bekahzabel's reviews
325 reviews

Phantom by H.D. Carlton

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dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Always a treat to dive into a new HD Carlton. 

If you have a dark twisted and sick mind, that is… which indeed, I do.

Loved the pacing, the tension between Genevieve and Ronaldo, and that little Zade & Addie bonus blip at the end :)  

Dark stalker romance, jam packed with triggers, steamy AF. 4⭐️//🌶️🌶️🌶️

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Anathema by Keri Lake

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

not me thinking this was a stand-alone and being so confused as to why i had twelve pages left and still so many questions????? 

i loved the gothic elements and imagery, but this slow burn almost had me crashing out fr. as much as i loved it, it wasn’t grabbing me as much as i expected it to. i’ll definitely read the next one though, zevander is zaddy tier

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The Dread Prince by Lauren Cate Leake

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

I am FERALLLLL!!!!!!

These books are creeping their way into some of my favorites of all time. The world building and getting a look into the other planets and realms had me awestruck. There’s additionally some really intense character development throughout this journey, we see Mal and Maeve dive deeper into the villainous darkness as chaos ensues. The  magic system is so intricate and interesting I simply couldn’t get enough. 

There were multiple twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and hot damn am I already chomping at the bit for more. If you love villains, dark fantasy, shadow magic, banter, and world to completely immerse yourself in… this series is the answer. 

6 gold stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//🌶️🌶️.5

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The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

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adventurous informative mysterious reflective fast-paced

3.75

A riveting tale that follows the rise and fall of notorious art thief Stéphane Breitwiesser. 

Stealing over 200 famous pieces of art between 1995-2001, Finkle dives into Breitwiesser’s motives, methods, and complete obsession with stealing and coveting beautiful works from museums all over Europe. 

I really enjoyed how fast paced and informative this book was, I listened on audio and it’s a great place to start for anyone wanting to add more non fiction to their palette. With first hand accounts and extensive research, I learned a lot and was engaged through every chapter.

3.75 ⭐️
Fan Fiction Placeholder/The Gallows by gillianeliza

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challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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Say You Swear by Meagan Brandy

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

did i cry? yes, so that means it was a success. 
was it an ugly sob for the last 50 pages? yes. 

is noah riley the spitting image of what we want every man to be for us? also yes. 

arianna was eating and leaving no crumbs in this man’s kitchen, quite literally.

my mom always taught me: the way they treat their mother is the way they will treat you….. noah riley sure checked that box now didn’t he???? 

themes: 
love triangle,
finding self in first year of college,
he falls first, hard
dual POV
protective older brother & supportive best friends,
finding love after heartbreak, 
college football romance 

there were a couple plot twists that really worked for me. i also love that there were multiple side characters that i grew fond of and it wasn’t strictly focused on the MC’s. i loved the beach house to college setting, and i loved the slow burn and tension.

the dialogue did feel a bit choppy to me occasionally, and at times there was a more juvenile tone to the romance but overall i really enjoyed this one. I mean they’re young adults so it makes sense as to why there were juvenile moments but it warmed my heart to read a first true love story esque plot. 

3.75⭐️/🌶️🌶️

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Christmas Ghosts: A Dark Romance Novella by N.M. Jenson

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dark lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

A smutty Christmas cabin in the woods experience indeed. Pure smut, 3 ghosts, one girl 🫣👀

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Secrets and Masks by Emerald_Slytherin

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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Where's Molly by H.D. Carlton

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dark mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

3.5

🐖🩸🔪☠️🖤

3.5🌟 rounded up// 🌶️🌶️🌶️
dark, naughty, & deranged. a quick one that i’m glad i crossed off my list before the end of 2024. love getting a look into side characters within the HA universe. I think I enjoyed this one and sibby’s story equally. love when he falls first & hard. trigger packed novella- not for everyone, i like it psychotic tho so idk 

rounding up especially because of the extended epilogue 🫣🌹🥀😍

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Master of Salt & Bones by Keri Lake

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dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I ripped through this one after finishing Noticadia, I enjoyed this one almost as much, but felt the pacing was just slightly off until the end.

Dark gothic romance jam packed with triggers. I enjoyed Lucian’s character arc and the way the mystery of the Blackthorne family unfolded. Did not expect that plot twist at the end either! 

Forbidden Love, 
Age Gap,
BDSM,
Breath & 🔪 Play,
Slow Burn with serious spice once it hits.

3.75⭐️/🌶️🌶️🌶️.

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