sweet.
My one complaint is that Tessa's family is kind of awful. Her parents seem sweet, but letting her brothers consistently put her down is unacceptable. Hopefully, this is something that gets fixed in the second book because Arthur shouldn't be the only one defending Tessa.
I'm definitely interested in reading the next book in this series.