Elle
My god. this was a hefty book but it was incredibly entertaining through and through. My biggest guilty pleasure are angsty omegaverse books, I love the cheesiness and I love the drama and this was a great one!
Misunderstood, traumatised, abused, and sad FMC that's treated unfairly by her pack of alphas all because of a misunderstanding, then when they realise how badly they screwed up they must all work for her forgiveness, and then of course the big moment that rips them apart and then throws them back together. It was fun, it was entertaining and I read all 476 pages in one sitting and couldn't stop.
I can't even begin to put into words how beautiful of a story this was. It was horribly depressing, which of course was expected, but it was also so beautiful and sweet. Everything came together so wonderfully in the end.
I didn't expect to love Pestilence as much as I did, y'know considering the whole plague thing, but he truly was such a beautifully written character. I started to sympathise for him and his situation, he didn't truly want to kill people and he didn't like watching them die, but he thought he had no other choice other than carrying out his duty. He was also surprisingly romantic and I really enjoyed his devotion to Sara.
I also adored Sara, she was very brave in spite of her situation and held on strong. I especially loved when she started to humanise Pestilence, forcing him to see humanity as more than just their bad side. She had a hard time balancing her love for humanity and her love for Pestilence but she did eventually stay true to her beliefs.
I absolutely loved this book and I can't wait to delve into the rest in the series. I think Laura did wonderfully in making this world come to life.
The premise of the story was both unique and interesting, I think White executed it decently well and I really liked the ending, but I do have a few complaints.
The amount of times weight is mentioned in this book is crazy, it was so redundant and got to a point where it was taking me out of the story. Same with Sarah constantly talking about how she's “not like other girls”, she was peak female character written by a male author and again it ruined the immersion. I shouldn't be surprised at thinly veiled misogyny and constant fat shaming considering the plot of the book but it is a horror story and I would've much preferred the focus on that instead of filling up the book with useless moments and dialogue that served no purpose.
I don't know what possessed me to read this considering I have a fear of moths but I'm glad I did! It was a such a sweet and fluffy romance.
Merrick was so darn cute and soft, I love the awkward, introverted, nerdy type and he was exactly that! He was so shy in the beginning, stammering and rambling out of nervousness, I loved seeing him come out of his shell!
I loved Grace and how she was determined to not fall inlove until she met Merrick and the way she spoke about him was so incredibly sweet! I loved reading her big declaration of love, even though that's not usually my thing, with these two it was very fitting.
My only upset is how short this was, I zoomed through it so quickly, I wish i got to see more of Alaya and Viridios!
Viridios was the true definition of a gentle giant. He was so sweet, romantic, and poetic. The way he longed for a companion and found one in Alaya, who was intelligent and curious, and was someone who had similar interests to him. Their relationship was so sweet and I enjoyed reading it.
I liked how this was written and the pacing, it was so easy to read I just zoomed through it. The gruesome moments and the incredible detail though was not so easy to read, it was enough to make me squirm and feel sick. Although I did find it to be an interesting premise for a story, the way it was executed may've been a little too much for me.
Genuinely the most disgusting book I have ever read and I don't say that lightly. The incredible detail Chandler Morrison put into describing every heinous act left me both amazed and absolutely horrified. Perhaps it was the morbid curiosity, but I was so captivated throughout the whole thing, I couldn't look away.
I liked Mia from the beginning, she was a strong character and I found the way she handled Alex through all his nonsense admirable. She was actually really intelligent and well spoken, her reasoning behind why she went through with doing her fathers bidding in spite of herself was big enough that she didn't come across as a doormat. The only complaint I have is that dastardly body betraying syndrome, but that's to be expected in all harlequins I suppose.
Alex on the other hand... my god, he was nasty. I understand that he was manipulated by Mia's father into accepting the proposal, and even led on by Mia herself, but that didn't warrant his treatment of her. And yes, he did come around when he found out Mia wasn't as bad as she led him to believe but I don't think it redeemed him fully.
Unfortunately I didn't find their “love” to be very believable either. For months the only time they interacted was when they were making a baby and even after the baby had been conceived there hadn't been much talking. It was mentioned that Alex took Mia on picnics and ate meals with her but without experiencing those moments, it was hard to warm up to their relationship.
Part two wasn't as strong as part one, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a good, and predictable, ending to a decent book.
