t0ast_and_t3a's reviews
386 reviews

Good Girl Complex by Elle Kennedy

emotional lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book wasn’t for me, I’m going to start with that. I listened to the audio version, and even though it had dual POV (and narrators) I just couldn’t get attached to the characters. It almost felt written for the trope’s sake—rich girl, poor boy—and that was all. Again, I wasn’t the targeted audience for this book (in fact, I just need to stop listening to college-age romances). The romance was a bit TOO cheesy for me and it was about 100pages too long for the arc of the story.

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

3.5

This is a more a story about finding one’s way through grief, and learning there is something after even when it doesn’t feel like there can be, than a romance. It’s a bit magical, a bit hopeful, and the ending, and the lead up to it, is well done for what the story is really about. Great supporting characters, who really help the FMC more realistic and human.

*Switched between physical and audio version. Narrator fit the character nicely.*

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Grief

In Five Years by Rebecca Serle

emotional inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Another incredibly powerful story from Serle, with an utterly realistic MC and a relentlessly unapologetic story arc. There are many emotions during the trajectory of the story, from giddiness to grief to despair to uncertainty. What I find so powerful in each of the books I’ve read by Serle is how captivating they are in their brevity. We get everything we need, when we need it, and understand how it all ties together effortlessly in the end.

The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.

Just couldn’t get into it. The writing was good and there were interesting characters, but the mystery aspect was a bit underwhelming.

Merry Inkmas by Talia Hibbert

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

A Merry Little Meet Cute by Sierra Simone, Julie Murphy

emotional funny reflective slow-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

3.5

3.5🌟
3/5🌶️
2/5♥️

A fun, holiday-filled, hallmark-esque romance with a spicy twist. While the beginning and end slowed the pace waaaay down for me (it took me three tries to get past the first chapter), the middle kept me interested enough to stay with the story. Many holiday romances just keep the holiday in the backdrop, but in this one it’s the literal premise of the story—why the characters are brought together. So, you don’t ever forget it’s a Christmas romcom. It’s a ex-popstar, current pornstar duo, dual POV, and has some pretty interesting side characters. If you’re looking for a story to disassociate for the holidays, this one is the one for you. 

My December Darling by Lauren Asher

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Love and Other Conspiracies by Mallory Marlowe

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

I lost count how many times I straight up CACKLED. This is truly a top tier romcom, because it is so much MORE than the romance. You got the goofy cinnamon roll MMC, who is VERY sexy when threatening people AND when he’s spouting weird ass shit. And you have the funny FMC who you want to be friends with (and maaaaybe kinda have a girl crush on👀). And you have just an all around GREAT arc for story and characters. A+, Marlowe. A-fucking-+.

5/5🌟
5/5♥️
1/5🌶️

Meet Me Under the Mistletoe by Jenny Bayliss

emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling

adventurous emotional funny mysterious 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

4.0

The right amount of romance, holiday, and mystery—and magic. I love a good grumpy MMC and a sassy FMC to balance him out. Best one of the series!