Lisa
More complex world building than ACOTAR, but on par with most fantasy novels. I didn't have trouble following it, but it might be a challenge for people who are just getting into reading fantasy.
The middle always drags for me. Normally that would be enough for me to give four stars but the last third of the book is so dramatic, fast, and fun to read that it makes up for it.
I read ToG first but don't think it's necessary at all to understand this series.
Cozy, feel good, friends-to-lovers romance that centers around identifying and demanding the love and acceptance you deserve.
Online gaming is part of the plot but it's definitely approachable for readers who aren't familiar with that. There's gaming references throughout but it's much more focused on the relationships between the characters.
I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a sweet, slow burn romance. Also for people who daydream of having the perfect comeback in an argument because this book is full of those kind of satisfying moments.
This sits somewhere around a 4.5 for me but I'm rounding up.
It's a lot darker than the other books and really focuses on creature politics, but you also get glimpses into what the more mundane parts of Diana and Matthew's life could be like. There are big themes of accepting who and what you are, regardless if you like those parts of yourself.
Overall I still enjoyed it, even after multiple rereads. But there's a lot going on. A lot of info dumping and things wrap up very fast and out of nowhere towards the end. You get a lot of answers to big questions from throughout the series but because it's so quick that they don't quite make an impact.
A satisfying end to the core trilogy but with room for more.
This book is a warm cozy blanket for my brain. As someone who likes to read fake dating, it's almost always unrealistic but this didn't feel forced. Cute banter, a little insta-love despite the rocky start, and some deep feelings towards the end.
This can be read as a standalone but as someone who started with this one, I wish I would have read Part of Your World first.
Additionally, I don't generally enjoy books with letters between the characters but it was minimal in this. More like little love notes getting passed back and forth. So if that's stopping you (like it almost did for me) then give it a try!
An explosive conclusion to a really fun series. I was worried some plot lines would be left unfinished just due to the sheer amount of things going on but you get answers to everything.
I love the world and the characters in it. This book is a satisfying end but I wish it would keep going just so I could keep reading it. There's definitely room for spinoffs within this universe.
The pacing is a little quick for me still (which makes sense given how much needed to progress to be wrapped up) and occasionally the writing is repetitive in a way that's distracting but I'd absolutely recommend this series to someone looking for a quick paranormal romance with suspense, mystery, and action in a unique urban fantasy setting.
A skillfully written dark fantasy filled with magic, secrets, romance, and horror. The characters are developed, the world around them is vivid, and the plot is delightfully well thought out. I found myself surprised by a twist that, in hindsight, I had been picking up on throughout the read and those are the best kind for me.
It does end on a bit of a cliffhanger but there's a sense of resolution. I would immediately start the second book if it was possible, I enjoyed the first that much.
I anticipated a lot of this feeling similar to Hazelwood's previous books and in some ways they do.
The daily grind of a woman in a male dominated field trying to reach her goals while being underestimated and overqualified is very familiar to previous books, but there's enough that's unique about the plot that keeps it from being repetitive for me.
If you're looking for the typical fake dating plot line this might not be it for you, but if you enjoyed Hazelwood's previous books you'll undoubtedly like this one.
Feel good, fake relationship romcom, with some light romantic suspense.
Helen and Gabriel are charming and witty and I really enjoyed not only their character growth, but that of those around them. This book is a cozy, easy read and should be satisfying for fans of the previous two books in the series.
Probably could be read as a standalone but I don't think you'd get as much out of it without the connection to previously introduced characters.
I wasn't sure military college with dragons was my thing but I thoroughly enjoyed this. Fantasy, slow burn, enemies to lovers, all the fun things.
It's not perfect. Some of the pacing feels rushed and occasionally the writing feels a bit clunky for me. Definitely room for more world building. And the enemies part of the enemies to lovers isn't super convincing but none of those were deal breakers for me. It's a good time.
Reminds me of the divergent series.
Light romantic suspense set in beautiful Mediterranean towns and a fancy yacht. A quick, fun read that will check the boxes of anyone who likes billionaire romances and travel but doesn't mind an instalove connection. The suspense is mostly one big scene at the end with some foreshadowing throughout.
I think there was room for more character depth. Theo particularly felt more like a trope than a real person. His defining character trait (aside from being a billionaire) is how much he cares for Aspen and anything outside of that is mentioned so casually that it doesn't really have an impact, but that wasn't a deal breaker.
This was paranormal romance with a Stranger Things meets after school special kind of feel. The mystery at the core of the plot kept me interested and compelled me to finish the book. I think this would rate higher for younger readers because it really is an interesting premise, I just personally had issues with some of the writing choices.
Most of the book is in Riley's point of view, a few times in Asher's, and then 70% of the way through you get a chapter from a third character's perspective (and then a fourth). I think had we gotten chapters from everyone more frequently it would have worked really well, but new perspectives 70% of the way into the book was jarring.