The one thing I loved reading about was the boys relationships with each other, they all had a unique and interesting dynamic with one another. It's rare to see a RH that includes MM and I really enjoyed it. I liked getting to see the way they loved not only Lola but also the other members of the pack.
Part two wasn't as strong as part one, but I still enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a good, and predictable, ending to a decent book.
The one thing I loved reading about was the boys relationships with each other, they all had a unique and interesting dynamic with one another. It's rare to see a RH that includes MM and I really enjoyed it. I liked getting to see the way they loved not only Lola but also the other members of the pack.
I fully expected Lola and the millionaires to be incredibly cheesy and cringe which put me off reading it for a long time, but I'm kicking myself for doing so now because oh my god! I can't believe how sweet it actually was, for half the book I was really sitting here giggling and kicking my feet. (Leo my beloved. <3)
Typically in the omegaverse the FMC is an omega, I really liked that this book was an exception to that and I really enjoyed how refreshing it made the story. Being a beta in a world ruled by alphas and omegas introduces a whole new perspective and set of insecurities to read.
I also really enjoyed how slow burn the relationships are, especially considering Lola's past trauma, and I cannot wait to see the pack fully come together in part two.
I fully expected Lola and the millionaires to be incredibly cheesy and cringe which put me off reading it for a long time, but I'm kicking myself for doing so now because oh my god! I can't believe how sweet it actually was, for half the book I was really sitting here giggling and kicking my feet. (Leo my beloved. <3)
Typically in the omegaverse the FMC is an omega, I really liked that this book was an exception to that and I really enjoyed how refreshing it made the story. Being a beta in a world ruled by alphas and omegas introduces a whole new perspective and set of insecurities to read.
I also really enjoyed how slow burn the relationships are, especially considering Lola's past trauma, and I cannot wait to see the pack fully come together in part two.
I've been enthralled with Mari and Darragh since reading the first book, I've been not so patiently waiting for months to read their story and I believe it lived up to the hype.
I really enjoyed reading about Mari maturing and starting to realise things she didn't before. Her coming to terms with the fact that not all the blame is Darraghs and she wasn't perfect herself and the way she took matters into her own hands when she needed too. She may've been scared and helpless at times, but she was brave when she had to be.
I loved Darragh too, old, grumpy, emotionally constipated, traumatised, antisocial, awkward, feral, bloodthirsty, and sweet, caring, protective. He was amazing, the way he bought gifts for Mari for 4 years, built her a treehouse to be safe from his wolf, and kept all her things she threw away in a fit of sadness. He had his flaws for sure but I think he more than made up for them.
I zoomed through this one and was upset when it came to an end, I could read 100 chapters of Mari and Darragh. They might even be my most favourite couple of the series. Cate did exceptionally well with this one.
I wanted to pummel Rocco, he really got my blood boiling by being so manipulative and the way he wouldn't listen to Mia at all, by refusing to accept her wishes, and constantly cutting her off and accusing her of things. Mia was a major pushover with a bad case of body betraying syndrome, which frustrated me to no end.
But everything came together in the end and I didn't hate Rocco or Mia as much as I did in the beginning and I found Rocco at least somewhat redeemable.
I had a lot of fun with this one, there was a lot of action packed moments and it held my attention well though out the entire book. Mian and Neheyuu's relationship was filled with ups and downs and they had some pretty dramatic moments, especially Neheyuu, but I liked their relationship.
Elizabeth created a great world with Taken To Sasor, I really enjoyed the lore and ancient legends surrounding the Manerak and am contemplating reading the rest of the series because of how much I enjoyed the world building.
I had a lot of fun with this one, there was a lot of action packed moments and it held my attention well though out the entire book. Mian and Neheyuu's relationship was filled with ups and downs and they had some pretty dramatic moments, especially Neheyuu, but I liked their relationship.
Elizabeth created a great world with Taken To Sasor, I really enjoyed the lore and ancient legends surrounding the Manerak and am contemplating reading the rest of the series because of how much I enjoyed the world building.
In my opinion Taken To Voraxia didn't contain much romance, the moments between Raku and Miari weren't very long and neither were they very convincing of their love. There was a lot of action that I found really engrossing, Stephens does really well when it comes to world building.
Miari was really smart and I loved reading about the things she invented out of scrap parts. I especially liked her character a lot. I wasn't as keen on Raku, I found him just fine but that's about it, I feel as if he didn't really have any personality outside of Miari and their mate bond which is a shame.
