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zuzie's reviews
437 reviews
Whispers of Deception by Liliana Rose Hastings
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
I took a little break from my romance books and the Whispers of Deception looked like a perfect choice and it definitely was!
We have five main characters - five best friends who are connected not just because they like each other presence, but also connected of some secrets. Terrible secrets we could say and this story is trying to show us, what are they trying to hide.
I really liked the whole dark plot around Willow's disappearance and small-town atmosphere and the pressure that was put on our main characters. It also looked a lot like Pretty Little Liars, the messages that ring to all of them at the same time, the funerals, it just reminded me of that series a lot and to be honest this was the only reason why I didn't go for 5stars because otherwise the book was brilliant and I enjoyed the writing style and everything in the story itself.
Especially one relationship between two of the main characters was just what I needed and treasured in this book.
"And she wished that he was hers. That he belonged to her solely, but there were pieces of Willow everywhere, splintered into his heart, into his life and she feared there will never be room for her. Ever." (Yes, I was dying inside sometimes)
I also really like the podcast and news parts, where we could see the things that happened from another point of view, which was very nice to see in a book.
I liked all the main characters, even though if I am being honest I felt like Eleanor is somehow extra in there, not mentioned a lot, I sometimes even forgot that she is there as a part of their group and I am curious what will happen in the next part of the story. I liked how the author showed us that sometimes growing up in the wealthy family is not easy and that there might be a lot of pressure and it is not easy as we sometimes might think.
I can’t wait to read the next book and I am very happy that I get the chance to read this one. I would definitely recommend it to everyone who is a fan of this genre, because I am sure, that they will enjoy it.
We have five main characters - five best friends who are connected not just because they like each other presence, but also connected of some secrets. Terrible secrets we could say and this story is trying to show us, what are they trying to hide.
I really liked the whole dark plot around Willow's disappearance and small-town atmosphere and the pressure that was put on our main characters. It also looked a lot like Pretty Little Liars, the messages that ring to all of them at the same time, the funerals, it just reminded me of that series a lot and to be honest this was the only reason why I didn't go for 5stars because otherwise the book was brilliant and I enjoyed the writing style and everything in the story itself.
Especially one relationship between two of the main characters was just what I needed and treasured in this book.
"And she wished that he was hers. That he belonged to her solely, but there were pieces of Willow everywhere, splintered into his heart, into his life and she feared there will never be room for her. Ever." (Yes, I was dying inside sometimes)
I also really like the podcast and news parts, where we could see the things that happened from another point of view, which was very nice to see in a book.
I liked all the main characters, even though if I am being honest I felt like Eleanor is somehow extra in there, not mentioned a lot, I sometimes even forgot that she is there as a part of their group and I am curious what will happen in the next part of the story. I liked how the author showed us that sometimes growing up in the wealthy family is not easy and that there might be a lot of pressure and it is not easy as we sometimes might think.
I can’t wait to read the next book and I am very happy that I get the chance to read this one. I would definitely recommend it to everyone who is a fan of this genre, because I am sure, that they will enjoy it.
Merry Little Mishap by Vivian Mae
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Merry Little Mishap is a wonderfully written novella (which I overlooked at first and ended up slightly sad, that it is so short) and I truly loved it.
I was hooked straight from the first sentence. I once read, that in the book, the first sentence is very important and as someone who always wanted to write one, I sometimes dreamed about what would this sentence be for my book (which never happened). So when I read the one that Vivian Mae chose for her book I was smitten and my mouth fell open immediately.
After this shocking intro, we have a couple of scenes where we get to know the main characters and because we are reading a romantic story, we find out that they like each other and wonder how long it is going to take for them to tell or show each other and how this is going to happen.
The author did an amazing writing job and it did not take a long to get where we wanted and the main scene if I can call it that, was ...just wow. The place, conversation and all the spicy things left me awestruck. No words can describe how amazing it was and how much I enjoyed it.
This book is a bite-sized and incredibly spicy snack that you need to read to get some holiday atmosphere into your life, it is definitely worth it.
I was hooked straight from the first sentence. I once read, that in the book, the first sentence is very important and as someone who always wanted to write one, I sometimes dreamed about what would this sentence be for my book (which never happened). So when I read the one that Vivian Mae chose for her book I was smitten and my mouth fell open immediately.
After this shocking intro, we have a couple of scenes where we get to know the main characters and because we are reading a romantic story, we find out that they like each other and wonder how long it is going to take for them to tell or show each other and how this is going to happen.
The author did an amazing writing job and it did not take a long to get where we wanted and the main scene if I can call it that, was ...just wow. The place, conversation and all the spicy things left me awestruck. No words can describe how amazing it was and how much I enjoyed it.
This book is a bite-sized and incredibly spicy snack that you need to read to get some holiday atmosphere into your life, it is definitely worth it.
Snow Stuck by Elle Rivers
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
When I started to read this book I felt like the author must have the same sense of humour as me, because that was the first thing that got my attention. I know this is a romantic book, but it was like when you finally met someone who perfectly understood all your jokes. Also, the opening scene was amazing, in many other books, you have to wait for these things for so long, but not here. I loved it, I was 90% sure that this book would get 5 stars from me, but just to be sure, I waited till the end to not overreact.
Stella and Alden are both amazing characters and I am sure, that everyone will like them straight away. Also Amma, as soon as she came onto the scene I loved her, she was funny and she definitely knew what she was doing and I was so glad for every moment where she appeared.
The story itself was cute and hot at some point, which is everything you expect from romance these days. What I really appreciated was that there wasn't some big bad issue between the main characters, as it usually is with many stories (nice start, cute middle part, terrible something happens, they sort it, happy end). I am not a big fan of those parts before the ending where things are going bad, so I really enjoyed this book and every page without some extra drama.
