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booktalkwithrae's reviews
843 reviews
Baking It Merry by Samantha Chase
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I don’t tend to read holiday romances, but I just felt like I was in the spirit of Christmas so decided to listen to this one thanks to Libro.fm for the audio book.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance. But this one just was not it. Tristan was not the greatest male MC, and Daphne was insufferable for parts of the story. Their romance and chemistry just felt a little forced, and it didn’t give me the excited giggly feelings that I get when reading a enemies to lovers romance. I feel like this book had a lot of potential, but was just not for me.
The audiobook was very well done, and I found the narrator did a good job at trying to convey the story the best they could.
I love a good enemies to lovers romance. But this one just was not it. Tristan was not the greatest male MC, and Daphne was insufferable for parts of the story. Their romance and chemistry just felt a little forced, and it didn’t give me the excited giggly feelings that I get when reading a enemies to lovers romance. I feel like this book had a lot of potential, but was just not for me.
The audiobook was very well done, and I found the narrator did a good job at trying to convey the story the best they could.
Wreck My Plans by Jillian Meadows
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
It is not often that I read holiday romances, but I just felt like trying it out this year. This is your typical small town Christmas romances with an age gap but it was still cute and enjoyable.
The first thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was that it felt instant lovey. I understand that the two main characters knew each other prior to the beginning of this book, but as a reader, I just felt disconnected from that information and therefore it felt like an insta-love romance.
However, I still found that they had a lot of really cute, romantic moments, and I love their interactions. I found that Gavin was sometimes a little too perfect to be real (yes I know he’s fictional, but I still expect some realism).
The first thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was that it felt instant lovey. I understand that the two main characters knew each other prior to the beginning of this book, but as a reader, I just felt disconnected from that information and therefore it felt like an insta-love romance.
However, I still found that they had a lot of really cute, romantic moments, and I love their interactions. I found that Gavin was sometimes a little too perfect to be real (yes I know he’s fictional, but I still expect some realism).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Wisteria by Adalyn Grace
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was one of my most anticipated sequel of this year, and it did not disappoint! The banter, the romance, the drama was deliciously consumed. There were moments in the plot point that were obvious but I didn’t care, I loved it all.
The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the ending. It just felt a little rushed, and would have liked more time to stew with the complicated feelings that the characters were going through at the end.
Regardless, this book was really fun to read, and it is definitely one of my favourite YA fantasy trilogies to date.
The only thing I wasn’t a huge fan of was the ending. It just felt a little rushed, and would have liked more time to stew with the complicated feelings that the characters were going through at the end.
Regardless, this book was really fun to read, and it is definitely one of my favourite YA fantasy trilogies to date.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Lore of the Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year and I was left unsatisfied for the most part, which is unfortunate.
This book definitely screams debut. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style and I felt like there were long periods of time where the character was just thinking or there was description and there are some readers who love that but me personally I find it to be dull and dry. It drags the book and it personally made me feel like I had to wait for interesting things to happen and then when there was some inkling of interest we would go right back to the prolonged thoughts and long descriptions.
I really enjoyed the characters and I found them unique and interesting. The magic system was different, but I felt like I didn’t quite understand the rules of it which extends to the world in this book. For a book with such long descriptions, I feel like I didn’t fully grasp the world.
Now, this book is classified as a romantasy, and that is absolute true. But considering this is a love triangle (which I personally still love) weirdly didn’t feel like a love triangle for some reason. Both love interests were developed separately which dull the excitement of a love triangle and I didn’t particularly love either of the male lead. I just didn’t get the excitement that I normally get with romantasy with these love interests.
I will say the most interesting part of this book besides the magical library in the beginning was the ending. There were some shocking factors and it was really exciting but shocking with how dull I felt the book was in the middle. It definitely peaked my interest to pick up the next book, but we will see how I feel once it’s released.
This book definitely screams debut. I wasn’t a huge fan of the writing style and I felt like there were long periods of time where the character was just thinking or there was description and there are some readers who love that but me personally I find it to be dull and dry. It drags the book and it personally made me feel like I had to wait for interesting things to happen and then when there was some inkling of interest we would go right back to the prolonged thoughts and long descriptions.
I really enjoyed the characters and I found them unique and interesting. The magic system was different, but I felt like I didn’t quite understand the rules of it which extends to the world in this book. For a book with such long descriptions, I feel like I didn’t fully grasp the world.
Now, this book is classified as a romantasy, and that is absolute true. But considering this is a love triangle (which I personally still love) weirdly didn’t feel like a love triangle for some reason. Both love interests were developed separately which dull the excitement of a love triangle and I didn’t particularly love either of the male lead. I just didn’t get the excitement that I normally get with romantasy with these love interests.