There are a lot of very specific pop culture references that I think will quickly become outdated.
Overall the tone of the book feels young. I kept forgetting that some of these people are in college which made the sex scenes (despite everyone being of age) uncomfortable.
And without spoiling anything, the mechanics of the paranormal part of the story were so basic that when something supernatural happened at the climax of the plot, I found it unbelievable.
I think I would have loved this in high school but it's not something I'm planning on recommending or rereading.
This already had me at single parent, grump sunshine, bodyguard romance but I'm delighted to report that it delivered.
Is this too much dramatic near death experiences for one small Scottish town and family? Probably. Do I care? No. It's my favorite genre.
I loved the Adair sibling series and I'm happy we get to stay within that universe. While this could be read as a standalone I don't think it would be quite as good without the background of the previous series.
Death Raiser is a good addition to the series. It delivers on suspense and moves the plot forward nicely. My only critiques are that Lark's romantic relationship progressed very fast and some of the twists were set up a little too clearly early on. I would have loved a bit more of a slow burn.
Overall, still a very fun book in an interesting setting. Felt a little fast but I can already see myself rereading it in the future.
Paranormal Romance/Romantic Suspense
This isn't my usual go to for paranormal romance but it hit so many of my other favorite tropes and themes to read that I couldn't help but enjoy it!
The story has secrets and mystery, family feuds, and old magic existing just under the surface of the normal world.
I enjoyed the writing style and didn't feel like the action dragged at any point. There are some typos that jumped out at me but nothing too distracting. Overall, I had a good time reading it and will probably reread some day.
Great for fans of the nightmare trope, “who did this to you”, and protective heroes.
This book was everything I hoped it would be! Romance, adventure, and mystery delightfully set around a cursed tomb in Egypt. Although I'd read an entire series based around Edie and Ben, this book wraps up in a way that feels complete.
My only complaint is that the book often switched perspectives mid scene in a way that was at best distracting and, at worst, confusing. But never so much that I was unable to enjoy the story and want to continue.
If you showed up to The Mummy for the romance but stayed for the intrigue, you'll feel right at home with this one.
After multiple rereads, this book remains one of my absolute favorites. Magic, romance, mystery, suspense, history, science, found family...the list is endless.
It's just as compelling now as it was the first time I read it, and the ending of book one still leaves me excited for book two. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a paranormal romance, but especially to those with an additional interest in history or science.
At 142 pages it's paced very quick but still feels rounded out. Easy, fun read with charming banter and a good dose of the paranormal. I really enjoy Shayne's writing and this was an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.
The others in the series are currently priced higher than the first and with how short they are I'm not sure if I'll continue but I'm definitely interested in where the story goes from here.
Quick, easy why choose romance with light suspense. A smaller cast of characters than I usually expect from a Tessa Bailey book but the ones you have are charming and fun. Plenty of banter and jokes, triple the amount of dirty talk, and overall a tidy plot.
You're dropped right into it all and the pace pretty quick. Happestance lacks some of the emotional depth you can find in Tessa's other novels but it's still a solidly fun read. I've followed this since it was just a joke on tik tok and the whole process has been a delight.
Extreme Slow Burn/Superheroes/Medium Suspense
Updated Review:
This book prioritizes character development over plot, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If you're reading this strictly for the superhero plot you'll probably be disappointed. What you're getting is the story of two people coming to terms with fate, family ties, and their ability to make their own choices. One of them happens to be a superhero (and an absolute grump, the title is accurate).
It's slow and the pacing is a little odd. The bulk of the action happens in the middle and there's not really a big climax at the end. The bulk of the book is spent in three different settings. It's not going to be for everyone.
I enjoyed it, enough to reread it. I love that Mariana Zapata dipped her toes into a different genre.
Previous Review:
Definitely a departure in genre from her other books but everything that makes them great exists in this one. Extreme slow burn romance and lots of little significant moments building up to love. Due to the setting and plot there's a heavier focus on the relationships and conversations.
The sci-fi aspect felt organic and shouldn't be off-putting to fans who don't normally read sci-fi.
No spoilers.
There is A LOT going on in this book. Maybe a little too much.
The pacing drags at points (my first read through I put the book down at the halfway point and didn't pick it back up for months), but there's good development of familiar characters without adding too many new ones.
The last 100 pages are absolutely packed with important information and action, setting a lot of things into motion that don't get resolved by the end.
Quick, entertaining science-y filled romance. It was cute, the characters were distinct, and there were plenty of swoon-worthy moments (literally). Major plot points/twists were telegraphed very obviously early on so I wasn't particularly surprised or impacted by anything that came later but I enjoyed reading it.
This book is romantic suspense in a way I typically don't see in that genre. Tons of adventure, twists, action, and plenty of sexual tension between the main couple. Something Wilder is fun, shocking, and at it's core heartfelt. Definitely recommend for Christina Lauren fans who have ever dreamed about long lost treasure or love.