I felt like the author was also trying to go a little bit deeper with Stella and her idiot ex (been there, hated it, glad it ended up) and the way he made her feel and also her struggles earlier in life and also with Alden and his family issues. These were all addressed in the story and I think it was handled very nicely, explained and sorted and everybody can be happy in the end with their issues buried deep down.
I loved this book and it was an amazing story which I enjoyed a lot. Without any hesitation, this book got a full 5 stars from me and I am going to read some other books from Elle because I have a feeling that they will be wonderful too.
My Fault by Mercedes Ron
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Christmas and Commitment: Tristan by Kimmy Loth
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Only Ever You by Emma Sewell
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I am starting to feel that Best Friends to lovers is one of my favourite book tropes. Well, that, or the fact that Emma Sewell wrote an amazing book and it is hard to believe that it is her first one.
I will be honest, I wasn't sure I would like this book from the first page, but eventually, as the moments between Faye and Bash started to show up more and more I started to fall in love with them, with their friendship and their story. I was biting my nails, waiting for them to finally get together, only to find out that it would not be that easy with these two. They were both constantly fighting not each other, but their feelings towards the other one. Sometimes I was like – oh yes, finally, it’s happening and then, oh well, it is not yet. I know some people might not like these slow-burn things, but gosh this torture was awesome.
I immediately fell in love with Bash’s family and their traditions and all the chapters that are happening there in or around their house are my favourite ones, even though there will be more important moments after, that Christmasy part was the cutest and I am sure that I am not the only one, who loved it. Also, the Christmas atmosphere was captured nicely and I think I might give this book another go during our own Christmas this year just to enjoy it all over again (because let's be honest, there is no best friend other than a good book, waiting for me).
This romance is definitely worth reading if you love romance with some spice and Christmas. I loved it and I am very grateful to Emma for giving me an opportunity to read this as ARC. Wrote the first book as good as this one is a huge success and something to be proud of.
I will be honest, I wasn't sure I would like this book from the first page, but eventually, as the moments between Faye and Bash started to show up more and more I started to fall in love with them, with their friendship and their story. I was biting my nails, waiting for them to finally get together, only to find out that it would not be that easy with these two. They were both constantly fighting not each other, but their feelings towards the other one. Sometimes I was like – oh yes, finally, it’s happening and then, oh well, it is not yet. I know some people might not like these slow-burn things, but gosh this torture was awesome.
I immediately fell in love with Bash’s family and their traditions and all the chapters that are happening there in or around their house are my favourite ones, even though there will be more important moments after, that Christmasy part was the cutest and I am sure that I am not the only one, who loved it. Also, the Christmas atmosphere was captured nicely and I think I might give this book another go during our own Christmas this year just to enjoy it all over again (because let's be honest, there is no best friend other than a good book, waiting for me).
This romance is definitely worth reading if you love romance with some spice and Christmas. I loved it and I am very grateful to Emma for giving me an opportunity to read this as ARC. Wrote the first book as good as this one is a huge success and something to be proud of.
Roadtrips and Romance by Kimberly Loth
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
Sunflowers, Scarecrows and Scandal by Erica Wynters
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I feel like this series is getting better with every book. I must admit that Sunflowers has become my favourite one for now (I literally gulped it in one afternoon).
The story is pretty similar to the first two. We have a dead body and Gwen, who is trying to help Detective Hottie solve the case by talking to the people in their little town. I like how the body was found in this book; it was definitely my favourite scene. Also, the way how the author always manages to throw us in many different directions just to let us find out that the killer is someone totally different than we thought, is amazing.
The characters are already in my heart, and I love all of them (yes, even Chris, but not THAT much). They are incredibly written and funny, which I really appreciate because humour in the books is important to me. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Penny in this book.
I read, that this book can be read without the other two, but trust me, you will really enjoy all of them together and this one is a huge cherry on the top (for now, I am definitely expecting at least one more).
The story is pretty similar to the first two. We have a dead body and Gwen, who is trying to help Detective Hottie solve the case by talking to the people in their little town. I like how the body was found in this book; it was definitely my favourite scene. Also, the way how the author always manages to throw us in many different directions just to let us find out that the killer is someone totally different than we thought, is amazing.
The characters are already in my heart, and I love all of them (yes, even Chris, but not THAT much). They are incredibly written and funny, which I really appreciate because humour in the books is important to me. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Penny in this book.
I read, that this book can be read without the other two, but trust me, you will really enjoy all of them together and this one is a huge cherry on the top (for now, I am definitely expecting at least one more).
Poppies, Perils, and Poison by Erica Wynters
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
My second book from Erica Wynters. After I finished this one I had to go and check how many pages the first and second book has, because it looks like there is a huge difference between the first one and the second one. It is not, it is 20 pages less in this case. This means, that the second book is written very well and at a fast pace, even though you do not feel that something is rushed. The story is just flowing nicely and you are just flipping pages and suddenly there is a killer and you are at the end.
Gwen and Penny are even funnier than in the first book, we are also getting to know Gwen’s parents and what was the best part, we still do not know who will win Gwen’s heart! I feel like we will have to wait till the end of this series to find out. Definitely a good step how to keep a reader like me hooked on the whole series. Not to mention that the books are excellent. A mix of mystery and romance, yes please!
The second book is similar to the first one, we have crime at the beginning and Gwen, who is trying to find out who is a killer by talking to the people in their little town. Although there was a scene where I was like “Excuse me, lady, you are tampering with the evidence, you should definitely call the Police to do this one”, Gwen should learn where her boundaries are sometimes.
I enjoyed this book and I believe that anyone who likes a good mystery with a little bit of romance will be satisfied as much as me.