I will say the most interesting part of this book besides the magical library in the beginning was the ending. There were some shocking factors and it was really exciting but shocking with how dull I felt the book was in the middle. It definitely peaked my interest to pick up the next book, but we will see how I feel once it’s released.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Much like the first one I really enjoyed the audiobook, the characters were fun and it is a change from what I typically read so it was something new that was exciting for me.
However, much like the last one I felt like this book was lacking, and as I continue with the story, my interest wained. Although I appreciate that, it did not feel like an Insta love like the first book. I could really feel the hate between the two characters which just made the book that much more exciting. But the transition from hate to affection was a little too quick for me. I want my hate to love romances to be a slow process as opposed to a switch.
The fact that I love Lachlan more than Roman (book 1) is why I continued reading this book and did not DNF it. I think his character was much more interesting and dangerous. I just needed more for the development of their relationship throughout the story. Also, needed more conflict and drama, at least between the two characters by the end of the book.
Nonetheless, I still thought it was a fun read, and I still really enjoyed my time with this book.
However, much like the last one I felt like this book was lacking, and as I continue with the story, my interest wained. Although I appreciate that, it did not feel like an Insta love like the first book. I could really feel the hate between the two characters which just made the book that much more exciting. But the transition from hate to affection was a little too quick for me. I want my hate to love romances to be a slow process as opposed to a switch.
The fact that I love Lachlan more than Roman (book 1) is why I continued reading this book and did not DNF it. I think his character was much more interesting and dangerous. I just needed more for the development of their relationship throughout the story. Also, needed more conflict and drama, at least between the two characters by the end of the book.
Nonetheless, I still thought it was a fun read, and I still really enjoyed my time with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
First off I need to comment on how well the audiobook is crafted for this one. If you love audiobooks or even if you are someone who doesn’t listen to them often I still highly recommend this one. It is a testament to how audiobooks should be done on a regular basis!
The characters were different new and interesting for me. I love the duo perspective and it was a read that I wouldn’t normally pick up, but it was recommended to me. It gave me a lot of Dexter (TV show) vibes with a lot of romance, trigger warnings and smut. It was fun for the first half (minus the insta love)
But the second half just felt repetitive and boring. I definitely wanted more conflict, more drama and more high stakes.
Regardless, it was a new read for me and I enjoyed the change in what I typically read.
The characters were different new and interesting for me. I love the duo perspective and it was a read that I wouldn’t normally pick up, but it was recommended to me. It gave me a lot of Dexter (TV show) vibes with a lot of romance, trigger warnings and smut. It was fun for the first half (minus the insta love)
But the second half just felt repetitive and boring. I definitely wanted more conflict, more drama and more high stakes.
Regardless, it was a new read for me and I enjoyed the change in what I typically read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Ne'er Duke Well by Alexandra Vasti
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly, I had really high hopes for this book, but it just did not hit the mark for me. I felt that the couple fell in love way too instantly and I never like an Insta love I really needed more of a buildup. I lost interest in the characters by the halfway point, and none of the side characters really felt enjoyable in anyway. The ending was boring and in all honesty if I did not have the audiobook, I probably would have DNFed this.
I don’t think this is a badly written book. It just wasn’t enjoyable to me.
Thank you to McMillan publishers for sending me an E ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I don’t think this is a badly written book. It just wasn’t enjoyable to me.
Thank you to McMillan publishers for sending me an E ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Nectar of the Wicked by Ella Fields
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a little bit of a roller coaster ride for me. First, I was enjoying it, then I wasn’t, then I was interested, then I was bored and everything just felt repetitive, then I was interested again.
I think the mystery of Flea and her past was very intriguing in the beginning. The lack of worldbuilding and understanding the history of the political climate in this world affected my enjoyment of the story. But because you are in Flea’s who also doesn’t really understand what’s going on you can kind of accept the lack of information.
Florian was immediately intriguing from the moment he entered the story. The mystery surrounding him and the secrets you know he’s holding kept you captivated from the beginning.
This is where my enjoyment started to waiver because I felt like nothing was really happening spot wise. Although there was a lot of romance to keep me entertained. Suddenly, we find out some really interesting information and the story gets intriguing, and then all of a sudden it’s smut for about 100 pages. And this is where I started getting frustrated. Look, I love a good smut filled book, but I need plot sprinkled in between to keep me invested. And it was just too much at one time.