Overall it was exciting and filled with fast paced action packed moments, but the romance between the two MC's left much to be desired.
The ending was quite unsatisfying, I find it difficult to believe that years of miscommunication and uncertainty could be solved in just one measly conversation. Also Liz admitting at the end that she still loved him and wanted a second chance and then nothing? I feel unfulfilled. I wanted to see Andrew rejection of Liz and I would've liked to have seen Diana's reaction. The ending did feel very rushed but overall it was a decently entertaining and quick story.
Not particularly scary or grotesque stories like I expected, but they were short and entertaining. My favourite was ‘Where Are You, Dear Heart?' I found it incredibly interesting and something I have never seen or heard of before.
The only complaint I'd have is the extremely descriptive sexual moments that weren't needed and were really weird, especially the description of girls “aged 6 to 12” in No Birthdays or Baptisms, I know that the story called for it but it made me incredibly uncomfortable and I didn't like reading it.
If I had a nickel for every time I read a book about a woman developing psychosis from postpartum depression I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice.
In all seriousness, I really resonated with Jiyoung's story, especially the special treatment of her brother. I was even sharing excerpts of the book with my sister and we both mulled about the similarities between both Jiyoung's life and ours.
Reading about the experiences and sacrifices that us women have to go through just because we're women made me incredibly sad and disheartened, and usually I use reading as a way to escape from real world horrors, but I truly truly loved this book and was so glad that I read it.
Oh my god, what a beautiful story! Ranney did amazingly in bringing her characters to life and writing such an excellent book! I have so many things I want to say.
The only value Catriona thought she had was her beauty and so of course she would be absolutely devastated to lose that. It upset me how little she believed in herself and the way Catriona mourned for the things she thought she had lost made my chest hurt.
Her character development is probably the best I've ever read. I LOVED how flawed she was! From the very beginning we see that she isn't the greatest person, she's selfish, thinks herself above others, vain, and entitled, but experiencing the way she recognised that she hadn't been the best person was very fulfilling. It didn't happen right away and it took time for her to correct her behaviour and I loved how realistic that was. I loved how Catriona worked towards bettering herself and giving others who needed it a better chance at life, She was such an amazing character.
Mark was also an incredible character. He was a good man who genuinely cared about everyone, from the people less fortunate, Catriona's stubborn and unappealing self, the rich who truly had no need for his services but he humoured them anyway, his grandfather who he looked up too, and even to his nasty father and even nastier brothers. He loved being a physician and he was good at his job. I also really liked how witty Mark was, I found his conversations with everyone, especially Catriona, very amusing.
One of my favourite things about him was the way he was able to see through Catriona's act, that she was lashing out and being difficult because she was afraid due to losing everything she knew. And the way he genuinely cared about her injuries, her limp and her poor left arm.
Dina was easily my favourite side character. Her love for Catriona, her determination, and her stubborn care for her was so sweet, and the way Dina treated others, her compassion, and charity work, she was such an amazing character and I really admired her.
I was incredibly sad to finish the story, I would read several books about Cat, Mark, and their relationship! I can't wait to read more from Ranney, she executed The Lass Wore Black so exceptionally well and I'm excited to see what more she has in store!
The tension between Winslow and Griffin in the very first chapter literally gave me butterflies in my stomach. I loved their relationship and I especially loved the plot, it's not often we get to read about a woman in such a high position, it was something new and I really enjoyed it.
Winnie was very hardworking and smart, I loved the way she didn't back down from those who tried to undermine her and when she put Griff in his place for acting like a neanderthal. She was also very compassionate, the way she handled Melinda was very sweet.
Griffin was great, besides the whole “women are too much work to form relationships with and i'm too busy for that but i'll gladly fuck them” thing, but other than that I liked how kind and caring he was and not just with Winnie, but with the rest of his family too.
With that being said and even though I did enjoy their relationship, I did feel as if something was missing and it was a little bland, they started out strong but then slowly fizzled out. The mystery aspect of the plot did a lot of heavy lifting and without it I highly doubt I would have enjoyed it as much.
Talia did not let Foster grovel enough at all, all the secrets he kept from her on top of the seven year separation, it was frustrating how easily she rolled over for him. Especially considering the one VERY BIG secret he hid, Foster should've been begging on his hands and knees for that alone.
But I did find it oddly entertaining regardless of the short comings. The strange dynamic between Talia, Foster, Vivienne, and Kadence was especially interesting.
