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bigbuttandabook's reviews
1121 reviews
Speak of the Devil by Charish Reid
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Candy Corn Curses by Aria Daze
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
3.0
This started off really well. I was intrigued and by the world building and the magic. The relationship development between the characters was sweet and solid with both on page accounts and an obvious bond. But somewhere around the time, they figure out what Candy is from her family, this feels like it because another book entirely. I think what this needed was another read through, a round of edits and different formatting. Things get very confusing on what is real and what is dreams, page breaks where definitely need to denote shifts in scenes, and it felt like the plot moved in a circle which slowed the pacing. But the time we made it to the events in Heaven I was skimming and ready for it to be over. This is still full of good humor, good spice, and fun lovable characters but the execution wasn’t as clean as Daze’s other works.
Under the Wishing Tree: A Small Town Romance Novella by June Gray
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
3.5
This was all the feel good fall vibes of hallmark but with the tougher emotions of a tv drama. This was the kind of instalove that romance is made of. Like who hasn’t day dreamed about mutual attraction between strangers but a connection that felt like they were meant for you? June has a description but not overly wordy writing style, the spice convey the passion but fit the coziness of the story. She actually has me tearing up a little and that’s not ease. She’s a new to me author and I’m excited to read more, especially if she makes you work for the HEA. I kinda like my romance to hurt a little.
Hell of a Bargain by B.P. Gilmore
funny
lighthearted
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
3.75
This was a perfect cozy fall PNR. It’s erotica with a sprinkle of plot. I’m always going to be here for plus size girlies in every trope. Domme witch and good boy demon wasn’t a thing I even knew I needed until B.P. gave it to me. My fall vibes is off to a good start
Elevator Pitch by Evelyn Leigh
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5 I’m coining a new sub-genre. Book girl romance. It is romance written about a book girlie by a book girlie. It is often times cheesy but very sweet, has a mmc who is very intentional about becoming/being a book boyfriend,and copious amounts of book references and book related activities. lol
Knowing Leigh wrote this story for herself and decided to share it with us makes it very special. While the FWB means it’s not a typical slow burn, the romance itself is, but overall I think it’s paced well. While an enjoyable story the writing style could use some work. The shifts from narration, to internal monologue, to dialogue needed to be cleaner. A lot of the time it felt like reading a stream of consciousness and slightly jumbled together. It was always clear who was talking but this did make some points a bit repetitive, especially when the characters would recap the relationship’s development. But I appreciated always knowing what was going on in the characters heads so that their actions made sense. I also loved the friend groups and would have liked a little more on page time with them. This was a good debut novel and I’m excited for what Leigh has in store.
Knowing Leigh wrote this story for herself and decided to share it with us makes it very special. While the FWB means it’s not a typical slow burn, the romance itself is, but overall I think it’s paced well. While an enjoyable story the writing style could use some work. The shifts from narration, to internal monologue, to dialogue needed to be cleaner. A lot of the time it felt like reading a stream of consciousness and slightly jumbled together. It was always clear who was talking but this did make some points a bit repetitive, especially when the characters would recap the relationship’s development. But I appreciated always knowing what was going on in the characters heads so that their actions made sense. I also loved the friend groups and would have liked a little more on page time with them. This was a good debut novel and I’m excited for what Leigh has in store.
Lady Killer by L.M. Ramirez
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
Why do I keep signing up for the emotional turmoil that is the cliffhangers in this series?? This is going to be a jumbled mess. But ok here we go. I wanted more from this book. Like I don’t really feel like I learned anything new. The guys learned new information to them but none of it, outside of a few specific details was new to the reader. I also don’t know how Nixon came to feel things for Luz, like I feel like I need to go back and reread because, where did the switch happen? I know from others assessments of him that he has feeling for my girl, but I can’t recall an acknowledgment before the shift at the end. Im a little concerned about the new factor that was added.
However with all that said, it was a completely compelling page turner. Like I enjoyed it and I am also very unsatisfied. I think because the connection was built in the first book I’m so invested in the characters that getting to spend time with them again was a treat, but I would have preferred for the last 20% of the book to have taken place somewhere in the middle and for the picture to have become clearer by now. And at the same time there is so much satisfaction in the way the guys responded to everything they learned. So basically I’m a mess and I’m not getting off this ride, ever!
However with all that said, it was a completely compelling page turner. Like I enjoyed it and I am also very unsatisfied. I think because the connection was built in the first book I’m so invested in the characters that getting to spend time with them again was a treat, but I would have preferred for the last 20% of the book to have taken place somewhere in the middle and for the picture to have become clearer by now. And at the same time there is so much satisfaction in the way the guys responded to everything they learned. So basically I’m a mess and I’m not getting off this ride, ever!
Buried Beneath Sin by MT Addams
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.
I couldn’t read a book where a fmc would ever forgive a love interest for allowing her to be raped.
Almost Surely Dead by Amina Akhtar
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
2.5
A book taking until 60% to get good is a hard read to rate and review because all the build up was more interesting what’s you put all the pieces together but I always feel like the bread crumbs should be more interesting and evident throughout the book. The same way the author discussed Baba and Adnan later in the book could have been done earlier. I also think making the paranormal more concrete throughout the book would have made it more enjoyable to. (Spoilers)……..
To me Dunia watching her sleepwalking videos and not realizing she was the one leaving the notes was a plot issue. And I didn’t like that it was never determined why someone was trying to kill her to begin with. It made it seem like they were being hunted and that was why instead of the hunting being what was the deterrent.
So it was all a bit too confusing. I enjoyed the end a bit especially the last victims lol but I think this could have definitely been done better.
To me Dunia watching her sleepwalking videos and not realizing she was the one leaving the notes was a plot issue. And I didn’t like that it was never determined why someone was trying to kill her to begin with. It made it seem like they were being hunted and that was why instead of the hunting being what was the deterrent.
So it was all a bit too confusing. I enjoyed the end a bit especially the last victims lol but I think this could have definitely been done better.
With a Vengeance by Anne Grove
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
3.0
This was an enjoyable read. I didn’t love Vienne as a fmc mostly because I felt like she was often mis-naming her feelings and her behavior. She was selfish and if she would have stood in that instead of thinking of herself in a better light I would have personally enjoyed her more. But I guess it can be chalked up to what would vengeance look like from a person raised as a pacifist. I definitely enjoyed the Clan though and as in most things I would have liked it much better with multiple POVs. As a debut book I think it was solid with room for improvement. But I’m always going to be on the bandwagon for a Bipoc author writing Black and POC why choose romance!
Soul Ties by Mea Monique
funny
medium-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
3.0