Then suddenly, incomes the plot, history, and political intrigue, and suddenly I have invested again.
In the end, I enjoyed the book! It was interesting and it was intriguing. I think I just didn’t like the execution of it and the balance of smut versus plot, but, I’m very intrigued to pick up the second book.
I think the mystery of Flea and her past was very intriguing in the beginning. The lack of worldbuilding and understanding the history of the political climate in this world affected my enjoyment of the story. But because you are in Flea’s who also doesn’t really understand what’s going on you can kind of accept the lack of information.
Florian was immediately intriguing from the moment he entered the story. The mystery surrounding him and the secrets you know he’s holding kept you captivated from the beginning.
This is where my enjoyment started to waiver because I felt like nothing was really happening spot wise. Although there was a lot of romance to keep me entertained. Suddenly, we find out some really interesting information and the story gets intriguing, and then all of a sudden it’s smut for about 100 pages. And this is where I started getting frustrated. Look, I love a good smut filled book, but I need plot sprinkled in between to keep me invested. And it was just too much at one time.
Then suddenly, incomes the plot, history, and political intrigue, and suddenly I have invested again.
In the end, I enjoyed the book! It was interesting and it was intriguing. I think I just didn’t like the execution of it and the balance of smut versus plot, but, I’m very intrigued to pick up the second book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, and Blood
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s really hard to enjoy a book when you don’t really like the main character. Being in Suren’s head in this book was at times, annoying, and just overall not enjoyable. Which severely affected my enjoyment of the story. Maybe if we had POVs to get a break from Suren I would have enjoyed it more (though I’m sure many people enjoyed Surens POV). She just had no development and no growth for me.
I feel like this book overall was forgetful. The plot was boring until the end which of course makes me want to pick up the second book. Even the dialogue between Oak and Suren was lacklustre. Of course there were scenes and moments that captivated me, but it was always short-lived.
I feel like this book overall was forgetful. The plot was boring until the end which of course makes me want to pick up the second book. Even the dialogue between Oak and Suren was lacklustre. Of course there were scenes and moments that captivated me, but it was always short-lived.
Stolen Songbird by Danielle L. Jensen
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really enjoyed this book, but there were moments of the book where I lost interest or was a little bored, which is why my rating is lower than I expected going into this book. But overall, I did enjoy it, and I am excited to read the next one.
The beginning, I was a little overwhelmed with all the characters I was being introduced to. To then find out that majority of the characters were not really important to know (at least for now) so I was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning which affected my enjoyment of the story because it took me a little longer to get into it.
I think that this book needed a little more worldbuilding. I felt like I was constantly confused or misunderstanding the parameters of this world and would’ve liked to know more about it. Especially the history of the trolls within this world. Although we do find out some information later on, it would’ve been helpful if we got a little more in the beginning.
I really enjoyed the characters specifically the trolls. The descriptions were so intriguing and different and I am not the best visualizer when reading books so I would love to see fan art of the trolls.
The romance was good, but it took me a while to get invested in it. I think what would’ve helped me enjoy the romance more would be to have more chapters from the Princes POV. I feel like the characters went from despising each other to in love relative quickly, and if we got more POV chapter from the princes perspective, it would have made a little more sense.
Even though the middle of the book slow down for me because of the sudden insta love and slow plot line, the ending was exciting, intriguing and definitely makes you want to pick up the second one.
I really hope we’re gonna get a little more backstory and a little animosity in the romance to keep the story interesting.
The beginning, I was a little overwhelmed with all the characters I was being introduced to. To then find out that majority of the characters were not really important to know (at least for now) so I was a bit overwhelmed in the beginning which affected my enjoyment of the story because it took me a little longer to get into it.
I think that this book needed a little more worldbuilding. I felt like I was constantly confused or misunderstanding the parameters of this world and would’ve liked to know more about it. Especially the history of the trolls within this world. Although we do find out some information later on, it would’ve been helpful if we got a little more in the beginning.
I really enjoyed the characters specifically the trolls. The descriptions were so intriguing and different and I am not the best visualizer when reading books so I would love to see fan art of the trolls.
The romance was good, but it took me a while to get invested in it. I think what would’ve helped me enjoy the romance more would be to have more chapters from the Princes POV. I feel like the characters went from despising each other to in love relative quickly, and if we got more POV chapter from the princes perspective, it would have made a little more sense.
Even though the middle of the book slow down for me because of the sudden insta love and slow plot line, the ending was exciting, intriguing and definitely makes you want to pick up the second one.
I really hope we’re gonna get a little more backstory and a little animosity in the romance to keep the story interesting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Violence